FineFurnishingsShowTripp4

I had a guest book for people to sign but that was a bust. It was really hard to get people to sign the book.

Lee G suggested post cards to hand out to visitors. I had several different types printed up and handed them out. Here is a PDF of the post cards.

I had 500 made and gave out somewhere around 150. Most visitors were happy to take the cards even if signing the book wasn't their intent.

I warn you now that I took far too few pictures of the actual show. I didn't get any shots of the outside of Midwest Airlines Center where the show took place. That is unfortunate. Below is a picture taken from their own webpage. It is a newer building but as with many other new buildings in Milwaukee, its' appearance aptly bridges older and newer architecture.

We were advised to add accessories that would personalise the booth. My father and brother came from out of state to help out. They brought with them a table I made a year ago plus a couple items made by my dad and his dad in years gone by.

Below is a three generation piece. My dad made the walnut footstool. His dad (my Grampa Young) made the walnut and maple chess board, and I turned the chess pieces from broom poles when I was about 20.

I had some family pictures, including a photo taken when I was quite young ...I asked visitors to pick me out of the photo. It proved to be a fun conversation piece. Later I had a laptop computer placed here that ran a Power Point slide show of other pieces I've made that couldn't make the trip.

The chair I brought to the show was placed in a special line up of all the other chairs-The show's producer's called it

"A Parade of Chairs."

Because I was able to set up my booth far earlier than I anticipated, none of the other chairs were set up when I shot these pictures.

Once the show started there wasn't a time when I felt comforatable taking pictures of the show.

That may seem strange, but none of the other exhibitors were taking pictures so it would have seemed out of place.

My dad-Roland and my brother Larry had planned on attending the show for some time but my sister Jane surprised me by flying in Friday night too! I was so fortunate to enjoy their company and their help!

Here my wife Eileen has joined the trio.

I believe it is next to impossible to pursue this craft and enjoy success without the support of your family. There is just too much dust, disorder and uncertainty. My family has encouraged me for years and has never said anything to hold me back.

2006 Fine Furnishings Milwaukee

Best in Show Furniture:

Single piece – contemporary - R. Thomas Tedrowe, Tedrowe Furniture Studio, Columbus, IN

Single piece – traditional – Brian Boggs, Brian Boggs Chairmakers, Berea, KY

Body of work – contemporary – Anne Bossert, Anne Bossert Fiberart & Furniture, Fort Collins, CO

Body of work – traditional – Alan Young, Woodward Woodworks, Ypsilanti, MI

Best in Show Accessories:

Roberta Elliott, The Velvet Hammer, Cobden, IL – forged lamps with blown glass shades

Best in Show Fine Art:

James Borden, Timeshapes, Zumbrota, MN – wooden clock sculptures

Marc Harrison Award for Marketing Excellence:

Gary Keener, G. Keener Co., New Carlisle, OH

I don't have pictures of one of the best moments of the show. But Saturday afternoon, four young men in their very late teens or early twenties came into my booth. The swarmed over every piece looking at joints, finishes, and every detail they could examine. At first I was kind of nervous about the details they were so closely examining then I said "Let me guess-you guys are all in a woodworking program right?"

"Yeah- Uh huh" they all seemed to say in unison. It turns out they were from Iowa State and were enrolled in a furniture design and construction program. We asked each other many questions and piqued our mutual inquisitiveness . They were really fun to talk with and I look forward to seeing their own work in the years to come.