Much thought, time and effort is put into preparing for the One of a Kind Show in Chicago each year. This is the biggest show that I attend and this is my 3rd year to participate with over 600 hundred artists from around the world. The show takes place in the Merchandise Mart and takes up an entire floor of this huge building. I have to say the hardest part about attending this show is not spending all my earnings purchasing amazing products from other vendors.
My favorite part of this show is listening to and watching people as they react to my art. Passersby can’t help but stop and smile at a shelf full of happy snowmen. The kits are a big hit and my favorite thing to hear is, “We should buy a bunch of kits and have a felting party!” I usually demonstrate needle felting at the show when I have time and it is fun to see those watching slowly realize with amazement how the animals are made.
The picture to the right is the view we woke up to from our hotel window in Chicago.
It is absolutely heartwarming to finally be able to meet some of my customers that I have sold art to through the internet over the years. I also look forward to recognizing and greeting customers that keep coming back each year to add more of my art to their collection. I thouroughly enjoy and am often moved close to tears to hear your kind compliments and continued loyalty to my art!
We have made some improvements to our booth set up over the years and this year we added a table made out of a wire spool that complimented it very well. You can see in the pictures below the transformation from when our things arrive on the 7th floor in our booth, to completion.
We enjoyed some fun relaxing activities while in Chicago as well. Arriving a day early we were able to enjoy a play, Finding Neverland, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. I am looking forward to the One of a Kind Show 2017, meeting up with old friends and meeting new.
