Replies

1. 
   LeeGrinding1 | Feb 24, 2003 10:45pm | #1

   I did Philly a few years back. It cost me about five grand since I had to haul my stuff from the wild West. Was it worth it? There are a lot of intangibles so it's hard to really nail it down. I sold no furniture at the show. I've made no sales that I know of directly because of the show however I have sold furniture since and perhaps an association with the Philly show was enough to prompt someone to buy from me.

   I have professional associations in the East and it's good to establish and maintain those. So, although I cannot say I earned a penny directly because of the show I do not regret shelling out the dough to do it. Advertising is expensive and it's kinda like nailing a coffin shut, it takes a lot of nails and you never know which particular nail actually did the job.

   Lee

   Lee Grindinger

   Furniture Carver

1. 
   RickL750 | Feb 25, 2003 03:44pm | #3

   Lee, thanks for your feedback. Have you done any other shows since? BTW I love your carvings, I’ve thought of using some very simple carvings to add a little more detail to my pieces. Unfortunately that’s something I may never be able to do, I just don’t think I have the patience. 

   RickL

1. 
   LeeGrinding1 | Feb 26, 2003 05:13pm | #5

   Rick, I have not done any shows since Philly. Work has picked up and when I'm busy the last thing on my mind is assembling the Lee Grindinger Furniture Show and hitting the road. Were I to do another show I'd probably do the ACC show in Chicago. My website seems to attract a lot of folks from the Midwest so I think I'd try making an appearance there. Philly has little traditional work and much more arty and modern stuff. When I was there I was a stand-out as far as styles go, being one of two or three traditional stylists. I remember a lady literally running up to my booth and exclaiming "Thank God you're here! I'm so tired of all the modern stuff!" Did she actually buy anything? Nope. Finding the right show is not necessarily an easy thing to do. The Philly show waxes and wanes as far as attendence and sales go, they all do.

   I think the most sales there were achieved by John Kelsey, owner of Cambium books. Woodworkers as a lot are so terrified of the public that many of them abandoned their wives or help in thir own booths to hide in John's booth looking at books. Hah, ha, ha.

   Lee Lee Grindinger

   Furniture Carver

1. 
   RickL750 | Feb 26, 2003 06:40pm | #8

   Lee, Thanks again for your input and time.

   RickL

2. 
   kennedy136 | Feb 25, 2003 06:44am | #2

   Rick,

         It's too late to get into this years show if you haven't already mailed your application(like two weeks ago).  I just got my confirmation today.  This is my first time at the show and I expect to do well.  However I have a product line ranging from 650$ to 20,000 $ (Queen Anne and Chippendale) .  I'll let you know how it goes.  The show has only been in existence for nine years so it was relatively new when Lee went to it.  It has a reputation now of being a good show for exhibitors so we will see if they are lying or not.  I have read good reports from guys who have attended it.  Like anything else depends somewhat on what you are selling and whether your product is perceived to be a good value or not.  It is a juried show and just mailing in an application is not a guarantee of being accepted.  I didn't have any doubt that I would be as I sent them some Knockout pictures and was also told they have a call for my type of furniture.  That said it was still a relief when the confirmation arrived.  Now I just have to come up with the money for the booth/ brochures etc.  Whoever said it takes money to make money was right.

   
   

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   Edited 2/24/2003 10:47:08 PM ET by the professor

1. 
   RickL750 | Feb 25, 2003 04:06pm | #4

   Hi Professor,

   I know I mist the day for signing-up. I have all the details but not enough pieces on hand to display. So I was thinking next year and building a few pieces I’ve had on the drawing board to introduce at a show. The Philly show came to mind since it’s a large one and I’m about two hours away. This year I’m planning on attending to see the set-up first hand and I would be interested in hearing your thoughts after everything is over and done with.  Maybe I’ll see you there. BTW have you done any other shows?

   Thanks,

   RickL

   Edited 2/25/2003 8:18:47 AM ET by R!CKL

3. 
   davamoore | Feb 26, 2003 06:15pm | #6

   I'm not sure if I should be passing on someone else's name or not (what's the protocol?), but you might want to see if you can track down Scott Braun, who used to post here fairly regularly.  He started doing the Philly show a couple of years ago and -- at the time -- posted a thread similar to yours.  He's in Brooklyn, NY, and might be able to provide some advice.

   David

   "The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

1. 
   RickL750 | Feb 26, 2003 06:39pm | #7

   David, I do know of Scott Braun with me being located in New Jersey. Maybe I'll send him an e-mail. (I won't mention your name)

   Thanks,

   RickL

   Edited 2/26/2003 10:41:47 AM ET by R!CKL

1. 
   davamoore | Feb 26, 2003 10:10pm | #9

   Rick, feel free to use my name.  I'm sure Scott will let me know directly, if it turns out that he'd prefer me to keep my mouth zipped!

   David"The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

4. 
   vermonterken | Mar 02, 2003 04:36am | #10

   Rick,

    check the furniture society's forum for a thread on this topic. Quite a bit of feedback

    Ken