Antique Show Insider

Where have I been? What have I done?

2011-12-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the failure to share any cohesive thoughts in recent memory. Been in the laboratory creating other things. Check out the results:

Tailgate-Music Valley
The Vintage Marketplacecase
The Design Showcase

These are the new sites for our show in Nashvile coming up February 2-4. So take a look, pass along the links and follow if you like. Happy holidays- I might even try to take some time off- yeah right.

Antique & Vintage for the Holidays

2011-12-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

My earliest memories include being around the antique business. I set up at my first show at age 3- selling $19 and buying a Christmas tree (dad was in the booth next to me- these were much simpler times). As I grow older and now have a child of my own, I look back and realize that most of my special Christmas memories don't necessarily involve toys, electronics, clothes or money, but presents from family members that were gifts from the antique world. Whether it was cast iron still banks, T-206 baseball cards, marbles, cool college sports memorabilia or things that still are in our home. , those things stand out as deeply personal gifts, rather than mass produced items that come and go with time. This holiday season, think about giving something from the past, which might have a great chance of creating memories into the future.

New blog header needs work & Nashville video

2011-11-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

Ok- this new blog layout is still a work in progress. Check out the YouTube video from our Show in Nashville

Working on new concepts.

2011-11-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

Been busy this week trying to put the finishing touches on new features at shows. Stay tuned for some exciting things next year in Nashville & Springfield- details to follow in the next week or so.

Behold the eye of the Wanderer!

2011-11-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

Although this link might not be timely- here is the journey of the Antique Show Wanderer at the September Harwinton Show- click here.

Recycle your money!

2011-11-07T05:49:00.000-08:00

One really cool thing about living vintage is a story from our recent show. We decided that turning the pool room into a play room was the right decision for our 4 year old. Out with the pool table- in with toys and storage. I took a few things off the wall that I had purchased at a show about 10 years ago to our show in Nashville. I sold them and used the money to buy a set of vintage gym lockers. Now I didn't make any money on the sales, but I took money that I spent 10 years ago and turned it into something I needed today. The Pottery Barn item that was in the room, went into the trash.

This is it- our new home in Nashville!

2011-11-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

A 30 year search ends in success.

For the past 30 years, the Tailgate and Music Valley Shows have been mainstays of Antiques Week in Nashville. Both shows are a superb combination of great dealers, great customers and wonderful merchandise. Their success was and is a combination of those ingredients. Through the years and several facility changes it was always our feeling that despite great success, the shows lacked the “great home” that they deserved. Despite the many obstacles presented over the years by fire marshals, second & third floor rooms, cold & rainy tents, snowy parking lots, cease and desist orders, political manipulations and possible facility closures, the shows succeeded in spite of these challenges.

We are happy to announce that beginning with our February 2-4, 2012 show, the Tailgate/Music Valley Antique Show has a new home- the Hendersonville Expo Center. This brand new facility will give us the great home that the show deserves. The Expo Center Features:

· Room for 250 vendors in one space on one level in a drive-in facility.

· High ceilings

· Brand new concession and restroom facilities

· Located in the affluent suburb of Hendersonville

· Easy hotel, restaurant and interstate access

· 6 year contract with February dates corresponding with Heart of Country

· Shuttle bus service between show and Opryland Hotel/Heart of Country

· Superb Free Customer and Dealer Parking

· Onsite dining/recreation options

We are excited to offer you the chance to participate or attend what we are confident will be the great home that we have been looking for all these years. We offer you our strongest commitment that every conceivable effort will be made to insure that the Hendersonville Expo Center will be a great home for dealers and customers for the continued success of the show.

With Thanks,

The Jenkins Family & Staff

Not too serious

2011-11-01T19:19:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the antique business isn't very serious. This sandwich shop sign was a hot item last weekend in Nashville. Can't stop laughing thinking about the times Marv asked patrons "do you prefer your wieners Jumbo or King Sized"?

Photos From Nashville

2011-10-27T10:19:00.001-07:00

Photos from this mornings opening of our Nashville Shows at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Booths of Karen Buckingham, City Farmhouse, Marie Miller, Mark Morris and Worden Select Objects. Make plans to join us this weekend.

Check out this new blog!

2011-10-23T06:11:00.001-07:00

A group of like minded people have started a really cool new blog- I Live Vintage!! It is the story of people who have made the decision to live their fast paced modern lives accompanied by really cool things from the past. It is the story of their lives with vintage. Click here-

Because sometimes it is just really cool.

2011-10-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

There is always a lot of discussion as to why people buy antique/art/vintage. Is the main motivation to collect, live with or be surrounded old things? That may play a part, but I think a powerful motivator maybe the fact that many times, old stuff just looks cool- for lack of a better word. Time graces many objects with a patina that just can't be reproduced exactly (nice try R. Hardware).
Here is the booth of Mark Morris from last week's Rhinebeck show. He will be in Nashville along with a lot of other dealers with really cool stuff- hope to see you there.

New England Fall Weekend and coming to Springfield

2011-10-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

Spending what I consider to be one of the prettiest show weekends of the year in Rhinebeck, NY and Deerfield, MA for two great shows. Rhinebeck was aglow in autumnal (spelling) splendor with a strong selection of dealers. If you've never been, put it on your antique bucket list. Deerfield features a selection of top dealers on the grounds of Historic Deerfield. The show runs on Monday this year and I will fill you in later.

Springfield this weekend for our last outdoor show of the season featuring the Mid-
America Holiday and paper show in the Youth Building. Hope you join us for a great fall weekend.

Texas, Rhinebeck & Deerfield

2011-09-30T09:22:00.001-07:00

Hope to see some of you at upcoming shows- Round Top has been an absolute scorcher with temps well over 100 degrees but plenty of cool beverages to help keep it reasonably tolerable. Planning on being in New England next weekend to cover Rhinebeck and Deerfield. Will take pics and share.

Redefining good and great.

2011-09-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

We are constantly subjected by the words "good" and "great" in the business. They are overused terms that have come to mean things that often cause a basic mis-understanding of the very nature of what we do. There is a pandemic with both of these terms that illustrates the conundrum that we find ourselves trying to escape. That is a great cupboard. He or she is a very good dealer. That is a great auction house. The prices were very good. We tend to associate the words good and great with expensive, rare, museum quality, high end and various other words. I had a discussion with a dealer the other day about what these terms mean in today's world. What we came up with, although just our opinions, more accurately reflect the new world we find ourselves living in: A good/great dealer is someone who keeps customers happy by providing unique objects that customers value at prices they can afford with honesty and integrity- regardless of the price level at which they operate. A good/great customer is someone who chooses to use discretionary income on antiques and in turn helps dealer operate their business. A good/great show is a place where customers/dealers can get together and exchange goods for cash- regardless of price level. A good/great antique is an object that is as represented, has an intrinsic value based upon, form, function, aesthetics, intended or repurposed use or the fact it just looks good- regardless of price.

New Extravaganza photos!!!

2011-09-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Extravaganza Photo Contest

2011-09-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to bring you camera to this weekend's show in Springfield. The five best photos will receive a pair of season passes for 2012. Either submit them via our Facebook group or email to info@jenkinsshows.com. Capture the fun, excitment and good times of the show!

Attempt at humor-

2011-09-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

Top 10 things to do before this weekend’s Springfield Extravaganza from the home office in Terre Haute, Indiana

10. Check supply of comfortable shoes and clean socks.
9. Stop eating now so you will be hungry for something wonderful from our food vendors.
8. Clean out your house and storage areas to be prepared for the new stuff you are sure to find.
7. Stop all discretionary spending until next Friday.
6. Double check hotel reservations.
5. Convince someone new to come along- always more fun with friends.
4. Concoct a series of plausible explanations as to the origin of new purchases for your family:
“Honey, where on earth did this life sized stuffed giraffe come from?”
3. Call ahead to the authorities and warn them that even though your family will likely be reporting you missing, you’ll simply be at the Springfield Extravaganza longer than anticipated.
2. Stop checking the weather forecast- one word “PERFECT”
1. Prepare to be amazed!

Harwinton Photos

2011-09-10T05:16:00.000-07:00

A few Harwinton photos-enjoy and remember that a few of these were taken when Graham took the camera.

Fast forward- Brimfield to Springfield

2011-09-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

This time of year is usually chaotic at best. The photo above is Graham at the dry portion of Brimfield. For those of you who haven't heard, raincoats were a must. Have plenty to share from Harwinton, Brimfield and gearing up for a great Extravaganza next weekend.

Harwinton- now Brimfield

2011-09-06T04:25:00.000-07:00

Will talk at length about Harwinton later this week. Suffice it to say we were very pleased with the show and are more excited than ever about our new home and the future of the show. Photos, recaps and thank-you's later- on to Brimfield today. Raincoats anyone???

All signs point to Harwinton

2011-09-01T17:09:00.001-07:00

Despite news to the contrary- the Harwinton Antiques and Design Weekend is on for this weekend. Hope to see you all there.

Come on Irene

2011-08-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

With apologies to the Midnight Runners and Dexy- I am happy to report that the Harwinton Fairgounds withstood both the June stress test that Mother Nature provided as well as yesterday's encounter with Irene. Irene did provide a good bath to the grounds, but they will be in top shape for the show this weekend. Hopefully those dealing with the aftereffects of the storm will want a break by next Saturday and Sunday.

Win free Extravaganza tickets.

2011-08-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

Share your favorite story about the Springfield show and win free passes for the September Extravaganza. Either share your story on our Facebook page, or leave the story as a blog comment. We will give away 5 pairs of tickets.

Damaging nature of good rumors.

2011-08-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Writing today to clarify what seems to be current fodder for the rumor mill. I recently returned from Antiques Week in New Hampshire. After what was for the most part a good week, an incident occurred late Thursday afternoon that I feel requires comment and clarification. A promoter with multiple events in Manchester accused me of recruiting vendors on his show floor for a competing show to be launched for the Manchester Week in 2012. The promoter would apparently not believe the denial I spoke to him or respond to the email that I sent the following morning. I have received numerous phone calls and emails in the past week and feel the need to issue the following statement:
At no point in time during Antiques Week in New Hampshire, did I or anyone that I work with attempt to solicit any vendor for a show to be held during Antiques Week in New Hampshire. I did spend quite a bit of time talking about our new facility in Nashville with dealers during Antiques Week in New Hampshire. I imagine that someone might have overheard one of those conversations and made the mistaken assumption that the facility was in New Hampshire. I hold the shows, promoters and dealers who participate in shows in Manchester in high regard, spending significant amounts of time and energy to attend. We have never considered adding an event to this market as the current line-up provides great shows, great dealers and good results to the participating dealers and customers. I look forward to continuing to support the existing shows in this market.
Whether or not the rumor is being spread out of a mistaken assumption or bold faced lie, the effect is the same. It brings an unnecessary distraction in a time that the business simply doesn’t need it. Promoters and dealers don’t need it, and those spreading the rumor should understand the turmoil they keep fueling by spreading false information.

Jon Jenkins

New Harwinton Photos

2011-08-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

Photos from:
Victor Weinblatt
Missouri Plain Folk
Melissa Bourque
Storb Antiques
Steven Singer
Country Peddler Antiques

Can the Insider get a Facebook share.

2011-08-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

I know that there are at least 4 people besides my mother who occasionaly enjoy this blog. Whether it is something that is written, or a picture that you like, what is the point of all this if we aren't trying to share it with a wider audience and broaden the appeal of what we enjoy? The nifty Facebook share button on the right is a great way to let your friends know about the wonderfully underappreciated world of antiques, art & vintage design. Take a moment when you read a post to hit that button, fill out the stupid "what are these random letter" thingy and share. The antiques, art & vintage design bandwagon has plenty of empty seats. Help me fill it up.

New Photos for Harwinton

2011-08-21T06:01:00.001-07:00

These photos courtesy of South Road Antiques who will be doing Harwinton in two weeks. Enjoy!

Catching a few bargains at Springfield

2011-08-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

Had time yesterday to catch a few deals yesterday at the August Springfield show. Very good crowd and some really cool stuff. Picked up an Arts & Crafts sideboard for a tv stand and had to buy this store display champagne bottle. It is a Salmanazar (9 Liter) bottle. Too bad it was empty.

Sometimes words matter- a lot.

2011-08-18T10:24:00.001-07:00

Got new neighbors a few months ago- a couple about our age with two young kids. As they've been in and out of our house a few times for a few cookouts, they have noticed our furnishings seem a little bit different. I've explained what I do for a living and they really seem interested in the stuff. When I talk about things as antiques the interest level seems to wane, but when I describe something as vintage- the excitement level increases. I am talking about items of similar age- clearly over 100 years old, but vintage resonates while antique falls flat. Maybe it's the word and not the stuff.

With heavy hearts-

2011-08-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Taking a day off from the Insider today to take our annual trip to the Indiana State Fair. This year the tragedy that took the lives of 5 and injured many others brings a great deal of sadness to a normally joyous day. Be sure to keep the families of the victims in your thoughts and prayers.

On to Springfield

2011-08-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Back from New Hampshire, and while results weren't outstanding across the board, I think the week went well. Getting ready for the August Springfield show next weekend and preparing for our trip to Connecticut for Harwinton.

Midweek in Manchester through the eyes of a 4 year old.

2011-08-11T06:40:00.001-07:00

I was going to upload Graham's photos from Midweek this morning, but was told that I have exceeded my photo storage limit. Must expand limit.

Making headway taking antiques/vintage mainstream.

2011-08-10T06:23:00.001-07:00

Logged on to aol this morning and a story was teased about model/businesswoman Heidi Klum and her designer friend shopping the Rose Bowl Flea Market. While the antique purist might scoff at what they are shopping for, we should all instead focus on the importance of:

1. Well known celebrity shopping for antique/vintage in mainstream media which helps reinforce a needed message "this is what cool people do"
2. Designer giving some common sense advice for the beginner making it seem more accessible

Remember folks, we need customers at every level. While the jury is still out whether vintage is a gateway drug for more traditional antiques- it remains a strong hope. How many antique collectors/users started out buying 20 years ago are buying the same things today?? Not many according to my research. Click here for the link to the article and video.

The view of Deerfield from the eyes of Graham Jenkins

2011-08-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

Graham discovered how to use the camera today and these are his photos. Interesting to see a show through the eyes of a child. Watch out Antique Show Wanderer- someone wants your job.

Manchester- a photo essay

2011-08-08T13:33:00.001-07:00

Match the caption with the correct photo
1. Perhaps fortelling the rise of tatoo in popular culture.
2. In case you need to go a little bit.
3. Early sock monkey with provenance.
4. It's that time of day.

Major Nashville Announcement

2011-08-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

This is it!!!

A 30 year search ends in success.

For the past 30 years, the Tailgate and Music Valley Shows have been mainstays of Antiques Week in Nashville. Both shows are a superb combination of great dealers, great customers and wonderful merchandise. Their success was and is a combination of those ingredients. Through the years and several facility changes it was always our feeling that despite great success, the shows lacked the “great home” that they deserved. Despite the many obstacles presented over the years by fire marshals, second & third floor rooms, cold & rainy tents, snowy parking lots, cease and desist orders, political manipulations and possible facility closures, the shows succeeded in spite of these challenges.

We are happy to announce that beginning with our February 2-4, 2012 show, the Tailgate/Music Valley Antique Show has a new home- the Hendersonville Expo Center. This brand new facility will give us the great home that the show deserves. The Expo Center Features:

· Room for 250 vendors in one space on one level in a drive-in facility.

· High ceilings

· Brand new concession and restroom facilities

· Located in the affluent suburb of Hendersonville

· Easy hotel, restaurant and interstate access

· 6 year contract with February dates corresponding with Heart of Country

· Shuttle bus service between show and Opryland Hotel/Heart of Country

· Superb Free Customer and Dealer Parking

· Onsite dining/recreation options

We are excited to offer you the chance to participate in what we are confident will be the great home that we have been looking for all these years. We offer you our strongest commitment that every conceivable effort will be made to insure that the Hendersonville Expo Center will be a great home for dealers and customers for the continued success of the show.

The show will have a section that is walled and papered, as well as a section with pipe & drape/walls optional. We will arrange for a chance to see our new home during the show this October as well as pick out booth locations. We look forward to seeing you in the next few months.

With Thanks,

The Jenkins Family & Staff

Preparing to deploy the troops.

2011-08-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Antiques Week in New Hampshire is upon us and here in the office we are preparing to launch ourselves into the series of events with gusto. Deploying the ground offensive today while the air attack waits until Saturday. For those of you who have never been, it is a great week filled with wonderful merchandise. Check out the NHADA website or the Barn Star website for complete details. Not sure if the Deerfield show has a website, but details on the show can be found at the Antique & The Arts website. Northeast Auctions kicks off the event with their auction starting Friday. Hope to see some of you there.

Photos from May Extravaganza-

2011-07-26T05:03:00.000-07:00

Here is the May show through the eyes of photographer Chelsea Wann. I hope you enjoy seeing the show through her eyes as much as I did. It also reminds me of a important point. As promoters and dealers we spend a great deal of time pushing the imagery that we want to be seen of our shows and inventories. Customers see what we do from their own very unique persective and I sometimes need to be reminded of that.

It's none of their business, IT'S YOUR BUSINESS!!

2011-07-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Facebook and Twitter are the most popular, and at the same time most mis-understood social media platforms. One great source of frustration that I often experience is a conversation that goes something like this.

Dealer- "Business sure is tough"

Me- "are you trying anything different in your approach to buying and selling? Website, Facebook, Twitter??"

Dealer- "I've thought about Facebook, but I really don't want people knowing my business"

Let me get this straight you are in business, but you don't want people to know it? There is a lot of confusion about Facebook among people who feel that somehow participating in a social media site forces you to divulge your most personal secrets. Any social networking site divulges what you tell it to divulge. You don't have to have give any personal information away. You can have a presence on Facebook simply as your business. Talk about your inventory, what shows you are doing. Talk about what you love collecting or simply reminding folks that you exist.

I get tired easily of people complaining that things have changed and not willing to do anything to adapt to those changes. I'd love to see a few more people take a half an hour a week to reach out and connect with current, past and potential customers through social networking sites. Anyone up for the challenge?

It's growing again.

2011-07-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

Not my stomach, the dealers list for Harwinton. Already 40 dealers larger than the last September show. Enjoy and check back to watch it increase in size-

A Classic Touch
Acorn Antiques
Aged to Perfection Antiques
Albert Joseph & Co.
Andrij Roman Antiques
Andy's Antiques
Antique Prints
Architiques
Art & Antique Gallery
Arthur Gordon
Artifacts
Ashley Antiques
AWK Design Antiques
Beck's Button Box
Benting & Jarvis
Beverly Dutton Antiques
Bill Scott's Antiques
Bonkey's
Bridges Over Time
Buckboard Antiques
by Ann Marsh
Cavern View Antiques
Charles A. Cohn Antiques
Charles Antiques
Cheftiques
Chelsea Hill Antiques
Chimney Corner
Collection Agency Antiques
Colliersville Cottage Antiques
Country Christmas
Country Peddler Antiques
Crone's Collectibles
Daphne
David Allan Ramsay
Dee's Antiques
Desjardins Antiques
Diane Belford
Dudley Hill Antiques
Easter Hill Antiques
Emma's Antiques
Etcetera, Etc.
Farmhouse
Finish Line Collectibles
From Here to Antiquity
Hands All Around
Hartman House Antiques
Hawkins Quilts
Heritage Antiques
Higganum House Antiques
J & G Antiques
James Koester
Jamie Brown
Jim Johannes
John Darrow
John's Collectibles
Joseph Bonafede
Joseph Collins
Karen & Albert Antiquinares
Kay Baker Antiques
Kingston Bay Gallery
Kocian DiPasqua Antiques
Lepore Antiques
Mad River Antiques
Mainely Lighting
Margaret Meier
Marie Miller
Marie Rogat
Mark Morris
Mars-Most Antiques
Marvin & Leslie Wies
Mary Ann Stikas
Mason Antiques
Matt King
Memory Lane Antiques
Michele Fox Antiques
Missouri Plain Folk
Nancy & Craig Cheney Antiques
Nancy Fishelson
Nancy Hagen Antiques
Nancy Wells
Nellatiques
Nipper's Choice
Noble Peddler
Nook 'n' Cranny Antiques
O'Donoghue Antiques
Old Lamps and Things
Old Village Antiques
Over Hill Over Dale
Painted Duck Antiques
Palisades Trading Co
Pam & Martha Boynton Antiques
Paul & Karen Wendheiser
P-B Antiques
Peter & Claire Ringel
Phyllis Pasternak Collectibles
Pottles & Pannikins
R. A. DiFillipo Antiques
Red Barn Antiques
Robert Perry
Robert T. Baranowsky
Rubley Antiques
Russ Whitmore
Ryan's Antiques
Sandy Klempner
Sandy's Estate Jewelry & Antiques
School House Antiques
Scott Bassoff/Sandy Jacobs
Seymour Fine Arts
Soll's Antiques
South Road Antiques
Sport & Spool Antiques
Steven Singer
Storb Antiques
Stu Magdefrau
Sugar Princess
Susanne Edgerly
Swank Pearce Collections
T & F Trunks
The Backroads Collection
The Jewelry Lady
The Scrapbook
Thomas Thompson
Tither & Sears
Tranquil and Tempting
Two of a Kind
Victor & Maxine Weitz
Victor Weinblatt
Victorian Rose
Virginia Kausel
W. F. Healey Company
White Orchid Antiques
Worden Select Objects
Yesterday's Dreams

The customer is alway right- most of the time.

2011-07-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Most Mondays start off slowly enough, but this morning I was greeted by a warm email from a disgruntled customer. I sent out a newsletter to our Harwinton email list yesterday with some basic info about the Labor Day show. Typically, I don’t receive responses to these newsletters as they are informational. Below is the text of the email:

"Your management of the grounds was horrible!
Your people should have been prepared for the rain.
Your people should have had at their disposable hay to place in areas that were soaked and muddy.
If was no fun to try to walk to see dealers that were near the muddy areas.

I and my family won't attend again if those are the conditions your management feels are okay for your customers."

I firmly believe and try to practice the theory that the customer is always right-most of the time. There are clearly limits to this and an over entitled customer is not always a good one. For those of you who follow the blog, I have been very open about our experiences at the show and the areas that it didn’t meet our expectations. Here was my response:

“Sorry that the show did not meet your expectations. Might I suggest a little perspective.

Horrible is someone dying from a terrible disease.
Horrible is a natural disaster that takes the lives of thousands.
Horrible is the grammar in your email.

Have a nice day.”

Would one of our several loyal readers recommend our Harwinton show to a friend, I’m not sure we’re getting a return visit from our emailer.

A first time for everything.

2011-07-15T07:23:00.001-07:00

One of the tasks that we spend a lot of time on is corresponding with dealers on spaces. It is not uncommon for me to call a dealer and have a conversation that will end with "My husband/wife/partner is at show/out of town/not currently avaiable, can I call you back after I talk to them? Today I had the following conversation. "I like the space, but my husband is in outer Mongolia doing research and won't be back until the end of the month. I will call you if he gets in touch with me via satellite." What a strange world we live in.

Ask- then listen, listen, listen.

2011-07-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

One thing that I always try to remind myself of while I’m running a show is the necessity of listening. Listening to dealers and customers often provides key and free input on my business. Certainly many of the things that I’m hearing are simply reminders and reaffirmations of things already known. But often they are new ideas that are valuable and actionable. Companies often spend thousands of dollars on outside consultants, but existing customers (dealers and shoppers) will often provide the same level of input for free. Better yet, their input is from the point of view of someone already involved in the process rather than someone brought in for their supposed expertise.

I would also like to pass along this advice to dealers and customers. Take the time to talk to each other. What are you buying, selling? What are you interested in collecting or living with? These conversations will often lead to shows that more reflect both of your expectations. There’s an old saying is that “free advice is worth what you pay for it” but I would argue that “free good advice/input is priceless”.

Hey Mr. Demille- time for your closeup.

2011-06-28T11:28:00.001-07:00

For everyone who thinks they have what it takes to be on a reality show about antiques, here's your chance:

Looking for Amateur “American Pickers”
$$$ COMPETE TO WIN BIG $$$

The producers of the hit TV show “AMERICAN PICKERS” are doing
a new show for the History Channel.
We are looking for America’s best amateur pickers
to compete for the title of Top Collector!

We are seeking picking partners (husband/wife, friends, father/son, etc.)
who are fun, knowledgeable, and passionate about collecting.

Do you spot the hidden treasures that others miss?
Do you know how to flip items for profit?
Do you pick better than everyone you know?

Do you specialize in collecting items like:

• Classic Cars
• Oil and Gas Memorabilia
• Coin-Operated Machines / Vending Machines
• Circus & Carnival Memorabilia
• Motorcycles and Motor Scooters
• Antique Casino/ Gaming Equipment
• TV & Movie Memorabilia
• Military Items
• Cast Iron
• Taxidermy Animals
• Antique Toys
• Civil War Items
• Architectural Salvage

To apply, email jstryker@cineflix.com ASAP with a description
of you and your picking partner, your area(s) of expertise,
your phone numbers, and a recent photo or call Jennifer at (646) 873-6528

What we do and why-

2011-06-25T06:48:00.001-07:00

Sometimes in the fast paced world of Antique Show promotion, we are guilty of not doing a good enough job of letting customers know what our role is. Why are you paying $3-$40 to get in a show? Many customers are happy with the experience and more than willing to pay ticket prices, but others seem to bristle at the notion.
We are essentially consolidators of goods and services and sellers of entertainment. Show promoters secure a facility, recruit dealers, handle logistics, staffing, marketing and customer recruitment. We take a risk every time we run a show of it “not working” due to tepid response, weather or other market conditions. Like many other consolidators of goods and services, we need to be compensated for the service we provide. One of my favorite customer complaints is “why do you charge me to shop, I don’t pay when I go to the mall”. Every time that a consumer purchases something in a mall, the consolidator (mall owner) gets the share of revenue required to operate the facility plus a profit. In this instance, their cut is priced in the item the consumer is buying but our industry does not operate in this manner.
Our Springfield Show features as many as 2000 vendors during the May and September shows. The show is that large because of a long standing policy that allows vendors to select the number of days they wish to participate. Approximately 50% of the vendors stay for all 4 days, while other chose to participate as they see fit. We have long debated this policy internally and with discussions with many vendors over the last 15 years and have always come to the conclusion that a change to this policy would negatively impact dealer count and customer enjoyment of the show. A mandatory 4 day commitment would dramatically decrease the number of vendors who could participate, thus diminishing the size and scope of the show.
As a discussion on our Facebook page recently demonstrated, there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue. We have recently begun the practice of discounting Sunday admission, to more accurately charge for the size of the Sunday show compared to Friday and Saturday. This issue also goes back to what I spoke of previously. If a customer comes to our show on any day and finds three or four dealers that they enjoy (out of 2000) then the service we provide should save them significant amounts of time and money by reducing the cost of seeing them. The cost of driving to see these vendors in their shops, homes or malls should be much greater than the admission fees we charge.
Show promoters are also a lot like movie producers, we all start out trying to make a great movie. There are a tremendous number of things that we cannot control. If a customer comes to a show and doesn’t find anything that they want to buy or see anything that they enjoy, they will generally not be happy with the experience. This does happen, but the show producers aren’t responsible for a single item seen, bought or sold. But at the end of the day, if the show or movie is lousy, the producer is the one who takes the fall. By the way, when was the last time anyone called a movie producer to complain about ticket prices?

So you'd like to promote antique shows!

2011-06-20T18:39:00.001-07:00

After much thought here is a brief description of the events leading up to the Harwinton show last weekend- the most challenging show we have run in nearly 30 years:

Friday, June 3- After long thought, it was mutually agreed that we needed to find a new wall vendor for the show. Travel times and a conflicting show made it almost impossible for our regular supplier. With nearly 30 vendors needing walls finding a replacement became an immediate need. On this issue, we hit the jackpot with Stacy Exposition. They stepped in and never missed a beat. Challenge solved.

Saturday, June 4- While at Karate with Graham, received a phone call from our tent vendor informing us that due to the growing size of the job (40 tents, 250 tables) that they couldn’t fill the order. Panic sets in- how do you locate that many tents that need to start going up in 72 hours on one of the biggest wedding/graduation weekends of the year? To start with, you start by calling every company that owns tents in New England. At this point, I actually taped my cell phone to my hand. By the end of the day, I had several companies exploring the possibility of filling the order, while nearly 20 said they didn’t have a single tent to rent.

Sunday, June 5- Travel Day. Many of you with small children know the joy of a long day of airport travel. That three hour layover in Detroit sounded ok when I booked the tickets. Security made me remove the taped cell phone from my hand, but only lost several minutes of calling. We arrived at our hotel around 9 p.m. - tired and still tent-less.

Monday, June 6- We got up and went to the show’s new home, the Harwinton Fairgrounds. The grounds were in great shape, grass mowed, buildings ready to go. I spent most of the morning on the phone in a frantic search for tents. By noon we had dispatched a rental truck to Vermont to pick up the small tents that we were going to have to put up ourselves. If you think finding tents is challenging on short notice, try finding a 26’ truck. By Monday evening, the tents were loaded and should arrive by noon on Tuesday. Our large tents were going to go up on Wednesday morning by two companies, one from CT and another from MA. For the moment, it looked like everything was on schedule. Dad had located some extra labor in our hotel parking lot to help with the tents (you always find great labor in hotel parking lots). All kidding aside, the group of guys that Steve from Waterbury put together were a tremendous help numerous times during the week.

Tuesday, June 7- While on the way to the show, the truck was pulled over for not stopping at a weigh station in Massachusetts. After nearly an hour of pleading ignorance (we were), apologies and promises to correct the many errors of our ways, the truck was back on the road. Arriving around 1 p.m. the tents began to make their way skyward with the help of our crew.

Wednesday, June 8- The two tent companies arrive and begin erecting the large tents while our guys make good progress on the smaller tents, I spend most of the day at a board meeting for the Alliance for Art & Antiques, a newly formed trade group for the industry. The show was really shaping up by Wednesday evening, just a few things to tidy up, some tent sidewall to hang and one larger tent to go for a smooth Friday dealer set-up.

Thursday, June 9- A forecast for afternoon storms seemed to be minor obstacle, but little did we know they would dramatically alter our plans. Around 5:30 what could be described as a microburst hit the fairgrounds. High winds, hail and torrential rain pounded for nearly an hour. The aftermath was devastating, with most of the small tents either damaged beyond use or blown away. The large tents fared better, with two sustaining minor damage, and one not yet erected.
I was at Wal-Mart in Waterbury when the storm hit with Kelly, Mom and Graham buying supplies for the show. Dad called to share the news and needless to say I was absolutely blown away (pardon the pun). After working for days to find and put the tents up, they were blown away in a few minutes less than 14 hours from dealer set-up. I began wandering aimlessly through the aisles babbling like some modern day show promoting Rain Man mumbling nonsensical phrases “Definitely need duct-tape” and “Set-up starts in 14 hours”. It took me about 10 minutes of wandering around the store (which kept losing power from the storm) to regain the senses I could muster. I called back to the field where I was told that the weather was too bad to even assess the damage, but needless to say we needed tents. It was at this point that conventional definitions of sleeping and eating went on hold for 96 hours.
After a few phone calls, we were very lucky to find a tent provider (Sturdy Tents) who was willing and able to come in on Thursday night and have tents up by Friday morning. The small problem was he needed labor, and our staff had been working since 7 a.m. and had at least 5 or 6 more hours of clean-up work to do. Dad then called Steve and asked if they would like to pull an all-nighter putting up tents. The answer was an immediate yes, as long as they got to finish watching the NBA game.
Around 11:30 Thursday evening, a crew of 9 guys and 1 girl began to erect the 20 or so tents needed by the following morning.

Friday, June 10- Dealers were told via email the night before the news of the storm and related damage. While most booths were un-damaged, the grounds were very wet and one of the large tents and some of the smaller tents were not finished, but set-up began. Dealers for the most part were exceptionally understanding and more than willing to deal with the delays. The exceptions to that were in the large tent that did not get finished prior to the storm. The company that provided that tent had given us assurances that the tent would be up early in the a.m., but failed to deliver. This began a series of booth shuffling to put dealers who had arrived in spaces in the tents that were already up. When the company finally arrived (mid-morning) there apparently was a huge miss-communication with their (Portuguese?) staff as they began taking the tent apart. After a few frantic phone calls, the error was corrected and the tent was put up by about 1 p.m. - or 4 hours behind schedule.

Set-up went as smoothly as could be expected given all the complications of the weather and the fact it was a first time in the new facility. Booths that looked good on paper but not when set up were moved and the show was shaping up. As the day wore on, it looked like we had overcome most of the severe obstacles. We began to see light at the end of the tunnel, but little did we know that the light was a train coming full steam ahead.

Let me preface what I am about to write with a statement. I understand and support all those who work to promote public safety at our events. In 20 plus years, many of the police and fire officials that we have worked with have become friends and will tell you that we strive to make sure our events are the safest around. We began working with local fire officials prior to the show about the standards that our tents would have to meet. We were clear with our suppliers about what those standards were and were given assurances that all tents would meet those standards. When a local official inspected our tents on Friday night, we were informed that three of the five large tents did not meet code requirements for Flame Ret ardency. The problem was not with the tents, but the fact they were not labeled properly. One tent had 4 labels, was missing 1 and had a clear marking where the label had been, but could not be passed. After several hours of discussion that lasted past 11 p.m., a compromise was reached that would allow us to use the three tents if vendors would change the orientation of their booths to face the outside of the tents and hiring a fire watch in each of the three tents that did not pass inspection. This was the only solution other than closing the tents and having the vendors not participate.

Saturday, June 11- arriving early, we began the task of telling vendors in the tents that they would need to change the orientation of their booths. This was met with varying degrees of response from begrudging acceptance to outright rage. We also were informed that the show could not open until the sidewalls were down on the tents, no big deal except for the fact that minutes prior to opening the skies opened up with another 1-2 inch rainfall. While assisting in the teardown of a dealer’s booth to meet with fire-code, I was informed that the traffic had backed up a half mile because the front gate could not be opened until the fire official gave the ok. I then asked local fire personnel to assist with the sidewall tear-down so we could get the show opened.
The show opened with a decent crowd (very good considering the weather). It looked great and the Harwinton Fairgrounds will make a great home moving forward. Most dealers were encouraged and there were reports of some very good shows. The tough first show wasn’t something that I would have wished for, but reminds us of that great Mike Tyson quote “everybody has a plan until they get hit in the face”.

Sunday, June 12- Started the morning handling the passing out of a dealer letter, collecting balances due as well as doing a little bit of damage control. There were booths that simply couldn’t handle the 4-6 inches of rain that had fallen in the past 72 hours. Tried to maintain my sense of humor and hide the frustrations that were boiling just beneath the surface. A dealer asked me on Sunday if I would characterize this as the show from hell. I told her I submitted the details of this show to hell for consideration, but they thought it was a little to punitive for their standards.
Monday, June 13- How do you get the remnants of 25 broken and battered tents back to Vermont?? Once again it’s Stacy Expo to the rescue. We were unable to do it ourselves as we were now on a Department of Transportation database and didn’t think we could please ignorance again. We managed to get everything wrapped up on Monday.
Need to close this by thanking a lot of people who endeavored to make a huge pitcher of lemonade out of the largest batch of lemons ever:
Kelly & Graham, Mom & Dad
Peg, Tim, Lynette, Bill, Ted, Tom, John and the guys on the crew
The Waterbury Guys
Stacy Expo
Sturdy Tents
The Terlecky’s and everyone else in Harwinton who pitched in and helped
Dealers and Customers who stuck it out at the toughest one yet and apologies to those who couldn’t
Janie for picking a good one to miss and helping from afar
People who help but wish to remain anonymous
The fine people who bring us Diet Coke, Pharmaceuticals, Seagrams Distillery (now Viageo), the small hamlet of Lynchburg, Tennessee and the bedbugs who made a brief appearance but as of yet have not followed us home.

Searching for the cure.

2011-06-18T09:27:00.001-07:00

On our first "normal" weekend at home in sometime, I find myself bidding online at today's Antique Helper auction in Indianapolis. Still looking for time to chronicle Harwinton- telling the story almost takes an hour.

Video of Harwinton!

2011-06-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

The link for the Harwinton Antiques & The Arts Video is here:

http://youtu.be/mkP3IhOc1fY

Kind Words

2011-06-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

The show in Harwinton this weekend was perhaps both the most difficult and rewarding show we have produced in 30 years of show management. I will write the details in the blog in the next few days, but suffice it to say that challenges were immense. The show would not have happened without extraordinary efforts of a lot of people-

1. A great staff that went without sleep and dry clothes for far longer than they should have.

2. Stacy Expo- who stepped in and conducted themselves far above the call of duty.

3. Sturdy Tents- if you need tents installed in the middle of the night with a few hours notice, call them.

4. Patient Dealers- a determined group who were not afraid to stick out their necks on a new venture in perhaps the most challenging circumstances many have dealt with.

Below are the very kind words of dealer Victor Weinblatt who penned them after the show and shared them with me today. Perhaps the nicest comments I've ever read after a show:

"I am happy to report some GOOD news, particularly in a moment when we all could use more of it: the birth of a very promising new show. Childbirth is not without risk & peril, and this one was complete with tents blown down and swept up into tree tops (fortunately on the evening before dealer arrival & set up), flooding rains and bone chilling cold. Antiques show managers, whose lives would be relatively blissful if they could control the fickle New England weather, are but one of the heroes of this narrative. Jon Jenkins, energetic, upbeat, dauntless and imaginative was our fearless young hero, and with grace & inextinguishable humor kept things, quite literally, from flying apart. He found new tent vendors to appear miraculously in the middle of the night. He had the vision to conceive of a new show in the best-suited-for-a-show fairgrounds I have seen in my thirty-two year career as a show dealer. A half dozen dealer-friendly skylit buildings of manageable, human scaled proportion with high ceilings and cross ventilation (more on this later) from large sliding doors made for an ideal summer venue for those of us who want or need to be indoors. Scenic fields afforded flexibility for those dealers wishing to be in larger management provided tents or smaller individual tents. In short, the perfect venue. The somewhat biblical, old Testament-like avenging God of weather had a slightly different agenda.
After the pre-set up phenomenon of airborne tents propelled into tree tops, the dealers lucky enough to be in those handsome fairgrounds structure were subject to their own purgatory. At 5 a.m. Saturday morning, those of us silly enough to check the weather forecast donned shorts & lightweight shirts appropriate to temperatures predicted to be in the 70s. What we got were a bit less balmy damp & windy 50s. As an alternative to hypothermia & frostbite, our ever resourceful & eminently fashionable band of brothers & sisters donned packing blankets (at least those of us who had not driven our trucks home the night before). The hands-down couture winner was Steve Smoot who looked quite fetching in a donegal-like woolen blanket skirt, which he should feature in his fall collection. Despite our suggestions to add a slit to the skirt to improve mobility, he steadfastly held to the purity of line & form, sacrificing comfort to aesthetics. To heighten show drama, and forestall the brain freeze of falling temperatures, the ever zealous fire marshalls decided just a few minutes before opening that all the dealers in the large tents had to re-orient their booths outwards. Which brings us to our second hero of the day, Sandy Klempner. With a beautifully designed (walled) booth (for which she is known in the industry) facing toward an inner aisle, the firemen ordered that her walls be taken down & reversed. All the tent flaps were ordered removed (despite the rain & wind) and with the show opening delayed and cars lining up all the way to Route 4, a doorway was cut in her back wall and her booth looked none the worse for it. Sandy was just one of the many dealer heroes of that morning in the tents, who despite ungodly pressure and the somewhat arbitrary demands of the officials, managed to subscribe to the 'show must go on' antique dealer motto, and carried the day with humor, grace and just a few real (fairly well-concealed) tears. Which brings to mind yet another dealer hero team, Lynn & Mike Worden. Late on Thursday night before dealer set-up, Lynn on the fly & on the road sent out an emergency e-mail with adjusted storm related information to all the travelling dealers. Lynn & Mike are dealer's dealers: their folk art is extraordinarily graphic, with brilliant form, exquisite surface, superb color and the freshest merchandise in the trade. Their booth designs are the best, bar none, with presentation that is jaw-dropping in its artistic impact & visceral stimuli. It is far more than 'eye-candy', it is an 'eye-feast', show after show. And if that is not enough to keep them busy, they are the unsung & anonymous authors of the most extraordinary show blog in the industry, The Antique Wanderer. In their travels they photograph hundreds of booths at the shows they exhibit at and shop, and then post them to the blog with the most profoundly witty & deeply moving captions. With a mid-western modesty, humility and selflessness they are my personal and artistic heroes. Now that I have set the stage, you might ask, with all the drama and heroics, was the childbirth worth the pain? The medical evaluation & prognosis is very positive. I was fortunate enough to have an encouragingly good week-end, with sales of three sets of polychrome architectural
shutters, a nineteenth century dough box in robin's egg blue, a square nailed diminutive bucket bench in dark green, a double schoolroom desk, a large double sided elaborately tavern-styled trade sign for WEST FARM HATCHING EGGS, a circus wagon polychrome panel touting GOOD SPORT & PLENTY OF IT, a polychrome gargantuan gear form mirror, a mid-19thc weavers skarn, a polychrome parchesi, a set of tops, and a healthy selection of smalls.
Hilary is right (as always), it does take a village, and this child named Harwinton clearly has a very bright future as it took its first baby steps this June. It will make its second public appearence on Labor Day week-end, and prospects for its healthy growth & development are excellent."

To quote the great Forrest Gump- "It Happens"

2011-06-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

While wrapping up the finishing touches on our new Harwinton Show, mother nature decided that she would add a few points to the degree of difficulty by taking out about 20 tents this evening. No worries, locating 20 replacement tents that need to be up in 12 hours is a snap. The show must go on, apparently sleep will not. Make plans to attend.

Blatant Commercialism

2011-06-04T04:56:00.000-07:00

We are looking forward to starting a new tradition at our new home at the Harwinton Fairgrounds. Customer and dealer response has been tremendous. We have had mentions of the show and or articles in the following publications:
Hartford Courant, Boston Globe, Philadelphia Enquirer, Waterbury Republican-American, Litchfield County Times

In addition to paid advertising in the: New York Times, Hartford Courant, New Haven Register, Litchfield County Times, Foothills Trader, Register Citizen, Thomaston Express, Avon News, Simsbury News, Canton News, Granby News, West Hartford News, Litchfield News, Litchfield County Times
Please take the time to email your customers in the New York area about the shuttle bus from Penn Station to the show. There is a link on the home page of the website www.harwintonantiquesweekend.com for full information and to book the trip.

On the road to Fairhaven

2011-06-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Heading to bucolic Fairhaven, Ohio this morning to watch a sleepy hamlet transform into an antiques mecca. For those of you who haven't been, the selection of dealers rivals New York, Manchester or Nashville in quality in a town so small, it doesn't have a stop sign. Visit Fairhavenantiquefestival.com for details. This show, combined with the Saturday Heartland Antique Show in Richmond make this a can't miss summer event if you are in the midwest.

Arrive in Style from Manhattan

2011-05-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

The details for the Harwinton shuttle bus on Saturday, June 11 from Penn Station in New York are available here. Sponsored by our friends at VandM.com

Thanks

2011-05-20T18:40:00.001-07:00

For everyone- customers, dealers, staff and anyone else who had a hand in making today our best Friday on record at the Springfield Extravaganza. Judging by any criteria- dealer count, attendance, concession lines, weather or any other way- it was truly off the charts. Looking forward to more tomorrow.

$100,000 Giveaway at Extravaganza

2011-05-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our marketing partners at VandM.com we will be giving the first 2000 shoppers a $50 gift card to be used on their website. VandM is the leading online source for all things vintage and modern. Check out their site here.

Let the excitement/controlled panic begin.

2011-05-16T04:24:00.000-07:00

Monday before Extravaganza is usually when the feelings of excitement/panic begin. Here are my random thoughts/fears/challenges.

1. Panic- is anyone going to show up? (yes)
2. Weather- I hate the weatherman- if there is a 10% percent chance of rain, why do they insist on leading with that. (Weather forecast is perfect)
3. I hope the ads run correctly.
4. Please deliver the golf carts/ trash dumpsters on time.
5. Make sure they put up the correct sign on the interstate, there is a major road construction project.
6. Hope all employees show up..
7. Please allow me a few decent nights sleep prior to next weekend.
8. Hope I don't forget anything (I will).
9. Praying that gas prices continue to go down.
10. Wishing everyone safe travels.
11. Hoping I don't forget anything for other shows. (I will)

A few words about Brimfield

2011-05-15T05:14:00.000-07:00

Wow- can't remember seeing better crowds at Brimfield. Seemed to be a lot of people from all over the world- a decidedly good sign. Also saw lots of buying teams from Polo, Hilfiger, Anthropologie and others. It's been a while since they've been spotted and were buying with a vengeance.

There were also a plethora of people making TV shows about the business, maybe one of them will actually be good- but that's another topic.

The news is in, and it's good.

2011-05-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Been a long time since I've had a week this hectic. Trips to Harwinton, New York, Brimfield, New York all while preparing for Springfield Extravaganza next week. Signing up between 20-40 dealers per day for Springfield and Harwinton. Below are new Harwinton dealers- more details soon.

From Here to Antiquity
Soll's Antiques
Sandy Jacobs-Scott Bassoff
Bridges over Time
John Kisluk-Marilyn Shorrette
Margaret Doyle
Jane & Fred McClafferty

Springfield Gets a shout out!

2011-05-06T03:42:00.001-07:00

Springfield gets a mention on ApartmentTherapy.com as a "Top 5 Must See Market".

Harwinton Vendor Update

2011-05-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I've updated the Harwinton Vendor List-

And Books Too CT
Black Swan Antiques CT
Brennan & Mouilleseaux CT
Dennis Hedegard ME
Etcetera, Etc. NY
Farmhouse CT
Horizon Antiques CT
Jamie Heuschkel CT
Jarrett Harrigan CT
Jolene Cooper PA
Madame Bijoux FL
Marie Rogat NY
O'Donoghue Antiques NY
Sandy's Estate Jewelry & Antiques CA
Still River Antiques CT
Susan Simon NY
Tranquil and Tempting CT
William Healey Company MA

Cool Blog Post on Shopping Nashville from Designer Roger Higgins

2011-04-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Scarlett Scales for passing along this blog post from the Nashville Design firm of R. Higgins. Cool post and some great shopping tips.
Click Here

Stuff I'm doing/ I've done

2011-04-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

1. Hired marketing intern in New York for Harwinton.
2. Placed ads in trades for Springfield and Harwinton
3. Landed Media Sponsorship for Connecticut show (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens)
4. Exploring new opportunities
5. Working on Groupon offer
6. Writing Press releases
7. Invoicing Vendors
8. Dispatch travelling team to Pennsylvania shows
9. Preparing for Brimfield/Harwinton trip
10. Listening to Graham play Thomas the Train

Promoting Responsible Consumerism

2011-04-26T05:32:00.001-07:00

In the process of always trying to figure out ways to better market antiques, art & vintage design, I am trying to boil it down to the simplest concept. While the green angle resonates strongly, it doesn't get to everyone. Same goes with the retained value approach. While both arguments are compelling they lack the "lightbulb moment". Perhaps they could be combined under the banner of "responsible consumerism" (flashier name needed). The concept behind being a responsible consumer is simple. Buying antiques, art & vintage design is the responsible thing to do as a consumer. Little to low environmental impact, much less likely to end up in landfill than big box items, retains value and last longer which reduces the need to replace every few years. Money saved in the long run can be used to invest or take a vacation. All we need is a catchy way to illustrate. Thoughts?

Restoration Hardware Exposed!

2011-04-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

For several fives of you who have been long term readers of our little blog, you might remember my previous diatribes against Restoration Hardware. Just got this little gem of a website detailing the Lawsuit filed by Los Angeles Gallery Obsolete against Restoration Hardware. If you, or someone you know is trying to make a living buying or selling antiques, check out this website and help stop the crap that companies like Restoration Hardware are trying to do.

Don Johnson makes me sound coherent.

2011-04-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

Don Johnson (the antiques writer, not the actor) actually made about 10 minutes of my ramblings sound semi-intelligent. Check out the article about our use of Groupon in this week's edition of Antiqueweek- More cool stuff this week including the Nashville reviews in Maine Antiques Digest (cover of section B for those of you who get the paper). Links later for those who don't. Trip to Nashville later in the week and a May Extravaganza update.

Where are the designers?

2011-04-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

One common refrain among dealers is there has been a decline in the number of desingers frequenting shows in the last few years. I am interested in hearing thoughts as to why. Of course I have my own ideas.

1. Furniture manufacturers have embraced the production of new things that look old. Look no further than Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn. Is anyone bothering to make anything that looks new anymore.

2. Because of the proliferation of items made to look old, the need to do the legwork in finding material has been made much easier for designers.

3. Shelter magazines that have long been advocates of antiques and vintage have embraced the made to look old new material.

4. The antiques/vintage industry has failed to embrace methods to inspire a new generation of customers.

Not that all is lost, talented people within the industry are working to address these issues. Anyone care to chime in??

New Vendors in Harwinton

2011-04-09T17:18:00.001-07:00

Just updating the new vendors added since my last update- enjoy

Singwood Antiques
Robertson Antiques
Pam & Martha Boynton
Palisades Trading Company
Nancy Wells
Leonard Ayers
Donna Sterling
Crones Collectibles
Antiques at 30B
Anne Meyer

The genesis of an idea.

2011-04-08T05:41:00.000-07:00

At many outdoor shows that tend to kick of in the spring the weather is always the wild card. Our April Springfield show over the last ten years has been anywhere from 80 and sunny to 30 and snowy. It sure makes it tough to plan for the show. Well, this year we've decided to try something different. The Fairgrounds has ample indoor and covered space that normally wouldn't get used in April, so why not allow outdoor vendors to use it in case of a bad weather forecast. I'll let you know how it works.

pure vintage chicago: Round Top Texas Recap

2011-04-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

Another view on Round Top from Melissa at Pure Vintage Chicago-

pure vintage chicago: Round Top Texas Recap

Reports are coming back now-

2011-04-04T10:01:00.001-07:00

Finally getting reports back from the Spring Texas Round Top. To summarize and give it a letter grade, I think it weighs in at a solid B. Many people I spoke with were encouraged and reported good to great results yetthere were still too many people saying they needed to sell more to raise it above a B.

Another common refrain is that the shows are simply "too long" with nearly two full weeks from start to finish. It sure makes it expensive to stay on the road for that long for dealers, and nearly impossible for customers. Not sure where the impetus will come from to shorten up the event, but it might be needed. It reminds me of Brimfield years ago before the town stepped in and began to regulate the chaos of the ever expanding show.

If a picture is worth a thousand words- here are 2000.

2011-04-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Just starting to post vendor photos to the Harwinton site. The first photos are for J & J of Tuscon with more to follow today. Click here to view their gallery to see more photos or enjoy these.

Working on websites

2011-03-30T10:58:00.001-07:00

Added some new bells and whistles to the www.springfieldantiqueshow.com website today and preparing for an entirely new site for Harwinton/Farmington. This is the only place where you can get the fascinating behind the scenes look at the thrilling world of antique show management. Stay tuned for more excitement.

Nashville Article in Antiques & The Arts

2011-03-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the link:

This just in- "selling booths is fun".

2011-03-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, for many that may seem like an obvious statement. But the amount of time I actually get to sell spaces for shows is a lot less than I would like. When you have shows coming up that dealers and customers are excited about (April & May Springfield and June Harwinton) the other tasks that it takes to produce the show take a large portion of your time. In the last few days, I've actually had a decent amount of time to book dealers and get reminded that the selling process is actually fun. Enjoy the update Harwinton vendor list below.

Connecticut
Acorn Antiques
Aged to Perfection Antiques
Albert Joseph & Co.
Andrij Roman Antiques
Beverly Dutton Antiques
Bill Scott's Antiques
Bob Kretchko Antiques
Bryne Wippick
by Ann Marsh
Charles Antiques
Chelsea Hill Antiques
Country Christmas
Country Peddler Antiques
Dee's Antiques
Diane Belford
Easter Hill Antiques
Erica Haba
Higganum House Antiques
J & T Antiques
James Koester
John's Unusual Stuff
Joseph Collins
JP Morgan Antiques
Karen Redinger
Little Journey's Antiques
Mad River Antiques
Marion Scully Antiques
Mason Antiques
Mike & Beth Ringo
Moldies-R-Goldies
Nancy Fishelson
Noble Peddler
Old Lamps and Things
Paul & Karen Wendheiser
Phyllis Pasternak Collectibles
Pottles & Pannikins
Robert T. Baranowsky
Ryan's Antiques
School House Antiques
Storb Antiques
Stu Magdefrau
Susanne Edgerly
Swank Pearce Collections
Tither & Sears
Two of a Kind
Two Sides of a River Antiques
Vintage Couture Jewelry
Virginia Kausel
Florida
Marie Miller
Illinois
Munday & Munday
Indiana
Don & Marta Orwig
Hawkins Quilts
Massachussetts
1843 House
Antique Prints
Art & Antique Gallery
Ashley Antiques
Buckboard Antiques
Cheftiques
Chip Neschke
Country Squire Antiques
DBR Antiques- Doug Ramsay
Desjardins Antiques
Dudley Hill Antiques
Hartman House Antiques
Kay Baker Antiques
Kingston Bay Gallery
Lepore Antiques
Matt King
McKenna Antiques
Nancy Kasting
Nellatiques
Nipper's Choice
Nook 'n' Cranny Antiques
Quelle Surprise
R. A. DiFillipo Antiques
Red Barn Antiques
Victor Weinblatt
Victorian Rose
Wenham Cross Antiques
Maryland
Country Treasures
Judith Lesser
Maine
David Allan Ramsay
Heritage Antiques
John Lord
Memory Lane Antiques
Milady's Linens and Lace
Rubley Antiques
T & F Trunks
Tom Joseph
Vos Antiques
Michigan
Worden Select Objects
North Carolina
Lavender & Old Lace
Snow Leopard Antiques
Sport & Spool Antiques
New Hampshire
Benting & Jarvis
P-B Antiques
Thomas R. Longacre
Thymes Remembered
New Jersey
CBC Antiques
Colony Farm Antiques
Colophon Books
Mars-Most Antiques
Peter & Claire Ringel
Sugar Princess
What Once Was
New York
Andy's Antiques
Artifacts
Collection Agency Antiques
Colliersville Cottage Antiques
Concept Rugs
Daphne
Dave & Bonnie Ferriss
David Lowe
David Zabriskie
Dennis & Valerie Bakoledis
Etcetera, Etc.
Hands All Around
Home Farm Antiques
J & G Antiques
J & J of Tucson
John Gould Antiques
John Lidowski
Judith & James Milne
Mario Pollo
Marliyn Saland Antiques
Mary Ann Stikas
Michele Fox
Midge Edwards
Missing Link Antiques
Moses' Antiques
Rose Garden Antiques & Design
South Road Antiques
The Backroads Collection
Yesterday's Dreams
Your Grandma Had It
Ohio
Mark Morris
Nancy & Craig Cheney Antiques
Pennsylvania
Arlene Rabin
Auerbach & Maffia
Bonkey's
Finish Line Collectibles
Jim Hirshemier
Mapleside Antiques
Marty Schneider Antiques
Roland & Betsy Dallaire
Steve Smoot Antiques
Vintage Matters
Rhode Island
Karen Stewart
Tennessee
David & Kim Leggett
Virginia
A Classic Touch
Vermont
Marie Miller
Nancy Hagen Antiques
Otto & Susan Hart
The Jewelry Lady

Catching a weather break.

2011-03-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

The March Springfield Show is next weekend, and always present an interesting situation with the weather. Nice weather can mean as many as 100 outdoor vendors, poor weather can mean 0. Just checked the forecast which is calling for weather to be beautiful, outside dealers, come on out.

Good News!

2011-03-11T10:06:00.001-08:00

Despite rumors to the contrary, show scheduling always has much more to do with facilities rather than promoters intentionally scheduling on dates to compete with other venues. Just got some good news, for the first time in recent memory our October Nashville shows (October 27-29) don't conflict with the Burk's York Show and Barn Star's Fall Hartford Show (September 17-18). Now dealers and customers who would like to enjoy all three can.

They're coming from far and wide.

2011-03-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

Updated Harwinton Antiques & Design Weekend vendor list for the June show. Enjoy or join!

Arizona
J & J of Tucson
Connecticut
Acorn Antiques
Aged to Perfection Antiques
Albert Joseph & Co.
Andrij Roman Antiques
Beverly Dutton Antiques
Bill Scott's Antiques
Bob Kretchko Antiques
Bryne Wippick
by Ann Marsh
Charles Antiques
Chelsea Hill Antiques
Country Christmas
Country Peddler Antiques
Dee's Antiques
Diane Belford
Easter Hill Antiques
Higganum House Antiques
Horizon Antiques
J & T Antiques
James Koester
John's Unusual Stuff
JP Morgan Antiques
Little Journey's Antiques
Mad River Antiques
Marion Scully Antiques
Mason Antiques
Moldies-R-Goldies
Nancy Fishelson
Noble Peddler
Old Lamps and Things
Paul & Karen Wendheiser
Phyllis Pasternak Collectibles
Pottles & Pannikins
Robert T. Baranowsky
Ryan's Antiques
School House Antiques
Storb Antiques
Stu Magdefrau
Susanne Edgerly
Swank Pearce Collections
Tither & Sears
Two of a Kind
Two Sides of a River Antiques
Vintage Couture Jewelry
Virginia Kausel
Illinois
Munday & Munday
Indiana
Don & Marta Orwig
Hawkins Quilts
Massachussetts
1843 House
Antique Prints
Art & Antique Gallery
Ashley Antiques
Buckboard Antiques
Cheftiques
Chip Neschke
Country Squire Antiques
Desjardins Antiques
DBR Antiques-Doug Ramsay
Dudley Hill Antiques
Hartman House Antiques
Kay Baker Antiques
Kingston Bay Gallery
Lepore Antiques
Matt King
McKenna Antiques
Nellatiques
Nipper's Choice
Nook 'n' Cranny Antiques
Quelle Surprise
R. A. DiFillipo Antiques
Red Barn Antiques
Victor Weinblatt
Victorian Rose
Wenham Cross Antiques
Maryland
Country Treasures
Antiques from Home
Maine
David Allan Ramsay
Heritage Antiques
John Lord
Memory Lane Antiques
Milady's Linens and Lace
Rubley Antiques
T & F Trunks
Vos Antiques
Michigan
Worden Select Objects
North Carolina
Donna Shannon
Sport & Spool Antiques
New Hampshire
Benting & Jarvis
P-B Antiques
Thomas R. Longacre
Thymes Remembered
New Jersey
CBC Antiques
Colony Farm Antiques
Colophon Books
Grandma Had It
Hollywood & Vine
Mars-Most Antiques
Mike & Beth Ringo
Peter & Claire Ringel
Sugar Princess
What Once Was
New York
Andy's Antiques
Artifacts
Collection Agency Antiques
Colliersville Cottage Antiques
Daphne
David Zabriskie
Dennis & Valerie Bakoledis
Home Farm Antiques
J & G Antiques
John Gould Antiques
Judith & James Milne
Marilyn Saland Antiques
Mario Pollo
Missing Link Antiques
Moses' Antiques
Rose Garden Antiques & Design
South Road Antiques
The Backroads Collection
Yesterday's Dreams
Ohio
Mark Morris
Nancy & Craig Cheney Antiques
Pennsylvania
Arlene Rabin
Auerbach & Maffia
Bonkey's
Cid Paden
Jim Hirshemier
Marty Schneider Antiques
Roland & Betsy Dallaire
Steve Smoot Antiques
Vintage Matters
Tennessee
David & Kim Leggett
Virginia
A Classic Touch
Vermont
Marie Miller
Nancy Hagen Antiques
Otto & Susan Hart
The Jewelry Lady

It's a small world.

2011-03-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Great blog post on the cow at Music Valley-

http://amusingthezillion.com/2011/03/09/inexhaustible-cows-bottomless-cups-of-chocolate-milk/

2011-03-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

What's up with next weekend??

2011-03-06T08:09:00.001-08:00

There are 52 weekends per year- throw out a couple with holidays and I still wonder- why is every show in the world next weekend? Trying to cover them is a chore. Here is what we are trying to cover next weekend-

1. The Pier in New York
2. Spring Hartford Show
3. Scott's in Atlanta
4. Indianapolis Art & Antique Show
5. Two Shows in Arthur, Illinois
6. Fox Valley in Suburban Chicago.

There are limits to what we'll try, but these are all on the schedule- wish us luck.

Bloggers Block

2011-03-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

One of the things I run into after a large show is a healthy dose of bloggers block. So many pre-show blog posts have left me with nothing much to say. I will say that this February's Tailgate and Music Valley were judged to be a success by most criteria that we have available. By no mean does this mean every dealer and customer were thrilled, but most seemed happy, enthused and encouraged. The scheduling with Heart of Country was one factor that led to increased gates, but we also made significant progress with attracting local customers (our biggest challenge) through the use of Groupon, Style Blueprint, Facebook, Yelp and this blog along significant local grass roots marketing. The nice thing about this is we are just scratching the surface of these methods, which bodes well for October and future shows. Back to resting and talk to you soon.

Photos of Nashville

2011-02-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

Photos from last week's Nashville-palooza. Still tired.

The mojo is back!

2011-02-25T07:51:00.001-08:00

Sent an email to our Nashville Dealers after the show, and here is one of the responses that I think sums up the week pretty well:

"This was our best show since moving to the fairgrounds.

I thought the crowds were great all three days with many of our former customers returning for the first time since we left the motel. Obviously, your new marketing strategies paid off.
We had several Nashville area checks.

Tailgate looked great with a lot of fabulous merchandise at affordable prices.

We preferred the wine and cheese to a full meal and appreciated the coffee and donuts Thursday morning.

Thank you for letting us pull our van in the building to load Saturday evening, otherwise, we might still be there.

As our college basketball coach is fond of saying "the mojo back."

Recovery and Moving on-

2011-02-23T08:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who helped make Antiques Week in Nashville a success. By all reports- the show was successful in bringing an increased number of buyers and sellers together. I will fill you in over the next few days, but suffice it to say "it worked well". Starting to turn the page and thinking about Springfield and Harwinton. Just crossed the 100 dealer count for the June Harwinton show- about 2 months ahead of last year. Here is the growing list- enjoy.

Aged to Perfection
Albert Joseph & Co.
Andy's Antiques
Anne Hall Antique Prints
Arlene Rabin
Art & Antique Gallery
Artifacts
Ashley Antiques
Auerbach & Maffia
Back Roads Antiques
Benting & Jarvis
Beverly Dutton
Bill Scott's Antiques
Bob Kretchko
Bonkey's
by Ann Marsh
Cheftiques
Chelsea Hill Antiques
Classic Touch
Collection Agency Antiques
Colliersville Cottage
Colophon Books
Country Christmas
Country Peddler Antiques
Country Treasures
Daphne
David & Susan Ryan
David Allan Ramsey
David Zabriskie
DBR Antiques
Dennis & Valerie Bakoledis
Desjardin's Antiques
Don & Marta Orwig
Dudley Hill Antiques
Hartman House Antiques
Hawkins Quilts & Antiques
Higganum House Antiques
Home Farm Antiques
J & G Antiques
J & J of Tucson
Jim Hirsheimer
John Gould
John Hathcock
Judith & James Milne
Kay Baker
Kim & David Leggett
Lavender & Old Lace
Lepore's Antiques
Little Journeys
Mad River Antiques
Main Street Antiques
Margaret Allen
Mario Pollo
Marion Scully
Marsha Manchester
Mars-Most Antiques
Mason Antiques
Missing Link Antiques
Moldies R Goldies
Munday & Munday
Nancy & Craig Cheney
Nancy Fishelson
Nancy Hagen Antiques
Noble Peddler Antiques
Nook N Cranny Antiques
Old Lamps & Things
Otto & Susan Hart
Patricia Frazer
Paul & Karen Wendheiser
P-B Antiques
Peter & Claire Ringel
Peter Moses
Phyllis G. Pasternak Collectibles
Red Barn Antiques
Richard DiFillipo
Richard Pleines Antiques
Roland Dallaire
Rose Garden Antiques
Rubley Antiques
School House Antiques
Sport & Spool Antiques
Steve Smoot Antiques
Storb Antiques
Strawhat Antiques
Stuart Magdefrau
Sugar Princess
T & F Trunks
The Jewelry Lady
Thomas R. Longacre
Thymes Remembered
Tither & Sears
Tom Ohara's Easter Hill Antiques
Twinkling Jewels
Two of a Kind
Two Sides of a River Antiques
Vee Kausel
Victor Weinblatt
Victorian Rose
Vintage Fabrics
Vos Antiques
Wenham Cross Antiques
What Once Was
Worden Select Objects
Yesterday's Dreams

Two Days Down, One to Go

2011-02-18T18:44:00.001-08:00

As a show promoter, we hear many things during the course of a show. Today, I heard one of my all time favorites. A dealer said "I've run out of sales receipts, could you go make 25 copies for me". I can't make stuff up this good. Photos, video and stories soon.

Pictures Tomorrow

2011-02-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

Love to share pictures, for those of you who would like some video, become my facebook friend and look at the posts today. I posted video, and liked a host of photos. Will post more tomorrow. To the customers and dealers- thanks for the hard work and support. Love it when a plan comes together.

A promising start!

2011-02-16T07:59:00.000-08:00

It Happens!

2011-02-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

Abdominal Surgery

2011-02-15T09:08:00.001-08:00

I often say that the set-up of an antique show is much like abdominal surgery. It can be very messy and not pretty to look at, but is usually stitched up nicely in the end. Right now the patient is doing fine and is on schedule for a Thursday morning release.

Indigestion Wanes, Excitement Builds

2011-02-14T12:08:00.001-08:00

Walls and paper going up, dealers starting to sniff around the Fairgrounds. The anxiety level is decreasing and the final email newsletter is out with shuttle bus details.

Mr. Demille, I'm ready for my close-up.

2011-02-14T06:47:00.001-08:00

For those of you who know her and those who don't as well, Alex Cirimelli of Serenite Maison is on American Pickers tonight at 7- check local listings and watch a friend get some air-time.

Equal Parts Excitment and Indigestion

2011-02-14T06:23:00.000-08:00

The Monday before a large show (Tailgate & Music Valley qualify) I usually wake with the feeling of excitment and an equal amount of fear. What happens if the buildings burn down in a molten pile of rubble? I hope the dealers and customers all make it safely. How in the world are we going to make this look nice for an opening in 72 hours. Suffice it to say that everything usually works out, it's our job to make sure. Wishing everyone safe travels- I think it's going to be a beautiful week.

2011-02-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

The mothership is departing for Nashville.

Antiques Show Warning

2011-02-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

A warning has been issued by the National Antiques Show Forecast Center in Brimfield, Massachusetts for the greater Nashville, Tennessee area for this coming Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 17th-19th. Please be advised that conditions now appear imminent for a convergence of customers, dealers and great merchandise. Although these shows happen often, conditions indicate the approach of a perfect storm of antiquing. For further updates and crucial information go to www.tailgateantiqueshow.com , www.musicvalleyantiquesmarket.com or www.heartofcountry.com.
But seriously folks, as for the real weather forecast, don’t worry about it because it looks promising, temperatures in the mid 60’s are predicted.

Busy Day Today

2011-02-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

Running around a very snowy, cold Nashville passing out fliers to shops and malls. Stopped at Tennessee, GasLamp, Arbor and Factory Antique Malls as well as Scarlett Scales Antiques. Getting ready for Antiques and Garden Show in about an hour.

You're invited to a Party!!

2011-02-09T04:43:00.000-08:00

We have made a decision to go "back to our roots". Next Thursday morning, the Tailgate and Music Valley shows will open with a party. The first semi-annual Music Valley & Tailgate-Tailgate Party (I know it sounds ackward) will kick off at 7:30 a.m. prior to our 8:00 a.m. opening. The party will feature:
1. Complimentary Coffee & Doughnuts
2. Music
3. A special commemorative "Early Bird Button" for the first 500 customers
4. The first 10 early birds get in free!

So plan on joining us to help kick off the shows in a festive spirit- bring friends and tell neighbors. BYO Mimosas and Bloody Marys

Interview about Nashville with the show promoters!

2011-02-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

Listen to the Podcast interview from Urban Art & Antiques with Susan Hunkins of Heart of Country and myself conducted by Eric Miller. We talk about Nashville yesterday, today and into the future. Click Here

America now sets sights on Antique Week in Nashville

2011-02-06T19:07:00.000-08:00

Now that the Superbowl is over, America can now rightfully focus it's attention on Antiques Week in Nashville. Unlike the Super Bowl, Nashville can live up to the hype. Pack your bags and get ready to be amazed.

The Very Best In American Quilts

2011-02-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

That’s what you’ll find in Marie Miller’s booth at our Music Valley show this month. In fact, you’ll find hundreds of beautiful 19th and 20th century American quilts, not to mention lots of great antique quilt tops, coverlets, blue decorated stoneware, Quimper and sewing aids. And remember to think outside the box when you step into her booth. Quilts aren’t just for beds and hooked rugs aren’t just for floors. To really display the artistry of a fine quilt, think about hanging it on a wall for greater impact. Marie selects each textile she carries for its artistic appeal and fine workmanship (or workwomanship). You can go to Marie’s website, www.antiquequilts.com for instructions on hanging your quilt. And she ought to know. She’s been in the antiques business for over twenty-five years.
We’re really excited that so many people, both dealers and customers, are going to be traveling from all over the country for “Nashville Week”. Marie, by the way, will be coming from Dorset, Vermont. We’ve submitted our request for blue skies and above freezing temperatures so go ahead and complete your travel plans. Only ten days left until “show time”.

New Dealers and a race to the finish.

2011-02-05T05:19:00.000-08:00

Getting down to the last minute details prior to the shows. Did someone remember to order more yards signs and refrigerator magnets? What is the deadline for the Sunday paper? Have you sent the artwork to the billboard company? These and a hundred other questions get asked in a rapid fire last week before we leave for Nashville. Still booking dealers up to the last minute and below is the list of dealers who have committed since the last update- enjoy.

Antiques On Holiday
Bien Antiques
Bjorn Borssen
Cindy Rennels Antique Quilts
EH Antiques
Greg K. Kramer & Co
John Tuggle
Joshua Steenburgh
Joy Haley Antiques
McGlamery & Pelton
Whip Saw Antiques