Exhausting world of show management

As we are still recovering from an exhausting few weeks, I thought I would share this photo of an unidentified show manager hard at work at last weeks Extravaganza. When questioned, he explained that he was "in deep thought"

Post Extravaganza

Greetings all and sorry for not posting more. The last week and a half have been exhilirating, exhausting and have left me at a loss for words (and photos). Brimfield and Springfield back to back is not for the faint of heart. Both shows had good crowds and lots of energy. As my brain starts to unwind, I will share some thoughts and stories, but need a day or two to recover. I would also welcome some other perspectives- simply email your Extravaganza stories or observations to info@springfieldantiqueshow.com and I can share them with everyone.

Thanks,

Jon

Hectic Pre-Show Schedule

Sorry for the lack of blogging recently- gearing up for the next two shows- Springfield Extravaganza next weekend followed by Farmington the second week in June. I am going to Brimfield the early part of next week and will be back in Springfield Thursday. Hope many of you can make the trip- early indicators point to a large show with lots of great stuff. If anyone takes any pictures at Springfield that they want to pass on and share on the blog, let me know. Will do my best to share photos that I take as well.

A Nice Springfield Story

Back from the basement, I thought I would start the week with a reminder that the business isn't always about the stuff, but the people.


DEER Sellers.... Our Springfield Extravaganza storyLast year we visited the Springfield Antique Show Extravaganza for the first time. We had been stumbling around all day in a state of wonder and bliss when my eye caught a vintage ceramic bambi figurine. We had recently sold one to someone across the country and my then 3 year old daughter was heartbroken. We had no idea she had grown to love this little guy. Unfortunately-the person who purchased Bambi emailed us to let us know that Bambi had gotten a broken leg during shipment and she returned the now 3 legged figurine to us for a refund. This further saddened our daughter who immediately took the broken pieces to her room and gingerly placed them on her dresser with refusals to let it go. When I saw the similar Bambi figure at the Springfield show-I knew we had to get it for our daughter. I started toward the seller when my daughter also noticed the figure, ran past me and asked the seller if she would take her last $5.00 for the figure. I told the seller her story and whispered to her that I would pay the remaining balance if she would let my daughter believe she had made a deal for it. The seller refused to take our money, sold it to my daughter for $5.00 and made everyones weekend. Needless to say-Bambi now stands beside the 3 legged Bambi on her dresser (she wont let that one go!) and we are excited to make the trip this year as both buyers and SELLERS!

Graham Asks- why can't we all just get along?

Daddy took this picture of one antique dealer trying to strangle another dealer in Texas. Although I'm not yet 2 years old and in no position to lecture on maturity- I think these two need a time out.

Our first outdoor Springfield of 2009!

Mark your calendar's, load up the family truckster without delay and join us next weekend in Springfield. The April show is always an exciting pre-cursor to the May Extravaganza. Anyone like to guess how many customers are in this photo. I used photoshop to count one time- if anyone gets withing 10 people, I'll send you a free season's pass.

Graham In Texas- Part 2

Daddy told me that red tags and dots in booths are good- This is Don Schweikert's booth at the Rifle Hall Show. It looks like he is all sold out of furniture-too bad he will now have to work so hard to find more.

Graham goes to Texas

My name is Graham Jenkins. Although I am just 20 months old and possess a vocabulary that consists of a few words, grunts and shrieks, my daddy has asked me to blog about my trip to Texas and the Round Top shows. This photo was taken at my party at the Leftovers shop in Brenham on Thursday evening. Over 150 people came and my daddy and grandpa cooked pork chops, brisket and baked beans. Daddy tried to tell me the party was for antique dealers, but I know it really was for me. The party was so much fun, I actually pooped my pants. How many of you can say you've been to a party that fun recently. I'll post some more pictures later and tell you more about my trip.

Graham

On The Road- Almost

Although I won't make any Kerouac references (have to chalk it up to a generational thing) we are slowy getting ready to make the trip down to Texas for the Round Top Shows to recruit dealers for upcoming shows. For those of you who have never been, I will be blogging towards the middle of the the week and will be sure to take my camera.

Springfield News-

May Extravaganza Patrons-

Just a quick reminder to secure your hotel reservations asap- the May Show (15th-17th) is the same weekend as a college graduation in the area. Go to the www.springfieldantiqueshow.com/lodging for complete hotel info. We really like the Courtyard by Marriott which offers an $84 rate which includes breakfast for two.

The picture is from the booth of Oakland Art & Antiques at our Nashville show and features a great snake stand.

Springfield Stories #3

2 years ago I went to the show and since I didn't really need anything big I drove my little Honda. We are 3 1/2 hours away so I figured I'd save gas money driving it instead of the truck. Of course I found a large step-back cupboard that was too wonderful to pass up and I bought it. The dealer was from Ada, Ohio and he said he would haul it to his house if I couldn't find a way to get it home. I happended to run into some friends at the show that lived in my town and I talked them into seeing if the cupboard would fit in the back of their mini van. Oh my gosh....we spent an hour trying to get the top of the cupboard in the back of the van....and finally without an inch to spare we got the door shut. Then we spent about another hour shoving the bottom of the cupboard into the back of my little Honda. Of course we couldn't shut the back hatch so I used some bunge straps to keep it shut. So we drove home 3 1/2 hours with the back half way open. Needless to say it was a loud trip home with all the traffic and semis on the interstate. The things we do for antiques!

Debbie Martin

Springfield Stories #2

From Deb:


I have attended the Extravaganza's buying and selling for several years (probably 10). Two years ago I was out shopping and spotted a beautiful cream and green enalmelware stove, you know one of those really heavy one's that takes alot of Wheaties to move. It was Friday morning and it was priced at $150, after thinking about it, I decided that I really did not need another heavy thing to haul home, so I passed on it. Later in the day, probably 4 hours later, I walked back by again and noticed it had been marked down to $100, evidently he wanted to be sure he did not have to haul it home too. Yes, I bought it, paid for it and left my business card with him and told I would drive by with trailer that night to get it.

I ventured on my merry way thinking where in the shop I would put it and how I would decorate around it to make it more interesting. I was not gone from his booth 20 minutes and my cell phone rang. It was a dealer who was in from out of town shopping and said they were at the booth where I had purchased the stove. They really wanted it and wanted to know if I would sell it to them for $300. Of course I jumped on that, evidently the dealer I bought it from had not told them what I paid, and they wanted this stove bad, she said she had the perfect spot in her shop for it. I quickly made my way back to that booth, sold the stove to them and gave the dealer I bought it from a nice reward. We all left happy.

Springfield Stories Part One

I sent out a newsletter earlier this week asking for stories this week about your favorite memories of the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market. It can be a memory of family, friends, something you found or a funny story. Email your stories to info@springfieldantiqueshow.com - if I use your story, you will recieve a 2009 season pass. I'll kick it off with one of my favorites.


About 8 or 9 years ago, I was riding in a golf cart down one of the aisles heading back to the show office. It was very crowded, so I was not able to go very fast, and I was looking at booths as I waited for traffic to clear. I suddenly stopped as realized that I just driven past what appeared to be an 18th Century tiger maple bonnet top highboy. For those of you familiar with those, you typically don't expect to see them in this setting. I got out an started staring in dis-belief, feeling drawer bottoms and legs, looking at the back and the bonnet. Sure enough- it did turn out to be original. Although I didn't buy it, it quickly sold and sold again. I'm sure it found a good home and money was made by all. The funniest thing about the highboy, it was located next to a booth with gourmet mustard. Never can tell what you are going to find at the show.


Please share your stories and check back again.


Jon

You can't spell Springfield without "Spring"

Back after a blogging siesta. Getting ready for the March Springfield Show next weekend. Warmer temperatures. Our first outside dealers of the year normally kick off with the March Show- weather permitting. All those looking to cure a case of cabin fever set your GPS for the Clark County Ohio Fairgrounds next weekend. More details this week. For those of you looking for the definitive show report on Nashville, visit www.antiquesandthearts.com to view their write-up of the show.

Our new Flickr Account

In looking for a way to share the vast number of photos- we have set up a Flickr account. For those of you unfamiliar with Flickr- it is a site that allows for photo sharing in a more convenient format than blogger. Simply click on http://www.flickr.com/photos/-musicvalleyantiques/ to view our photos. More to come soon. Thanks to Michael Worden for the photos and the help.

Sinus Infection

My annual post Nashville sinus infection is in full bloom. My blogging juices are stifled by congestion. Slowly feeling better.

Just starting to go through the photos. More to come.

Jon

Thank You

Just returning home this evening from an incredible week. I took over 400 photos, so stay tuned. Will try to get some up on the website and blog in the next few days. Would like to take the opportunity to thank a lot of people starting with-

1. Our dealers- great effort which often goes under appreciated- you created a tremendous show.

2. Our staff- couldn't even think about doing it without you

3. Our customers- we hope you loved what you saw and are looking forward to coming back

4. TN State Fairgrounds- for welcoming us with open arms and making us feel right at home

5. Suppliers- walls, showcases, tables, carpet and a lot of other things go into the show

6. Trade papers- thanks for helping get the word out.

7. Other people who help- you know who you are-


Thanks,

Jon

Better Than A Trip to the Dentist

Hello everyone,

The show is shaping up beautifully- we are looking forward to seeing everyone who has been following. See you all this weekend.

Getting the wheels turning.

It's time to get this thing started. Let's get the gears & wheels turning. In Nashville today and tomorrow we start building the show. Stay tuned for details. We will try to document the creation of what you'll see starting Thursday and Friday. Thanks to Lynn Worden for the photo of these industrial wheels/gears???

Help Wanted

Just bought this nice little maple stand and would like to bring it to Nashville but I need help. Could any of your bloggers tell me how to get these darn lines out of this maple. It's driving me crazy.

Michael-

I always recommend a belt sander as a good starting point. If that doesn't work- a quart of good enamel paint- maybe lime green. It's a shame those stripes would ruin a good useable table. Anyone else have any suggestions?