Today Great Lakes Congress is holding its annual December show, always a fun one as it is holiday themed and has a potluck lunch. How I wish I could be there!
But I already had a commitment today and so I sent my donations and a bunch of haversack orders up to Chicago with Barn Buddy Kelsey in the L bag. (Thanks, Kelsey!) I am hoping that folks will post lots of pictures throughout the day.
Just a few days ago, Liz sent some photos she'd found from the October show. I thought they'd be fun to post here today. If I can't be at a hobby gathering, at least I can share pictures from one, right?
I sold a lot of haversacks that day and was constantly straightening and rearranging my baskets.
Keeping up with models in two rings is not normally a challenge for me; add in a very busy Mercantile and it became a struggle.
So was chatting with friends although I did get some snatches of conversation in between selling and showing. (That's me talking to Melissa Smith on the far left.)
Despite feeling rather harried, I did have fun and while I brought a very small show string, I still won a fair amount of ribbons.
Of all that I brought, Sweet Amy (named after my very first horse) did the best.
Most of the pieces I brought were chinas. I love the Cheval Friesian mold and have three of them.
Two of the three I ordered directly from Johnny de Beer in South Africa where Chevals are produced.
I enjoy having pieces in my collection from various continents. So far I have North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. I'd love to add some models that were made in South America and Australia.
I am bringing my Hagen Renakers out less and less as time goes on. They're smaller and it is soooo easy to snap a leg off. But I did bring this mini drafter to the show.
A lot of china showers have bought pony pads from me. It is always fun to walk around and spy them out on tables and in use. I made all three of the ones in this photo.
Hagen Renaker legend and very early hobbyist Nancy Falzone came as a spectator, joining Barn Buddy Kelsey and me for lunch. It was so good to get to chat with her - we have been friends since the 1990s.
Nancy is beloved in the hobby and especially by the GLC folks. That's Shannon Rodgers, also a dear friend, and Donna Connors who've joined us.
Lunch break over, it was back to showing and selling.
By the time the show was over, I'd sold over half of the inventory I'd brought, the best I've ever done at a venue.
Best of luck to all those heading to the Great Lakes Congress Holiday Show today. Have fun and enjoy that potluck! (Kelsey, can you save me some of your dessert mac n'cheese??)
December 2nd Advent Calendar Reveal
A farm hand ready to go to work.
I've added him to the scene and am hoping that tomorrow I will get the first horse.
Stay 'tooned!
