c.k. atlantic city show

[BlueLilyStudio]

everything else was fucked. Spice everywhere, the booth next to us (Hippie Hookup) had some DJ turning and scratching when really good music was playing in the middle.

Hippie Hookup didn't have any DJ...but they were right next to the PLUR are jerks with the DJ setup.

[mer]

Its funny how everuone complains about the spice and bathsalts, but nobody calls out the "family" who came up with that crap. Why is that? There are people out there dying from this shit, and yet everyone is ok with that shit being sold right next to beautiful glass art. The law makers would rather put us ALL in jail instead of trying to seperate spice and bathsalts from "tobacco" products. If we dont care about the difference, why should they?

well, preach brother! do you mean to call out the people who came up with bath salts or the people who ran the show? i don't think that "everyone" is okay with bathsalts being at shows. i see a lot of fingers being pointed at the show in general and jason and the champs crew specifically (which is probably only half fair, champs was riddled with this shit before jason got involved). i don't see many people who are surprised though. headshops have been flipping tobacco forever, they'd sell rat poison if it made money.

props to the gallery model glass stores. i hope the glass can stand on it's own.

[full_kiln]

Keep in mind these trade shows aren't really for glass blowers, they're for shop owners and distributors, so it shouldn't be too surprising that sketchy fake drug companies are there trying to push their product.

[broken glass]

I don't like the spice or bathsalts, but i don't also see the dualityof gallery shops vs the import/fake drug stores.

There are deffinetely those that go one way or another, but i see a lot that do both. And i can't help to notice that since some of these shops that made BIG money on spice/bath salts(in particular those near military bases) decided to also spend some of that money on nice American Glass. And as much as i hate spice/bathsalts, i can't help but think we owe this shit for lining some store owners pockets and giving them the luxury of beiing able to buy nice glass. I wonder what kind of trickle down effect we glassblowers may see if this fake drug boom went bust?

[Kevin Bumble]

That is all so true, broken glass.

[boxfan willy]

In my 14 years, this was the first time Jen and I have worked a show with "soft imports". Never a Champs or ASD. It was an eye opener.

The good things first:

• The Marbleslinger documentary. EPIC! If you can make it to Wisco for the viewing, do it. If not, pre-buy the doc the minute Slinger makes it available. It is an heirloom documentary for peeps in our industry.
  
• Working with my peers in the Flame-Off, especially working with my mentor. Through some show mismanagement, there were difficulties that arose, but all 3 teams worked together as one. We were sharing kilns, helping each other with installations...and sharing some toasts. When it comes down to it, we all have each others back harder than any other industry/medium I have been privileged to work within.
  
• Karl Taylor, Barry Lafler and Scott Griffin. If it wasn't for Karl Taylor(of Sonoran fame), there would not have been a flame off. Through the strongest adversity, he always steps up with solutions. Barry worked all the equipment out with Mary of Carlisle(Thanks Mary). It was a chunk. And Scott flew into the flame off arena in the 11th hour with wrenches in hand. Got Bob's equipment piped and set up.
  
• Sharing space with other American artists vending. They were all brothers and sisters we had not met,yet.

The bad...

• The management of the flame off by the show, or mismanagement I should say was challenging to both artist and technician. Shit showed up late, electric wasn't right and there was no schedule for flame off or ending ceremony. At the end, I personally felt as if we were used on the big screen to make it look like an American glass show, when 2/3's was import crap and spice.
  
• We have never experienced the "model" necessary selling format. Apparently, when your product sucks real bad, one needs girls in bikinis to get the attention of potential buyers. No respect!
  
• Rampant spice and salts. The shit was thrown around like monopoly money. I realize that these products have artificially inflated our industry by at least 30%-40% and I have enjoyed the profit margins my shops have had over the last 3 years. Being unregulated by the FDA, it is available to everyone, even kids. The gas stations still sell the old stuff while most of my shops are taking a nose dive respecting the new DEA laws concerning the additives. Eventually, these products are going to be a BIG, BLACK EYE on the industry and could be the momentum for a potential OPD Part 2. Study it, regulate it, tax it and get it out of the hands of the youth. Otherwise, there will be a MASS (Mothers against Spice and Salt)organization.
  
• Atlantic City is like a dirty, expensive Vegas. The hotel/casino was in disrepair(your fired Donald). The teamsters were out of control on drayage($1 a pound, no wheels on the floor) and I have never paid $14 for a breakfast sandwich. No offense intended to any natives. I am sure Atlantic City has it's good points, but they are not in proximity of the Trump Taj Mahal.

If you want to attend a Real American glass show, show up to Wisco and attend Glassroots Art ShowGL.A.S. in a couple of weeks or rock American Glass ExpoA.G.E. with Ellen and crew. Any other decision, you are subject to be violated!

My $.02

boxfan

[Samson]

Hippie Hookup didn't have any DJ...but they were right next to the PLUR are jerks with the DJ setup.

Thats what I meant ... I had to listen to that shit the entire time ... kinda hurt my dome after a few minutes 8) Hope to be in town soon Lily!

[daveabr]

boxfan.....that's pretty much what I heard. Karl is the man......Ross, said the same thing about him when he got home.

[boxfan willy]

Yeah Dave, we missed you but it was good to catch up with Ross. We'll share some suds in Wisco.

Big ups to Ross for donating all of the clear for Team Snodgrass and the heat gear. Everything thing was just right.
Also, Ross brought back up everything for Karl, which was another reason there was a flame off. Good call.

Big ups for Northstar helping us out with the color. Didn't hurt having Abe as a teammate.

holla

[daveabr]

oh yea, bud. see you in wisco fo sho

[styles1 torchlife]

All of the reasons listed above are why I have decided to invest my $1500 -$5000 in house.
I invested in things that will help me do better business with the customers I already have.

How do they show promoters expect the average glass blower that works ALONE to spend that kind of money to sit at a booth for just 2-3 days. Then your money is gone, and you still have to work hard to get these potential clients to not only remember you but buy from you consistently.

[full_kiln]

Box fan, there's nothing good about Atlantic city just so you know

[Abe Fleishman]

I wont do this show again due to the same issues. This is the same reason we dont do CHAMPS anymore. AGE and GR are the shows to keep it real.
Abe

[daveabr]

Everyone seemed to like that LA show this year. Wonder if it will be back.

[puddletown]

Not everyone liked that LA show. I personally thought it was a waste of time and money. There was no advertising, no customers. Not to mention, all the people that put the show on said they lost money.

[daveabr]

well, then there goes that one too.



i'd say Nick has the best thing going. AGE is great too.

[jedi glassworks]

Yep, Glass Roots Art Show and AGE are the way to go!

And Will, Eliza says she wants to give you a big hug for those great and never truer words you just typed.

Bryan

[rockstar glassworks]

Personally, I'm glad I didn't do the show. Jason Harris had called me and wanted "the east to come out and represent" but I wondered about the "Alone" part of it. I spent my $2k instead on a 2 week trip to England to go hang out with my wife who's teaching the fall semster there.

I did go, stocked up with Ross from ABR when I heard some kid say "good old Ross and his $20 pounds". Spent some time at UST/Golden Gate buying tubing, and saw a few vendors.

I spoke to guy named Happy Cowboy who was a solo vendor. He didn't really sell much and I figured I wouldn't of sold much either. The way to do it seems to make friends and get a big booth with a bunch of people, even if you work alone.

[styles1 torchlife]

The shows are all screaming about not sharing booths now. So I wonder if that could happen?

[BlueLilyStudio]

It was my first show and I don't need any convincing to not ever go to Atlantic City again, I guess AGE is in my future and I will be 10x more prepared this time. See you there.