First of All, let me make it clear that this was no ordinary "craft" show...The quality of products offered by the juried vendors was exquisite to say the least and very, very affordable.
This was my first time attending this show and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the beautiful and creative wares. When I returned home I asked several friends and neighbors if they were aware of it and none where...so my mission for next year is to alert all my art loving friends to this wonderful event...and to save up lots of money to spend there...
I also discovered from one of the artisans that they will also be at the Kutztown Univ for the Reading/Berks Fine Art fair on March 26th and 27th....hope to see you there....enjoy
Monday, March 7, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Home Show in Oaks
It was a blustery but bright day for my trip to the Suburban Home Show in Oaks..and worth the trip and the entrance fee..I wasn't able to attend on the Free day Thursday, but this show definitely was worth it. When I entered I was delighted with the sight of beautiful Landscape designs complete with grass and flowers surrounded by waterfalls...and if that doesn't get one's heart in the mood for spring, I don't know what will.
The vendors where the usual heating systems,all kinds of windows and awnings, roofing contractors and other hard building suppliers, but also grand spa's and wonderful outdoor lighting, drapery workrooms and garden suppliers. There where gift and food vendors and even a few musicians as well as entire modular home that you could walk through..and boy,they have come a long way in design and layout.
They also had an interesting schedule of speakers on a variety of subjects... but I was not able to attend at the time they were scheduled.
I was taken in by one supplier selling exotic flowering bulbs that I have never seen before. Before I knew it my checkbook was out and my new garden spots all planned. Now I just have to wait til planting time.
This show was definitely worth the entrance fee and if you didn't make it this year, put it on your schedule for next year.
My next adventure will be the Valley Forge Home Show March 24th thru 27th. My only concern is whether or not to take my check book...
The vendors where the usual heating systems,all kinds of windows and awnings, roofing contractors and other hard building suppliers, but also grand spa's and wonderful outdoor lighting, drapery workrooms and garden suppliers. There where gift and food vendors and even a few musicians as well as entire modular home that you could walk through..and boy,they have come a long way in design and layout.
They also had an interesting schedule of speakers on a variety of subjects... but I was not able to attend at the time they were scheduled.
I was taken in by one supplier selling exotic flowering bulbs that I have never seen before. Before I knew it my checkbook was out and my new garden spots all planned. Now I just have to wait til planting time.
This show was definitely worth the entrance fee and if you didn't make it this year, put it on your schedule for next year.
My next adventure will be the Valley Forge Home Show March 24th thru 27th. My only concern is whether or not to take my check book...
Friday, February 18, 2011
BIE Home show...
I finally made it to the home show last Sunday morning. I always have great expectations of discovering new products and services when I attend events such as this. The focus of this show seamed to be structural and hard building elements.. heating, cooling, roofers and construction and kitchen design companies. I thought this show missed the mark..no flooring companies, no lighting companies no appliance companies. I know there are many great new products in all these fields..As a designer, I am constantly receiving information on the "latest and greatest" of everything for the home. I realize the economy has been tough, but I know there are companies in the area doing business in all these areas...but did not see them there..could it be that having the event at a fair grounds instead of Sunnybrook influenced these business in their choice to not be represented? I trust they had plenty of time to prepare..
On the other side of the coin, I received a mailing on 2/12/11 inviting me to participate in another home show at Sunnybrook in mid March...I am not clear on the organization running this show..with just a month's notification of this event, I won't be there..one month to plan for an unproven event, that is costly and a fundraiser for an unrelated organization...well I will just sit this one out..
My next outing will be the Philadelphia Home and Garden show in Oaks...it starts the 24th of February...Perhaps my thirst for inspiration and new products will be quenched at this show...
On the other side of the coin, I received a mailing on 2/12/11 inviting me to participate in another home show at Sunnybrook in mid March...I am not clear on the organization running this show..with just a month's notification of this event, I won't be there..one month to plan for an unproven event, that is costly and a fundraiser for an unrelated organization...well I will just sit this one out..
My next outing will be the Philadelphia Home and Garden show in Oaks...it starts the 24th of February...Perhaps my thirst for inspiration and new products will be quenched at this show...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
ITS HOME SHOW SEASON!
After a winter of way too many "snowed in" days, I am looking forward to all the up coming "Home Shows" in our area. I love these shows. It is a chance to get out and see what is new, what exhibitors are finding important to show us...a chance to get inspired.
The first of the local shows is the Tri-County show...this year at the Kimberton Fairgrounds with the Pottstown BIE as the organizer. The BIE's main purpose is to showcase and promote its members to the greater community. I am not a member of the BIE, but perhaps I will find that this is an organization I want to join. Their show is Feb 11th until the 13th...I will be reporting my findings and observations here after the show and I hope to hear from those of you who attend.
The second show is in Oaks on February 24th through 27th and this one will be a bargain on the first day, Thursday, as it is free on that day. You know which day this frugal designer will be attending. This one is run by a professional exhibition company, so I know it will have a different focus..The disadvantage to attending on the "Free Day" is that most of the Keynote speakers are scheduled on the paying days. If you are not interested in hearing the speakers, then attending on the "free day" could be a bargain for you too..Again, I will be writing about this one too and look forward to your thoughts after you attend.
And the final show is from March 25th through 27th...at the Valley Forge Convention Center. It also will be organized by a professional exhibition company, but unlike the other shows, it is free every day. What this tells you, the con summer, is that the exhibitors pay a higher fee to be there and you are more likely to find the larger companies showing their wares there...and I will be commenting on this after the show...
Happy exploring and shopping to you all...
The first of the local shows is the Tri-County show...this year at the Kimberton Fairgrounds with the Pottstown BIE as the organizer. The BIE's main purpose is to showcase and promote its members to the greater community. I am not a member of the BIE, but perhaps I will find that this is an organization I want to join. Their show is Feb 11th until the 13th...I will be reporting my findings and observations here after the show and I hope to hear from those of you who attend.
The second show is in Oaks on February 24th through 27th and this one will be a bargain on the first day, Thursday, as it is free on that day. You know which day this frugal designer will be attending. This one is run by a professional exhibition company, so I know it will have a different focus..The disadvantage to attending on the "Free Day" is that most of the Keynote speakers are scheduled on the paying days. If you are not interested in hearing the speakers, then attending on the "free day" could be a bargain for you too..Again, I will be writing about this one too and look forward to your thoughts after you attend.
And the final show is from March 25th through 27th...at the Valley Forge Convention Center. It also will be organized by a professional exhibition company, but unlike the other shows, it is free every day. What this tells you, the con summer, is that the exhibitors pay a higher fee to be there and you are more likely to find the larger companies showing their wares there...and I will be commenting on this after the show...
Happy exploring and shopping to you all...
Friday, January 7, 2011
Welcoming 2011 with some ramblings!
I haven't felt this excited about the beginning of a New Year in a long time. There are so many signals around us of improvement and change for the positive..not the least of which is the launch of "OWN" TV. I have been watching and I'm thrilled with the thoughtful and inspiring programing.
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This is the time of year I begin to re-evaluate lots of things. Closing the books on my business for last year and purging papers no longer need for the IRS. Looking at possession's and deciding which no longer have value to me, and making a list of new wants and dreams. Yes, even "dreams" and "wants" need updating and modification and hopefully expansion. I love the idea that "God has bigger dreams for you than you can dream yourself". I see that every day with the "wow, how about that" events in my life. I know we all have them. The trick is to make certain that we notice them... which sometimes requires that we shift away from old thinking and try, what I call "what if" thinking. I find it very liberating.
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Anyway, Next week is moving day for my dear friend to her new home at the Villa of Morelatton and the hard work is all complete..We had great fun with the process...the planning, sifting,sorting and packing of stuff. The measuring and shopping. And now the new furniture has arrived and her other things are being delivered to the new home on Tuesday. It is such and exciting time for her. She has embraced this change with great love and appreciation, as she does every thing in life... And that is why I have chosen her for my personal role model for aging well.
So as your sorting your stuff for the IRS, I hope you take a little time to update your wishes and dreams too....
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This is the time of year I begin to re-evaluate lots of things. Closing the books on my business for last year and purging papers no longer need for the IRS. Looking at possession's and deciding which no longer have value to me, and making a list of new wants and dreams. Yes, even "dreams" and "wants" need updating and modification and hopefully expansion. I love the idea that "God has bigger dreams for you than you can dream yourself". I see that every day with the "wow, how about that" events in my life. I know we all have them. The trick is to make certain that we notice them... which sometimes requires that we shift away from old thinking and try, what I call "what if" thinking. I find it very liberating.
*********************
Anyway, Next week is moving day for my dear friend to her new home at the Villa of Morelatton and the hard work is all complete..We had great fun with the process...the planning, sifting,sorting and packing of stuff. The measuring and shopping. And now the new furniture has arrived and her other things are being delivered to the new home on Tuesday. It is such and exciting time for her. She has embraced this change with great love and appreciation, as she does every thing in life... And that is why I have chosen her for my personal role model for aging well.
So as your sorting your stuff for the IRS, I hope you take a little time to update your wishes and dreams too....
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas at Welkinweir
On December 10th I joined with friends to tour the mansion at Welkinweir in all its Christmas finery. It was a beautiful clear evening and we were the first to arrive at 5:00 pm. Upon entering the main entrance I was impressed by the huge 2 story windows on either side of the fabulous front door…the expansive entryway with a stunning curved stairway to the second floor. There was a second story window opening to the foyer where, we learned, a massive pipe organ was housed. We were then directed to observe the huge opening in the ceiling as that was where the pipes where and the sound would resonate from. Unfortunately, they had problems and it was not operational that evening.
We then moved down three curved marble steps to the stunning living room with its original furnishings in tact and dressed with modest greenery. Chippendale style sofas, oriental rugs and occasional chairs, all beautifully aged. In front of us the outside wall looked out on the patio and in the distance the pond.
Our next room was to the right of the foyer and much more rustic and relaxed. One of my companions, a local historian, told us about how at one time it had been two rooms and where they took down the wall to make it one large room. This room had the rustic beams exposed and a massive stone fireplace surrounded with beautiful leather furnishings and huge oriental rugs. You can just imagine the gatherings in this room during its earlier days.
Our next venture was off to the left of the grand foyer to the formal dining room with it massive table to seat I think twenty. The centerpiece on this table was exquisite in its simplicity…a long scarf of greens with delicate crystal icicles and soft evergreen garlands on the huge window that again overlooked the patio and pond.
The entire tour time was short but worth the effort. The next time the mansion will be open, other than for private events, will be Mothers day for their annual Tea.
In closing, I wish you all a wonderful and warm Holiday Season.
We then moved down three curved marble steps to the stunning living room with its original furnishings in tact and dressed with modest greenery. Chippendale style sofas, oriental rugs and occasional chairs, all beautifully aged. In front of us the outside wall looked out on the patio and in the distance the pond.
Our next room was to the right of the foyer and much more rustic and relaxed. One of my companions, a local historian, told us about how at one time it had been two rooms and where they took down the wall to make it one large room. This room had the rustic beams exposed and a massive stone fireplace surrounded with beautiful leather furnishings and huge oriental rugs. You can just imagine the gatherings in this room during its earlier days.
Our next venture was off to the left of the grand foyer to the formal dining room with it massive table to seat I think twenty. The centerpiece on this table was exquisite in its simplicity…a long scarf of greens with delicate crystal icicles and soft evergreen garlands on the huge window that again overlooked the patio and pond.
The entire tour time was short but worth the effort. The next time the mansion will be open, other than for private events, will be Mothers day for their annual Tea.
In closing, I wish you all a wonderful and warm Holiday Season.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Christmas at Welkinweir
Well it is finally here...the Holiday open house at Welkinweir is this weekend..Friday evening, the 10Th from 5 until 7 and Saturday 11Th during the day. I have arranged a girls night out with my designer friends and we are all excited about seeing this gorgeous colonial mansion for the first time in all its holiday finery.
They are suggesting a S5.00 donation at the door...a small price to explore such beauty...
I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and that you will set aside time to enjoy all the finery of the area with you family and friends..
The best to you all....
They are suggesting a S5.00 donation at the door...a small price to explore such beauty...
I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and that you will set aside time to enjoy all the finery of the area with you family and friends..
The best to you all....
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