just got back from the Wickenburg AZ trade show

[bruce johnson]

I just got back from the Wickenburg AZ trade show. It was very well attended by vendors and buyers. For a regional show out this way, it was far and away the best they have had. The class lineup was good, and pretty well attended. I was in two saddlemaker's classes taught by Jesse Smith that had 6 or 7 in each - one was layout of pieces, and the other was covering horns and swells. I also took a five styles of carving (Sheridan, Porters, California, Northwest, and Texas) class. Although there are cross-overs, Jesse kind of lined out the differences and similarities. He then had a 3 flower pattern for each style, and we picked one and carved it. Good fun, and about 16 people in that. The classes were scattered at different locations, so hard to get a real feel for attendance, but heard that classes were the about the same or slightly less overall compared to similar classes at Sheridan in the past. Much better than any previous regional shows.

The trade show opened on Thursday. I was curious how that would work. IT DID. Vendors were busy about all day. The initial morning rush, then then a slight lull late morning, busy in the afternoon again. A couple vendors told me that they did as well as they normally do on the opening day of Sheridan, and more than some 3 days shows they do. Friday morning was good early, and we left for home. There seemed to be a lot of newer leatherworkers - some filling out tool sets at the Hidecrafters/TLF booths. Others trading up in quality with Wayne Jueschke, Barry King, Bob Beard, and Rons Tools. Made for a good mix. There was something like 40 booth spaces for vendors, vs about twice that at Sheridan. The major players were mostly all there. They used booth spaces about half what they normally would buy in Sheridan so everyone could fit in. To compare to Sheridan, about 90% of the vendors in the big room and half the vendors in the lobby/open area at Sheridan were there. Missing ones were Ferdco, Big Sky Dies, Dick Anderson, Bee Natural, and the smaller specialty leather sellers.

I would really encourage anyone interested in leatherwork to attend these shows. Seeing the vendors face to face, and being able to look at the tools and try out machines is great. The classes and the social aspects of getting together with folks with similar interests makes it worthwhile.

Bruce Johnson

[skipj]

I was there too. I took the holster making class. We had 11 in the class if I remember correctly. I was somewhat apprehensive about taking the class because I haven't been that active in leather work for some time and didn't want to hold up the class. I worked out great. We had every level of experience from pros to one rank beginner and no one was ignored. I learned at the class that it's been a five day class in the past; so we were pressed to finish our projects in three days. The instruction was outstanding. I took one other class which I enjoyed but being a half day in length not as much was covered.

I have never been to Sheridan. I'm surprised there are not significantly more vendors there.

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