Ifolg 2010 Show

[equiss]

Hi All,

I have never been to this show, and have only had the opportunity to go to Sheridan once. Is this show a lot like Sheridan, or if I go...what can I expect and what is it like?

I would appreciate any information or experiences you want to share.....

Charlene

[bruce johnson]

Ok Charlene. I hope I don't step on any toes here, and sure mean no disrespect. My candid experience from a few Sheridans and one IFoLg show (Indianapolis). They are two different shows. Sheridan is Sheridan and Indianapolis was 70 miles from my folks, chance to go home after 25 years, and a tax advantage trip for the leather business.

1) Sheridan has nearly every seller of consequence. The IFoLg has about 10 - Barry King, Bob Beard, Jeff Mosby, a few suppliers of materials, and a couple machine sellers. They told me it was one fof the best shows as far as number of venders.

2) Sheridan has a contest with one division and seems like fewer categories, but some world class leatherwork from the top end makers. IFoLG has a contest with three divisions and more categories. You are going to see some good to great work there, but Don Butler,the Seidels, and that level won't be at the IFoLg. On the other hand, there is an entry level, midlevel, and a masters level division that you qualify for after so many wins in thge lower ranks I was told. That levels the playing field some for contest entries in IFoLG and encourages more entries at the lower levels. Qualifications and rules are a bit subjective, as is the advice from entry secretaries and judges. Some of the Sheridan contest entries were IfoLG show entries from last fall too. Some at IFoLg is really good and some wins by default.

3) Both shows have classes, although one or two of mine at IFoLG were cancelled because of the instructor not being there. I have not regretted a class taken at a LCSJ show at Sheridan or the other shows they put on, although the lineup is getting stale.

4) Social aspects - Sheridan has Kings and the Sheridan Leather Outfitters social events. Bigger attendance overall too and more chance to bounce ideas, discuss, and socialize with more folks in the show hall, coffee shop, and the Mint or at Holiday Inn bar. IFoLG seems like most everyone attends the banquet - awards handed out and socializing around the table. Last year I met a few people at IFoLg who are not regular attendees at Sheridan and we hit it off and keep in touch.

5) Sheridan is just plain cool. The scenery every morning if you have a west facing window is righteous. Don King Museum is a must see for a lot of folks. This is a one-man museum and it is probably the best saddle display collection in the country of any museum. Other leather work, tools and a great Stohlmann display there too. It is Sheridan WY, not a metro/cosmo town, and dang I like to go there. The IFoLG show floats around so that mixes things up a little for local attractions.

[Deb59]

I just went to Sheridan for the first time this year. I LOVED IT!!. I have ony been to 2 IFOLG shows & I have to agree with Bruce on his summary of the two events.

The one thing I would add is that the IFOLG show usually has a Swap night after the Banquet and people bring things, extra tools, doodle pages, books, possibly estate items etc that they have for sale.

Since there are not the evening social gatherings and BBQ's at the IFOLG shows like there are in Sheridan, you can usually find people sitting around tables in the evening trying out the new tools they just bought, swaping tips & techniques with other leatherworkers, or just visiting. It is a lot of fun too.

Either way you see a lot of nice leatherwork, learn new techniques, get ideas, take fun classes and buy new toys!

Edited June 6, 2010 by Deb59

[ClayB]

Like Bruce, I've been to Sheridan several times, and only to one IFOLG show (Denver 2005). I really enjoy going to Sheridan. It's about a 5 hour drive through some really beautiful country. Denver was a 10 hour drive and all the Federation shows after that have been twice as far (or more) away which is what has kept me from going. I really enjoyed the Fed show that I went to and wish I could make it to more of them.

The competitions at the shows are different. When I first started going to Sheridan, the competition was quite small, but the entries were all world class. It's grown a lot and it sounds like this year was the biggest one yet. Up until a couple years ago, Sheridan just gave out one prize in each category, now they've gone to 3. They give cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place. I think that is attracting a lot more entries. The IFOLG offers a lot of categories in 3 divisions so there are a lot more chances for people to place. Both shows usually get entries from around the world, and most of the entries from foreign countries are REALLY good. Entry fees for Sheridan are $25 per item compared to $2 for the IFOLG.

The IFOLG show in Denver had a pretty good number of vendors. I think it kind of depends on how far they have to travel for the show too. I like to take classes whenever I can and usually do at the shows. But like Bruce said, some of the shows offer the same ones year after year and choices for new stuff gets limited.

I think Sheridan might have more to interest a saddle maker. For me, the shows are a chance to get to see old friends and make new ones. You also get to see a lot of nice leather work and get some ideas. The IFOLG show moving around each year offers that opportunity to a lot of folks that just can't come out west to the LCSJ sponsored shows. I'm glad we have both options.

[equiss]

Thank you all for the information - I haven't had a chance to get back to Sheridan, I went three years ago (two shows not including this year) but it was amazing! Like you said, not only the show itself, but the BBQ at King's, the museum, the scenery between Billings MT and Sheridan, things to see....I had a blast, could have stayed there all week!

But, since I wasn't able to go this year, was looking for some other possible things to do....maybe money just better saved for next year's Sheridan.

thanks again - it really helps!

Charlene

[joet]

Hi All,

I have never been to this show, and have only had the opportunity to go to Sheridan once. Is this show a lot like Sheridan, or if I go...what can I expect and what is it like?

I would appreciate any information or experiences you want to share.....

Charlene

I have to agree with what has been said concerning the difference between Sheridan and IFOLG. One thing that was not brought up is that IFOLG is open to leather guilds only, which means if you belong to a guild and that guild belongs to IFOLG then you can go to it and participate. Sheridan on the other hand is open to anyone who has an interest in leather. I try to hit both shows as much as I can because they are both a lot of fun to attend, and you get to rub shoulders with leather people. Another place to go to is Wickenburg, AZ in the early spring/late winter. I've never been to it, but it has the potential to be another Sheridan show.

[Art]

Hi Joe,

Everyone has pretty much given you the lowdown on those two shows. I like both, but the IFoLG show will be a miss this year. Two shows, the IFoLG and the Boot and Saddlemakers roundup in Wichita Falls Texas were in the past on consecutive weekends. This made it possible to roam around the mid to West see some folks and cover both shows in about two weeks, sometimes a little more. However this year someone decided to schedule two weeks between shows. This just makes it too much time to waste, so the IFoLG won't see me this year. The show in Wichita Falls is a little different and refreshing format, and I have more friends in Tex/NewMex.

Art

[howardb]

I'll toss in my tuppence. I've never been to Sheridan, so I really don't know what it's like, but it seems like (from postings here at LW, advertisements in LCSJ) Sheridan is made up of folks who make their living from leather, while IFOLG tends to be artisans who might or might not sell their stuff. IFOLG is all about promoting the art of leatherwork, and takes great efforts to teach newbies and bring them along. I only know of one person, across two guilds I am in, that is a full time leatherworker and earns an income from his work. everyone else has day jobs.

How does that compare to Sheridan? I'm sure the Sheridan show would be a wonderous event to attend some time! I hope I can.