Greetings from Mich City (links to pics post #24)

[Johanna]

Well, we made it! There are quite a few folks here, and some nice leatherwork too. I found Tina and her husband almost immediately- we just knew each other right away. She won four blue ribbons- anyone surprised? Ha ha! I've seen a few friends already, but classes are going on right now, and I don't want to interrupt anyone. I'm going downstairs to get some pictures, and I'll upload them poolside (of course, that's where my kids want to be RIGHT NOW MOM!) The award ceremony is at 7 Indy time, and I can't wait to see everyone. Woody & Jerry made it from Georgia (okay, I had to interrupt them!)

I'm outta here...will keep you folks posted.

Johanna

and yes, that is the real Billy 2shews that registered today. whooo-hoooo Hi Billy! You know we love you, right?

(no, he's not here at the show)

[gtwister09]

Well, we made it! There are quite a few folks here, and some nice leatherwork too. I found Tina and her husband almost immediately- we just knew each other right away. She won four blue ribbons- anyone surprised? Ha ha! I've seen a few friends already, but classes are going on right now, and I don't want to interrupt anyone. I'm going downstairs to get some pictures, and I'll upload them poolside (of course, that's where my kids want to be RIGHT NOW MOM!) The award ceremony is at 7 Indy time, and I can't wait to see everyone. Woody & Jerry made it from Georgia (okay, I had to interrupt them!)

I'm outta here...will keep you folks posted.

Johanna

and yes, that is the real Billy 2shews that registered today. whooo-hoooo Hi Billy! You know we love you, right?

(no, he's not here at the show)

Any news on Billy?

Regards,

Ben

[Myriam]

Cool, thanks for the update, Johanna!

Four blue ribbons for Tina? Way cool! Hurray for Tina!!!

[ClayB]

Way to go Tina, I knew you'd do good!!!!!

It's also cool that Billy finally got signed up on the forum. Now it really feels like the gang is all here.

[Regis]

L U C K Y....Lady Johanna in the right place at the right time (and all the others that could make it there of course).

Congrad's Tina

[TomSwede]

Grattis Tina! Fan vad kul att det finns nå'n som är med som svensk representent!

Thank you Johanna for the report, wonderful news!

Tom

[Crystal]

Thanks for updating us, Johanna. Can't wait to see pictures of the show.

Excellent job, Tina! Woohoo!!

Crystal

[Johanna]

By the time we got here at 2 or so the competition room had been emptied for the workshops that went on all day. The entries that needed to be shipped back to their owners were packed up and put away, so I never saw any of the four pieces ClayB won ribbons dreamcatchers for. The other competition pieces were spread around the display room, mostly on the tables of the guilds they belonged on. I took lots of pics, but they are kinda unorganized becaue of that. HowardB (Brent)won so many certificates I lost count. Way to go, Brent!

Alex Madsen, who served as head judge in Bob Beard's place, said there were 150 entries. That's quite a bit for a small regional show like this one. There are lots of raffle items going tomorrow- remind me to buy some more tickets! It's the raffles that provide the income to make these shows possible. Carol Higgins really stepped up to the plate and got people to donate quite a variety of goodies.

There were a few conspicuous absences- Bea & Ernie Wayman are still in Florida, George Hurst and Hidecrafters didn't come, no Bob Beard...but- there were lots of familiar faces and quite a few new folks. I enjoyed having the chance to meet some new folks and catching up with old friends.

Allan Scheiderer had Columbus IFoLG show packets available. He said Roz, the dragon lady, agreed to be head judge in September. She made the special award trophies for best of catagory for this show- wait until you see them! Titled "Revenge", it is a cow pounding a human hide complete with the workshop.

Prairie States Guild is planning a regional show next year, somewhere in the southern part of the Chicago area. More details will be announced as we know them.

Yes,I have lots of pics, but I'm headed back downstairs for the flea market/swap meet/ all night gab fest. Pics will have to wait until I get them off the camera. hahahahaha

Great show, wonderful people- I'm very glad to be here. Hasta manana!

Johanna

[Tina]

Hi all,

I'm blown away totally...So many super nice people and so much to see and meeting Johanna...You're like a sister girl:-) Me and Keith (my husband) both had a super nice time.

First of I would like to say congratulations to ClayB and Brent (HowardB) they both won a whole bunch of dream cathers (ribbons). Clay, I'm so sad I did not have the opportunity to see you work, someone took them away after judging *Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr* (That is Tina growling)

This was fun, not just for the prices but to meet all the people and I'll be on it again for sure. 4 of the judges told me to become a member of a guild and get down to Ohio in september..I guess it might be a good idea?

Thanks all for your encouragement, the next time will be harder but I'm going to work harder on it:-)

Edited April 27, 2008 by Tina

[anne newkold]

There were a few conspicuous absences- Bea & Ernie Wayman are still in Florida, George Hurst and Hidecrafters didn't come, no Bob Beard...but- there were lots of familiar faces and quite a few new folks. I enjoyed having the chance to meet some new folks and catching up with old friends.

Bob Beard didn't make the show due to having to deal with his dad's estate and is in CA at this time taking care of legal matters. Most of you know that Bob is a magnificent Master leather carver and tool maker. If you have ever had the extreme pleasure of visiting his dad's home you would see where Bob gets a lot of his artistic abilities from. Both his Father and Mother had a lot of artistic talent and appreciation for fine art which shows in everything Bob does.

Can't wait to see the pictures!

Edited April 27, 2008 by anne newkold

[TomSwede]

Gotta clap my hands and horay for Brent and ClayB aswell. Well done and big congrats to ya'!

and drumroll for all three

Tom

[ClayB]

Thanks for the congrats. Still, if I would have known my entries wouldn't be available for my friends that attended the show to see, I wouldn't have worked so hard to get them to the show. I got a phone call last week saying that the frame on the buffalo feathers picture was damaged during shipping too, so all in all, it has been a little bit of a disappointing experience.

Well, for those of you that want to see them, here's pictures of my entries.

[rdb]

Beautiful, ClayB./ Congratulations to Tina and Brent too!

It's real nice to lnow our own are being recognized, and the future of leatherworkers is right before our eyes.

Most especially thanks to Johanna. Without her, few of us would know....

[Hilly]

Congratulations Tina, Clay and Brent!

Thank you Johanna, for keeping us all informed. Looking forward to seeing photos.

I really, really wanted to come, but just couldn't justify the cost of gas in my car, and a motel bill on my plastic. I was looking forward to meeting some of you. I hope I can make the show in September...

[ArtS]

Thanks for the update! I can't wait to see the pictures.

ArtS

[Johanna]

Here are some teasers.

There were three of these awrds made by Roz "The Dragon Lady" for best of category. She won the Masters.

These are Tina's entries:

I'll upload all the pics in the morning- I'm beat! Going through them tonight, I can't take cradit for the photography. My daughter Jane took quite a few good ones, and she must have been particularly fascinated by Roz's work. I'm going to have to ask Roz if I can make her a special page. She's an incredibly creative artist. She took the time to explain to Jane how she made the water effect, and showed her the "secret ingredient". What talent, and loaded with class. Yeah, I've been a Dragon Lady fan for years.

Johanna

[CitizenKate]

WOW!!! Some really fantastic work, there. I hope you're keeping track of who did what in all these photos. You can count on being asked.

I see Roz has a "boo-boo bin", too! LOL Now I don't feel so bad.

Clay, those bear claw key fobs are too cool!!!

Can't wait for more!

Kate

[Crystal]

Thanks for the congrats. Still, if I would have known my entries wouldn't be available for my friends that attended the show to see, I wouldn't have worked so hard to get them to the show. I got a phone call last week saying that the frame on the buffalo feathers picture was damaged during shipping too, so all in all, it has been a little bit of a disappointing experience.

Well, for those of you that want to see them, here's pictures of my entries.

Congratulations, Clay! I am sorry to hear about the shipping damage. I hope that the piece itsself was not also hurt in anyway. Everything is great - that bear paw though, - a little "too" realistic. Looks kinda like a witch doctor shrunken head version of a real bear paw. (And I mean that in a GOOD way.) If someone were to place that in my hand without me seeing it first - I would probably jump out of my skin. (What kind of bassackwards compliment is that?) It means fantastic job! Thanks for sharing.

Crystal

[freak]

Congrates to all !!!! Clay, i think i can fix that frame. I'm sure i can do it without taking the buffalo out of it as well. So go ahead and just send it to me. come on, come on, common Wish i could of made the trip just to see it all and hang out with my peeps. Smoke some coffee and take a nap.

[leatheroo]

Congrats to clay, tina and brent..way to go........just wish i wasnt so far away!

[David]

Amazing work guys, and congrats to all of you. Way to go. Leatherworker folks are sure making a name for themselves and the group!

Anxious to see all those pictures.

now as for Freak smoking his coffee.....well....what can I say? ha ha And still trying to work that old "I can fix it for ya" angle eh? He's going to take my pictures for me Clay..... you're going to be a busy boy there Freak..

David Theobald

Edited April 28, 2008 by David

[lindatt]

Thx Jo for bringing all of this home to us. And Big Gratz to all the winners... We are all winners through you! Basking in your glory and loving just being part of this wonderful guild! This is truly a loving, generous family

[ClayB]

Crystal and Kate, glad you like the bear paw. It was just an experiment that actually turned out way better than expected. I am trying to duplicate it and do a lesson on it. You'd think the second (or third) one would be easier, not harder. If I can make another one turn out, I'll post the process.

Freak, I'd take you up on your generous offer to fix the frame, but I happen to have another one just like it (minus the busted corners) in my basement. I do still have something here that I have been waiting to send you, but you wont send me your address! What are ya scared of? That I might post an invitation to everyone that there is going to be a free BBQ at Freak's house this weekend?

I cant wait to see the rest of the pictures either, even if they are all of Roz's stuff. She has quite an imagination and it's amazing to see how she captures it on leather. Thanks Jo for keeping us updated.

[Johanna]

http://leatherworker.net/calumet2008showpics/index.htm

These are pics Jane and I took from the guild display tables which included some of the competition pieces, and there are a couple of pics from the raffle tables (like the cool shoes!)

I'm not posting the pic of my sister Tina and her charming husband until she gives the okay. Same with Roz- Roz was there as a vendor/teacher/judge, and she had a display set up. I just sent her a note asking permission to post pics of her pieces. My daughter got better pics of Roz's things than I did- probably because Jane caught the spirit of imagination better than us grown-ups ever could. Jane saw every detail.

Johanna

[tazzmann]

Congrats to all as well!