Saturday 26 February 2011

Gimme a medal

for self control - the picture above shows you honestly and without under-embellishment what I bought at the Make It! show at Farnborough yesterday. I think the picture's bad because I'm a bit shaken by my tiny haul. Pleased nonetheless. I went with a completely impartial but totally enthusiastic Lunch Lady Jan. I think it was twice as busy as last year on the Friday, but the layout works so well - large aisles (are you listening, Ally Pally?) We cruised half the show and then met up with Chrissie and Mandi and made them join us for a lunch break; they had a sandwich and we had roast pork in a giant roll. Not so much self control there, huh! We rejoined the stands at the half way point and carried on mooching. Julie Hickey was swamped, I think she had a small demo area and I was disappointed to miss Jennie, the Artistic Stamper who was doing demonstrations with all her lovely stamps - they said she had gone for lunch; I couldn't see her - she wouldn't exactly have been sitting alone, huh!
I thought that there were a few more new shop names on the exhibitor's list this year - alongside established names. Good for them I say, it's great to see people taking the plunge. There was, to my perception, less scrap booking than I'd have liked to see - but I wonder if the logistics of carting papers is just too difficult, after all, they don't exactly get handled well in a shop environment, let alone a packed and pacey exhibition space.
Actually, having had past experience of this show, I'd say that this year was as good as ever in terms of organisation, stands and blahdy blah. What the organisers have no control over is the lack of demonstrations on stand; disappointing. I wonder if the space is so expensive that room for a demo has to be ruled out? I do not know. What I do know is that nothing sells an idea or product to me better than a chatty, friendly demonstrator who inevitably makes it all look so easy! Pretty much real life WOYWW! The show is open till 5pm tomorrow.

21 comments:

Helen said...

Great review - I am with you on the demo view - they make it for me - without them I would spend so much less!! I was talking to Shirley Barnes (the UK Stampscapes distributor) at Stevenage and whilst she didn't say how much, she did say that the stands at Ally Pally are so expensive.

Ohhh Snap said...

You definitely deserve a medal, perhaps fashioned out of a tag and and one of those lovely buttons? I also buy more when there are demos.

Angela Toucan said...

lovely buttons

KanataNewf said...

Good for you for showing restraint - I went paper shopping at lunch break yesterday myself and, well, maybe I will post a pic on my blog a little later today (and tell dearly beloved NOT to look). Sad thing is, I thought I had shown INCREDIBLE restraint.

Carmen said...

Oh I hear you on Ally Pally, we have to keep leaving to get some breaths of air before we go back in. It's so hot and cramped.

Well done on your restraint. Vay good, vay good.

misteejay said...

I can't believe that is all you came away with...well perhaps I can. Demos do make such a difference.

Sounds like you had a good day though.

Toni :o)

Pam said...

Thats very restained, they won't be able to run it next year as their profits must be largely depleted!

Hugs Pam x

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Wow that is a tiny haul Julia. I totally agree about the demos, not only do they tempt you and entertain you but it's so dishearening to walk past a stand where the retailers are just standing about.
Anne xx

CoventryAnn said...

A small haul, but if it all gets used a good haul!

Sue said...

Hi hun
thats all you bought?? you were controlled hun, Mandi said she lunched with you, sue,x

Caroline Hallett said...

that is a very controlled haul.. I have been at Farnborough all day today demo-ing on the Samuel Taylor stand - and I will be there tomorrow too!

Unknown said...

thanks for the info x I suspect you only brought home this small haul because you dont need anything..........Second thoughts us crafters always NEEEEEDDDD something :@) x Leigh x

Chrissie said...

I can't believe you managed to walk away with such a paltry amount of stuff... there must have been more to tempt... you must have great self control!
It was super catching up with you again.. and lovely meeting Lunch Lady Jan. I must say I was ready for a sit down by the time we had our sandwich!
Here's to the next one!
Chrissie

Kirsty.A said...

Love those oversized buttons. Admire your self control!

Claire said...

love those buttons, I could never show that much restraint when surrounded by craft supplies, you do deserve a medal :D
C
xx

donnalouiserodgers said...

(it was Farnborough Air Show - No?)I only came for the shot of you wing walking - no Medal of Bravery from me young lady...

Dx

okienurse said...

Oh my! You definitely deserve a medal for showing so much contraint. I love the bling and buttons...two of my downfalls!
Vickie

Angie said...

What self control ...bet you would have come back with a load more if there had been demos.

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

I cannot belive I missed you! so disappointed :((((... hopefully see you at Ally Pally.. we have a large and spacious stand with demos ! lol if I am not out to lunch! rofl
Hugs xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm impressed with your evaluation of the craft show and the wide aisles, which made a big impression on me. It's too bad there weren't more demos because that is how most people sell their wares. And it's usually the exact same colors that the person demoing used.

Lyn said...

OMG - self control.... is that still a condition? Funny, huh, since the kids left both university and home that self control becomes less of an issue ........

Having said that, knowing you, I'm impressed!