 Issue: November 2006 |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO BEST IN SHOW AWARD WINNERS!
Alan Young from Woodward Woodworks of Ypsilanti, Michigan won the award for best in show furniture for his body of work in a traditional style. The best in show furniture award for a contemporary body of work went to Anne Bossert from Anne Bossert Fiberart & Furniture of Fort Collins, Colorado. Furnituremaker Gary Keener of New Carlisle, Ohio won the Marc Harrison Award for Marketing Excellence. Best single piece of furniture in a traditional style went to an ebony chair caned with hickory bark by Brian Boggs of Berea, Kentucky. R. Thomas Tedrowe of Columbus, Indiana won best in show for a single piece of contemporary furniture.
The award for best traditional body of work went to Thomas MacDonald of Canton, Massachusetts who displayed three elaborate pieces that attendees found fascinating. The level of Thomas’ craftsmanship is exemplary. Carlos Page of Hoboken, New Jersey, was awarded best contemporary body of work for his assemblage of metal furniture and accessories. The Marc Harrison award for marketing excellence was presented to furnituremaker John Hartcorn of Housatonic, Massachusetts for his simple yet effective presentation. An intricately carved hall table by Daniel Omondi Odhuno of Vermont won best traditional piece of furniture. A solid ash striped cabinet by Bart Niswonger & Carl Schlerman of Studio Cochineal in Williamsburg, Massachusetts was named best contemporary piece. Best traditional student work was awarded to William Morrison who attends the North Bennet Street School in Boston for his inlaid side table and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) student Shara Liou won best contemporary student work for her metal chair.
In the “Tantalizing Tablescape” design competition, Leslie Lindeman of Tiverton, Rhode Island won the most tantalizing award while Lisa Goodman of Sharon, Massachusetts won a blue ribbon for the best use of exhibitor work. Call for 2007 exhibitor applicants It’s never too early to begin planning for next year. If you are an artisan whose work would fit the Fine Furnishings market demographics, please review the exhibitor information and download an application here. Endorsed by: |
Mark Your Calendars for Next Year’s Shows! Note our new show hours for your convenience! 2nd Annual Fine Furnishings Milwaukee Show 12th Annual Fine Furnishings Providence Show
First Milwaukee Show Deemed A Success Exhibitors were pleasantly surprised at the number and quality of the attendees. At the close of the show, a few offered comments. “...I found FFMS to be incredibly well attended. I was both surprised and delighted by the number of visitors and by the genuine interest shown in my furniture,” said Robert Harman. Walter Turpening remarked, “I am very positive about Milwaukee. ... many of the people who stopped by the booth commented that they were very happy with the show and having it in Milwaukee. Fine Furnishings is definitely filling a market need.”
Attendees also seemed overwhelmingly pleased with the show as was evidenced by comments made on surveys collected. One lady wrote, “The show was much more than I had imagined. Everything was of such high quality and so artistic. The people manning the booths were so friendly and anxious to tell us all about their products. It was very informative.”
At the close of the show, Fine Furnishings’ owner and producer, Karla Little, commented, “We are very happy with the turnout and particularly pleased with how many attendees purchased items off the floor and ordered custom pieces from exhibitors. A surprising number of them even took the time to come by the show desk to thank us for bringing the show to Milwaukee.” |
The best in show accessory award went to Roberta Elliott from The Velvet Hammer of Cobden, IL for her forged lamps with blown glass shades. James Borden from Timeshapes of Zumbrota, Minnesota won best in show fine art for his incredibly beautiful wooden clock sculptures. 
Providence
Jim Eddy of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan won best in show accessory honors for his display of beautiful handmade lamps with shaped wood bases and mica or wood veneer shades. Bill Chisholm of Pawtucket, Rhode Island who showed brilliantly colored still life paintings won best in show fine art. 
“Our experiences at the Milwaukee Show were overwhelmingly positive. It appears that the right demographic was present. We plan on returning and would recommend the show without hesitation,” commented Aaron Beale of Brian Boggs Chairmakers, Inc. 
In an email message, Karen Dalessandro, a morning host on FM 106.1 commented, “So happy I was able to check out the first ever Fine Furnishing Show in Milwaukee. Lots of incredibly talented woodworkers featured unique items that you won't see in area stores. This show is on my calendar for 2007!"