Review of Shreve Migration Sensation 2011

What I love about Shreve Migration Sensation is that you always get more than you expect. Shreve is a small rural Ohio town where things don't change too much. If you go to something in the elementary school gym, you might not expect all that many people or extraordinary events to occur.

Shreve Migration Sensation defies expectations. This was my second time displaying and selling stamps here, and it still surprised me! The weather was cold, but sunny, so the participants came out in great number (early estimates were 1200). I noticed a lot more activity in the vendor market place than two years ago. I had increased sales, and met some really wonder people.

Dick Beery of 3 Oaks Enhancements again shared a booth with me. I can't say enough about Dick's work, and I am a huge fan of his bird photos in particular. It is really wonderful sharing a booth with someone too, because you get to hear some great compliments from complete strangers, which is always a feel good warm fuzzy. You also have someone who can watch the table when you want to check out the work of others, or go get of slice of Pecan Pie.

I was very impressed by BeeOlogy. David and Ellen are real class acts, and my wife got some of their products and was raving already about them. I'll be working on a custom stamp for them, as well as some other custom orders from the show.

Greg Miller was on hand, and I got to get his autograph. Greg is a local of the area (Holmes Co.) and was featured a few years back in a book called "The Big Year". This October, the book is being made into a movie, and Greg will be played by Jack Black.

I don't usually eat much at a show, but this wasn't the case when the best amish restaurant in town is the booth across the aisle from you, and the boy scouts are doing a chicken bbq outside. Cinnamon roll and pecan pie are not part of the approved diet, but sure are good.

Well, these are just a few of the highlights (did I mention that there are birds to see!) and I hope I can do it all again next year.

Bears and Brews

When I sit down to have a cold beer, I want one that is different.  I want one that is crafted in small batches.  I want one with unique flavor.

This is how I look at my hand carved rubber stamps too.  I want to have different stamps, that are unique, and made in small batches.  I want to make them with my own two hands.

What better way to celebrate them both than  at "Bears and Brews" on Friday, April 1 at Crocus Clayworks studio in Suite 225 in the Hungerford Building at 1115 E. Main Street in Rochester, NY, from 5-9 pm.

I got an email in January from the fine potters at Crocus Clayworks asking me if I would be interested in being their featured guest for one of the the First Friday openings that they have each month at their studio.  A one man show, now how could I say NO!  I met with Marie, Sabre, and Jennifer and worked out the details.

What can you expect when you come to the show?  First, you get to explore and shop.  The Hungerford Building is an amazing place of artist studios, and just wandering the halls is an adventure in itself.  But at Crocus Clayworks, you will find me, all my stamps for sale, all of the wonderful pottery from Crocus Clayworks.  Secondly, we will have beer!  I'm a big proponent of trying to buy local, and I try to drink local beer when I can, so expect different beer from a local brewer (no Bud for me).  There will also be some light snacks, something sweet and something salty, and a raffle for a prize basket.

Those who have been to one of the craft shows I have been at know that my stamps range from a flock of birds, to portraits of historic Rochester figures.  This year, I'm putting a real effort into making stamps with masculine qualities: Man Stamps!  I think "Bears and Brews" will be the perfect place to debut some of these new designs.

Can you tell how excited I am about this event?

Back to the swamp!

I am quite excited to be back at the Shreve Migration Sensation on March 26th, 2011 in Shreve, Ohio!

I set up with my father-in-law Dick Beery two years ago, and we had a great day of meeting birders from the area, and getting a chance to talk about our passions.

I got to carve lots of bird stamps, and will be doing the same this year!  Dick (3 Oaks Enhancements) got to display his wonderful photography and he has even more bird photography to share this time around.  Dick won some of the photography contest categories last time around too.  We will be sharing a booth, so we will have a blast no doubt.

If you haven't heard me talk about Shreve Migration Sensation before, know this, it is a great day to watch birds, or people!  The fine people at Shreve Elementary school help to sponsor the day with many other outdoor organizations.  They have workshops, speakers, and experts set up at viewing areas all around the area.  The draw is migrating birds to the wetlands of Killbuck Marsh and nearby Funk Bottoms.  This year, Greg Miller, who was one of the birders featured in the book, "The Big Year" who will be played by Jack Black in the movie of the same name this year, will be the keynote speaker.

The only part of the day I don't like?  That I'm inside and not watching birds!  I'm sure Dick and I will sneak out on Sunday morning to see what we can see!