2015 Winter Silhouette Show

[Waldo Street Pottery]

I am proud to say that I will be vending my hand-made bonsai containers at this years Bonsai Winter Silhouette Show in Kannapolis, NC. It will be my 3rd year attending and first year vending at this fantastic bonsai show. Some of the pots I have posted here will be for sale at the show. I hope to see you all there!

 

[JoeR]

Will anyone be there vending pre bonsai too? I may plan a trip up if its worth it.

 

[sorce]

Congratulations.

Some observations.

I think people would sell more stuff if they smiled and SOLD stuff.

I was quite surprised in the lack of enthusiasm at my first show and sale this year.

I would ask to see pics of folks' trees, make recommendations, compliment their shirt, you know, Sales.

I swear to God vendors bought from other vendors more than guests did.

Maybe get with another vendor and make some pairings.
Maybe a display using the pots for more common houseplants. To sell to the civilians.

If I had a table, it would be a SLANG fest!

Open ended questions....
What was your favorite tree in the show?
Who is your favorite artist?
When did you start bonsai?
Where do you winter your trees?

Enthusiasm goes a long way!
To the bank!

Sorce

 

[JudyB]

That's very cool. Good for you, have a great time!

 

[MACH5]

Congrats hometeam! I do love this show although never been. It's one of those unique opportunities to exhibit deciduous trees leafless as they should. I may be just coming back from a long travel so not sure that I will be able to go. Definitely plan to attend (perhaps exhibit) in future years.

 

[DougB]

JoeR to answer your question regarding the sales area. In years past there have been nationally known and lesser known regional vendors. They have had a wide variety of pots, pre-bonsai, finished bonsai, tools, soil, books -- just about everything. This is a great show with great people and it is FREE (other than the dinner/auction). JoeR you should definitely attend to see the displays, attend the demonstrations and buy a bunch of stuff. You don't have to come naked -- but the deciduous trees will be naked. Great for seeing their bones.

 

[JoeR]

JoeR to answer your question regarding the sales area. In years past there have been nationally known and lesser known regional vendors. They have had a wide variety of pots, pre-bonsai, finished bonsai, tools, soil, books -- just about everything. This is a great show with great people and it is FREE (other than the dinner/auction). JoeR you should definitely attend to see the displays, attend the demonstrations and buy a bunch of stuff. You don't have to come naked -- but the deciduous trees will be naked. Great for seeing their bones.

I will be there as long as something doesn't come up. I really want to Mark some stuff off my list to buy.

 

[rockm]

I don't want a sales pitch or happy talk interaction in a bonsai vendor arena. Having attended a few bonsai events (for local to national and international) I know that bonsai vendors are a unique lot. Most are funny engaging and know what they're doing and their audience.

Also, for the most part, if someone is giving me an "active" sales pitch on his stuff, I look more closely at the stuff. ;-)A loud shirt, a glad hand, and puppy-level enthusiasm can't erase bad stock, crappy pots and overpriced soil. I've found that vendors tend to hang back a bit because they mostly know their buyers and their buyers tend to be pretty knowledgeable.

And yeah, vendors sell to each other. That's part of the reason they're vendors, so they can get the good stuff before everyone else. ;-) And yeah, there are a few "characters" among long-time bonsai vendors who are cranky-pants who still have good stuff.

 

[M. Frary]

cranky-pants

That's a new one for me. I'll be filing it for further usage.

 

[rockm]

That's my wife's nick name for me.

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

Thanks for your replies. This is indeed a great show, I would be attending even if I wasn't vending. Joe R there was more than one pre-bonsai vendor there last year, including Mr. Valvanis and Comstock Mark who had some great pre stock.

 

[William N. Valavanis]

Of course I'll be attending, displaying, teaching and selling at the Winter Silhouette Expo!

Would not miss this elegant affair displaying and appreciating deciduous bonsai. I'll have some unusual nursery stock as well as bonsai, and magazine and books too.

One year ABS had a convention in Ohio. They had 90 registrants and also 90 sales tables. The only way vendor made money was to sell between them. That's done quite often since bonsai in America is still a "cottage industry."

Let me know if you are interested in anything special, I may just have it.

Hope to see many friends as well as beautiful naked bonsai in December.

 

[JoeR]

Of course I'll be attending, displaying, teaching and selling at the Winter Silhouette Expo!

Would not miss this elegant affair displaying and appreciating deciduous bonsai. I'll have some unusual nursery stock as well as bonsai, and magazine and books too.

One year ABS had a convention in Ohio. They had 90 registrants and also 90 sales tables. The only way vendor made money was to sell between them. That's done quite often since bonsai in America is still a "cottage industry."

Let me know if you are interested in anything special, I may just have it.

Hope to see many friends as well as beautiful naked bonsai in December.

Do you have any of those kotohime and corkbark japanese maples left? The ones in your last catalogue?

 

[Adair M]

Bill, I will be there with a 3 point display. I'll be showing my juniper as the main tree, but the secondary tree is a zelkova.

Looking forward to the show!

 

[sorce]

That's my wife's nick name for me.

As in, get them cranky-pants off,
Or, you f-ing cranky-pants!?

This could be good or bad!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

Maybe both.
Good and bad.
But let's not delve into old cranky pants love life.

 

[rockm]

As in, get them cranky-pants off,
Or, you f-ing cranky-pants!?

This could be good or bad!

Sorce

It's the second ;-)

 

[johng]

I hope all are getting ready for this show! My displays are nearly ready. Just saw the list of folks presenting displays...should be another good year! Ken and I were just asked to provide a demo for Sunday afternoon....I think we have something decent planned and it should be fun! Hope to see a few of you!

I hope you save me a nice pot Eli
John

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

I hope all are getting ready for this show! My displays are nearly ready. Just saw the list of folks presenting displays...should be another good year! Ken and I were just asked to provide a demo for Sunday afternoon....I think we have something decent planned and it should be fun! Hope to see a few of you!

I hope you save me a nice pot Eli
John

By all means John! I'm certainly not opposed to planning ahead . I'll be looking forward to you guys' demo!

 

[carp]

i will be exhibiting on behalf of my garden.