Adventures of MiniBunny – NAME Cincy Convention edition

Monday was a travel day.

All of this needed to fit in our car plus our luggage. Did I mention this is a car, a sedan, but not an overly large one. It all fit but Gene said nothing more. Wait, we need to add our snacks. Must have snacks for a road trip. Well, those fit too.

We arrived at the hotel with its new road construction blocking the parking garage entrance. The main garage is full due to a game, a concert and maybe something else. Seriously a mess. We unloaded and while Preble waited with the carts, Gene went off to find another garage. Only Preble called him back to park in the valet parking. One night won’t be too awful for the pocket. Because of all that, we missed Registration. No worries, we can deal with it tomorrow.

The valet attendant recommended CityBird as a place to eat and it was delicious and interesting. For us Georgians, it was not normal to have parmesan cheese on fries, but we tried it and it was good. The chicken was great too. Preble had something lemon on hers and Watermelon Tea to go with. That was yummy.

Tuesday – Pre-Convention Lighthouse class

We were up bright and early as Preble had a pre-convention class with Linda Farris. We had breakfast in the hotel which was good, but they were slow.

This class, a Lighthouse that includes a shoreline, a Julie Stevens doll and a Linda Farris mermaid. Both of the ‘people’ are cute as can be.

Here it is in its unfinished glory. Linda did the lighting for all the students before class. Whew!

We had some excitement in the class when we had to exit the building due to a fire alarm going off. Apparently only a couple of floors. Gene was back in our room painting and he didn’t have one.

It was super nice to sit next to Linda Grooves from the UK. She was right along with Preble in getting done (slow but sure). But others in the class were flying by. No worries, Preble isn’t going to be in the class tomorrow and Linda G is worried about packing hers home.

For lunch, Gene and Preble went to Potbelly which is a soup and sandwich shop. Excellent food there too. They were super busy but relatively fast. For dinner, they met up with the UK folks plus Cheryl Polito. We went to Chipotle. It’s either different there or I am thinking of another place. Food was good but spicy.

Wednesday – Teaching the Buttercup and the Evening with Friends

This was the second in person convention that MiniBunny has attended, but the first one that Preble and Gene were teaching a class. So they had an extra ribbon on the badge. MiniB is safe in this vinyl pouch.

The class was this adorable cottage.

The students didn’t finish due to having so much to paint. But here’s hoping they will be able to finish once they get home. Preble and Gene learned bunches of what to do or not do for any future classes. This class should be a two day class just to allow for all the painting and that was with them doing the staining of the floors before class. Preble is offering this class via Create in late Nov, early Dec as a 2 day class so check it out here.

Another reason the students didn’t finish is that the class was shortened so many of us could attend the Evening with Friends.

The event this year was a trip to the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center with an exhibit by Kaye Savage Browning. It’s the world’s largest private miniature collection. I found it to be a really fabulous exhibit to see all these various works.

Preble enjoyed everything but looked for rabbits and raggedies – here are just some of them.

Gene found other things to look at.

But there was so much more to see – highly recommend if ever near Maysville KY.

Then we went next door to the Washington Opera House for our dinner and a presentation by KSB. She talked about her collection.

On the way back, we received door prizes – Gene got a stove and antique glass and Preble got a chair and teddy bear.

Thursday – Opening Day

Another ribbon for Gene and Preble – Dealer. Thankfully we didn’t have much to set up as others and so this morning set up time was plenty. One thing to know about this first time is we didn’t have an abundance of inventory. It was kits from the Laundry Room, the A-frame, Raggedy Roundtables, and later this year’s Roundtable kits. Gene had his paintings and kits to make easels and frames. Plus he had welded together two styles of patio furniture.

Some items I got in the Sales Room. These plants are by SDK.

Did you know Cheryl Hubbard makes her own fabric? Love this set and the others I got.

Hospitality Room

This morning the Hospitality Room opened. First we each got a bag of Member Favors (totebag favors but no totebag). There were lots of goodies in the bag, but mostly in 1″ scale.

Secondly there was a giveaway each day with multiple (10 or so) items you could put a ticket in for one of them for a chance to win that item.

Thirdly, there were tables set up to do quick projects on. Free little projects – sadly in 1″. I did peek at them to see what might convert down.

If I had one piece of advice for the Hospitality room done like this would be to have at least one make project that is in other scales. But I do understand these rooms are different at each convention.

Opening Luncheon

The opening luncheon was typical convention chicken. One of our souvenirs was a Wicker Lounge and Side Table by Cheryl Hubbard.

I won a Door Prize. I believe the committee tried to have one for everyone.

This was Gene’s doorprize

Roundtables

The roundtables were different than last year. For one, we sold at round tables and there wasn’t room between them. I believe that was not the plan. Secondly, we were allowed to sell kits up to $15, no ‘mega’ just all called roundtables. Roughly a third of dealers were at $5, $10 and $15 respectively, with a few that were in between.

Gene’s roundtable kits were a Destination sign in 3 different scales. Picture not to scale. They were different prices and so he had to deal with $1.

Preble had a Travel Agency in a globe – 4 different combos at $15 each. I made so many little kits go together, I wanted people to be able to get them all if they wanted. But I think that was a mistake. Too complicated. People didn’t understand the OR part of the listing.

I had made a picture just like below and so was able to explain how I was selling my combos. However the display piece in the lobby was everything together so I feel that didn’t help me. I was told to send it that way. I think maybe it was because I had different colors of the globe and that would take up more room. I did put them out for sale at the sales table the next day and sold a few more.

Together they look like this.

Thursday Night Project and Shoebox Sales

The Thursday Night Project this year was by Sue Ketchum. It was available in 3 scales and we had helpers at each table to help us with assembly. During the evening there were people who offered items for sale from a shoebox.

Each helper had assembled one and so it was fun to go around to see them. This one was my favorite because of the rabbit in the window. I struggled with getting mine even started because I was unsure about colors and such. I brought paints and stains but didn’t like what I did with them. So yet another unfinished project.

I had planned to have Shoebox Sales, but I didn’t find the time. I did like they had a much later timeline to submit an application. I thought it was only kits and someone else thought they were supposed to be only finished. There was both and I think that is how it should be.

These are a few of the items I got at the Shoebox Sales – that were really half a table. The ornaments will be converted into ‘people’ for my projects. The table is same as a RT only I didn’t realize that at the time.

Friday

We didn’t have any activities until 2pm so we slept in and Gene went down to get us breakfast. This time with a to go package. That is a small glass ketchup bottle. Just saying.

We had a great view of Fountain Square. There were activities there nearly every day.

We headed to the Sales room but of course we forgot something. On my way back, I made sure to visit the Hospitality Room to see what was going on there. I show my ticket and the lady says, “You won a prize from yesterday.”

The lamp needed fixing when I got home. I drilled a hole so the wire would stay in place. I also added the finding so the lamp would dangle.

Did I mention the Hospitality Room and how great it was. Oh, right yes, that project came from there. Seriously, that committee did an excellent job. There was so much to see every day.

Garage Sale – I intentionally avoided it because we didn’t have room for anything. I heard it was fantastic and raised lots for NAME.

We went to the AOH/Life Member Reception for some sandwiches and chatting with others. Afterwards we headed down to watch the Auction. Only we both decided to bid on some items and not just to watch. One item Preble did not win, but did two others. The Log Cabin tin was one and a Pam Junk kit was the other. I believe the tin was a Bruce and Judy Steinke kit/class. But didn’t ask who made it.

Gene bid on this house and won.

These were all from the Silent Auction portion. There were so many things, I lost track of what I even bid on. I had to retrace my steps. The regular type auction had some great items too. Just very few for my scale. I didn’t even try bidding on those because I just assume I will get outbid. There were some that went low enough I could have. But I am glad I didn’t try.

Saturday

Before time to go to the Sales Room today, the Exhibit Room was open to Dealers only. I thought that was nice. There weren’t as many as last year and I didn’t bring any either. I liked this Snowmen exhibit, which have warmed their way into my heart. I collect them and rabbits in real life not just miniature.

There was a small amount of items left of the Garage Sale, so we both checked that out and came away with practically nothing. This is good – no extra boxes.

One might ask how we had time to go to these other things – well, often we forgot something and had to go to the room to get it. Also this is just when these things were going on – at the same time.

Although Saturday was a super day for the door with lots of public coming in – we still had time in between customers to shop and run these quick errands. Well, I couldn’t have done it without Gene being there. I wouldn’t have a sales table with out him or a dedicated friend. My kudos to those who do it without.

We knew from before to head down for the No-Host Cocktail Party which is also a Costume parade. These are a few that we saw and took pics of. The ones on the right are Snow Globes. So clever.

Banquet and Houseparty Helper Drawing

Most of those gifts are swaps with my table mates. Who-hoo!

Are you ready? There are some great ones.

Upper left – Terrier from Karen N, I love that she included a history, Upper Right – cute kitty Katie V, Lower Left – the top of the statue in Fountain Square Alician P and Lower right – table and vase with flowers – Tammy W

Upper left – flowers and tweezers – Pam C, Upper right – luggage Julie S, Lower left – suitcase Cheryl H, Lower right – a painting by Gene

from Debbie C – flowering plant and tiny globe . I believe several other things at the table were from her as well, but not sure about all of them.

Someone gave us a cool ceramic knife that is retractable. Although we might have gotten that one on Thursday. It is not great for minis as it doesn’t lock in place. But handy for around the house. My old snap-blade can get put back to mini use.

My big table gift was these two little benches.

Gene’s big gift

Banquet night is also when we get more souvenirs

Wallpaper and rugs (in back) from Taryn Reese, in the front on left was quilt in two sizes by ??, the cabinet made by Cindy Hass and the little one by Karen Benson. The bedroom set are my door prizes from earlier are in there as well. Plus I pulled out the wicker from Cheryl . Both of the cabinets have removeable dividers for walls and floors if one prefers to make it a different scale interior.

Sunday

We had the Closing Brunch today. We received an extra souvenir from Sue Herber. It is decorated on the inside too.

Afterwards was another Public Day in the Sales Room. The crowd was pretty good but not really buying much at our table. We were glad for the ones who stopped to look and buy.

I got these treasures. The knitted one was made by Helen Palenski as I found out via Facebook. The other I don’t know but I have made one like it before, just twice the size. This one is about 1.5 inches. I truly appreciate the work of turning that cloth.

There was an even smaller amount of leftovers from the Garage Sale that was free, so we picked up some wood.

After the sales room closed, we packed up our table and we went to find a burger. We ate, paid and left. Walking back, we ran into several mini friends so we went back to Bru Burger for dessert while they had dinner.

Back in the hotel room was a flurry of packing. We had one new box – my Lighthouse Class and the wood, otherwise I tried to pack everything into the boxes we brought.

Monday – home

We had packed the night before except for the bathroom bag so Gene went down with the loaded cart. Only we should have waited since the suitcases have a special spot. It all worked out in the end. We headed out the garage only to not be able to scan our ticket. It seems the city who owns the garage under the hotel has no concept that people might stay the whole time inside and not exit the garage for more than 6 days. They did finally let us out and without even paying due to their faulty ticketing system.

Before we got too far, we made a hop over to the Ark Encounter before we headed home. This was our second visit there and it has changed outside a bit since. Highly recommend. We did skip the zoo and ziplining but not the carousel. The latter being a really short ride. But definitely needs to be on the rabbit – Leporidae (rabbit kind).

One thing missing this year was a totebag. I get why the committee choose to not give us one. Many people just toss them afterwards. But I didn’t realize how much I appreciated having one before until the packages started piling up. In the sales room, I just stopped by our table and stashed them.

On Saturday I saw people carrying these and I knew then I needed one. You can get one in the NAME Store so you can be ready at your next show. I will need to figure out a good way for MiniBunny to ride around like the vinyl pocket for the badges since I don’t want her to lose her head again.

Lastly, this year was a blast. I believe Gene is hooked on having a sales table as we are going to do several shows in the next couple of months. He is also saying we might go to California next year. Oh the possibilities.

Comments are welcome.

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Happy miniaturing!

Preble

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