I've Never Seen Anything Like It

I'm beat. I set up the show today, and it's an incredible undertaking and event. If you're not from Chicago, the Merchandise Mart is an institution. It's the place your designer goes to outfit the renovation on your penthouse suite, or your stately home in Lake Forest. The finest fixtures and amenities. The building is like its own city. If you can't find it inside, you just step outside, and there's the hardware, drug, and office supply store. I went late, true to form, and thought I would be waiting in line under the loading dock forever. Fifteen minutes later, my car was unloaded, and I was looking for a parking garage. I checked in, and went to my booth, with all my stuff waiting there for me. I'm in space 8072, if you want to come by, tucked in a corner. We'll see how that flies. I've preordered my lunches for the next three days, to be delivered to my booth, and I'm planning what knitting projects to take. There's a custom order to finish, and I have possibly two more waiting. The show has probably 400 artists. Not a silk screened t-shirt among them. After today, I understand why an artist pays so much to be there. The amenities are like nothing I've ever seen. On the way home, I found a wool coat at T.J. Maxx! Good thing, because I'm taking the CTA to the show for the next three days. Parking for three hours this afternoon was $26! Photo is a custom order I made last month. I don't normally like black for dog sweaters, but the punch of color really makes it special.