Tuesday, November 27, 2007

That Was Some Expensive Lunch


Today I did what I thought would be a five hour show at the Chicago Union League Club. I didn't publicize it much on the blog or the Lucky Penny site, because it was open to members only and their guests. The members had the option of completing a little slip for their purchases that would just be added to the club tab. Very genteel, I thought. It was maybe 500 Ladies Who Lunch, and Ladies Who Have Cocktails Before Lunch. Those bloody Marys went by me, and I thought one would be good. The show was in a big opulent ballroom with chandeliers, brocade swags on the huge windows, and museum quality paintings. The club has a Monet in their collection, I've been told. Around 11:45 the lights flashed, like in the theatre to tell you that intermission is almost over. I asked another exhibitor what it meant. "They're going to lunch, and now we'll have lunch. Then they go to a fashion show. Maybe 30% of the ladies come back after that." So only the first two hours had potential. This is why I'll never be a part of that club. The Ladies. I'm in my hand knitted everything. Vest, socks, scarf. With my hand made sweaters. There was a lot of bling at that event. Some tasteful, some tacky. The tackiest was a necklace that strobed like flashing Christmas lights, worn with a holiday sweater by a 60+ lady. I had a knitter come through, touch all my stuff, and casually toss it aside, saying that she could knit it, and no, she's not interested in another book. I had someone else come to my table in a dress designed by Italians Known for Knitwear, with pumps that I swear cost over $500, and tell me, and her friend that my sweaters were really expensive. Perhaps the dress and shoes were bought on sale, but that just killed me. It just added more proof to my theory that the rich stay that way because they don't spend money.
So, after the event I needed soothing. I hauled my suitcase packed with my inventory and display, down four blocks to Loopy. I bought some Ultra Alpaca Light to make something from Norah Gaughan's Berroco book, so it wasn't a huge splurge. Loopy may be one of the shops added to my anticipated Five Mile Round Trip Book Tour next spring. This day was done on public transportation, so at least I didn't shell out $30 for parking. That sandwich, Coke, and coffee cost me $125.
The item in the photo is to blame for my lack of Lucky Penny inventory. It's the Tully sweater from Colinette's Iona book, in Iona. The colors look richer that what's in the photo. I've got the back and both fronts completed, and more that half way through the first sleeve.
Ravelry? How about calling it Realty! I have a possiblity for a house to rent, and that's where I found the contact. Stay tuned.