How to ruin a good show

[Colin-Partridge]

Hi Gang,
As some of you know I am doing a three day carving show on a beach on Kempenfelt Bay for the next three days. I have done this show for the past six years and during the three days it is attended by 200,000 people. Friday evening as usual I went down to set up my booth and take down some of the larger carvings. Now these carvings are about six feet tall and weigh about 100 lbs +. I always leave my large carvings at the booth for the three nights because of the convenience. This morning I returned to set up the rest of my carvings only to find that someone had stolen one of the large carvings. Of all the years I have carved and had my carvings on display I have only had one stolen before, and that was from a store where it was on consignment. It is a sickening feeling to know you are starting a show and are already out a lot of money because of someones dishonesty. I guess I am just venting and who would know better than my carving friends how I feel. It is not the money heck it is just a piece of wood and it cost me nothing except my time. I really feel violated it is very personal. If someone came to me and said I love your carvings so much and I must have one and I cant afford one I am the the type of person that would gladly give it to them. But to have someone steal it is just sticking in my throat. I was wondering if it has happened to you and if so did you feel the same way I do. I guess I am upset and just needed someone to share it with. Who knows maybe it will show up somewhere. For the show I had donated a large carving to World Vision for a raffle I am sure glad I didnt leave that one there maybe it would have been stolen as well.
Colin

[Clifford_Parker]

So sorry to hear about this Colin. I hope the rest of your weekend goes much better.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Very sorry Colin....its a sad world we live in ....words like honesty, honor and integrity are alien to the bulk of people anymore SadSeems to me it would be pretty hard to hide a 6 ft tall woodcarving of a woodspirit! Did you have any pictures to give to the P.D.?

[wade clark]

Colin,
I hope you've reported it to the police! It would be very noticable in the back of a vehicle. They can't catch them if they don't know what to look for. If it was me, I'd set the price high enough to make it a felony. Theives put lots of honest hard working people out of business, not by the value of the items stolen, but by the attitude change it causes in those honest people. We had an Antique Mall in our Auction Hall for 5 or 6 years. It was profitable, but I shut it down and went to strictly Auction Hall, because I just wasn't going to take any more from thieves. It was a good move...the Auction grew and we're only open one day a week now, which means I get some time to carve, rather than watching people like a hawk!
Please report the theft if you haven't!
Sorry about your loss!
Wade

[squbrigg]

Geez Colin, I am sorry to hear that. With a carving that size, perhaps it will show up, it isn't something that a thief can fence easily. More likely some kids drinking on the beach and though it would look cool in their room! Surely someone would have noticed them walking down a street with it. I'm sorry to hear that .......... theives are such lothesome creatures. The can spoil even the best of events with their shannagans! Lets hope the police check out the hospitals for someone reporting in with splinters and a hernia! Smile At least the theives had good taste in art!

Bob

[Colin-Partridge]

I had to do the show yesteday and when I came home last night I took pictures I had on the computer and burned off a copy and I am heading to the police detatchment as we speak. I am also going to take out an add in the two local newspapers with a picture of the carving. I am also going to mark it on my web site as stolen and from where. You never know and it is a signed piece it will be pretty hard to hide and maybe someone will see it somewhere. Well have to file the report and get to the show.
Colin

Colin, sorry about your loss....in the end, those "thiefs" will end up short.

However Colin, don't let this change your outlook on life, your a hard working community minded individual, always willing to help others, a strong hold in your own community and well as in others, please continue to be a proud Canadian. I'm extremely proud to know you through this message board even though we have never actually met.

I really hope the piece finds it way back to you some day and I wish you much success in all your future involvements.

[Ashbys]

Colin,

Sorry to hear this. Seems that respect is something missing in so many factets of our lives. I hope that the carving is recovered, without any damage.

Ash

[Thor]

Colin,
I'm so sorry to hear about the theft. I had a sculpture stolen out of my scullpture garden years ago, and I did file a police report...they had very little interest in the problem...and I have had a page on my web site about it ever since. It has never been recovered. It was not one of my sculptures, but the artist I had bought it from to be in a garden that was open to the public was devastated to hear that he no longer knew where it was. Keeping it on the web site simply insures to me that the person who stole it may not be able to enjoy it. I never expect to get it back.
I hope the ads in papers works for you. Your charitable contributions speak for themselves and your work will be even more charished by your patrons due to your loss.
Thor

[MelNM]

Colin sorry to hear about what happened to you. I hope they catch the crooks that did this.