August is a busy month as folks turn their focus back to inside the home after the summer (what summer?) hiatus. But there are still some outdoor things to do, too.
Mark your calendars for these great upcoming events.
The 29th Annual Chicago O'Hare Summer Antique Show & Sale happens Aug. 27-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. With more than 200 dealers from 38 states, Canada, Europe, and South America, the O'Hare Antique Show is the Midwest's largest quality antiquing event. It attracts thousands of antique lovers from the Chicago area as well as serious collectors from as far away as New York, California, Florida, Europe and Asia.
A wide range of high-quality antiques and objets d'art will be presented, including English, Continental, Victorian and early American furniture, silver, bronzes, Orientalia, porcelain, antique and estate jewelry, watches, paintings, prints, pottery, art glass, Art Deco, textiles, lamps, rugs, quilts, vintage clothing, folk art, tribal art, militaria, antiquarian books, architectural and garden ornamentation, reference books, and much more. All items are for sale, with prices ranging from $10 to more than $100,000, offering opportunities for every collector.
Running concurrently with the antique show is the 5th Annual Chicago Vintage Clothing & Antique Textile Show. The Vintage Clothing Show will include 18th, 19th, and 20th Century fashions, costume jewelry, and accessories, as well as fine linens, lace and antique fabrics.
Show hours are: Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Weekend admission is $10, good for both shows all 3 days, and includes free parking with paid admission. The Stephens Convention Center is located at 5555 N. River Road in Rosemont. www.dolphinfairs.com .
Celebrate Barbie's 45th anniversary in style at the 2004 Barbie Doll Collectors Convention. This year, the Windy City is the location of the convention, hosted by the National Collectors Convention Steering Committee. Typically hosted for registered guests only, the convention will open its doors to the public. Barbie enthusiasts can attend this unique annual event and view the largest collection of vintage dolls and accessories. The beneficiary charity is the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF).Saturday, Aug. 7, open to the public from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $5. At the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont.
The 20th American Craft Exposition takes place the weekend of Aug. 27-29 at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University. Over the years it has enthusiastically challenged the belief that 'craft' is synonymous with macramé. This three-day juried exhibition benefits breast and ovarian cancer research at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and gathers 150 of the finest craftspeople in the country to showcase their work in metal, glass, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, leather, wood, paper, mixed media, and basketry. Several lectures, demonstrations and interactive opportunities will be presented. It is tied with the Smithonian as the No. 1 quality indoor show in the country. For more information visit www.americancraftexpo.org .
