Daaang Rick! Talk about a guilt trip! :lol:
Seriously though, every vendor and maker's situation is different. For some guys, it is very much a matter of finances. For others, maybe not so much.
I will speak for myself, personally, as I do not know other makers' situations.
I have always tried to donate to pipe shows when I am able. Sometimes, I'm not able. Back in the day, when I was working a full time job outside of pipemaking, donating something to a pipe show was no big deal. Pipemaking was a fun little hobby, and sales were the icing on the cake. I'm sure there are many makers who are in that same position today.
But moving in to the realm of the full-time artisan pipemaker, it is not always possible to make those sacrifices, and these days I'm lucky to break even at a pipe show. Maybe I need to take more time away from my family to get more pipes made so I can donate something? Maybe I need to raise my prices and hope I still sell just as many pipes so I can donate something? These are difficult decisions to consider. It's not as easy as "hey, I'll donate a pipe".
I always buy a table when I attend a pipe show, and admittedly, I felt pretty good about myself for doing so, until I found out today that some folks feel like it is not enough. Nobody should be looked down on for contributing what they can, no matter how small.
Personally, I feel like each breathing body in the building is an important part of a pipe show. If you've donated an item to the show, great! If you've bought a table, and are exhibiting something on it, great! Nothing kills the mood of a show like a row of empty tables. If you are an attendee, a consumer, walking the floor and buying pipes and tobacco, and tampers, and tobacciana, fantastic! In my opinion, these folks are the life blood of a pipe show, and
I challenge anyone reading this to become a pipe show consumer. If you are an attendee, but can't afford to buy anything, you are important too! You contribute to the overall atmosphere of brotherhood that helps to attract those who will buy! And if you are a volunteer who helps to run the show, it should go without saying that you are where it all begins, you make the magic happen.
On a side note. Robert Vance is a great guy. I hear that he still has the gecko pipe that I carved for, and donated to the Old Pueblo Pipe Club show in Tucson those many years ago...