from Issue 44 CHAMPS Show Magazine April 2023

First Time Attendee's Look at CHAMPS Atlantic City Issue 44 CHAMPS Show Magazine April 2023

CHAMPS

By Bernie Boulders

CHAMPS Trade Show rolled into the Las Vegas Convention Center, ready for whatever came its way. The team was all-hands-on-deck. Smiles and Staff Shirts were plentiful. Old faces and new faces were happy and excited to help every qualiﬁed buyer and Vendor get through the door to make money!

It turns out the excitement was well warranted! CHAMPS Trade Show was the biggest and most attended show ever. With over 2000 booths and over 8000 buyers walking the show ﬂoor, every aisle was busy all day, every day!

It was another Star-Studded show full of exciting visitors like Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg, The Godfather, and the Trailer Park Boys! The exhibitors went all out, bringing famous people from all walks of life: Sports, Music, TV, and Movies.

One of the ﬁrst places I visited was the Drip Drop Booth. The crew there always has fun and exciting new things in their booth. A CHAMPS Regular and industry-standard, Linda Biggs was there with her new art-inspired trays and pipes! Alongside that were offerings from Kush Cards and their HUSH Kratom Line — such a great set of products.

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Snoop Dogg at CHAMPS 2023

CHAMPS own Mike G with Tyson

Photos by Dabsel Adams

CHAMPS WINTER VEGAS

When I reached the CHAMPS Glass Games, the Torches were blazing, and the glass was melting. The artist booths were packed Shoulder to Shoulder with buyers scooping up their favorite pieces. I had to stop in to see Isaac at Dopals Opals. He made some amazing CHAMPS-themed Opal C’s. This was to commemorate the 24th Anniversary of the CHAMPS Trade Show, the Opal Anniversary. He is the man to see if you ever need anything from an opal ring to a custom-cut opal.

The glass blowers were in two separate arenas. Each was full of amazing talent. The Glass Games Winner took home $20,000 for 1st Place! It was an amazing two days of Live Glassblowing and a day of the artist setting up their displays. On day four, the judging and winners announcements took place.

The Top three were:

1st Place: Adam - HOOBS Glass

2nd Place: Justin - Icke Glass

3rd Place: Shayla - Windstar Glass

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Hillside Glass

Dopals Opals Booth Glass Games Sponsor

Liberty SOG Glass Games Sponsor

Pu s Pendy Melts Glass Games Sponsor

Ryot Booth Glass Games Sponsor

Adult Section Eldorado Booth

GREENLANE Booth

Tyson in the Futurola Booth

CHAMPS WINTER VEGAS

As seen on the cover, HOOBS Piece was an epic glass-collecting pirate from the future. Decked out in a hand-mixed white and an amazing orange color. The judges claimed it to be “Nearly Flawless,” an almost perfect execution.

The Winter Show was, by all measures, the most successful CHAMPS Show ever! We invite all those from the Northeast to join us at CHAMPS Atlantic City! May 9-11th, 2023 for our Regional show with another exciting round of Glass Games.

CannaAide Booth

Cignature with Monneybagg Yo

Former Adult Star Onyx Muse FUME Booth

KaliBoom Booth PartyNuts Booth

aLeaf Booth

Adult Section Booth MAIA Toys

Waldo’s Wonders Booth

GLASS GAMES MASTERS 2023

The pictures will tell the central part of the story. Unique pieces were completed with very few crashes and burns! Only a few pieces were not completed on time. The latest was Noah from Eternal Glass. His final attachment went south, and he had to fight to the finish to complete a piece.

In the end, after the tally was taken and the amazing judges ﬁnalized their choices. The winner was called nearly Flawless.

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Armor Glass Noah

Pyro Glass

Sven Glass

Joe P Glass

Plug-a-Nug

Made by Seif

GLASS GAMES MASTERS 2023

The top 10 were so close that the team was surprised there was no tie in there.

One of the biggest feats of the show was the Hat Trick Shayla from Windstar glass pulled off. She won Artist Choice and People’s Choice as well as Placed 3rd! She went all out with her Camera based piece with removable slides. It was the ﬁrst time in memory that someone took home three awards during the Masters Event.

BMFT Glass

Habitat Glass

Terry Sharp

Smitty Glass Art

Charisma

Grime Glass

GLASS GAMES MASTERS 2023

The top 8 took home medals. aHere is a full list of Winners.

First Place: Hoobs Glass

2nd Place: Icke Glass

3rd Place: Windstar Glass

(Artist and People’s Choice)

4th Place: JOP

5th Place: HicDogg

6th Place: Nathan Belmont

7th Place: Terry Sharp

8th Place: Carsten Carlisle

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Tony Kazy

Eternal Flameworks

Aaron U Glass

Carsten Carlisle on the Torch

Shayla Windstar Glass on the Torch

Charisma Glass on the Torch

Icke Glass on the Torch

Greg Adams Trident Glass on the Torch

Aaron U on the Torch

GLASS GAMES MASTERS 2023

There were some amazing pieces that didn't win and should be looked at! Joe P made a new and inspired multi-alien bong that was indeed a piece I would use. Aaron U caught my attention with his unmistakable connection to the Theme "For the Love of Glass." Aaron pictured himself with his head being the torch. Deﬁnitely keep your eye on him, as he is an up-and-comer!

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BMFT on the Torch

Ford 20 on the Torch

Glass by Self on the Torch

Happytime Glass on the Torch

GLASS GAMES MASTERS 2023

I really wanted Charisma Glass to complete his piece. It was a very inspiring piece with many elements to portray his love of glass.

With such an amazing display of talent, we can only look forward to the 2023 qualiﬁers with hope for another amazing set of artists to ﬁght it out for a chance to win next year's Masters Tournament.