Well hopefully you got the 2 for 1 special! Hey there are two kinds of collectors: those that admit they bought repro/fantasy stuff and those that lie about it!
So true...Like the one, with the fake reverse painted Red Indian glass. Buy it, knowing it to be a fake. Then bring the thread to the top and create controversy around it. In an attempt to create a false authentication and catch someone on a fake.
Better then shows...is one of one tutoring from a fellow collector. There are lots of established, advanced collectors in Alberta. You should try connecting with a few of them and try to absorb some of their experience and knowledge.