I don't have a favorite designer, I like to cut what ever catches my eye, but I do like Judy's intarsia patterns. One of the books that I recently bought is by Gary Mackay and is box making for the scroll saw.
Thats awesome I wish you the best of luck at the rally. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. I haven't done a show for a while can't find time to build my stock back up.
I have the Dremel 1800 scroll station which I believe is the same saw just with a sander on the side. I run mine at the 1 - 2 o clock position on the spped dial and have no problem with vibration. If I turn it up to full speed it vibrates like crazy, but I never need it turned up that fast. My saw is bolted to my bench with 1/2 foam pad under it. I've had this saw for going on 5 years and love it.