If you've worked in any kind of crafting business, you know when the
Craft and Hobby Association shows rolls around. It's the kind of show
that has you working on Christmas items in July, and summer projects in
December. It's a whirlwind of planning, preparing, and creativity right
up to the day of the show. And typically I spend the week of the show at
home recovering and working on anything but CHA business, while the
company(ies) I work for are busy showcasing their latest products.
This
year, however, I was blessed enough to get to go with Echo Park Paper
in order to demo both with Silhouette and Sizzix (two of our brand
partners). I was excited to see old friends, check out all the new
releases, and hang with my office peeps whom I happen to adore.
The
first day of the show was booth set up. My job? Painting. Yep. I got to
paint our cherished black bookcase a lovely shade of Tiffany Blue. I
already told Andrea that I might have to confiscate the shelf once it
gets back home is so deliciously blue. Andrea is our booth guru and
manages how the booth is set up and how products are displayed. She
really knows her stuff, and we just do what she tells us. She's more
like a mom and makes sure we have snacks, water, and comfortable shoes
throughout the show. It's amazing to watch her work.
Echo Park's New "Capture Life" with Allison Kreft
The table I painted.
Day
2 was more booth set-up. Here's where we get really serious and how the
products are displayed is the theme of the day. Andrea has everything
well planned out and by mid-afternoon we were done. During set-up, I
taught a quick round-robin class for Sizzix using our new die cuts. The
students moved quickly from station to station with the likes of Lori
Whitlock, Tim Holtz, Stephanie Barnard, and more. Then Sizzix graciously
provided us with the most delicious lunch (probably the most healthy
thing I ate at the show). Afterwards we showcased our products to the
Sizzix distributors. It was a full day, but was a great opportunity to
share our new "Basics" die cut line, which Andrea also designed (that
girl really does everything). On this night we went to dinner as a
company. Being an early bird, I was tired and ready for bed but the food
was absolutely delicious.
Day 3 was actually Day 1 of
the show. I tried to walk a part of the show, but really only got about
four booths for all the talking and chatting with industry friends. It's
just so exciting to see your friends doing amazing things like design a
line, or get a book deal, or work out an upcoming article with a
magazine. I also had the opportunity to meet people I love and admire;
as well as, see products up close that I've been pinning for weeks on
Pinterest HERE.
Here are a few of the things I spotted during the first full day of the show, that you might want to see:
(Studio Calico: DIY Shop)
(Booth Displays were amazing!)
Watch for more photos and details coming later this week!
