Hello there! I'm back from LA...CHA winter was FABulous, not to mention the 85 degree weather. The show was a great success for me. There was a lot of networking, product meetings, yummy dinners, checking out all the new goodies and taking part in a panel discussion. The best part of the show was seeing all of my lovely artist friends.
CHA winter mega show highlights...
- spent a lot of time with my crafty FAVES...Jenn Perkins, Vickie Howell, Steve Piacenzca, Candie Cooper, Cathie Filian. We headed to the Prime Publishing blogger networking event and iLoveTo Create designer parties and left with loads of swag bags full of artsy products.
- hung out with the lovely SLK, love this girl so much! somehow we didn't get a photo this year.
- great to catch up with the team from ILoveTo Create..Valerie, Allyson, Nate, Pattie & Kathy!
- got to have lunch with Ruth and Kristen outside at the yummy food trucks.
- wine and meet ups with Pam, MaryBeth, Keely and Seth
- fun to catch up with the oh so ADORABLE Jenny and Aaron...their new paper collection and new book Mixed Media Masterpieces are RAD..check it out!
- Sergio, one of my best friends from college, came by for a visit
- Honored to speak on a panel about teaching online with some awesome artists/crafters. Thanks to the sweet Jennifer Priest for inviting me to be part of it. Our workshop was sold out with 125 people! {one a side note...This topic is one that I've covered it in both Discovering YOU part one and part two. I'm excited to announce I will be launching a new online event and e-books that go into detail on how to plan and launch a successful online program...more details soon!}
- met Ashley Goldberg and spending time chatting at her booth. LOVE LOVE her new stamp line. It's a must have..buy her stamps online here!!
- Fun to see Jayme and her new company Hazel & Ruby. Jayme attended one of creative business workshops at the Creative Connection a couple of years ago. Her new line of creative products includes adhesive stencils, printed tissue, washi tape and other papercrafts goodies is lovely.
- Chatted with General Pencil Co and was surprised to find out their a bay area company and all their products are made in the USA! I love their sketch & wash pencil and "The Masters" brush cleaner.
- loved catching up with Dina and seeing her new Dina Wakley Media line with Ranger
- everything in the papercrafts/scrapbooking area was smaller...mini albums, journaling cards, Project Life goodies. There was still a lot of mixed media incorporated in papercrafts.
- got to catch up with a dear friend Maridette, who I attended high school with. She's a designer for Heidi Swapp and her work totally rocks!
- met new friends like Gaby Contreras, who is an illustrator and product designer. She had a fun display in the CHA Designer section.
- Attended a yummy dinner for designers with Sakura of America.
- got to catch up with my girl Allison Kreft and check out her new paper collections..FAB!
- hung out with the fun guys at the Ironlak/AVT paints booth, who laced me with lots of Ironlak swag...loving their new hallow point mini markers and all the other goodies they gave me. I'll share more about them soon!
- I also participated in the designer throw down with Jenn Mason for Charity Wings LIVE at CHA event where we were given a bag of craft items to create something in 8 minutes...fun also catching up with my girl Elena!
- Thanks to those of you on IG that tagged me, I borrowed a few photos from @jenniferperkins, @ernavandyk, @mdettec and @hellogabyandco. checkout #chashow, #chaw2014, #cha2014 on IG for lots more photos.
This year's show was all business for me, so I didn't get a lot of shots of the show floor. It was great to spend time with all of my lovely artist friends. If you are serious about developing your career in the art and craft industry this a MUST attend event. Check out the CHA website for details about becoming a member and the upcoming shows.
Hope you enjoyed a peek into my CHA show experience!
xoxo...~Traci
