As promised, I am back from the west coast with news of crafting and the world’s largest craft industry convention under my belt! The CHA Show (Craft and Hobby Association) was gianormous alright, sheesh. The weather in Anaheim was a lovely 75-80 degrees. I made it a point to eat every meal I could outside…
Ahhh…palm trees and people watching, what could be better? Since I’m pretty isolated working at home in the studio, being out and about in the world was sooo good for me.
This may look like a nice treat…sitting outside with a coffee and a muffin before heading into the density of craft supplies with throngs of people. I got my dress pants and fancy shoes…
However, that morning only the view was a treat! (bad coffee, worse muffin, and painful shoes! Good gravy, what was I thinking?) And so begins the day of a convention-goer.
I’ll let you know upfront that I don’t have much to show in the way of specific crafty inspiration. There were rules about the show (for the trade only, not open to the public) one of which included no photography in the booths without permission. Hmmm…I guess I’m just a goody-goody, because I saw a lot of rule breaking. Didn’t hear much permission asking either. But I digress…
What I DO have photos of is people! Yay, people! Here’s a photo of Natalie Zee-Drieu from CRAFT Magazine. I was so excited to finally meet her in person after a year or so of emailing and working together on this and that. She and Sherry Huss (of Maker Faire) came by the F+W booth where I was signing books and doing make-and-takes. Do you see that button pinned to my name tag? The publisher had little cupcake buttons made up to promote the book. Cute!
***newly updated: check out the CRAFT podcast tutorial of my make and takes!***
Here’s me with author Claudine Hellmuth, later that day. (yes! I went back to the hotel and changed clothes and SHOES…I think my feet are still wondering what I was subjecting them to) Claudine is super friendly and is such a pro at these events. It was great to meet her finally as well. (BTW, she’s a “Martha Buddy”…we exchanged emails before her appearance on the MS show last fall!) Thank you Claudine for showing me the ropes!
And who’s this I ran into by surprise? Why, it’s Ms. Heather Bailey! It was pretty funny. After my book signing I was walking the show, taking in the sights. I was in the scrapbooking area (which was like 50% of the show!) when I felt like someone was watching me. Look up at those eyes! Wow! I didn’t know she was going to be there or I would’ve pestered her in advance. 🙂 Anyway, I looked down from the sign to see Heather herself standing there. She’s got a new scrapbook paper line, who knew? She was very engrossed in a conversation so I couldn’t pop over and say hi right then. I walked a few more aisles then peeked back…rats! Still busy. I was starting to feel like I was exhibiting stalker-ish behavior, so I just decided to go for it. I’m glad I did. She was very gracious and I met her friendly husband, Isaac, as well. She was nice enough to pose with me under her giant eyes for a photo…yay! 🙂 Another blogger, brought to life. Thank you Heather and congrats on the new line!
I also want to say thanks to every one I met that came by the booth to say hi and show their enthusiasm for Warm Fuzzies! I put so much work, heart and soul into my book and it was immensely gratifying to see it come full circle. It was very well received and your response to it was overwhelming. I was taken aback! So much so that I hardly knew how to behave. It’s just an amazing honor to be able to share ones work and to have it make people smile. Really. You can’t ask for anything more than that.
Cute red heels! Sounds wonderful–sunshine that is. 🙂
glad you had a good show, i used to visit the cha show every year when i worked for coats crafts, even though we’re closer being in the uk, they used to fly us the cheapest route which meant 4 planes in one day!
Wow! It seems so funny!!! I lke so much your red shoes…Saludos desde Barcelona
Cute shoes…oh the things we do for fashion! ouch!
I have to say I look forward to peeking at your blog whenever I get a free moment…it is like a breath of fresh air…and great crafty inspiration for science geeks like me, to use the other half of our brains! XOXO
Comfortable or no, those are some GOOD lookin’ shoes! Glad you had a good time!
oh maaaan! I asked several friends who were attending cha to try and kidnap you and bring you home to me in the uk so I could lock you in my studio and have you make me lots of pretty things…guess the mission didn’t work lol!
Love the shoes!
…yes i did!!!i ordered my Warm and fuzzies book from Amazon!!!excuse me for not ordered from you because of the ..money..i had on my card…thank you very much for your reportage from cha!!!the red shoes looks like italian shoes,aren’t they??
WOW!!your valentine heart is just a…treasure!!!!
Love those shoes . . .
I’ve walked those trade shows and so the minute I saw those shoes I said to myself…”WHAT IS SHE THINKING???”
Always go for comfort and not fashion in these instances. HA. It sounds like an interesting show. I’ve often wondered who actually determines the trends.
Suzanne,
Ok, this is “what I was thinking”…I have ONE pair of dress pants that are too long for flats. So, I tried on all of my heels and the red ones won for most comfortable! They lasted a few hours! 🙂
Betz
Sounds like you had fun at show! I’ve been to shows where you have to ask permission to take photos too. Also seemed like the people who didn’t have anything really fantastic were the ones who enforced it. Everyone else was just happy you loved it! Love the shoes, even if they were torturous to wear!
I just love that valentines day heart and those red shoes are divine!
What a wonderful experience! and meeting all those people that we hold in such high regard!!!! Really special! Glad you had fun:D
Okay, I’ll be the rebel and say that I love the boots you changed into after the gorgeous red heels got painful! Are they Fryes?
My goodness, but that Heather Bailey is tall!
Random question – will wool felt in a front-load washer? I’ve read a couple of things that say specifically to wash in a top-loader when felting.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Yes, Jennifer, my fave boots of all time are on my feet and they are Frye harness boots. LOVE them.
Yes, HB is TALL!
and Yes, you can felt in a front loader, I do it all of the time! It may take an extra wash and throw in a tennis ball for extra agitation since a front loader has no agitator! 🙂
Yay! Looks like you had fun, too.
Looks like a great time!
Those are some sassy red heels!
I’m anxious to listen to the podcast – haven’t had a chance yet.
Betz, I am seriously lusting after your shoes! They are stunning!
It was a pleasure meeting you at CHA (at your book signing). I have been enjoying your book, Warm Fuzzies, and can’t wait to try a project or two (or three, or four…)
: )
I think it’s wonderful that fellow crafters become celebrities, congrats on the popularity of your book.