Stampington Attends CHA Winter 2012!
Binder: check. Blinged-out badge: check. List of my top 25 favorite companies to visit, as well as an up-to-the-minute schedule of seminars and notes regarding celebrity crafter appearances: check. CHA, here I come!
The Craft and Hobby Association trade show is the most anticipated conference for companies promoting new products and publications for the growing arts and craft industry. Over the course of the convention, we had the chance to mingle with artists that we‘ve been working closely with for years and also met some new faces. Traci Bautista was there promoting her new book, Doodles Unleashed and created colorful doodles for attendees on the spot. Somerset Place will be a stop on her book blog tour next month—look for that in the near future! Tim Holtz held demonstrations all week long and showcased his new products from Ranger and Sizzix. We chatted with Mark Montano, the creative mind behind his new book, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts 2. We also met up with the effervescent Kathy Cano-Murillo, of Crafty Chica fame, at which time I gushed that I was one of her thousands of followers on Twitter. Seeing as the trade show floor was lined with red carpets, I decided that being a little star-struck was acceptable.
It was such a treat to see some of the biggest crafting companies in our industry—My Mind’s Eye, Prima Marketing, Maya Road—shining in their unique aesthetic. Display walls were covered, quite literally, from floor to ceiling with product demos and project samples. Between DCWV’s breathtaking glass-beaded forest installation and Graphic 45’s vintage teagarden wonderland, new inspiration radiated from booth to booth.
Our Shoppe Manager, Vanessa, is always on the lookout for new products to add to our online inventory. “Beach Bloomers” was a new company that we discovered, filled with ephemera trinkets and custom-made banners. She was so enthralled with these finds that we will be partnering with them to bring you a new “Vintage Swap-portunity” feature. Stay tuned for more details about this and other CHA discoveries in tomorrow’s Post Script e-letter. You can also look forward to hot new products from Pink Paislee, Tim Holtz, and Glitz Designs arriving soon at The Shoppe!
Seeing the many players in the crafting industry gather in one central place to promote the arts really warmed my heart. It was inspiring to see how different companies are collaborating (Rhonna Farrer’s new “Follow Your Heart” line with My Mind’s Eye is just plain gorgeous) and constantly looking at new trends in design and technology to expand their brand and customer base. I am so proud to be a part of a community that promotes an appreciation for the arts and fosters a love for the creative life.
— Elysa Hill, Marketing Communications Manager
What do you love best about belonging to the creative community? Share your thoughts with us!
Posted: Monday, February 13th, 2012 @ 10:40 am
Categories: Uncategorized.
Tags: CHA Trade Show.
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Networking! And meeting other people that have the same passion for this craft as I do.
Agreed, Lillian. Passion can be so contagious!
I love that so many people share their ideas for new techniques or new spins on old ones. Sometimes I’m inspired to break out my art supplies; other times I just enjoy the eye candy. And I LOVE poring through my old issues of Somerset Studio – each one is bristling with bookmarks!
So looking forward to the summer show!