The Craft and Hobby Trade show

I have just returned from the CHA trade show and it was the first time in about 10 years I actually just walked through it. No booth, no teaching, no demonstrating. I really needed it. It was wonderful to take my time and walk each and every aisle and look at every product connected to the craft industry. The license and Design area of the show looked absolutly great!!! It was constructed beutifully and the booths were all sold out...it will have to be bigger next time! I really think this will be a great thing for the art licensors and designers as it grows, its the only art licensing event on the west coast and should soon attract art buyers from outside the craft industry.

The show overall felt a little slower than normal and there wasnt the urgency and excitement I had seen in the past in the scrapbooking section, it seemed that buyers were more spread out in the show, looking at everything.

What I saw:
GOING GREEN: yarns made from organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo
buttons made from nutshells and wood dyed beautiful colors

SOMETHING NEW:
a new stamp program that uses clear handles with wood rails that allow you to slide very large wood mounts into place and stamp and then use clear or unmounted rubber on the other side of the handle.... very cool

COMMON THREADS:
Lots of embroidery! the vintage kind... like your grandma did on her flour sack towels

Vintage sewing patterns mostly aprons from the 40s and 50s

felt, felting, felt felt felt!!!! beautiful colors, tote and purse blanks, beads, new needle felting tools, I love felt!!!

Theres more Im sure...but I have to get to work, Ill type at you again tomorrow

We will be at the CHA show

Ok We're booked for the CHA show! We have a wonderful opportunity to lend a hand at the Electric Quilt booth, our designs are being used for a great make it take it. Stop by the booth, and do the MITI and they will give you a sample CD of some of our most popular kits! I will be at the show Monday and Tuesday walking the show.

I feel pretty good about this year I have some pretty high goals but I think they are attainable. I really let the realestate market in CA get me down (my husband owns a Real Estate firm) last year and sort of shut down towards the ends of the year. We knew the market was on its way down in May and made plans to stay above water and we've done great. I got a part time job and am not doing any trade show booths this year. I will be marketing through the web and via mail.