My time lately has pretty much been taken up by CHA projects. CHA= Craft & Hobby Association. CHA sponsors two buying shows a year: one in January usually held in Anaheim; one in July in Chicago. This is where craft vendors from all over the world show their newest products so that store owners can purchase those products. The vendors are made up of corporations who actually produce products like scrapbook paper, embellishments, rubber stamps, sewing items, ribbons, boas (yes, there's a boa booth!) . . . anything and everything you can think of that you use when you craft. It's not just a scrapbook convention!
And most of the booths have to do with scrapbooking (which can be trouble if you're a scrapbook buyer)! The winter show is the largest show of the year. It's held at a huge convention center and takes up several football fields of booths to shop.
Nothing is brought home except catalogues.
The stores can order at CHA but that doesn't mean you'll receive products right away. Some of the things that can be ordered aren't even made yet and some won't ship for months.
None of this means that it still isn't fun to go and see! It is amazing!
One of the vendors is Graphic 45 and I am ever so grateful I am on their Design Team. (Frankly, I'm still in awe that I even made it on the team!) Being on the Design Team means that I get to work with brand new, never-before-seen product that is in the works.
This season, I received 4 new lines from Graphic 45. With each line I was sent about 10 papers (I'm guessing here because (1) I didn't count them and (2) they are completely gone, torn up, cut-up and used up! Each one is gorgeous. I thought I had a favorite and then started working with the next line and that became my favorite and then the next line . . . oh my they are all beautiful!
I received the shipment from Graphic of the new lines on January 7. To say it was exciting is putting it mildly. On my way out the door, I stopped in my tracks and had to open it right then and there. It is imperative that when you get brand spanking new paper you have to fondle it, smell it and ooh and ahh over it. No problem!
The manufacturer's work on such tight deadlines that when we get the papers from Graphic, many of them are printed on Diane's own home printer. They hadn't come back from the printers yet. And right now, I am seeing the embellishments at the same time you are . . . on the Graphic 45 blog. Most of the chipboard and stickers weren't printed when we received our shipment. I cannot wait to play with them!
As of today, it's getting shipped back to Graphic 45. All 15 projects completed and ready to show at Graphic 45's booth at CHA. I'm not one to get nervous but this tests my nerves. It's thousands of people judging your work. It's editors of major publications walking around with cameras taking pictures of their favorites and asking if they can publish your art (hopefully that's what they're asking!).
I will be demoing at CHA in the Graphic 45 booth on Wednesday, February 1. If you're at the show, please stop by and say *hey*. Can't wait to see everything and come back with stories and photos.
Wish me luck!
I'll see you there and can't wait to see what you've made! It's always beautiful!
Posted by: Debby Schuh | January 19, 2012 at 08:38 AM
Good luck, Nancy! You'll be a hit!!!
Posted by: Robin Swederske | January 19, 2012 at 09:07 AM
Love the sneak peek!
You have great ideas and we hope the show is an amazing experience. Don't forget to have someone take photos of you when you demo...
Posted by: Ann Werner | January 19, 2012 at 10:22 AM
The peeks look amazing...as always. You don't need luck...you got this stuff down pat. But...good luck...with the nerves :)....above all have a great time!
Posted by: Lori C | January 19, 2012 at 11:00 AM
The sneak peaks that I've been seeing are just amazing, just like the ones you've shown today. I love the new papers and embellishments that Graphic 45 is putting out. I hope you have a great time at the show and that a lot of buyers are interested in what you've created also.
Hugs XX
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Moore | January 19, 2012 at 11:38 PM
Good luck, Nancy! Although when you have as much talent as you have, you don't need much luck. Have a great time and of course, I'm jealous, as always!
Posted by: Carolyn K | January 20, 2012 at 12:45 AM