CHA 2014 A Recap: Part 1

If you've worked in any kind of crafting business, you know when the Craft and Hobby Association shows rolls around. It's the kind of show that has you working on Christmas items in July, and summer projects in December. It's a whirlwind of planning, preparing, and creativity right up to the day of the show. And typically I spend the week of the show at home recovering and working on anything but CHA business, while the company(ies) I work for are busy showcasing their latest products.

This year, however, I was blessed enough to get to go with Echo Park Paper in order to demo both with Silhouette and Sizzix (two of our brand partners). I was excited to see old friends, check out all the new releases, and hang with my office peeps whom I happen to adore.

The first day of the show was booth set up. My job? Painting. Yep. I got to paint our cherished black bookcase a lovely shade of Tiffany Blue. I already told Andrea that I might have to confiscate the shelf once it gets back home is so deliciously blue. Andrea is our booth guru and manages how the booth is set up and how products are displayed. She really knows her stuff, and we just do what she tells us. She's more like a mom and makes sure we have snacks, water, and comfortable shoes throughout the show. It's amazing to watch her work.


 Echo Park's New "Capture Life" with Allison Kreft



The table I painted.

Day 2 was more booth set-up. Here's where we get really serious and how the products are displayed is the theme of the day. Andrea has everything well planned out and by mid-afternoon we were done. During set-up, I taught a quick round-robin class for Sizzix using our new die cuts. The students moved quickly from station to station with the likes of Lori Whitlock, Tim Holtz, Stephanie Barnard, and more. Then Sizzix graciously provided us with the most delicious lunch (probably the most healthy thing I ate at the show). Afterwards we showcased our products to the Sizzix distributors. It was a full day, but was a great opportunity to share our new "Basics" die cut line, which Andrea also designed (that girl really does everything). On this night we went to dinner as a company. Being an early bird, I was tired and ready for bed but the food was absolutely delicious.



Day 3 was actually Day 1 of the show. I tried to walk a part of the show, but really only got about four booths for all the talking and chatting with industry friends. It's just so exciting to see your friends doing amazing things like design a line, or get a book deal, or work out an upcoming article with a magazine. I also had the opportunity to meet people I love and admire; as well as, see products up close that I've been pinning for weeks on Pinterest HERE.

 Here are a few of the things I spotted during the first full day of the show, that you might want to see:

 (Studio Calico: DIY Shop)

(Booth Displays were amazing!)














Watch for more photos and details coming later this week!

1 comment

  1. Thanks so much for sharing! You captured some of the booths I did not see on the other blogs. :o)

    ReplyDelete

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