CHA 2007 – page 2

Ohmygohsh, yesterday was such an eventful day and I only have about 30 minutes to write about it.  Sorry, no pics yet, darnit.  Just not enough time this morning.

Yesterday I was signed up to help Lisa Pavelka in her class (7am).  Well, you know how it goes – there’s always an adjustment that needs to be made because usually something goes wrong.  In this case, it was a bunch of somethings and Lisa’s pallet didn’t show up until 10 minutes before the class.  And the only person who showed up to help her was me, of the 5 people who signed up.  And I didn’t show up until a few minutes before the class, I’m embarassed to say.  It’s inexperience… I didn’t know what was expected of me, and didn’t directly ask Lisa when I should be there.  I’ll know better next time!

Lisa’s class went great, and in fact I got to meet Kasey Larson from More Than Memories in Shaumberg.  It was so wierd, because we’d both wanted to talk to each other for about a year now, and we’re both on the same yahoo groups, but we hadn’t connected.  Good example of being just plain busy. 

At the end of Lisa’s class, she was packing up her rolly cart.  (This was so timely after my rant about rolly carts yesterday, LOL, and Trina’s response.)  Lisa has a Tutto cart.  I was SO impressed with this cart that I’ve got to get me one.  I left Lisa at the bag check and went straigt to the Tutto booth.  I know it will be the only bag I’ll ever need to buy, because these puppies have a lifetime guarantee.  And they look like they’ll never need to use it.  Amazing construction, attention to detail, etc.  Best bag I’ve ever seen. Allen and I are going to consider buying a couple of them for my webshop here.

After Tutto, I went booth hopping.  Giving away goodies from the goody box… these are pieces that are not actively in my booth and I’m willing to give away to anyone who stands still for five seconds, LOL!!  And of course handing out / receiving business cards like crazy.

I was at the Kalmbach booth and talked to the editor of a new magazine they’re publishing.  Also talked about a couple of other ones I’ll be putting on my submit schedule for ‘08.  Good gals there! 

Ponsawan tracked me down right about then, and we hung out together for most of the day, hitting booths and talking to people.  There are a couple of them that really got us thinking from the designer perspective.  Smooth-On and Zoom(something or other). 

We wanted to hit the Amaco booth just before lunch, and there we ran into Lynne and Tommie.  They’d been at dinner the night before – it was so fun to put faces to names and enjoy the personalities up close.  These guys are good people!  So we asked them to join us for lunch, and we just went over to the food court for a bit.  I’m really enjoying getting to know them.  Tommie is great with the straight-faced zinger.  Wow, I gotta watch that guy… he knows I’m gullible!  Lynne …. I just like watching her talk.  Her face is so expressive, and she’s got the most adorable lisp that shows up sometimes.  Ponsawan cracked me up… seems like she knows EVERYONE.  I just enjoy being around her, she has so much energy and is such a positive person that it’s always delightful to hang out with her.

So after lunch, Tommie and Lynne headed back to Amaco, while Ponsawan and I headed over to Makins.  I’ve been on the fence about how I feel about the airdry clay, so I wanted to take the time to see it in person and be as objective as I know how to be.  Just like everything else in life, it’s got it’s great points and it’s not-so-great ones.  I think it’s going to be a good addition to the craft industry, that’s for sure.  Makins has officially come out from the mother company, Walnut Hollow.  There is a new line of tools that has me completely drooling, and I’ll be putting some of those in my store here when I get the tool section up and running. 

The Makins booth was the place to be yesterday.  I talked with Sue Kelsey, who was demonstrating that day.  Of course Jeannie was there, tucked neatly into the corner as the queen, and holding court with prospective subjects.  Scott came by the booth and I finally had a chance to meet him.  Very nice guy, and I’m pleased to see the things he’s got going.  He’ll be one to watch!

Lynne and Tommie showed up a bit later, just about closing time.  They’d been over to Donna Dewberry’s display for the new Sculpey Studio.  Interesting things going on, and even more interesting news about who the regional trainers are.  Some surprises there.  I got to touch the new clay, which reminds me of blue sticky-tac in look and feel.  I’ll be watching to see what happens with this new clay, which claims to be as soft to work as Sculpey but as strong or stronger after baking than Kato or Fimo. 

Jeannie was going to go to dinner with us, but then she decided she’d better get some work done so she headed to her room.  Lynne and Tommie and I decided to get some food together, so Allen came and picked us up and the four of us went to dinner.  There’s this restaurant a few blocks away, the Pine Grove.  Decent food, prices not bad.  We talked the world around about a bunch of subjects.  And the more I listened, the more impressed I was with both of them.  I’m wishing good, good things for these guys!!

We dropped them off at their hotel and thought about going to get a movie, but ended up just coming back to our suite and dropping stuff off, and going for a twilight walk.  I gotta tell ya, girls… I love being married to this guy.  A sunset walk, holding hands with my favoritest person in the world, and reviewing the day… it was just the thing I needed. 

Oh shoot…. just looked at the clock and I’m running late.  Breakfast with Lisa Pavelka in 45 minutes and I haven’t even started getting ready.  eek!