CHA Winter 2013: Part One

Becky and I have always wanted to attend CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) since we entered the creative industry 10 years ago, but with our busy schedules we never took the chance.

Until now…

…the lovely people over at PLAID invited us to teach at their lovely booth and we couldn’t resist! Thanks to them we were able to check CHA off of our bucket list-and it was a blast…

We walked into the conference the first day and the first thing we see? PLAID booths everywhere…and they were fabulous!

Confession: Before this conference I thought PLAID crafts were just about Mod Podge and paints.

Boy. Was. I . Wrong.

They have many products and brands. They sell needlework kits, paint-by-numbers, stencils, jewelry supplies, kids crafts, Mod Podge, many types of paints, and so much more!

Let me show you some of the fabulous products on display…

…I love their stencils with modern designs and my head was/is spinning with ideas on how to use them.

Teaching

We were in charge of demonstrating their beautiful jewelry line and showing people how to make fun, pretty bracelets! The beads provided were gorgeous and we constantly had a crowd at our booth…I think it was the jaw-dropping, beautiful wall of beads behind us in a chevron pattern. The picture really doesn’t do it justice!

We had no idea how many creative people we would meet. We laughed, created, got to know each other, and it was such a wonderful experience being around “crafty” people with the same interests we have.

Becky and I also had the chance to have dinner with Cathie Filian & Steve Piacenza. It was so much fun to get to know them a little better and they were both so kind (and hilarious)!!

Also, did you know that Mod Podge has over EIGHT different original formulas? Wow, right? Check out this formula guide at Mod Podge Rocks…so helpful!

We also learned that the Mod Podge mascot’s name is “Glossy”. Everybody wanted to get a picture with her in the Plaid photo booth. Even though we never got to see who she was under that fun costume, we instantly liked her and even made Glossy her very own bracelet!

The PLAID Staff

In my career I have the opportunity to work with many craft companies and let me tell you that I cannot say enough good about how we were treated by the PLAID staff, especially Kasey Jones. We are not employees of PLAID but we were treated like family and felt very comfortable….maybe it’s all of that “Southern Hospitality” in Georgia!

PLAID Enterprises Loves Bloggers!

How incredible are these blogging statistics?

U Create has worked with PLAID before and have used their products countless times. We love their appreciation for bloggers and how easy they are to work with! Many bloggers were found in their booths this year demonstrating products, doing tutorial videos, etc.

HUGE Thank You to PLAID for giving us this experience we’ll never forget!!

 

Make sure to check out CHA 2013 Part Two next week where we’ll be sharing more fabulous moments of CHA Winter 2013!