ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: CHA SUPERSHOW AND TRADESHOW
A busy schedule has prevented me from finding time to blog on my latest travel, but here is the first installment of my recent trips beginning with a recap of the two CHA shows. As time permits I'll get a review of the Tucson shows from earlier this month posted and then my trips to Cabin Fever Clay Fest and the International Polymer Clay Associations Synergy II where I am currently visiting in Maryland.
It was wonderful being able to travel in the company of good friends and see dozens more at both shows. I didn't have much time to walk the show floor due to a busy schedule of demos, book signings and teaching. I'll let the captions tell the story.
A tremendous highlight for me was seeing the dear and amazing Carol Duvall! This amazing woman is as energetic as I've ever seen her. Like many of you, I miss seeing and being on her groundbreaking show. She was the featured celebrity at the CHA Super Show Theatre the second day of the show (this one open to the public). She invited many of her regular guests from her HGTV show to sit in attendance (what an honor that was for me!) for her very entertaining presentation of her history in television (over 50 years!)
Some of the most exciting news came from her show's executive producer, Kelly Erhlich, who's announced a project to bring Carol back to the viewers via the internet. Anyone interested in seeing an internet network devoted to creative programing with 24/7 access should e-mail expressing your interest in receiving more information to: [email protected]
It was so wonderful getting the chance to reunite with other friends from Carol's show; especially Mary O'Neill, Karen Thomas, Michael Strong, Jane Beard, LInda Osgood (who made all of us look great!)
Just before the Supershow began I had a book signing and an evening class at Brea Beadworks. Store employee Brenda honored me with a beautiful welcome sign where she drew some of my products (pretty well I might add) with dry erase markers.
What an amazing store my wonderful hosts and owner have (Wendy and Scott Remmers) with a separate and impressive classroom area. Saw plenty of old friends and new faces too. Thanks to my crack marketing manager Lisa Lambright (both of whom are my closest friends). We had a jammed packed class where everyone got to play with my newest transfers (Tiny Tats) before they even debuted at CHA. They were the first to ever play with them.
Below you can see crafting celebrity Danielle Fosgren of Diva Craft Lounge Radio (she the one who's pretty in pink) who came with the equally renowned Jan Mollett Evans. Along with the rest of the class, they made mini masterpieces using my latest transfers (Tiny Tats, coming soon), Magic Glos, Tierra Cast findings and polymer clay.
Here Wendy Remmers, Haley Hertz and Scott Remmers take a moment to chill while everyone was busy in their creative groove.
Then opening day of the Supershow began by teaching three, back-to-back, free Make-it's and Take-It's at the Michael's booth. Thanks to the help of Lisa Lambright, everyone in each session made two Kinetic Dancing Leaf sets; one to wear out as a pendant and one to take home and bake. If you click and enlarge the photo on the left you can see talented and sparkly Jo Ann Pearson gracing the left side of the booth.
Meanwhile, back in the Michaels secret enclave (otherwise known as the storage room) at the show, Haley Hertz is busy getting ready for her Make-It & Take Its for the Bead Unique Magazine at the All American Crafts Publishing booth. Nothing says comfort like a concrete floor!
There were book signings aplenty at both CHA Shows as my latest polymer clay title with Taunton Press just came out: The Complete Guide to Polymer Clay Techniques. It is my most comprehensive book yet with over 200 pages.
Of all my signings, my favorite is dueling book signings with the fabulous Mark Montano (author of the Big Ass Book of Crafts). He was signing right behind my booth one day and we exchanged tomes. How fun is that?!!!
In between there was only a chance to see the the consumer and trade shows in passing as I was booked solid for demos between JHB (my booth with Kristal Wick), Viva Decor/Pardo (All American Print Supply), and Amate Studios.
So many friends and familiar faces everywhere you turn. It's like old home week and one big extended family reunion! Stopping by the Viva Decor booth were the amazing Mary Jo McGraw and Sarah Hodsdon. I kept meeting up with the fabulous Cathie Filian and and Steve Piacenza of Creative Juice. The dear cladies on the right have been dear friends for many years: Ellie Hitchcock (recipient of a Community Leadership award by American Art Clay Company), Kathy Davis, and Trina Williams; are having fun in the Viva Decor booth. The set-up was amazing! Loads of demo MITI stations everywhere.
Justin Choi, Peter Choi and Christina Williams strike a pose in front of the booth which was super busy the entire show. Here I'm "claying around" at the station where everyone could "belly up to the bar" and grab a slab!
The Viva Decor booth was a show stopper! Check out the cool wall of clay art featuring many clay artist's works including a few of my own. I thought this was a wonderfully innovative design concept.
A brief break allowed me time to go and see my friends at the AMACO (American Art Clay Company) booth. I had a few moments to chat with the wonderful Dawn Sandoe. Talented clay friend Michelle Zimmerman was strutting her stuff with the new Cloud Clay; a lightweight-air dry clay that show's lots of promise. I can't wait to play with it! On the right, some of Michelle's creative brilliance shines through with this whimsical piece made of the new clay. Notice the tabletop clay oven in the background (right) this will give you a scale of just how big this project is. It's incredibly lightweight, but very durable. Way cool!
I'll be adding more photos as soon as I get home. Computer glitches are keeping me from uploading and formatting for some reason on my Netbook. What's a techno-geek wannabe to do?
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