Craft & Hobby Trade Shows

Make'n Takes are always a popular feature at the trade shows.  This is where designers, retailers and publishers have an opportunity to create with a new product.  The hands on projects are a way to discover its features and benefits first hand and they can learn techniques they may not have previously been aware of.  All this helps them sell, promote and write about the product from experience.

We had a total of 6 Make'n Take projects in the Smoothfoam booth at the recent trade show in Anaheim in addition to a variety of demos which featured cutting Smoothfoam, rubber stamping on Smoothfoam, adding texture to its surface and painting on it.  These are the projects we featured to show a variety of uses for the product.  You can find full instructions by clicking on each link.

Fabric Egg @ http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/elegant-fabric-egg-ornament/

For this project we wrapped a Smoothfoam egg with torn strips of fabric, learned how to make a tassel and a fluffy bow and assembled it all without glue!

 

Faux Photo Canvas @ http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/faux-canvas-wall-plaque-with-free-downloadable/

I love photography and used one of my photos for this project.  I added the wording in Photoshop then printed it on to a sheet of Craft Attitude.  The Craft Attitude film adheres beautifully to the smooth, Smoothfoam surface.

 

Disco Pendant @ http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/sequin-pendant/

Lightweight and easy to make, you could also make a matching pair of earrings.

 

Goodie Jar @ http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/cherry-topped-mason-jar/

Such a great gift giving idea!  Make one for Valentine's Day and fill with "kisses"!

Desktop Photo Holder @ http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/napkin-decoupage-photo-holder

 Découpage the top layer of a printed napkin on to the sides of a Smoothfoam cube to create this photo, or message holder. 

"Tweet" Bag @ http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/no-sew-felt-cell-phone-pouch/

This felt pouch is a fun way to carry around your cell phone and keeps it handy for when you see something to "tweet" about....

These projects show how easy it is to use Smoothfoam for Home Dec Accents, Jewelry, Gift Giving and more!  They are all easy to make'n take to a friend, or keep at home.  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now....

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

CHA Mega Show - Hot New Products

If you came here to walk the show with me, don't forget to check the post below this one...
 
One of the most exciting things designers look forward to at the craft and hobby shows is the new product showcase.  This is where manufacturers display new products developed since the previous show.  The "Hot 20 Awards" are then chosen from these and finally CHA nominates the top 3 winners.  Here are photos of some of the new products featured for 2014. 

Duck Brand Glitter tape and holographic sheets

Shurtech - Frog Tape

Ranger - Mini Blending Tool

Simple Stories -  Flip Pockets

DecoArt - Chalk Effect Paint

Lifestyle Crafts - Mix'n Match Dies

Lifestyle Crafts - Nested Wood Stamps

Little B - Dies

Little B - Pull Flowers

Fiskars - Intricate Shape Punches

Faber Castell - Double Scoop Gellatos

Elmer's - Fine Line Glue Pen

Sizzix - Karen Burniston Pop It Ups Dies

DecoArt - Chalky Finish for Glass

Tattered Lace Dies

C Gull - Interchangeable Embossing Folders

Bottle Cap Inc - Weathered Wood Pallet

3M - Super Sticky Post-It Notes

Bulb Air Brush tool to use with brush tip markers

Mod Podge - Mod Melter by Cathy & Steve

Impress Arts - Metal Stamps and surfaces

Close-up of Impress Arts samples

Little B - Fancy Dies

Metal Filigree sheets and rolled foil

Composi Mold - Re-usable

Chameleon Markers

Many other products were submitted this year, including the new Spellbinders multi tool, Brother's Scan'n Cut and E Brush portable air brush system from Craftwell.  For a list of the products that made the "Hot 20" list check out the CHA Newsletter.  You'll also discover who the Top 3 winners are.  Before you check however, think about which product you would pick..... then see if you're right.

I hope you enjoyed your trip to CHA.  In a few days I'll be walking thru the showrooms at the Dallas Gift market - come join me there!  Ya'll come back now............

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

CHA Mega Show 2014

Welcome to the Anaheim Convention Center, home of the CHA Mega Show - 2014!  Join me as I walk the show floor from one end to the other.  You'll see booth displays, projects and people I met along the way.  There's a lot to see, so grab a cup of tea, cup of coffee, or glass of wine, a few snacks, then put your feet up and enjoy!

I've had the good fortune to attend each Winter and Summer show since the early 90's.  In the mid 90's the show was held in Dallas and that year my daughter, Jennie worked as a demonstrator in the EK Success booth,  her first foray into the craft industry.  She's been in the industry ever since and this year we enjoyed being at the show together.

 

Here we are with Julie Fei Fan Balzer and her mom, Eileen...... 

Now let's see the rest of the show starting with a photo taken by Carmen Flores Tanis of the Smoothfoam booth.

If you're not familiar with Smoothfoam product, you really need to check it out.  We had 6 Make & Takes for this show, a different one each morning and afternoon and we'll be featuring them, with instructions on the Smoothfoam blog starting Friday, January 17th.  If you take a break and hop over there now, you might still have time to win an iPad!

Since Smoothfoam is one of the companies I have the pleasure of working with, I hope you don't mind if I start the tour at their booth.  Quite justifiable I assure you, since it's also the first booth on the list, #301.  You'll recognize many of the designers who work with us:  Terry Ricioli, Carmen Flores Tanis, Lindsay Obermeyer,  Lisa Fulmer, Vicki O'Dell, Cindi Bisson, Jennifer Priest and her family, Beth Watson and Debra Quartermain,  plus you'll see Jonathan Fong checking up on our Craft Attitude project and Donna Bush, a decorative painter from DecoArt demoing painting techniques.  Okay, fasten your seat belts and let's get going.......

 

 

 

These projects, designed by Jennifer Priest show how easy it is to be creative 

on Smoothfoam's smooth surface.

 

As you can see, we had a lot of fun at the Smoothfoam booth. Now let's see the rest of the show.

Cathie and Steve at Plaid

Liz Hicks, spokesperson for Scan'n Cut

Courtney & Tanner

Priscilla Hauser, the Queen of Decorative Painting and Hall of Fame inductee!

Tim Holtz

Eileen (Julie's mom), Julie Fei Fan Balzer and Jenn Mason

Suzanne McNeill demonstrating Zentangle designs on tiles at Design Originals/Fox Publishing.

Mark Montano demonstrating DecoArt chalk paint.

Beth Watson demonstrating Makins Clay.

Me, Chris Skinner and Dale Nicholson

Kerry Goulder book signing.

Lorine Mason at the Banners of Hope display.

Back to basics!

Lion brand features the Taj Mahal - Smoothfoam covered with yarn.

New cake decorating tools at Katy Sue designs.

Courtney, Cathy Cano Murillo (Crafty Chica), Alexa Westerfield and Tanner

Krylon photo booth op.

Sticky Sticks.

At the end of our walk we find the amazing Spellbinders booth featuring "A Gilded Life",  a completely new look for this innovative company.

Stacey Caron and Linda Molden Peterson relaxing during the show.

Ken Oliver demonstrating the new Spellbinders tool.

 

We need to recognize that we all have wings, we just need to have faith and spread them...

I hope you've enjoyed your walk up and down the aisles of the show.  Let me know if you have any questions and come back tomorrow for a look at products in the New Product showcase, including those voted the "Hot 20"....

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!