One thing that was strange was the absence of quite a few large manufacturers, including Fiskars, K & Company, Xyron and Pazzles. There was a lot of talk about moving the show from Chicago, where it's always been, to Orlando. It was hot, the overall exhibit was smaller, and according to veteran attendees, attendance wasn't just down--it was almost embarrassing. Not having been to a summer show before, this is all hearsay, but since almost everyone said the same thing, I'm inclined to believe it. Personally, I was disappointed that K& Co. and Xyron decided not to attend, but there were still a lot of wonderful companies, both old and new, as well as incredible products...
On the bright side, there was still more than enough to see and do over three days. We started bright and early Tuesday morning and went right up until 4 p.m. on Thursday. I could have used one more day, personally, but the truth is that three days is plenty. In fact, it's overload, so it's not conceivable to imagine another day, though most of us wished we could have had just that!
Day One consisted of a lot of perusing, getting our bearings, collecting catalogs, talking to new vendors, and checking out the best make and takes. Day two was more of the "meat and potatoes" of the show, doing as many make and takes as possible, figuring out the best deals and trying to make sure you don't miss any cool contests or giveaways. Day three, of course, is all about getting to everything you missed, getting business cards from people you didn't get a chance to finish up with, and trying to figure out how you're going to lug everything home. Just as a point of reference, this was a relatively small show but I still managed to bring home FIVE large tote bags of products, catalogs and make and takes!
Here we are, the "ACB Girls," having appetizers and drinks at one of the hotels... from left to right: Julianne, Dee, Gail, Erica, and Kathy.
As an overview, I decided to give out my own 'awards' in categories of my choosing--in Part 2 I will do specific reviews of products and manufacturers--with the Top 3 in each:
* Best Make - N - Takes:
Third Place: Kaiser Craft - We made a wooden mini-album with specially printed embellishments that read "CHA Summer 2009, Florida" (from the new "Pina Colada" line).
Second Place: Diecuts with a View - They had one of those novelty photo booths where you go in, take 6 pictures (with or without hats and props), print them, and then use them to make a mini album featuring their new papers.
First Place: Provo Craft. They had SEVERAL going on each day, including a beautiful silk screen frame, another frame with etched glass, a Disney-themed paint bucket, an altered recipe tin, and more.
* Best New Product(s):
Third Place: The i-Top Brad Maker from Imaginisce, a hand-held tool that will let consumers make brads out of any paper or fabric they have handy. Although it's an expensive initial investment, you'll save money in the long run by not having to buy the expensive brads manufacturers product exclusive to specific lines.
Second Place: Provo Craft's "Gypsy," the new hand-held design studio for the Cricut that lets you store Cricut cartridges with a wealth of amazing features. Cool product, but will retail for $299 and you have to own a Cricut or Expression to use it, which can be a deterrent to some.
First Place: Making Memories' Slice. Although the machine itself isn't brand new, the upgraded ('Think Pink') version with its new features and accessories are amazing. One machine will cut shapes as well as their mirror images and shadows, emboss, de-emboss, draw and trace! Incredibly affordable too...
* Best New Company:
Third Place: Kanban, a British manufacturer who is branching into the U.S. with a unique set of card-making supplies as well as non-traditional scrapbook papers that are absolutely gorgeous!
Second Place: Helmar, an Australian company that makes some interesting new adhesives, including a 'liquid' pop dot, spray vellum adhesive, and more! I'm psyched to see it in some stores!
First Place: Harmonie, a Canadian company with paper, embellishments, rubber stamps and, my favorite, 12x12 acrylic albums that are both customizable and affordable!
Best New Paper Lines:
Third Place: "Home For the Holidays" by Websters Pages. Although this is a bit more traditional than some lines, this is by far my favorite holiday-themed line because it's incredibly both different and versatile. I can't wait to get my hands on these double-sided papers, as well as the coordinating embellishments.
Second Place: "Teen Angst" by We R Memory Keepers! This company has just exploded in my opinion, and I can't get enough! I don't love every single paper in every single line, but I really love this one... of course, I'm a "closet" rock star, so papers like "Rock" and "Rebel" really speak to me! The embellishments are amazing too...
First Place: If you love Halloween, you won't be able to resist 'Trick or Treat' from Little Yellow Bicycle. Seriously, folks, this company never fails to impress, inspire and get me eager to scrap. This line has everything from incredible double-sided paper, lace-cut card stock, decorative edge card stock and overlays to chipboard, journal tablets, brads, stickers, vinyl... the list is simply endless. You won't be able to resist either!
*Note: I could add half a dozen "runners up," but don't want to bore you, so I'll hit a few of my other faves in the next post!
* Best Overall Booth:
Third Place: Kaiser Craft! I know these guys were one of my favorite make n takes too, but I have to give credit where it's due, and they were prepared, friendly and full of information, products and surprises! They had a great (and generous) make-n-take, as well as plenty of their catalog/idea books to give out (without being stingy, like some others who shall remain nameless!). I'm really happy that they're releasing ALL of their products in the U.S. now, and not keeping some just for release in Australia. Lucky us!
Second Place: Quick Quotes! I always thought of this company as "that company with all the vellum sayings and the great classes." I had no idea they were so incredibly talented, versatile and inspired. Their make and takes were gorgeous, fast and inexpensive (to re-create for customers). Their staff is knowledgeable and interested in customers from every aspect of their business, from store owners to bloggers to regular old customers!
This is the beautiful make-n-take we did at the Quick Quotes booth--it only took about 10 minutes and is adorable. I can't wait to put pictures on it and hang it up somewhere! It's a canvas back with actual flip-flops
First Place: PROVO CRAFT! I really hated to give first to the booth that seemed to spend the most money, but there's just no way to deny the make and takes, the giveaways, the party, and the products themselves. This booth rocked and rolled from start to finish, whether they were taking pictures, giving away Gypsies or just talking about their products. Their staff was informed, interesting and genuinely excited about everything they're doing. Even upper management was approachable and available. I can't say anything negative about the booth, the company or the employees we spent time with--way to go, Provo Craft!
This is my friend Julianne and I digging into our Provo Craft Goody Bags and finding brand new Cricut cartridges, a new book about crafts from author Faythe Levine, and vouchers for a brand new Gypsy when they are released this Fall!
Part II of my CHA review coming in a couple of days!
Keep in touch!
--Kathy
Sounds like a great time - wish I could have been there with ya! :)
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