CHA Supershow MADNESS!

This is the first year that CHA has extended beyond their typical trade show and offered a special show, ust for consumers. CHA Supershow 2009 might have some kinks to workout, but the potential for success is certainly there!

First the numbers: over 5000 consumers attended the show. There were around 100 exhibitors. As a result attending consumers did report long waits in the morning to enter the hall... even if you were preregistered. And yes, there was a significant wait for some make and takes too. But we see this as a positive. It's obvious the event had more attendees than the exhibitors could entertain, so what do we need next year... MORE EXHIBITORS!

Exhibiting retailers were running out of product left and right. And everyone agreed that the lack of support by local retailers was really a shame. They would have cleaned house had they embraced the concept of the show: bringing the consumers closer to the crafts.


What else does the show need next year?

More fabric, yarn and needle-crafts. Consumers stopped us several times to ask why those companies were not represented in larger numbers.

More activities; classes, lectures, knitting circles... cnads on activities and opportunities to get your craft on!

More shopping. Many people reported to us they were disapointed they couldn't shop MORE!

STAFF. CHA was looking for volunteers the day before the show... it would have been nice to have more experenced crafters on hand to direct traffic and mentor the experience for the attending consumers. (and yes, I think I just volunteered our reporters).

Hype for events. It would have been helpful if events were announced or if CHA staff were on the floor in greater numbers guiding customers to events. Some of the most wonderful events, like America's Next Top Crafter (more coming on that, and other events tomorrow!) were attended in low numbers because customers just didn't know where to go when. In fact the event programs were only availible at the main entrance (downstairs) from the hall, so lots of people were walking around without a schedule.


What did we love? The children's area while small, was a wonderful feature. Participating children were thrilled to be able to craft at this event. Their was also a big jumpy-bouncy thing, face painting and balloon art. Plus it was a nice place for moms to take a break!


Splitcoast Stampers: their make & take table was open and inviting. Fans were thrilled to be face to face, actually creating with their favorite celebrity stampers! We hope that next year more online communities participate at the show in a similar way. Just sharing their love of crafting!

We have several more days of coverage to share... and now that our reporters are HOME, and getting the opportunity to sleep, eat and sit... we should be really piling the information (AND GIVEAWAYS) on to you.


Please visit today's CHA Sponsor, Lizzie Anne Designs. They are offering free shipping valid for any purchase in the US over $35. The code is good through August 7. Enter LADCHAFREESHIP at checkout.

New Product at CHA Summer from Sakura!

Usually the name "Sakura" elicits thoughts of 3-D Crystal Laquer, but I was excited to find that they are rolling out a NEW resin product- so new, it hasn't even hit the website yet. However, I'm thrilled to share that they are rolling out an intriguing two-stage UV resin! I got to try it myself at the Sakura booth, where the president of Sakura himself was conducting demos today.
Meant for jewelry crafting, you use a "base" coat of a UV gel and make your art, add your inclusions, etc, and cure with UV light. Then you add a "top" coat of a different UV gel to eliminate stickiness and create a hard, glass-like shine. And then you get a jewelry-quality craft like this:

Could it be the new next, best thing? More info and reviews coming soon!





Please visit today's CHA Sponsor, Lizzie Anne Designs. They are offering free shipping valid for any purchase in the US over $35. The code is good through August 7. Enter LADCHAFREESHIP at checkout.

CHA Summer: Soft Flex

It's always great to put a name to a face, and we were so pleased to meet Sara (@softflexgirl from Twitter) in person. She was demo'ing a great new line from Softflex called "Trios"- bubble-packed sets of luscious beading wire in three color-coordinated shades. Our fave is called "Serenity", consisting of a yummy gold, turquoise and green shade. Best yet: you still get the same 49-strand quality wire you expect from SoftFlex!

Hopefully we'll have a great review for you soon...but in the meantime, if you know and love SoftFlex already, you might want to consider participating in their design contest. Check out their site for more details...and follow them on Twitter- tell them we sent you!

CHA Summer: Premier Yarn

Deborah Norville and Premier Yarn have teamed up to create a line of four different weights of yarn (sock weight, sport weight, worsted and bulky). Many of the yarns are self patterning. This new push includes yarns of a variety of fibers including bamboo, wool, and acrylic. The sock yarn is made up of a combination of superwash Merino wool, nylon, and bamboo and comes in 18 colorways. Check the website for available colors... a wide range!





Please visit today's CHA Sponsor, Lizzie Anne Designs. They are offering free shipping valid for any purchase in the US over $35. The code is good through August 7. Enter LADCHAFREESHIP at checkout.

New from Beadalon: CHA Summer 09

When we walk by a booth, we are drawn in by sparkly things. This was certainly the case when we sauntered by the display of fabulous rings created with a new Beadalon product: stainless steel wrapping wire.




Beadalon is offering stainless as novel option for multiple reasons. Suitable for a novice wire wrapper, it offers a more economical price point for practicing before you invest in Sterling or plated wires. Or perhaps your design aesthetic calls for a more weathered or industrial look. Like other wire-wrapping metals, theirs comes in round, half round, and square. It's fun to twist the square wire to create different textures, too.

While we were stolling through the booth, another shiny object caught our eye- a Spin-N-Bead bead loader. Ooooh. Sparkly.
It's not a new product, but it's new to me; so their rep offered me a quick demo. Who are we to turn that down? Here's what we saw:




I always love a new gadget, and this one may be on my list. Do you have one? Love it? Let us know what you think!

CHA Summer : Day 4 brought to you by Lizzie Anne Designs

Well, we survived the show, now it's time for the Super Show. Some vendors are breaking down their booths while others are setting up for the first time. We will be on the look out for some vendors who don't regularly set up at the CHA show, so stay tuned.

Today's coverage is brought to you by our friends at Lizzie Anne Designs. If you are heading to the Supershow, be sure to look for them at the Splitcoaststampers booth #2219 doing free make and takes on Friday, July 31st: 12:00-2:00 pm and Saturday, August 1st: 3:00-5:00pm.

Tricia Elizabeth (Lizzie) and Meredith Anne started their company 3 years ago in Washington state, when the two longtime cardmakers and scrapbookers with degrees in Graphic Design, thought it would be pretty cool to combine their love of papercrafting with their background and experience in design. In their words, "It has been a blast!"

They are excited about a new product/program that they have just revealed and will be releasing soon. It’s called The Monthly Mix Club. By signing up, members automatically receive exclusive images at the beginning of each month. The Monthly Mix set is the equivalent in size of two of their Little Bits sets and is a "mix" of different and fun images every month, for the club-member price of only $25.00 (a $40 value!)

Lizzie Anne Designs produces unmounted, rubber stamps available in sets or "simply singles." You can also purchase some of their favorite crafting products, like Ranger Inks and Nestabilities. They stay current on crafty news and information by checking out the forums at Splitcoaststampers and by reading Craft Critique, of course!

For more inspiration and news from Lizzie Anne Designs, be sure to check out their blog and forum.

And the girls from Lizzie Anne Designs have 2 treats for our readers. First, they will be offering free shipping valid for any purchase in the US over $35. The code is good through August 7. Just enter LADCHAFREESHIP.

The second is a giveaway!! They are generously donating one of their new release stamp sets to one lucky winner. Just leave a comment on any of our Day 3 posts and we will draw a winner at the end of our coverage.

CHA Summer: Provo Craft

We had a long chat with Provo Craft today (well, honestly, we try and visit with them everyday because their booth is so cool, their employees are SO friendly, and their carpet is REALLY cushy), and we've learned a lot about their new products.

Plus their crafty samples are inspiring... like this awesome applique pillow...



We want you cardmakers to read this tidbit, and then read it again... they're coming out with larger, 5"x 7" embossing folders. That's right... they cover the whole card front. And they're CUTE for the holiday season.




There are 4 new Cricut Cartridges ready to release:

• Elmo's World: Elmo's Party, which has totally cute Elmo party favors and invitations
• Designer's Calendar, which has amazing fonts, numbers, and grids.
• Superman Activity, which includes Clark Kent glasses for the incognito superhero in your life
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold, with awesomely cool stuff for kids' rooms (or adults, we won't judge)

As a great tie-in, Post-it by 3M has created paper that has sticky note re-positionable adhesive ALL OVER THE BACK, which works great in the Cricut. Here is a marriage made in heaven if we've ever heard one!

Love the colors!


New stuff for the YuDu: (OFFICIAL Craft Critique reviews coming soon btw)

• a 220 mesh screen - for a finer resolution... perfect for paper crafters.
• a platen for a baby onsies, toddler shirts and sleeves (!!!!!!) LOVE THIS!
• We also have it on good authority that they're coming out with a recipe book for mixing ink colors (wink-wink, nudge-nudge)

And kudos to the super-scraper who made this lovely... we wish we knew who you were so we could credit you! so fun and cute! In fact... if we can FIND you, we will give you a little RAK for being so creative. Email us!



We know you want to hear more about Mr. Gypsy... and you will soon... be patient grasshopper.




Today's Sponsor A Muse has offered a special for our readers. Simply enter promo code CHA15 to receive 15% off your order! This promo code will expire 8/9/09 at Midnight PST, so get to shopping!

CHA Summer: Webster's Pages

So pretty, vintage and soft, Webster's Pages new lines feel both fresh and refreshing. We love not just the papers (which are almost too pretty to cut), but the new embellishments that will appeal to more than just scrapbookers. All genre of craft can find a use for these lovely products.


OOOH-AHHH stickers! Thick, gorgeous stickers!

Whimsy Threads are crochet/embroidered patches that look like something you might find in your grandmother's treasure trove, next to the lace hankies. And speaking of treasure troves, the Cameos line of embellishments would be perfect for your jewelry craft projects!


Another hot item for Webster's is their alphabet stickers... two sizes and four coordinating colors ON THE SAME SHEET, so you can mix and match. That's smart, and we love it.


Here's some exclusive news right from Brandin O'Neill (co-owner and designer): digital scrapbooking (including free options) using Webster's papers and images, available right on their website. Coming very soon!

Congratulations to Webster's Pages on putting out such impressive new products. We are officially inspired!

Beadalon Spiral Maker- New at CHA Summer!

We swung by the Beadalon booth today to ask about the new big things in jewelry making- and our new friend Wyatt White whipped out this little faboo gizmo, the Spiral Maker!
It's designed to help everyone make perfect wire spirals, which seem to be so "au currant" right now in jewelry design. Here's their catalog picture:


It works with gauges of wire 20g and smaller, and you can use it with craft or soft metals. I love how you can make exactly the same size spirals- that can be tricky to do. But I have to be honest...it looked complicated. But Wyatt was a sport and agreed to give us our own EXCLUSIVE CHA demo for CraftCritique. Here it is, just for you!







Today's Sponsor A Muse has offered a special for our readers. Simply enter promo code CHA15 to receive 15% off your order! This promo code will expire 8/9/09 at Midnight PST, so get to shopping!

CHA Summer: Clover

We're very excited about all the new products from Clover. How clever is it to put a ring sizing hole on the packaging of their new Protect and Grip Thimbles?



These thimbles are made of a soft elastic material capped with metal so that you can both push and pull a needle. You can buy them in multiple sizes, each for $8.95.


Do you ever have a hard time reusing your bag patterns? Clover's new Trace 'n Create Bag, California Collection, with Nancy Zieman is a set of templates that will allow you to make 6 different bag styles over and over again. The MSRP is $19.95. You can also buy your bag hardware from Clover.


How do you store your sewing bobbins? Clover tells us that this new Stack 'n Store Bobbin Tower is making a big splash. The tower is a lightly flexible material that can be stacked several towers high.

Here's demonstrator Fran demonstrating the newest item from Clover, the Hana-Ami Flower Loom.



Last but not least, Clover has recently released a new size of circular knitting needle. It's a tiny 9 inches long and has angled join to make knitting with such a tiny needle easier. Amanda actually did some sock knitting in the booth today with the size 2 9" circular needle and she reports it was pure joy to get some knitting in at CHA summer 2009