Creativation Recap and a Giveaway
As a Creator VIP, I sometimes get free products or other benefits in return for telling you all about fun AFCI events like this one. See my Sponsored Content disclosure for more information.
A few weeks ago, I travelled to Phoenix for the Creativation Trade Show. It was my first time going and it was quite an experience. I learned a lot, saw a lot of new products, got some great ideas, and had a lot of fun. I came home with a lot of new products to try out too!
What is Creativation?
Imagine 5 days surrounded by some of the most creative people in the world, showing you all sorts of new things. It’s a mind blowing experience and I can’t wait to do it again!
Unlike other conferences and trade shows I’ve been to, Creativation is not just about fiber arts. It’s organized by the Association for Creative Industries, and spans a wide range of arts and crafts. There was plenty of fiber to be found of course, but also paper crafts, mixed media, painting, beading, and much more.
Classes
I was lucky enough to room with Marie Segares of the Underground Crafter. Though we’ve worked together on projects for years, this was our first time meeting in person. She is SO much fun!
Thursday and Friday were all about education. I sat in on a class Marie was teaching on Thursday, about moderating Facebook groups. Then on Friday, we taught a class together about growing businesses through online collaborations.
I also took several other classes, about publishing, teaching, and working with brands. One class in particular stood out. Not surprisingly, it was the class about planning and teaching awesome classes. The teacher, Joe Rotella, taught us as much by how he ran the class as by what he talked about. It was funny, energetic, engaging, and I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for his classes in the future!
New products
Before the show floor opened, there was a new product showcase, where we got a sneak peek at some of the new items that would be on display during the show. I came across this fabulous new line of Crayola yarns from Lion Brand. What a great idea to partner with Crayola for a lively color palette!
Red Heart had some new products on display, and even more new products in their booth once the show floor opened. Check out my live video tour of the booth with Marly and Tamara!
Of course there was lots more to see, and lots of ideas for new projects which I’ll show you throughout the year. I really enjoyed seeing the wide range of crafts and projects. I definitely learned a lot!
So. Much. Swag!
When I joined AFCI, I signed up as a Creator VIP. Throughout the year, I get to share with all of you on social media some of the exciting things going on at AFCI, as well as a lot of the lead up information to Creativation. As a perk of the program, I got a special Creator VIP goody bag when I picked up my badge at the show.
There was so much good stuff in this bag, but because of the scope of the show, a large portion of it was papercraft and mixed media materials. While it was all shiny and beautiful and looked amazing, I knew I wasn’t going to use it all, so I shared some of it with my friends who would.
Between what was left of the goody bag and items I picked up throughout the rest of the show, I ended up with a lot for myself too. I had packed an empty duffel bag and am so glad I did, because I filled it completely! There are yarns from several companies, lots of glue (omg, so much glue!), scissors, sparkly foil, ribbons, shiny textured papers, several project kits, and even a card game.
I’ll be highlighting a lot of these items in projects throughout the year, and am working on arranging giveaways to go with some of those projects.
Speaking of giveaway prizes…
I know I’ll never get to some of what I brought home. Rather than let it languish in a closet, I’m sharing it with you! I put together a prize package containing:
- 11, 2-oz bottles of modeling pastes and gels from The Crafter’s Workshop.
- A 6 x 6 Mandala Stencil and 2 Rustic Sign Stencils from The Crafter’s Workshop.
- 2 metal dies from Paper Rose.
- A set of magnet cards for storing metal dies from Stamp’n’Storage
I didn’t actually know what modeling pastes were, so I looked up some tutorials. They’re a thick paint or putty that you can build up into various textures, paint over, and do so many neat things with. Unfortunately, I’m not very skilled at drawing and painting, and I also don’t own a die cutting machine for those dies.
As wonderful as all these products are, I know someone else can put them to much better use than I can. Are you that someone else? Enter below for a chance to win this fabulous prize package!
Enter to win
To be eligible, you must be 18 years of age or older, with a valid, US shipping address. The winner will be contacted by email, and must reply to that email and provide their shipping address within 1 week in order to receive the prize. If the winner does not reply within 1 week, a new winner will be selected. The giveaway ends on February 16th, 2019 (at 11:59pm, central time). Hurry and enter below!
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18 Comments
Gloria Aman
Thank you for telling us about your trip to Creativation show. It sounded so interesting. Thank you for allowing us the chance to maybe win something in the giveaway as well.
Pia Thadani
Glad you enjoyed it!
Kathleen Milkowski
I must say that I get so jealous of all you great designers going to all the shows because I want to be invited and get all the great swag! I can only image all the ideas and patterns you image digging your fingers in all that gorgeous yarn! Mark me impressed!!!
Pia Thadani
I won’t lie, it’s one of the things I love most about my job! Although there are often way more ideas than I have time to actually complete.
Sue Krasnow
What a fantastic idea!!! I also love your page and have someone new to follow!!!! <3 <3
Pia Thadani
Woohoo! 🙂
janet Trieschman
It was nice meeting you at Creativation.
Pia Thadani
you too!
Anne Marie
What fun – thanks for the giveaway.
Kathi Okrasa
This is so generous. I have gone through my loot and sent some of what I would not use to younger scrapbookers and card makers.
Pia Thadani
There’s just so much, right?! 🙂 When it comes to things that are out of my wheelhouse, it makes me happier to give it to someone who actually knows what to do with it.
Brenda Snyder
I would love to attend a show and take classes. Would not know which one to take. Thanks for the giveaway
Pia Thadani
The shows are all so much fun 🙂
It really depends on why you’re going. If you want to hang out with crocheters, have some fun, do some shopping, and take classes on crochet, CGOA is the best. If you’re more of a knitter, there are other fiber conferences around the country as well.
The trade shows like Creativation are designed for professionals only. If you’re looking to grow your business, see new products and network with brands (and get fun stuff to share with your audience when you get home), then these are the ones you want to go to.
Robin McIlvenna
We took some of the same classes! Joe is a great teacher!
Thanks for sharing some of your swag.
Joan Sheldon
Thanks for sharing. loved hearing about the convention. Hope I get to attend one soon.
Sarah
Jo’s class was amazing! We are already implementing his tips 🙂
Geraldine Pelletier
love all I have seen ,there are sections I would not use , but find that all over.
Connie Adams
Awesome of you to share… thanks