Last week I took off on a road trip to sunny Ventura to spend 4 days with hundreds of other business-minded crafty people at Craftcation, a "conference for creative makers." Let me tell you, it was one of the best things I've done in a long time!
During a theme dinner on the first night, attendees received a warm welcome from conference organizers Nicole and Delilah followed by an inspiring keynote speech by Lisa Congdon. In the days that followed, there were an array of hands-on craft classes, activities, and panels to attend. How to Make Real Money From Your Blog, Getting Started as a Freelancer, From Drab to Fab: Next Level Displays (loved this one!), and PR and Marketing on a Shoestring Budget were just a few of the informational sessions I listened in on.
Fairgoods sponsored a monogram stamp carving class. I've shared other stamp carving tutorials before, here and here, but I'd never carved a monogram before. I love how it came out.
Jennifer of Sprout Studios taught a class on terrariums and I had way too much fun choosing accessories for mine! (I don't think a terrarium has ever made me hungry before. Maybe that's why I had to stop at In-N-Out on my drive home for a cheeseburger!) I chose a Kalanchoe and a String of Pearls for my planter. If you want to learn how to make you own I shared a tutorial for something similar a while back.
During social times, a handful of crafty authors were there to chat and sign books. Kari Chapin was there and I jumped at the chance to introduce myself and have her sign her new book, Grow Your Handmade Business. Her other book, The Handmade Marketplace, was one of the first I bought and read when I started up my Etsy business years ago! What a treat!
Speaking of treats, Academy of Handmade threw a Mad Men themed bash on Saturday night that was too much fun. I had to laugh when I found a lone candy cigarette in my bag the next day.
One of the best elements of the conference was getting to meet and hang out with so many creative people! Here's just a handful of the business cards I collected over the 4 days. L-R starting at the top: Fresh Baked Paper Goods, I Make Cute Stuff, shastablasta, Design Crush, Slightly Beneath The Sun, The Crafted Life, Sprout Studio, Blu Penny, Kari Chapin, Maggie Pickavance, Weirdies.
2014 marked the conference's third year and my only disappointment is that I didn't get to attend the two years prior! You'd better be sure I'll be there next year, though. Cheers to Nicole and Delilah for organizing such a fun and inspiring event!
*Update: Registration is open for the 2015 session! I'll be teaching a simple screen printing workshop there and would love to meet you!
