A crafty jolly

I have had a very exciting couple of days.

My Studio Support Technician (a.k.a. Mum) and I popped off to Birmingham to our very first Trade Show!  Craft Hobby & Stitch at the NEC.

We arrived first thing Sunday morning and spent the day perusing the stands, talking to sales reps and picking up lots and lots of catalogues and price lists.  Thankfully lots of the large distributors give away lovely big canvas shopping bags as advertising perks which you can carry all your bumph about in or we would both have very achey arms by the end of the day.

It was very strange to be at a show where the aisles where not packed with fellow crafters, elbowing you out of the way and pushing and shoving to get to the goods.  Being limited strictly to trade the numbers were fewer and everyone was taking their time, looking around and taking it all in.  There is nothing available to buy at the show and no money changes hands so it is a very relaxed atmosphere and everyone is super friendly.

We met with lots of suppliers and I could have easily placed a lot of orders, but I kept my sensible head on and walked away on the Sunday evening, heading back to our hotel to peruse the brochures and be-friend the calculator!

After a nourishing hearty breakfast this morning we returned, orders in hand and went to chat to our chosen suppliers.

 

I am delighted to be able to say we have found a supplier of Decopatch papers and accessories and are currently the only independent retailer of the product in the Brentwood area.  We have also signed up with DMC to stock and teach a wonderful new Crochet product.  I will be posting more details in the next few days, but I am extremely excited and cant wait for all my lovely orders to arrive.