Sadia’s Blog

Embroidery Conferences, shows etc

If one has never been to an Embroidery Conference, Embroidery show, etc…well, you have missed a very important part of this hobby. It is at one of these events that one can truly see how very addictive and FUN this hobby can be. My first embroidery conference was the American Embroidery Conference at Boca Raton, Florida in 2002. I was not at all prepared for the friendships, the laughter, the learning and ofcourse the fun that was in store for me. The organizer Dianne Pomeroy (who was later to become one of my best friends) had allowed me to have a free small table to vend my designs. At that time I really did not have much, had only started but a year or so in selling my designs. I was in total panic before hand and for at least three months all I did was prepare my design books and some samples. I had not realised the expense that it would involve so to cut corners I decided to do everything myself. Burning the CDS was not a problem but the CD covers and labeling involved a great deal of ink cartridges to be used. I priced some of the CD covers and was horrified at the price so guess what…I made my own. Thinking back now, I smile and wonder how I ever did all I used to…LOL.

Making friendships at a conference comes naturally. Ofcourse some of those friends are still my best friends today (I even talk to them on the phone now and then). Susan Mars is one of the friends that I am proud to know and to have met at this first conference. Susan btw has the best linens that I have seen and used (go see her site: http://www.allaboutblanks.com). She and Bobbi Bullard (another wonderful, amazing and so full of energy friend- http://www.bullarddesigns.com kept a good eye on me during the conference…thanks to them I finally had a table….(funny story here…my table kept disappearing on me but thanks to both these ladies, I was able to finally get one). Then there were those wonderful trio that kept an eye on me…(Jane, Carmen and Barbara, love you guys).

The greatest incentive I had was to meet some of my favorite digitizers. Ofcourse, Santi, Elsa, Eurika, Carol, Ann, Nita, Betty…and the list goes on and on. I was fascinated to meet these wonderful ladies and to see first hand all their beautiful works and to visit with them. The fun and laughter at the various planned events was fantastic. And more important I learned so much from everyone. At the end of every day I felt like I had been through a whole year of school and could not wait to get home to try out all the information.

Since then, everything has been a blur. The first AEC conference hooked me and I have never missed a single one since. I was ofcourse honored that Dianne asked me to teach (thanks, hope I’m doing the job fine…). But most important of all I enjoy visiting with all the ladies who come wide eyed (just like me when I first started) and to watch the little twinkle when something makes sense from what I am teaching is the biggest joy in the world for me.

In 2004, I was asked to attend the MEEC at LV. I met Rosanne Berkey (another one of my faves) and what a woman, so knowledgable. I met many people there for the first time and excuse if I do not mention everyone but all were awesome. I enjoy people whereever I go and it is amazing to see how we all connect through this hobby.

So, if you have not attended an embroidery show or conference, do try it at least once. My advice. Read up all the info on the show. Find out who the teachers are and what they are teaching. See the time frame of their classes (very important, you want to go learn not get an ad for the software/class). Find out what others think about it. Email the organizer and ask why she/he thinks you should attend (I did and the answers helped me plenty). Do the math. You are not just spending on the conference fees but also the room/food etc and ofcourse not to mention any of the goodies etc you may want to purchase. The end result is well worth it and believe me you will return home with a lot more knowledge.

At the moment, I’m preparing for yet another one of Dianne’s conferences (check it out: http://www.braeco.com) and yes I’m in panicsville but excited at the same time.

Btw, I’ve attended several other shows and conferences (sorry didn’t mention all) and they were all fantastic and a great learning experience. In June, I intend to go to KC for a software show which is different than a conference but all for the sake of learning and experience.

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