2014 CHA Paper Arts Show - Part II

Hello, Georgeouses!

Are you wanting more product preview and industry insights after viewing my "2014 CHA Paper Arts Show - Part I," seen HERE?  Well here you go!

MD Hobby and Craft has moved past the home improvement sector and launched straight into the hottest trend in hobby and craft - metals.  Christina Moore had an incredibly versatile collection of products that crafters from across the industry would love to work with . . . 

. . . . 12" x 12" metal chalkboard.  Very cool - especially for back-to-school.

To the delight of many crafters, their traditionally sized chicken-wire (not a scaled-down version) is available on 8' craft rolls.  Seen here, spray painted, as a lampshade.

**As a die-cutting enthusiast (#DieCuttingIsEasy), I found the perfect metal item: these sheets are thin enough to die-cut, while being thick enough to hold their form once sculpted.  Hot, hot, hot!

Christina had a TON in the MD Hobby and Craft booth - even metal snips and work gloves, so retailers can purchase all their metal crafting supplies in one place.

From one extreme to the next: we're heading to Petaloo!  Oh, aren't we constantly inspired by New Hampshire's mixed media artist and Petaloo Design Team Member, Lynne Forsythe?  Check out her design here, made by custom coloring Petaloo's natural and alterable "Textures Collection . . . "

. . . . which are also available in these fashion colors ~

Cheryl Cohan, President of Petaloo, was showing her bling for the holidays with the *NEW* sugared "Botanica Collection . . ."

. . . and bumping it up a notch with the bling with her "Jeweled Collection."  This one's going to move right past the holidays and into bridal season, for sure ~

and Petaloo is bringing out vintage (where's my tinsel??). . .

. . . and "oh, so cute!" embellies . . .

. . . while staying true to the Petaloo we all know and love here in New England.  **Lynne - this stocking of yours is adorbs!

Fabscraps has a distinctive style, don't they?  Love their muted vintage style they bring to the US all the way from Africa.  I'm totally in love with their laser-cut embellies - they sell a full pack of coordinating paper die-cut over-lays that match their paper collections.

Retailers will NOT be able to keep these "Tree" cupcake stands in stock - GREAT hostess gifts that would be easy-peasy to personalize ~

I'm thankful the high-quality metal embellies from Fabscraps come packaged in their own storage tin - and are still available at an affordable price.

Yes, I'm as stencil-crazy as the rest of you.  Thankfully, Fabscraps has you covered there, too!

While home base for Fabscraps may be based half way 'round the world, they continue to take the US paper arts market by storm!

Oh, Bo Bunny!  How do you DO it??  There is no doubt they are a perennial favorite in New England boutique paper art retail stores - and judging by how busy their booth was, they continue to place exceedingly well across the entire US.

So scrumptious!  "Candy Cane Lane" is a personal show favorite of mine.

Oh, I'm seeing mini-albums in my future!

**Note to self: coordinating Christmas outfits for the Pollard kids WILL BE green and pink!  (My irresistible brand of choice for Christmas outfits is Hartstrings, direct from their Kittery, Maine, outlet store.)  I'm not the only one to need matchy match for my scrapbook layouts, am I??

I need it.  I need it ALL!

I'm dying to try their *NEW* "Sticky Stencils," too.  The 4 patterns available offer crafters a "crisp, sealed" look ~

I LOVE the pocket-page craze, don't you?  I'm so thankful to see an expansion of Bo Bunny's Misc Me pocket-page solutions.  As much as I love digital scrapbooking (and thank goodness for it!), there's really nothing that compares to the tactile nature of a traditional scrapbook featuring hand-written journaling, is there?

Bo Bunny is premiering a more traditional "Christmas Collage" collection, as well.  The hot orange-red of this collection really brightens up the "vintage lodge" look.  "Christmas Collage" perfectly aligns with the crafting trends here in New England.

*FANTASTIC* item!  Bo Bunny has a filmstrip overlay that is going to be a "stash staple" for you.  This one (pictured below) coordinates with their "Christmas Collage" collection, but is available in many other collections of theirs as well . . .

 . . . obviously, I'll need to buy them all.

As many of our faithful New England Bo Bunny retailers are aware, Bo Bunny offers free online Blog Classes every month.  While you may certainly use products from your stash, picking up their specially designed coordinating kits are a no-brainer.  Check with your local retailer for availability.

Now, of COURSE we need glitter paste to go with BoBunny's "Stickable Stencils," don't we?  Well, the creative team is way ahead of us.

Bo Bunny has *NEW* "Double Dot" Mixed Media product line, including Glitter Paste, Pearlescents, Glimmer Sprays and Ink Pads to coordinate with their bountiful collections.

Pearlescents available in 9 new colors: Blush, Brilliant Blue, Butterscotch, Chocolate, Coral, Island Mist, Silver, Sugar, and Tutu.

Vicki had retailers lined up all day to try them out at the Make-n-Take.

Sophie Ferguson and Rhonda Hilburn of Scrapbooking Depot of Sunrise, FL, enjoyed much Mixed Media success at the BoBunny booth!

My day finished with a very fun "Open Market," sponsored by our friends at Crafters Home.  I learned a lot from Missy Brozek and Trisha Studer about the advantages that are available to independent "brick and mortar" retailers through their organization.

Where would this industry be without successful indies, anyway?  They're serving on the front lines, personally connecting and inspiring consumers EVERY DAY!  Remember to thank YOUR local boutique paper arts store for all the extra touches they do for you!

No surprise, there was a LINE waiting to get in to the "Cash and Carry" event.

Vendors were wiped out!

Loads of merchandise was snatched up, much at a huge discount . . .

. . . and hauled home to {grateful} crafters' workshops!

Thanks to "Open Market" sponsor, Crafters Home, for a great event that included an evening beverage, snacks and pastries.  I was able to meet up and mingle with industry insiders, like:

-  Paula Jones, CHA International Membership and Creative Community Manager, 

- Berta Beyer of "Sister's Scrapbooking" of Sterling, IL, and 

- Sue Turchick (AKA "Crafty Sue"), creative business expert and owner of Biz Solutionary.  

It was amazing the actionable information that can be gained through chit-chatting, I mean, networking.  Can you imagine what retailers learn from Crafters Home exclusive message board?

Tomorrow is a special post on New England Paper Crafts for our friends at Impression Obsession.  Mitra's designs are carried throughout the region, and I have a special preview of ALL of her *NEW* dies coming out in only a few weeks.

ALSO I will be posting the *NEW* exclusive mixed media product selection by Finnabair's Anna Dabrowska for Prima Marketing that's NOT to be missed!  You can find that post HERE.

What's catching YOUR eye from the 2014 Craft & Hobby Association Paper Arts Show?  Are you planning your Christmas craft projects yet?  Let me know what you're working on - I'd love to hear about it!

Craft On, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Creative Community Organizer

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

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