OK, think I am doing this backwards…

First of all, I should introduce myself! My name is Eileen Hull and I am a free-lance designer for the creative industry. I’ve lived in Virginia for the past 12 years. Before that we moved around a lot due to my husband’s military career. We have 4 kids. Well, not so much kids anymore… Chris is 25, married, with a baby Trinity, who is 6 months old. He and his wife Dawn are both in the army. He’s stationed in Iraq right now 🙁 Pam is 23, in nursing school in VA Beach. Jessica’s 20, and at the Coast Guard Academy in CT, and Maryanne, the baby, just turned 18 and will be heading off to college in the fall! Not that I’m excited or anything- she’s fun to have around and I’ll miss her. I have been fortunate enough to have been able to stay home with them while all of them were growing up. But now, I am looking forward to developing what I have been doing part time into a full time job. It’s exciting to me. I love being my own boss although at times, the self discipline is lacking. Just call and ask me to lunch!

Anyway, the previous post was referring to a huge show in Anaheim, CA. It is a trade show for the entire craft industry (Craft and Hobby Association). It was held this year at the end of January. I participated in several of the opportunities they had available for designers. My work was featured in the Accent on Home display located right in the front of the lobby of this huge Convention Center where the show was held, along with 40 or so other designers. The rooms really looked great due to the fact that Renee Sparks, who organized this event, had sent us the colors of each room ahead of time so we could coordinate. I also had press kits (brochures) in the Press Room. I was able to attend classes and lectures, like Martha’s 😉 I also participated in the Designer Showcase, a 2 hour event where each designer sets up a 2′ x 6′ table of their best work and manufacturers, publishers and editors can come and see what you do and talk to you about possible work. I think my display went well but it was in a really bad location. But last time I was in a great space, so you win some, you lose some. I got a lot of positive comments and feedback, which is always nice. But the best results come about when you get out on the show floor with photos and materials and talk to people about what you can do for them. This is the first time I felt like I knew what I wanted from the show. And got more than I could ever have imagined!

But I still feel like the contact with the designers was the most fun. They THINK like me! And I can’t say that about too many people around here… The people I talked to are so professional, fun, and generous in their information and advice, it makes you wish you could stay longer. Except that that you have stayed up for the 2 weeks before the event making everything for the display, printing materials, shopping for the family while you’re gone, etc. that when you get on the plane you are so tired. But a good tired 🙂

OK, that’s enough for now. Time to get back to work…