The Big Dance

 

I'm not much of a sports fan, but I live outside of Philly and college basketball is huge here. There's Villanova, St Joes, Temple, La Salle and Penn. During basketball season, they are extremely competitive. March Madness is all over the news. All the teams want to be invited to the Big Dance, the college NCAA tournament. There are even watch parties and it is broadcast on TV as the colleges wait to hear their seedings. It is BIG news.

The Big Dance in quilter terms is the Fall International Quilt Market. It takes place at the George Brown Convention Center in Houston. It is only open to the trade. It's where retail quilt shop owners, distributors, teachers and magazines come to check out and order the newest fabrics, books and gadgets.

I have been there twice as an author, but 6 months ago, I decided to rent a booth to promote Curvalicious. This is a big deal. It is quite a different experience now that I am responsible for all the details, rentals and finances - as opposed to flying in and signing books!

Companies, especially fabric companies, go all out in decorating their booths. It is a competition and there are awards. With limited finances, I decided to focus on a few items to help Curvalicious stand out. Booth #426, if you're looking.

Since I want the booth to look clean with no distractions, I've opted for no big tables. You can't sell retail. Companies will order wholesale and then the items will be shipped after the show.

What do you think of this as eye candy? Can you tell what I used to make it?

This is the inside. I plan on using it to display patterns.

Did you guess a vintage suitcase?

Two helpers are coming with me (Thank you Kelly and Stephanie) I made them each an apron, mainly using Tula Pink fabric, with BIG pockets. Can you see the Curvalicious edge?

AND, to go with the aprons, I had t-shirts silk screened with the Curvalicious logo. One for each day in 4 different colors. (The logo will be across our backs.)

Plus, I printed a bunch of removable Curvalicious tattoos as a giveaway. I think they'll be a hit.

My favorite booth accessory are my chairs.

Don found these used bridge chairs for me from Craig's List.

First I spray painted them and then I covered them with gorgeous batik fabrics. I really love them.

So this is my pile of stuff that's going to Houston. Some of it will be getting on an airplane with me and the larger items are driving in a car with Stephanie and her wonderful hubby. Im so glad they like a good road trip.

Since I'll be crazy busy setting up, teaching and hopefully selling, I'll be posting lots of photos on Instagram (@oyveyquilts) and on Facebook(@Cheryl Lynch Fiber Arts). I'd love for you to come on this journey with me, as I can use all the support that I can get, so follow me and like me. You'll also get a behind the scenes tour of the Disneyworld of quilting. My hope is that shops are as excited about Curvalicious as I am and they show that by wanting to carry it in their shop.

Go Curvalicious!

 

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