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American (Crafting) Gladiators
March 6, 2008
By Jennifer Cushman, Contributing Editor
 Serendipity blesses my life. Good things happen often enough that I’ve
learned to appreciate unexpectedly joyful experiences. Such was the case at the
Craft and Hobby Association’s 2008 Winter Trade Show, which took place Feb. 9-13
in Anaheim, California.A business contact introduced me to Suzanne Lamar,
the executive producer of Page Sage, a multimedia company that creates
instructional DVDs featuring some of the craft industry’s top artists. Page Sage
debuted its newest DVD, Art Unscripted, hosted by Carol Duvall and
featuring the company’s roster of artists sharing the creative process.
Jen with crafts maven Carol Duvall
I’ve always been a crafty
person. As a child, I was forever writing and illustrating books. My stash of
art supplies exploded when I got basic cable and discovered HGTV. One of my
favorites is The Carol Duvall Show.
So when Suzanne enlisted
Sarah Hodsdon, a talented mixed-media artist, as her partner-in-crafting-crime
to get me on stage with Carol Duvall during a live event on the CHA stage, I was
thrilled. Carol graciously hosted the celebrity craft challenge. Twelve
artists were split into four teams and given the task of transforming wooden
mannequins (aka Art Mann) into a work of art. The catch? Artists were given 10-
minute intervals to quickly create, then hand off to the next teammate. These
creative souls (me dubiously included) were crafting for their lives! Think
crafting meets Iron Chef. 
My team, comprised of Sarah, Kathy Cano
Murillo (aka The Crafty Chica), and mixed-media artist Chris Cozen, rocked.
Paint was messily applied, glitter flew, and tags were stamped fast and
furiously. Things got a little out of hand at one point when artists began
stealing each other’s supplies. In the end, Suzanne did what any savvy
producer would do: declared all teams winners. The event was the highlight of my
trip. I can’t wait to scrapbook photos of me crafting alongside Carol Duvall.
(For my favorites of CHA, visit my blog at www.getrealscrapbooking.com)
Links:
www.pagesage.com
www.sarah-n-dipitous.typepad.com/sarahndipitous
www.craftychica.com
www.chriscozenartist.com
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It's so cool that you got to craft with
Carol Duvall!!!! and the Crafty Chica and
Saras and everyone else. Way too much fun.
Posted By: Robin
How fun! I would love to meet Carol Duvall.
She just seems so bubbly and fun to work with.
Posted By: Betty @ http://shessewpretty.typepad.com/
That sounds like a really fun event. I wish
I had been there!
Posted By: Doreen
Ohhh just looks fabulous - wish I could have
been there, but I have to say that some of
the wonderful blog posts have really made up
for missing out on the actual event. Would
love to read more ....
Posted By: kpalmer
Sounds like it was lots of fun! And would
have been a blast to watch! I,for one,can't
wait for Art Unscripted to hit the stores!
Posted By: Georganne
this looks so much fun, what a shame there
wasn't a video....... would have loved to
see you all in action.
Posted By: Joanne
Wow, sounds like an amazing day, and the
pictures you show certainly get the feeling
across!
Posted By: acrylik
As one of the PageSage Artists, I was happy
to read about your fun at CHA! I missed the
frivolity due to that darn flu traveling the
country, so it has been great to see other's
blogs about the event. Suzanne puts
together the most amazing parties!
Posted By: Judy Belcher
What a hoot. I could just see the paints
flying and the artists swiping things from
each other as I read your discription.
Thanks for sharing your CHA experienc with
those who could not attend.
Posted By: Dawn F
That must have been so much fun! I am a big
fan of Carol Duvall, and PageSage is at the
top of all art/craft productions...Love
those CDs they produce.
Posted By: Marcia T
It was truly a great time had by all!
Including myself! As a mixed media teacher
I'm always out of the box but never had I
been in a tag team! The ability to keep
generating ideas directly from someone
else's work is awe-inspiring and makes me
want to develop this craziness into a class
format! Now you have my brain working
overtime! It was a great pleasure meeting
everyone and to think that I got mentioned
on Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Blog is
pretty great. I've been a fan since chair
of bowlies!
Posted By: Chris Cozen
OMG! I can see from the photo that your
opposition included Karen Thomas and MaryJo
McGraw. I've met both and when you talk
about stealing supplies, I'm surprised that
they both didn't steal the arms and legs off
the Mann, since that is JUST their kind of
humor! I wish I could have been there: I
hope someone took lots of photos and we'll
get a chance to see the finished guys
sometime. I don't envy the cleanup crew
trying to corral all the glitter, tags,
paint and glue! I'll be waiting to see more
of this mentioned in Home Companion for sure.
Posted By: J. Bryant
Thank you so much for posting about this
Jennifer- it was so much fun and like I said
before, having you as a tag team partner was
AWESOME! Chris, I love a Chairful of Bowlies
too....too funny. We really did have a cool
team :)
Posted By: Sarah Hodsdon
I love getting a chance to work with anyone
demoing new ideas and products but you got
the bonus plus some.
Posted By: Cindy S
Wow! can you even imagine crafting with
Carol and Mary Jo and Karen and the Crafty
Chica??!!
It will be fun to live vicariously though
the CD -- can't wait!!
Posted By: kathie G
Looks like a ton of fun and laughs, my kind
of experience, too! By the way, I love your
pink necklace you wore!
*Heidi* (Everday Cookies blog)
Posted By: Heidi Woodruff
sounds like great fun. I too am a fan since
the chair of bowlies design. I have
several themed items in my office and wish
she would bring the theme back. I've seen
some items on ebay but some of the prices
are higher than what I paid through Mary's
on-line store or in boutiques. I would love
to see a cross stitch kit with the bowlies
design - say 12x14 using 14 or 18 count aida
cloth.
Posted By: Karen in Maryland
I have watched Carol Devall's TV shows over
the years. Starting at the beginning of her
career in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have
many old newsletter (1950's)that she put
together that now are some of the old stand
by crafts. What an icon, so happy that you
had such a great experience.
Posted By: SandeeW
Hi I would love to join in on this fun, but
it seems like Boston is a forgotten city, i
never hear of any fun craft shows in this
area. There are only crafters craft shows
which isnt what i am looking for. Any idea
on how I can contact someone somewhere about
finding out about these things. I cant
affrod to travel to other states, so thats
why i am wondering why is Boston that is
supposedly a cosmopolitan city doesnt have
these awsome shows I always read about in
magazines.
Posted By: Alice
I love how you began your piece. Wonderful!
Pam
http://blogcabinfever.typepad.com
Posted By: Pam
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