CHA Changed My Life

THIS IS A TRUE STORY: how joining the CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) changed my life. 

Grab some popcorn and send the children out of the room...

AT the CHA retreat in June I was asked to speak at the end of the conference to 'share my story' and explain why I think belonging to CHA is so important.  Alas, we ran out of time, so here is (basically) what I was going to say:

1 1/2 years ago I was crafting away and wondering what I wanted for myself? I had few professional commitments and having a problem focusing on what I really wanted to do: what would make me happy?

*Roberta: BEFORE CHA. So Sad.

I decided to invest in myself and register for the first CHA retreat in Canada.  

It promised to be a weekend full of workshops and creativity. I didn't know what to expect, who I would meet, or if I would even 'belong' in that group.

In a nutshell, 1 1/2 years later, EVERYTHING I am doing now is because of my decision to become a CHA member and attend that first CHA retreat!

Not only did I participate, learn, grow and network, I milked every single last drop out of that opportunity. Let's face it: we have opportunities presented to us on a daily basis- it is what we do with those opportunities (if we even recognize them in the first place) that determines our path and defines who we are.

I decided to set myself a first goal: Become a Designer Member, start getting paid for my work, and attend my first CHA Mega Show in Anaheim, CA.

Today - I am happy and smiling and discovered I look good in tangerine :)

Ann Butler, who I knew from the industry and online, and I met in-person for the first time at that retreat. There was something about Ann that drew me towards her and I recognized this as my first opportunity: Ask her questions, get advice, and figure out how she might be able to help me and ask for that help.
Check, check, and check.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what am I doing today?

• I am on 3 design teams: I am leading one of them and overseeing the Blogs and SEO editing of the other 2
• I have had multiple projects published in magazines and books.
• Helping edit a magazine
• A contributing Blogger for ETI Resin
• Regular contributor to Prime Publishing: FaveCrafts and Cheap Eats & Thrifty Crafts
• Virtual Assistant to a Craft Publisher
• Plus, after being introduced to Powertex at that first retreat, by Brigitte Thompson, I am now:             An artist and Certified Instructor and Distributor of Powertex.

...and getting paid!
Not bad. Not bad at all.

...in 1 1/2 years...    

 Did I inspire you today? I hope so. I"d love to hear from you.

Brigitte introduced me to Powertex

MANY helpful and inspiring workshops

DecoArt has been helping me and supplying me with free product for years!

Ann Butler Designs

Sponsors of the CHA Events are BEYOND generous!

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________-
*um...not really... that was from a Halloween Party at Blissdom one year :)