I just returned from the 2022 NAMTA/Creativation Trade Show in Orlando, FL and thought I would share a quick report of my amazing experience! For those of you who are not familiar, Creativation, formerly know as CHA, is a craft and hobby trade show. This year, due to budgetary issues, Creativation teamed with a fine arts trade show called Art Materials World. 

I had the distinct honor of being invited to attend Creativation by Scrapbook and Cards Today. My job: To film live Facebook content at the show for the SCT community. With me were the awesome Meghann Andrew and Latisha Yoast!  Before I go on, I must say…I LOVE THESE LADIES SO MUCH! We were so excited to finally meet in person!  There was a lot of hugging and non-stop chatter and we all agreed that we needed at least two more days just to hangout and talk some more! 

They have attended Creativation for several years and showed me the lay of the land.  Meghann is the Social Engagement Coordinator and a Crop & Create educator for SCT and has presented SCT at Creativation for 4 years. Latisha is a professional card designer and has attended Creativation as a demonstrator and instructor for various crafting and stamping companies over the years. They are both a wealth of information! 

Unlike previous years, this year’s show had reduced vendor participation. Most of the major players in the craft and hobby industry (i.e., American Crafts) were not in attendance. But, the companies that did participate received a lot of attention (and product orders) which is a very good sign.  I hope that in the coming years, Creativation will rebound and more craft and hobby companies will participate again.

Most of our day was spent talking to (and filming) the teams from Simple Stories, Spellbinders, Hero Arts, Pink and Main, Ranger…just to name a few. There are some awesome products coming to the market this fall!  For example, if you love hot foiling, be sure to check out Spellbinders’ new solid hot foil plates! Also, Simple Stories’ Disney inspired collections are out of this world! And their Christmas 2022 collections are stunning! 

Our friends at Hero Arts are the coolest around! And they invited us out to dinner (more on that later). Be sure to head over to the Scrapbook and Cards Today Facebook page to see the live video of the Hero Arts booth (along with a few other vendors). 

In between chatting, hugging, and giggling, we managed to make our way around the show floor, filming and taking photos for the SCT Facebook page and blog. 

We stopped by the Photoplay booth and the owner asked our opinion about  heavy solid cardstock colors. We chatted about paper weight differences, color preferences and so forth – things that matter to paper crafters. I believe they are thinking about adding more paper weight options to their collection, hence our conversation. It was so much fun to “talk shop” with this amazing company!  

The next day, Latisha and I went back to the trade show to film more content for Scrapbook and Cards Today. We also spent time doing make-n-takes and watching product demonstrations. Here’s a super cool water marbling demo by Deco Arts!  

I got the opportunity to make this sample and take it home! 

Next up, Pam, Dana, Latisha, and I headed to the Gel Press booth for some print making shenanigans! Pam and Dana had never tried print making before and were a bit hesitant. After tons of peer pressure, they finally dug in and had a blast!  

And of course, I ran into a lot of my industry friends! Many of us connected in 2020 (or before) and were so excited to finally meet in person!

Overall, this was a great experience and I had a lot of fun. Also, I’m completely exhausted after walking more than 20,000 steps per day, not including my visit to Epcot at Disney World; and of course, from the excitement of seeing all of my awesome industry friends! 

My cup is full! I returned home with fresh ideas and lots of energy to pursue several Victoria Marie Designs projects that have been waiting in the wings. I’m ready to keep moving forward with the support and wisdom of many people who have paid their dues in this industry. 

I am forever grateful!