I’m hoping this post isn’t going to be all over the place – but I had so much fun and I have so much to tell you!!
Just a quick summary in case you haven’t heard of it – Creative Estates was a conference held in Chandler, Arizona last weekend targeted specifically to creative blogs and handmade businesses.
It was so amazing to be in a room of 170(ish) fabulous, successful women who are passionate about blogging and creating.
Seems like when I try and explain my blog to people they look puzzled and say, “Why?” or “How do you make money doing that???” or “What’s a blog?” haha.
But these ladies get it – Because it’s their thing too – it was great!!
I was so nervous before the conference – just looking at the guest list gave me jitters – these gals are my celebrities. Who cares about Jennifer Aniston – I want to meet Jen from Tatertots and Jello!!
And I just have to say – Every. Single. Person. I met was sweet and welcoming and it didn’t matter whether they had a HUGE blog (hi Jen.) or a brand new blog!
So are you ready for some pictures?????
The first night was the Cupcakes mixer at El Zocolo in Chandler. A few of us met up and went to dinner before it.
None of us knew each other before that night – and we all hit it off so well!! These ladies are the best.
(Around the table: Rebecca from Freckles Crafts, Joon from Ordy & Joon, Claudia, Holly from 504 Main, Heather from A Couple of Craft Addicts, and Amy. Sheila and Amy didn’t have blogs.)
We had cupcakes and yummy Mexican food and had a great time getting to know each other!
Jen from Tatertots and Jello is just as sweet as she seems online. She said the nicest things about my blog and it was definately one of my weekend highlights to meet her.
Which is obvious by the fact that this picture is blurry and I don’t care because it’s me and Jen and I’m posting it anyway cause I love it. Ha.
I also got to visit with my two favorite “Alison”s – Alison from Oopsey Daisy and Allison from A Glimpse Inside.
So fun to finally meet them in person!!
Me and Becca from Blue Cricket Design. This girl is hilarious, talented, and so nice.
She joined our table at Girl’s Night Out even though she could have eaten with the “big” bloggers. Love that.
April from Funky Vintage Lovely and Holly from 504 Main (best Roomie EVERRRRRRR!) :)
April, Holly and I had quite the adventure at the airport trying to find each other. Picture 3 people who have never seen each other before and are trying to locate each other through twitter. Crazy.
Take a look!! Amy from the Pink Bow Bath Boutique decorated her booth at the Handmade Market with my Peeps Printable!!
How cool is that?? She was so nice and her products are just yummy. I love the Jelly Bean Body Butter. ;)
Sorry for the bad flash here – this was our Girl’s Night Out table. Girl’s Night Out was sooooo fun – a great dinner, amazing swag bags, and fun just talking to other gals.
If you live in Arizona I HIGHLY recommend going to their next event!
Steph from Somewhat Simple, Kendra from My Insanity and Kristyn from Lil’ Luna did an amazing job!!
(This is: Back Row: Me, Becca from Blue Cricket, Ashlee from Topsy Turvy, Jen from Scissors & Spatulas, Rebecca from Freckles Crafts
Front Row: Holly from Camp Tried and True, Tara from Tara Dara Made It, and Holly from 504 Main. We were missing Joon from The Adventures of Ordy & Joon)
This is Kami from No Biggie sandwiched between me and Joon. She did the Letterpress class and was so fun to talk to.
Heather from A Couple of Craft Addicts and Brittany and Cathy from Red, Blonde and Burlap.
hey have new blogs – I loved talking to them and am excited to follow along as their blogs grow!!
Thank you all so much for your support with my class!! Your little notes of encouragement on Facebook really made me feel confident. ;)
I think everyone liked it and I have some great pictures of gals and their necklaces!!
Ashlee & Becca
(Ashlee almost didn’t make it and I’m so glad she did!! She was a blast and I loved getting to know her!!)
Adorable Alison. :)
Me and Cindy from Skip to My Lou. Cindy was soooo down to earth and kind!! I learned a lot from her in the panel discussion too!
(This picture was taken by Sara from Mom Endeavors – Thanks Sara!!!)
I didn’t get the chance to talk to Stacy from Not Just a Housewife until the closing party. I wish I could have spent more time with her!
(Me, Stacy, and Holly.)
Me, Jen, and Rebecca. Last picture of the night for me and we were getting tired and silly. ;)
Oh my goodness that’s a lot of pictures. And there were so many people I met that I loved and don’t have a picture of!!
Tauni and Shey – the masterminds behind the conference who did an AMAZING job putting it all together,
Kim from Today’s Creative Blog – our airport buddy and all around Blog Inspiration :),
Shelly from House of Smiths (best singer of the weekend),
har from Crap I’ve Made (best quote of the weekend, “There is no competition to be Me. And that is what I’m doing.”,
Meg from Brassy Apple (gorgeous and soooo talented)
Jamielyn from I heart Naptime (cute as a button – I didn’t get to talk to her enough!!)
Heidi from Honeybear Lane (I am seriously in awe of her sewing skills. Have you seen her quilts??)
Heather from Me Making Do – such a sweetheart.
I’m sure I’m forgetting people but my brain is still fried. I’ll add more in as I remember!! :)
And it wasn’t all talking and posing – though I will tell you if you dislike having your picture taken and you are a blogger – get over that. Quick.
Here’s a quick summary of what I learned:
- There is enough internet out there for everyone. Craft bloggers are accepting and no matter the size of their blog or the type of blog they have, they are friendly and welcoming.
- To find the balance in blogging and family life I need to schedule my time better and be more effecient with the time I have. ;)
- Be authentic and remain true to why I started my blog in the first place.
- Enjoy the ride!!
There was so much more than that – I will tell you as I think of it.
But my favorite part was the new friendships I made with these amazing, talented women!!
Thanks for letting me share it all with you!!
Stacy says
I wish we would have had more time too! I hope you come next year!!!
Amy says
Bev,
You were the big blogger I was trying to find. :) It was so nice to meet you in person!
xoxo,
Amy
Beverly says
I knew I’d forget someone important!!! Amy I LOVED meeting you – You are so cute!! Plus your bag is fabulous!!!:)
Joon says
LOVE THIS POST! makes me miss you and the amazing ladies!
gina says
i loved meeting you and i adore your pictures!!! :)gina
Beverly says
Thanks Gina!! I loved meeting you too! :)
L.A. says
Well this post just made me jealous that I wasn’t there! Although I am inspired, since I’m a little blogger trying to grow! Thanks for sharing Bev :)
Kristi says
So glad you had such a great time! It’s funny how we have blog celebrities, isn’t it? ha ha
Alison says
Bev, it was surreal to finally meet you, and your class was beyond amazing!! Can’t wait to show off my necklace! Still sad that Creative Estates is really over…
The Answer Is Chocolate says
This is such a great post…the next best thing to being there because you captured what I imagine so many of the bloggers you talked about really being like! I hope to go next year and will hopefully get over my “don’t take pictures of me” phobia before then! Thanks Bev.
Michell @ Girl In Air says
Thanks for sharing everything I missed out on:( I can’t wait to attend next year:-)
Rebecca@RootsAndWingsCo says
You are amazing! I am so glad I got to sit and chat with you a little bit. I wish we had had more time. I will be emailing you soon with info on Yellowstone (I haven’t forgotten!)! Everyone was totally rocking their FlamingoToes necklaces! Gorgeous!
Rebecca
Beverly says
I loved meeting you too!! I have told the family all about your Yellowstone trip and they are all excited!! :) Thanks!
Jennifer says
Jealous and sad…jealous and sad. LOL. Glad you had an amazing time Bev. I bet you were awesome.
Krista says
Looks like so much fun. And inspirational. What I wouldn’t give to have one here!
Penny says
Oh my goodness! That sounds like such an incredible gathering! Maybe it is a flight to look into for next time! Thanks for sharing!
Katie says
I am just so envious that you got to go, I really really wanted to but it wasn’t a good time being preggers and all. I found a great deal on the tickets and was this close, as I could’ve wrapped in a visit with my best friend in Scottsdale at the same time. It looks like so much fun and my kinda conference!
Claudia says
So great spending time with you Bev. You have inspired me.
Rebecca Cousins says
Hi Bev! I almost cried reading your post. I miss you all so much already! Amazing how three days together can make you so close. I had the best time getting to know you this weekend. You are so sweet and down to earth! Hopefully it won’t be an entire year until I see you again :) Maybe you should pack up that suburban and take a trip to the midwest! I will make resurrection rolls for you, ha!
Jessa says
Lovely photos! I didn’t get a chance to meet you..next year for sure!
Kristen says
You took such great pictures!! I took like none (seriously!). I’m glad GNO was fun, by the time I saw about it the tickets were gone :)
Holly L says
I so thought the highlight of your weekend was the crabby lady you roomed with. I will never go to another blog conference – too many cameras and I look like death in every photo – no, I am not getting over it.
On a happy note – there was so much to learn and experience…I cannot believe it came and went so quickly. You are amazing and so are many of the talented ladies that were there. My CE post will have no photos!
Kami says
Hi Beverly! It was so fun to meet you! I wish I could have taken your class. The necklace turned out so cute! What a fun weekend!
Kendra @ My Insanity says
Thanks for the Girls Night Out shout out! And for the awesome necklace project (and being so patient with me while I took forever to complete it while gabbing!)
It was great to meet you!
Creative Mind says
How nice to read this awesome post..waoo..i can imagine how much you have enjoyed..all buddies are totally smart..keep rocking your wonderful blogging…nice to meet you all
Beverly S says
I’m not so much a “big crowded place” kinda girl, but it sounds like this event was awesome! Your comments about how everyone is nice and accepting no matter the size of the blog is very encouraging to this blogging newbie. Thanks for sharing, and I loved seeing all your photos!
Katy Lunsford says
Good golly, I wish I could have been there!
Lina(fancy frugal life) says
I wanted to go sooooooooo bad! Darn, and it was in my hometown! The one weekend I had stuff to do! Glad u had fun! Those r my celebs too! I was sad the girls night was sold out…boo!
Oh well! Glad u all had a blast. hopefully next time?!
Lina
Fancy Frugal Life
Ps…love your blog. U are one of the big blogs to me! Lol
Mandipidy says
SO fun! I am so glad that you got to go last weekend and meet all these wonderful ladies! I hope to meet you one day too! :)
Allison @ A Glimpse Inside says
I am so happy we got to meet! You are fabulous my dear! :)
Steph says
I loved meeting you. And seriously… thanks for helping me make that adorable necklace. Being craft impared I needed all the help I could get. LOL