CHA – The art of Jen Goode

For the second year in a row I exhibited my art at the CHA show, this time in Anaheim, California. I shared a booth with Carla Schauer again this year – I think we had a fantastic show! I was much more focused this year since I haben been through it all and had a better idea of what to expect. This was the 4th time I’d attended CHA, so there were plenty of familiar faces and excited about attending. Unfortunately, I was so busy working this show I forgot to stop and take pictures. I came home with a pitifully small amount of visual memories to share with you… sorry!

Jen Goode and Carla Schauer at Winter CHA 2012

I started off the show by hosting a round table disccusion about promoting yourself on and offline. There are so many different direction we can focus our attention as business owners and artists or designers, sometimes it’s hard to find the important things to focus on for marketing and promotion. So for the hour of discussion I helped brainstorm ideas with different people focusing on a variety of businesses.

Next I just right into a session speaking with Theresa Cifali and Julie Fei-fan Balzer about promoting yourself and your business on and offline. This is the first time I had been part of group speaker where I was the one in charge and organizing. I think the session was a great success. We had a ton to share about social media, branding and focusing on doing what you know and love. I really enjoyed working with these two fantastic women.

I also attended an evening side event hosted by Brenda Pinnick, Karen Embry and Phyllis Dobbs to learn more about art licensing. I love hearing the perspectives of so many different people because there are so many different directions to take your art and each artist has found success in their own way. I came away having learned more tips and inspired by more ideas of how to work with manufacturers to get my art out there and on products. Most importantly I realized you just have to be brave and do it… if you don’t try, what can you gain?

Wonder twin (times 2) bracelets with my roomies

I shared a hotel room, more of a family suite with 3 other fantastic artists, Laura Kelly, Carla Schauer and Niki Meiners. We had a great time when we actually saw each other. We all had so many different things we needed to get done, the only time we were really together is when we were all sleeping. Laura brought us each a goody bag (how cool is that!?) which included these awesome bracelets. The message on each is Live the Life you Love.

Jen Goode Winter CHA 2012 Designer Showcase Display

I participated in the Designer Showcase again this year. But lesson learned from the summer show and my forever long set up, this year I made an entirely different display which took about 15 minutes to set up from start to finish. I create 4 fabric banners that I painted, and added my own art to and all 4 rolled up ever so nicely and stored in the suitcase.I was so happy with this display and how easy it was to work with that I am sure I’m sticking with this for shows to come.

: Winter CHA 2012 Jen Goode promo sign

As part of this display I created a number of promo signs that included both my artist Penguin and a QR code. Previously I haven’t really used the QR codes. They seem too specific and too dependent on the user having the right equipment, etc. However, I thought I’d give it a go and see what would come of it. So far, I haven’t seen any feedback from the page specifically designed to go along with this code. I’m marking that down as a non-useful tool for now… at least when it comes to potential art licensing and design clients and how they look to contact designers.

The rest of the show I spent almost entirely inside my booth with my booth pal Carla Schauer. I had set meetings up ahead of time with this show so I was expecting to chat with quite a few people. Others that I talked with ahead of time didn’t want to set meeting times but wanted the freedom to just stop by, which they did, but that left me unable to roam the aisles of the show like I had years past. So, as a result, I don’t have anything new and exciting to share about the show. I don’t know what went on, I didn’t see it.

Jen Goode and Button Wedding cake at Buttons Galore and More booth

I took a moment to say hi to a number of people during booth set up and did a tiny bit of exploring during booth take down, but that was it. Above is a photo of me showing off my button wedding cake I made for the Buttons Galore and More booth. That was a FUN project!I also created some super fun projects for the Impress Art booth, but I didn’t get a chance to stop by and see their set up – darn busy show!

Jen Goode and Laura Kelly using fabric to making pillowcases for Conkerr Cancer

At the end of the show there is always the CHA party. This year’s theme was Community and a connection with charity. The party was set up like a carnival with a ton of different booths with activities to help support the different charities. Laura and I went over and made a couple pillowcases at the Conkerr Cancer booth. They make pillowcases for kids with cancer while the kids are staying at the hospital. Laura happened to have some of her own fabric at the show, so that’s what we used to make our pillowcases. It was so much fun! This picture is me using a gigantic pair of Westcott scissors… good thing for us, they didn’t really cut the fabric.

I had a really great time at Winter CHA 2012 and I was happy with how everything went. I was really excited to be able to talk with so many companies and again meet more new people. We’ll see where that goes.

If you’re interested in reading more CHA re-caps and seeing what cool things happened at the show. Click on the “Designer Connections” link in my side bar. Happy Hopping!

Last year I attended the CHA winter show as a non-exhibiting designer. I met great people and learned a lot simply walking the show. So, this year I decided I needed to exhibit and experience first hand what the whole thing was about. I made a great choice! It’s one thing to go and see the sites, it’s entirely different to be emersed in the event. I met more new faces, gained a variety of feedback about my art and most importantly was able to go home feeling like I’m moving in the right direction with my art.

Here is this year’s list of things learned while exhibiting at the CHA winter show:

Always be prepared to tell what you do
Just because you aren’t in your booth, doesn’t mean you won’t have the opportunity to share what you do. Be not only prepared but willing to start conversations about who you are and what you do.
Share your expertise
Volunteering to teach or share information you are familiar with can help you connect to others that are looking for your knowledge but might have something to share in return. I participated in a handful of events sharing my insight on various subjects. Through these events I made some fantastic new contacts.
Triple check your list of must haves
No matter how many times you check your list of things to pack, do it again. The last thing you need is to show up at the event without your scissors or tape or whatever else you forgot you might need. Then remember to bring it to the booth and not leave it in the hotel room. I ended up leaving a small portion of my Designer Showcase display at home. I had missed it when I was hurrying to pack the night before I left town. In the end I was the only one that knew I had left things out, but next time I’d rather triple check.
There’s no such thing as too much tape
We had a number of packages of poster strips and Velcro to hang things up for our booth display and we used it all. It’s much better to come with more than you think you need… rather than run out and wish you had more.
When it comes to image options, more is better
Keep the booth display clean and organized, but be prepared to open your portfolio with more options. I found myself wishing I had put together more pages for my portfolio showing art I didn’t think I should bring. This doesn’t mean bring a hodge podge of images from all directions, it just means, make sure you bring your best and a little more.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it – Doubt only hinders your success
Brag, if you don’t, who else will? You are your biggest fan and your biggest advocate, remember that when you are exhibiting. When you aren’t sure if someone is interested or seems to want to just walk buy, strike up a conversation and see if you can offer something they might value. If you doubt your ability others will sense it. Be confident and remember why you are at the trade show (not to mention how much money you spent to be there). Stand tall and proud and shout out to the masses that you are ready to share your talents… here they are!
No one looks at your shoes
For years I’ve always taken nice dress shoes and by the end of day one my feet are killing me. This time, knowing I’d be in a booth and on my feet a good portion of the day I decided to stop caring about my footwear and brought comfy shoes. I’m happy to day my feet are happy and not once did I get a funny glance from anyone about my feet. That’s happiness all around.
Listen
When someone does stop to look at your art and then begins to talk with you about it, listen to what they have to say. They may like what you have exactly as it is or they may be looking for something different. If you’re open to their comments you are more likely to find the connecting they are reaching for.
Take notes
Time moves by much faster than you realize when exhibiting your art, carry a notebook with you always. Write down what you hear, ideas and most importantly, things others tell you. When all is said and done, you can sit quietly in your studio and revisit all that you learned without struggling to remember where to start.
Be yourself and don’t change for the sake of fitting in
I found myself constantly thinking “they said they wanted …… so I can do that” when really I need to stay true to myself. Many artists can be many things and create many styles but what really makes each of us unique is our own individual approach. We need to stick with our style and approach and not try to conform just for the sake of a check.

Exhibiting at the CHA winter show in Los Angeles was a fantastic experience. I came home with more confidence about my art and where I am trying to go with it. I met some wonderful new people and enjoy every minute of the trip. Bonus tip, don’t shortcut your own expertise for time, make sure to give yourself the time and preparation you know you are capable of, it’s well worth the effort!

What ever you do, don’t be your own worst obstacle. Get out of your way and jump in head first, you’ll be glad you took that step!

Winter CHA 2012 re-cap – great things I found

10 tips for exhibiting at CHA