Stitches West is just around the corner (next week!), and we’re getting ready to show off our newest product, the Crafter’s Tool Butler. But we decided we shouldn’t be the ones who have all the fun with that, so we’re asking you to join us and win!
We had a lot of fun a few years ago making a video and we’d love your help creating a new one! Not only will you get something free and extra entries to win something wonderful, you’ll be a part of Jordana Paige history, like these fine ladies:
Here’s how to play: If you already own a Tool Butler, stop by with it stocked with all your knitting necessities on Thursday, Friday or Sunday at booths 731, 733 and 735 for CTB Show and Tell!
Jordana will film you showing how you use your Crafter’s Tool Butler, and you’ll get a Jordana Paige pattern of your choice. You’ll also get five entries into our drawing for a JP knitting bag!
If you’re planning to purchase the Crafter’s Tool Butler at Stitches, you’re welcome to participate as well. Buy it, stock it and stop back at our booths ready for your close-up!
This year we will be teaming up with Bobbin’s Nest who will be featuring Lulu Bliss Designs and Hazel Knits. Please stop by, say hello and participate in our version of show and tell.
Well, it’s been a few days since Stitches Midwest, and I’m still recovering. What a fabulous yet exhausting time! There was so much to see, from scooting around Chicago to working our booth. We had a blast.
One of my favorite things about going to these shows is the opportunity to talk with the people who use my bags to get feedback on how we can improve. And I love to hearing about what everyone likes too. (Who doesn’t love a good compliment?)
It was an absolute joy to meet Bonnie, inventor of Fix-A-Stitch, a great little tool for picking up stitches without turning your work around. Friday after the show my mom and I were waiting for a taxi.
We started chatting with Bonnie and when I said I was Jordana Paige she exclaimed with excitement that her assistant had told her to she needed to sign up for my $50 gift card drawing. Bonnie lives in the Bay Area so we made plans for lunch sometime in the future.
Another thing I love about these shows is all the amazing ideas and beautiful things there are to see.
Tot Toppers was one of my favorite booths. So adorable and full of color. Kate designs knitwear for babies, kids and has an adult line, When I Grow Up. She has a lot of designs for little boys, which is so rare to find. I purchased some Charlotte Bronte Worsted yarn by Yarn Love (below) and two Tot Toppers patterns, Hansel and Gretel and Ruffled Striped Hat. Can’t wait to start on these.
Kate debated between the L.J. Kaelms in Teal and Deep Taupe, finally settling on Teal. Of course, this girl loves color.
Next door to my booth was Twisted Sistah Beads & Fibers. You can’t sit next to a bead booth all day long and not purchase something! I kept admiring a wide cuff bracelet on display. I was surprised to learn that the bracelet was knitted. My mom and I bought beads for each to make the cuff. I’ll tell you all about that when I make it.
Oh it's going to be a lovely bracelet!
Three years ago when I was at Stitches Midwest I remember LOVING the Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods booth. They were back again and I couldn’t resist just standing there and staring at all the buttons and trims. Thought I should stop staring though and just take a picture.
Congrats to the lucky winner of our $50 gift card, Margret R. Margret, we emailed you, so check your inbox! Stitches Midwest was a wonderful time and we appreciated everyone who stopped by to say hi. To see our whole photo album, check out our Facebook page.
When my mom and I head to a trade show that’s as far away as Stitches Midwest, we try to schedule a little bit of fun time in as well. We may be there to “work,” but you know what they say about all work and no play!
How can you be dull in such a great city like Chicago?
So yesterday we stopped at Exquisite Nail Salon for manicures to start our day, which was such a delight. Turns out Shawn, the owner and our manicurist, is friends with the Twisted Sisters, a hilarious pair I met earlier this year at Stitches West and will probably see at Stitches Midwest this week.
Afterward we walked through Millennium Park, grabbed some lunch (Chicago pizza is no joke) and then headed over to the Museum of Contemporary Art. My favorite exhibit was Mark Bradford. He used signs and posters to create amazing patterns of texture and color.We walked by a window with old sewing machines as the display fixtures. It was a neat store, and we had to take a picture of the window display.
We headed over to the Navy Pier for some lemonade and a pretzel and then back to the our hotel for a nap. (We girls have to have our beauty rest!)
We ended our night at the Blue Agave where we had the most delicious margarita. Dee-licious!
And speaking of delicious, my hotel is just two blocks from Ghiradelli and Hershey’s. A dangerous thing for me. We got a supreme chocolate chip cookie from Hersheys and brought it back to the hotel.
I was so tired from the heat and walking. We walked all over the city without getting lost, which is quite and accomplishment for my mom and I. We’re notorious for getting lost.
Today we head to Schaumburg to set up the booth and the market preview.
Check out our Facebook page for more photos from our day out and our Twitter feed for more photos as they happen! Thanks to all of the people who offered the great suggestions on Chicago — it certainly is a great city!
A few weeks ago I got several suggestions on my Facebook page of what to do when I’m in Chicago, and while I am truly excited for all the suggestions (Chicago pizza, yum!), I gotta say the thing I am looking forward to most is being at Stitches Midwest.
It’s hard to miss out, and I love chatting with people about knitting and autographing bags is always a trip. My mom, Noni, (that’s her in the photo) came with me to Stitches West this year, and she’ll be at Stitches Midwest as well.
Stitches Midwest is going on this weekend, August 25-28, and I will be at booth 726 on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Stop by, say hi and enter to win a $50 JP gift certificate! I’m looking forward to seeing you (and Lake Michigan) in Chicago.
I woke up to sunny skies in Santa Cruz so I decided to take the display for Stitches over the hill today, rather than chance it raining tomorrow. Checked weather.com which said it wasn’t going to rain until 4pm. I loaded up my truck and pulled out of my warehouse at 1pm. The second I turned onto the freeway the rain started. Oh the lies you tell weather.com! It rained until I got to Santa Clara and has been sunny ever since. It rains every year for Stitches. It’s one of those things that I just need to accept and stop trying to outsmart.
Despite all this, the first truck load has been delivered to the convention center, making tomorrow a less stressful day. Now I just have to set up the booth and drop off all the bags.
Be sure to come by the booth (#729 and #731) and enter to win a Jordana Paige bag, a skein of Hazelknits yarn in the Bobbin’s Nest colorway, Divine and pattern to make this beautiful cowl. See you soon!
Did you notice? Stitches West is only 10 days away! We’ll be there, in our usual spot, booths 729 and 731. We’ll have our complete line of bags and patterns, including L.J. Kaelms in all it’s fabulousness. As usual we’ll be teaming up with Bobbin’s Nest to offer you some prizes and other wonderful items.
Cannot wait to see you, really! This is my eighth Stitches West. It’s like being reunited with old friends. And for you, my friend, here’s a $2 off admission coupon.
By now all but a few of you have received your bags from the Handbags Help Haiti fundraiser. I’ve enjoyed reading this Ravelry thread, tweets and variousblogposts as you search for imperfections. So happy to see you’re having such difficulty finding them. Yesterday the money from the sale was deposited into my account, so I was able to get the check in the mail to Doctors Without Borders. Everything is wrapped up now. Just have an interview on Friday with a reporter who will be writing a story on it.
The vest I’ve been working on is blocking. The pattern will be available in time for Stitches West. I still need to write the pattern, knit the collar, get it edited and do a photo shoot. I’m cutting it close, so I thought I would add a little more pressure on myself.
Monday I decided to design a beret pattern for Stitches as well. I’m planning some fun stuff (read: prizes) for Stitches which will involve this pattern among other things. Adrienne of Wool Candy is dying up some yarn for me. She has really beautiful colorways. I have no plans for the beret yet. I’m hoping to be inspired by the yarn. If you have a special request, you can weigh in with your opinion here or on our Facebook page.
I completed my eighth show at Stitches today, bringing me to 136 hours (5.6 days) of sitting in my booth. That’s a long time! After so many years of exhibiting, friendly knitters have become recognized regulars who stop to pick up the latest design to round out their collection or just want to say “hi.” It’s so fun for me to see everyone from year to year. And, as exhausting as the whole production is, I’m always so grateful to have the opportunity to meet my customers face to face.
Somehow I managed to leave show only spending $4. I’ve been dreading going to the fabric store to find the right buttons for the cardigan I’m designing for the cruise. I wanted 3 large buttons to match the salmon yarn I’m using. I knew such specifics were going to be impossible to find. I quickly popped in to my neighbor’s booth, UnButtons, to see if she had anything that would work. As I turned the corner, there, sitting on the top of a pile of buttons were three 1.5″ salmon buttons. The light shined on them and I heard voices sing, Aaaaahhhhh. I examined them closely. Were they the same color as my yarn? Remembering an exact color is very difficult and I had foolishly left my knitting at home (yes, ironic being that I sell knitting bags so that one always has her knitting with her). I debated the buttons, but then saw they were only $4. How could I go wrong? When I got home, I pulled out the sweater and much to my happiness found they are a perfect match. This photo doesn’t do it justice. The perfect ending to a wonderful weekend.
Bobbin’s Nest will be hosting their annual Stitches West Party this Saturday from 6:00-9:00pm complete with wine, cheese and appetizers. If there was ever a gal who knew how to throw a party in her shop, it would be Erin. I’ll be there, as will Wendee Shulsen of Hazel Knits who is releasing another Bobbin’s Nest exclusive colorway. Melissa Goodale of Stick Chick Knits and Jeni Chase will also be there debuting their new patterns using Hazel Knits yarns. Complete details here.
