19 November 2009

Silver Bella School



Jemellia kept talking about Silver Bella and I had no idea what the hell she was talking about. She asked me to go, Uhh, no. She sent me a links to Silver Bella's blogs. I started to see the incredible pictures and creations and became interested. Then I signed up. Now I have gone to this event and I get it now.


1. Workshops. Let me school you about Silver Bella. It is an weekend event in November in Omaha, Nebraska hosted by Teresa McFayden. She announces the registration on her blog and it is sold out within hours to about 200 people. Female people. As you register you select 5 workshops. I like to call the workshop instructors the Titans as they are artists, company owners, published in magazines, have books, appear on television shows like Martha. They are a big deal. You leave a three hour class with a piece of art and wet your pants as well when they talk to you although they are really nice and normal but of gargantuan talent. Awwwww, Rebecca Sower......




2. Swaps. A person will determine a swap theme and rules. They are announced and opened up over several weeks after registration to a set number of participants. They are filled within minutes. You make your swap specific item, apron, page, crown, whatever prior to the event. You may send your portion in to the swap hostess who then combines all the parts to create multiple copies of a book or item. If it is a one to one swap, you bring your item to Silver Bella. Either way you take home an item from the swap.




I participated in the Sweetest Thing Recipe Swap which I will dedicate a post to later. But here is an example of a one-on-one swap between the Bells from Texas where they created and swapped mums. This is my favorite. These were the first thing I saw when I arrived in Omaha. Then I started to get an idea of what I was in for. This was made by Stacey for Rita. And, damn, oh-kay?


3. Luncheon Speaker. A big deal in the industry of creativity, this year's speaker was Jo Packham of Where Women Create. This publication is dedicated to supporting the creativity and talent of women showcasing their workspace. She was so real and spoke from the heart. She actually made everyone there a book mark, with her own hands. Uh, oh-kay? When was the last conference you went to where that happened? Never even occurred to me that she might make 200 items as gifts.




4. Vendor Night. These are the best booths I have ever seen. Well known artists and leaders in the industry set up their wares. We did a booth which prevented much in the way of shopping. I sold many knits that night, a record number and just shook from the thrill and awe of it. When this group of people like your work, the heavens open up and you can actually hear angels sing.

5. Acceptance. Look, I have been around the hen house a few years, but to get a group of women together with such a unity of spirit, talent and support is embracing and exhausting. There is so much praise going around it is surreal. Someone doesn't just say "Oh that's cute." They walk up, look you in the eyes, handle the item which may be clothing, jewelry, a bag or your creation, look it over, intensely inspect, pause, clutch their pearls and tell you they LOVE it while grasping your arm. I figured this out after the 83rd person loved me and my sweater on the first night. I felt the love and understood why they come and keep coming back. And I will go back. I will announce, I am Bella.


12 comments:

  1. That's sounds so amazing, Robin. I'm jealous!

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  2. I LOVE!!! that pic of Rebecca!

    Too bad I burned your sweater...

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  3. Of course you are a Bella!!
    Even though I didn't get to touch your sweater and tell you how beautiful it was...I forgive you for not looking for me ;)
    Now since I know you are going back next year, maybe I'll have to stand in line (maybe 84th?) to see what you are wearing next!
    everything vintage

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  4. Robbin, Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have seen the blog for Silver Bella before. Love the stuff. I am so jealous you get to go. Have fun for me too!

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  5. As a person who doesn't craft anything beyond words, I am so happy you attended this event and found some kindred spirits. I need to know about this sweater - right now - don't keep me waiting. God, I can only imagine how much they all loved you.

    But why do they limit it to 200 when it is sold out in hours? Hello? Marketing 101.

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  6. It's what I've been preaching to you for years, Robin! How wonderfully talented you are in every single aspect of your life! I'm not alone--you see?
    Love to you!
    P

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  7. ah, it sounds SO amazing! I would love to attend one of these years. What an awesome opportunity. Especially for those millions of us who DONT live in Portland, where every other artsy opportunity seems to be ;)
    so glad you guys had a great time!!~

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  8. Well heck, Robin! I don't know how many times that night, I ended up in front of Rebecca's table, to gawk. If I had realized you were right next to her, I would have introduced myself!
    Next year?

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  9. Well my goodness! I really had no idea about all this. I knew you girls were going, but what I didn't know was how many amazingly fun things you'd be doing while you were there. I'm so glad it was a good experience for you. Thanks for filling us in!

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  10. So very true!!
    Silver Bella 2010 or bust!

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  11. Robin, I really enjoyed meeting you and Jemellia at Silver Bella...

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  12. You are most definitely a Bella! I, too, LOVED your sweater! I am so very glad you "get" Silver Bella and that you came! It is the highlight of my year - every year!

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You have no idea how much this comment means. I really thank you for taking time to connect with me. This is why we are here, isn't it?

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