UMBRELLA SPECIAL OFFER!

My "Romantic Rendezvous" umbrella was a big hit in the Designer Showcase at the CHA show in Anaheim, Calif, last month. 

In fact, I've had so many requests that I am having a limited production made for anyone interested in having one of their own. 

I'm now taking PRE-ORDERS for the umbrellas. As a special offer to my friends and fans, the umbrellas also have an extra special price IF place your order by MARCH 3... Only $29 each! That's a savings of $20 (would other sell for $49 each).


Here's the manufacture's description....

• Made from 100% polyester pongee waterproof fabric
• Image imprinted using heat sublimation technique to prevent discoloring
• Opens up to 41" span
• Can be reduced to a collapsed height of 9"
• 8 ribs made from strong fiber for extra support
• Each rib consists of 3-section aluminium for flexibility and strength
• Main holder made from reinforced plastic

The umbrella features one of my popular red-background wildflowers, ROMANTIC RENDEZVOUS. The original painting can be seen on my art website, www.lindacalvertjacobson.com.

Let me know if you would like to get in on this pre-order special. I need to know by Saturday, March 3 to get you on this list so you can take advantage of the $29 offer. Call me at 830-624-5302 or email linda@casadelinda.com today! You can also check out a sample in person at Casa de Linda Art Center. We are open Tues-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

REFLECTING ON THE CRAFT & HOBBY ASSOCIATION WINTER CONVENTION 2012

We had a wonderful four days in California, Jan. 29-Feb. 1 attending the Craft & Hobby Association's 21012 Winter Convention and Trade Show.

CHA DESIGNER SHOWCASE
Several highlights to mention but at the top of the list was getting to one of the artists featured in the "Designer Showcase." We are able to set up a display of product mock-ups and marketing materials for potential licensing for my wildflower art. Art Directors and company representatives walked the showcase over a 2-day period, Jan. 30-31. We were able to give out a good number of press packets and business cards and will soon start the follow up. As you may know, my wildflowers have been featured on watches sold in the UK for the last 4 years and we are hoping to continue to build on that success! As you tell from the photos here, we continue to look at fabric (as seen on the umbrella, purse and pillow) as well as paper and other product applications.

FUN WITH MAKIN'S CLAY

We were able to spend many hours walking the trade show, seeing new products, talking with company reps and getting to try various materials during Make-it-N-Take-it sessions. An exciting opportunity that came my way as a result was the chance to "play" with a great air-dry polymer clay from the folks at Makin's Clay. I had a chance to do several small projects, with the thoughts of summer art camps AND classes for adults in  the back of mind the whole time. This polymer clay is easy to use and only limited by your imagination. I'm posting some photos of items on display in the Makin's Clay booth to give you just a small glimpse of what can be done. You can be sure that classes in using Makin's Clay will be on the next Casa de Linda schedule!


MAKE IT AND GIVE IT

Thanks to the folks at iLoveToCreate, David and I both got to play a bit using Scribble Stamps on simple quilt blocks. But we didn't bring these home. Instead, the company was inviting folks to create blocks that would be make into quilts and donated to children's homes. How cool is that?! We had a great time. There's a special connection for me personally with iLoveToCreate. These are the same people who own the Duncan brand of ceramic paints and supplies. I did lots of business with them back in the 1970s and 1980s when, along with my family, I had a business called Linda's Ceramic Supply in my hometown of Floresville, Texas. This was huge wholesale and retail ceramic shop that started with a tiny kiln and 13 molds that I bought for $100 in 1976. It ran its course and due to a downturn in the economy and a downward spiral in the ceramics industry as a whole in the early 1980s, we closed the business in 1986. But it was a great run while it lasted and Duncan will always be a part of creative past and have a special place in my heart.



CHA: IT WASN'T ALL PLAY
Yes, we had a great time getting dabble with paint-n-clay, but we also spent several hours in business seminars presented by CHA. This is a great perk of being a member of this national organization. David spent time in two workshops focused on the Internet and Social Media. I participated in a seminar led by none other than Leatrice Eiseman, Director of the Pantone Color Institute. Pantone is that company who, through tons of research, announces the what color or colors will be hot in the coming year. By the way, for 2012, it's Tangerine Tango. While one color tends to get the spotlight, the seminar was really about 9 palettes that will be showing up in homes, fashion, and more in the coming year. It was just amazing to learn what all goes in to selecting the palettes and where those influences come from.


Ahh...SUNNY CALIFORNIA!
The CHA 2012 Winter Convention was held in Anaheim. David and I both love this part of California! The Anaheim Convention Center has done a great job of landscaping the grounds and the tall palm trees lining the walkways, creating nature's patterns, are a special treat. David snapped these photos outside of the convention center.