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Is Anyone Going to the Stamp Expo in Illinois next month?
Hi fellow SCS'ers! I am thinking about going to the Stamp and Scrap Expo this year in Schaumburg, IL this August. Is anyone else here thinking of going? I've never been to this before!
Unfortunately, I'm not going this year, but a couple of girlfriends and I went a couple of years ago and it was FABULOUS! Lots of vendors and products. I'd like to go again someday, but it just hasn't been feasible the last couple of years.
The Scrapbook Expos are the bomb! I attend the one in Milwaukee every year and travel down to Schaumburg when my schedule permits. Schaumburg is almost twice the size of the one we have in Milwaukee. There are always make and takes from many of the vendors. Some are free and some may cost a couple of bucks. There is a creativity center in which Expo attendees can make a project for free. If you sign up ahead of time the Expo will e-mail you coupons from the vendors that offer them. It really is a fun thing to experience. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a tote bag for purchases. I also like to bring my own water and snacks because the concessions cans be a bit pricey. I was planning on making the trip down this year. However with the ongoing construction on the I-94 I am sad to say that I will be skipping the Schaumburg Expo this year. If you do decide to go, you should love it!
I go to the one in Virginia every year and take a couple of classes. If you register beforehand and take a class, admission that day is free. They also give you a tote, and at least at the one in VA, a non-profit organization will hold baggage or your too-heavy tote (because of shopping!) for you - they have a donation jar.
Nicole Peterson packs a lot in a one-hour class and quite a few freebies are provided. Latest and Greatest Cardmaking or L&G Tools can be fun; you make things and bring home a lot of stuff though some ends up in the donate box.
This year I spent a long time at the Stamplistic booth, both to do their make-n-take and to learn to use guilding polish and wax (demo only but tons of questions answered and you get to pick the colors).
The make-n-take cost $5.00 (?), but is a fun way to learn to use their unusual stamps. A large image is stamped many times and fussy cut along a different line each time. Those are stacked and crystals applied. Not my typical style but neat.
The Schaumburg show is the largest; that’s where their warehouse is located. If they. Need something, a staff person can run to get it. Speaking of staff, they’re wonderful, and worth a visit with when things quiet down toward the end of the day.
And if you want to volunteer to be a teacher’s assistant, help at registration or do some other job for a few hours, you get paid $10 an hour and get that day’s admission free. I’ve done that in previous years.
A friend and I are going for the first time- looks like it will be fun. We both signed up for a class and are looking forward to learning about watercoloring with Zig brush markers.
Coincidentally that’s one of Nicole’s classes - so enjoy! It’s only an hour but I’ve both a student and helper in several of her classes, though not that one, and she’s great. I’m a big Zig Clean Color Brushes fan.
I went to the one in Duluth this past weekend and I highly recommend going. We drove six hours to attend. Definitely worth the drive! All my classes were great.
Oh if you have the chance, go! Lots of stamp & scrap companies will set up a small version of "shop" (a.k.a. booth). Check their website to see the vendors at any particular site. Take some available $$ ... and maybe a friend to help you stay 'on budget' ... or maybe to enable you?! ;) I've attended & worked at this show in TX each June and consider it a must if possible.
A friend and I are going for the first time- looks like it will be fun. We both signed up for a class and are looking forward to learning about watercoloring with Zig brush markers.
I just signed up to go for the first time. I'm taking the Zig class too. Maybe I'll see you there.
Is Anyone Going to the Stamp Expo in Illinois next month?
First time attendees
