The Houston Quilt Market is right around the corner and while I haven't seen my fabric line yet, look what came in the mail today:
Hey Hey, I'm officially in! Along with my trusty sidekick and Brand Champion Extraordinaire, Allison. Gather round, and let me tell you why this feels so important...
One year ago, I decided to (try to) get my own fabric line. If I attended Fall Quilt Market with my portfolio of designs, I reasoned, I could have an audience with the multitudes of manufacturers who would be in attendance.
Allison began sending emails and making phone calls to try to set up meetings. I worked and worked and worked to pull my portfolio together. I tried to register to attend the Market, but the deadline had already passed and I found out I would just have to bring my credentials and register when I got there. I spent my last savings on airfare and a hotel, got a couple of meetings scheduled, and then...
Allison had a head-on car crash, and was in no shape to get on an airplane for Houston. Another lovely friend, Casey, offered to go to Market for moral support. When we got there, the American companies were busy, busy, busy, and I had a couple of quick meetings with Kokka and Lecien. That took all of 10 minutes. I spent the next 3 days in Houston trying to keep my chin up and convince myself I hadn't wasted all my money on the trip. I wasn't able to meet with any other companies, as everyone had already rejected me via email or were unavailable to meet during Market.
...Now it's a year later, and I'm going back. This time it's for the release of my own fabric line with Kokka! I have our name badges in hand, Allison is (mostly) recovered from her accident, and we only have about 5 weeks to go until Market! I look forward to how different this trip will be from the last. This year, I'm ready to celebrate!
