HOW Design Conference 2009: Just getting started!

HOW Design Conference June 24th – June 27th, 2009: Austin Texas
(Over the next week, I am going to touch on different aspects of the conference! There's just no way that I can squeeze it all into one short blog. I'm just way too long-winded for that!)

If you have ever been to a HOW Design Conference, then you can totally understand and appreciate how fast paced and exciting it can be! This year was no exception! I have been slow in getting this posted because I really have wanted to think about the conference and absorb all the information that I learned while there. Plus, I really wanted to justify this post with information that is worthy of sharing with others, that is also beneficial to them and not just a “show and tell”. I could share all the pictures I took with you and prove that it was a good time. However, I don’t think that they would provide much justification or could prove ROI with your company or clients (or even with yourself if you are one of those lucky ones, like myself, who have self-paid) without explanation (or sharing other experiences not photographed) to show how beneficial conferences like this can be.

First topic will be covering Networking. This is a very important topic when it comes to attending a conference as its about meeting others in the field, having conversations about experiences, asking advice, etc.

Off to Austin I go!

So, it's been a crazy couple of months...between baby showers, birthday parties, school functions, camp, etc. I sometimes wonder how I keep my sanity. But...as my mom always said, "You can't lose what you never had!" So, I guess it's all good! LOL

Anyhow- I have spent the last few days helping my two oldest sons pack for camp this week, work on the mountain range of dirty laundry that has piled up and also work on stuff for my upcoming trip to Austin.

Tomorrow, I am leaving for Austin to attend the 2009 HOW Design Conference! I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to attend this year. There are so many who aren't able to go this year due to economic issues, mostly, and so I am feeling very lucky to be able to go this year! I worked on a project several months ago with a friend that I met at the HOW Design Conference last year. She had a great idea and asked me to do illustrations for her on the project. And it is because of that project that I was able to fund this trip. Well, 3/4 of it, anyhow! There is a Designer's Market Place this year, which allows designers such as myself, to set up a booth and sell our goods. I didn't get done as much as I had hoped, but I am planning on taking greeting cards and calling cards, at least. Hopefully they'll get some buzz and I'll be able to make so extra fun spending cash while I am there! And it will give me the experience to know what to expect for next time I decide to set up a booth anywhere. I can be better prepared...I hope! I was also asked this year to be a reviewer at the portfolio review at the conference. This is a huge honor and I am so glad that I get to be a part of it and see some amazing work that I know is out there! And it's a great time to network, as well! You just never know where a connection might lead you....could land you an illustration job to pay for the next year's HOW conference!

Oh and of course the crazy fun that goes with it all....Smitcat will not disappoint and has plans for some awesome pubcrawls starting tomorrow night! Granted, I'll be getting in rather late to Austin, but perhaps I'll be up to having some crazy fun once I get to the hotel. Who knows! I am planning on going and getting a henna tattoo while I am there. A designer friend of mine gave me a referral to a henna artist and so that is what I am planning on doing after the Designer's Market Place and right before heading off to Lanai Lounge for Smitcat's Thursday night pubcrawl. I am really excited about this- the gal is so nice and I am thinking that she's probably the kind of gal that I could spend hours upon hours talking to like long-lost friends. And she makes and sells hoolas and so I am actually considering buying one to bring home. Could be interesting! Friday night is the closing party at the conference. The theme of the party is "Keep Austin Weird", which oddly enough IS Austin's slogan, it seems. So I am thinking that hitting up funky vintage shops on SoCo on Wednesday will help me decide on costume ideas. I think it will be a lot of fun! There are like three other things that I really want to do while in Austin: Barton Springs, Alamo Drafthouse and also watch the bats! Gotta see the bats, right?!

So anyhow...I hope to be inspired and come back revived and pumped, ready to go! I am in such big need for a creative retreat! I can't wait!

As promised...

Even though this is late to post, I wanted to share pics from my sister's baby shower last month. I can't believe that it's already been that long ago, but sure enough...time flies! Her baby shower turned out great- the only downer was that the weather wasn't so cooperative. I had wanted to do it outside but because of rain, we opted to stay inside.

Yes....PINK deviled eggs! (dyed with beet juice)

Grandma Lynne needs to smile, don't you think?! LOL

My sister and our grandparents chatting it up...

Big Sister, Sara...