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Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 4, 2018 22:06:54 GMT
So...I've heard people attend the expo but not get tickets before sell out for the crop and instead stayed in their hotel rooms (either cropping with friends or alone). I'm very antisocial and feel like I would struggle to concentrate in a loud environment, but I love the idea of being close to scrappy people and being able to pop in and browse to catch a break. I was considering driving up for the Pomona expo in April for a same day shopping trip like I did in November, but I hardly spent anything and could really use more than 3 hours to hang out coupled with 6 or so hours of driving. Has anyone attended an expo and done this? Maybe not as a primary option like I'm considering...but as a last resort? The hotel rooms look like they'd allow me plenty of space to set up my 5ft folding table without feeling the least bit cramped and the prices for the rooms aren't bad AT ALL for what I'm used to paying in southern California.
Am I nuts or what?
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leeny
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Post by leeny on Feb 4, 2018 22:14:41 GMT
I do this!!! I go for the Thursday night Make & Take Crop, which honestly you can pick up the kit and take it to your hotel room since it has everything you need plus the instruction book. I do sit in for that one and choose a table in a corner that is not assigned to anyone. Then I can still take advantage of the sales during this crop only. The rest of the weekend I take classes and shop on Friday and Saturday and go to my room in the evenings and between classes either to finish the class projects or work on my own. I am not a fan of lugging all of my supplies to my room, then to the crops. None of my scrappy or cardmaking friends attend the Expo and this works out well for me. Best of both worlds - scrappiness and a mini-vacation for myself! I go to two of the Northern California ones and am debating on doing the third.
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 4, 2018 22:28:30 GMT
I do this!!! I go for the Thursday night Make & Take Crop, which honestly you can pick up the kit and take it to your hotel room since it has everything you need plus the instruction book. I do sit in for that one and choose a table in a corner that is not assigned to anyone. Then I can still take advantage of the sales during this crop only. The rest of the weekend I take classes and shop on Friday and Saturday and go to my room in the evenings and between classes either to finish the class projects or work on my own. I am not a fan of lugging all of my supplies to my room, then to the crops. None of my scrappy or cardmaking friends attend the Expo and this works out well for me. Best of both worlds - scrappiness and a mini-vacation for myself! I go to two of the Northern California ones and am debating on doing the third. Oooh...I hadn't even thought about the prospect of taking classes, that is a great idea! I am going to need to try and plan out a budget to see if it's doable so I can make the necessary reservations before it starts to sell out. I'm glad that it doesn't sound crazy. I mean, I can crop from home or from a hotel where I live...but just something about the idea of being near people who get my craft (even if I'm not in the cropping area) and having access to supplies should I want to shop makes me feel like it would be more exciting! |
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Post by myboysnme on Feb 4, 2018 22:37:17 GMT
I go to the crops. The best thing about Expo is that crops are going on right near the vendor space all day so I can take a break from shopping, go to the crop area and work or organize. There are much fewer people cropping during the day. At night I just get into my groove and don't socialize. I am there to scrap.
If you enjoy scrapping along, doing your own personal room crop could be nice. Where our Expo is held the hotel is a couple mins walk away from the venue so you can't just easily go back and forth if you just want to take a break or whatever.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 4, 2018 22:39:07 GMT
It sounds like a great idea if the crop isn't what you really want to do. I have seen how crowded and rowdy they can become and think this would be perfect solution for a person who enjoys cropping in quiet.
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Post by BSideCrafter on Feb 4, 2018 22:45:35 GMT
I did this back when Creating Keepsakes had conventions. I went to one in Charlette. Had a hotel where the event was being held. Actually had a crop ticket, but hated it. It was so loud with constant games and crap. And a tiny tablespace. I happened to win one of the random draws early and decided to just go to my room and crop more there.
I've also tagged along with my husband on business trips and treated it as a mini scrapbook escape and stay and crop while he's working
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leeny
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Post by leeny on Feb 4, 2018 22:53:48 GMT
I've also tagged along with my husband on business trips and treated it as a mini scrapbook escape and stay and crop while he's working I do this when dh wants to go fishing. I have my favorite snacks on hand, listen to music and take a walk in between projects. |
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cbscrapper
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Post by cbscrapper on Feb 5, 2018 1:53:40 GMT
I did this back when Creating Keepsakes had conventions. I went to one in Charlette. Had a hotel where the event was being held. Actually had a crop ticket, but hated it. It was so loud with constant games and crap. And a tiny tablespace. I happened to win one of the random draws early and decided to just go to my room and crop more there. I've also tagged along with my husband on business trips and treated it as a mini scrapbook escape and stay and crop while he's working I can’t believe how little space you get at a CKC crop! At least theSB Expo gives you plenty of space at the crops and some product. |
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cbscrapper
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Post by cbscrapper on Feb 5, 2018 1:55:32 GMT
I’ve cropped at my toom in the evenings at the Expo and CKC. I’ve also done the crops. I enjoy both, but it’s nice to set up a table in your room and leave everything out. I’ve gone with a friend where we got adjoining rooms and cropped together in the evening, shopping and classes during the day.
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Post by mamakoala on Feb 5, 2018 2:16:08 GMT
omg this is a GREAT idea! do you bring your own table?? thinking this might be great for Orlando Scrapbook Expo, as i am only 2 hours away.
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Post by mamakoala on Feb 5, 2018 2:18:24 GMT
so wait, i am trying to figure this out--you'd be in your room, but pop down stairs to hang, or to see the goodies, but otherwise you'd stay in your room cropping? (I am an introvert and this sounds lovely LOL)
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Post by mikklynn on Feb 5, 2018 2:41:47 GMT
Huh. I never thought to do that. It could be a fun getaway.
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leeny
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Post by leeny on Feb 5, 2018 3:42:49 GMT
I've brought my own table, but the desk in the room works just as well.
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 5, 2018 5:22:54 GMT
omg this is a GREAT idea! do you bring your own table?? thinking this might be great for Orlando Scrapbook Expo, as i am only 2 hours away. I have a 5ft table that folds in half. It would be relatively easy to transport and I could keep the desk for meals. |
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 5, 2018 5:28:05 GMT
so wait, i am trying to figure this out--you'd be in your room, but pop down stairs to hang, or to see the goodies, but otherwise you'd stay in your room cropping? (I am an introvert and this sounds lovely LOL) Yes! I am an introvert, too. I like to be near people but not IN the crowd. I also struggle with too much noise and chaos (thanks kids, lol) so being stuck in it would be no better than home. Technically, I could just get a hotel near home as a getaway but I like the idea of being able to hang out near the expo so I can shop or take a class or two. I think it would also help keep me accountable. If I just got a hotel near home any old weekend, I would probably spend it channel surfing and not getting anything done...this way would feel more like an "event" with a set objective and lots of inspiration and motivation super close by. |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Feb 5, 2018 5:53:24 GMT
I think it's an excellent idea.
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Post by creative*moma on Feb 5, 2018 14:19:53 GMT
I haven't done that at an Expo, we go to all of the crops (this will be our third year!) but when we used to do CKC Manchester, we'd crop in our room after our shopping and classes for the day! But for someone who doesn't like to be around a whole bunch of people, this sounds lovely to me... I tolerate the noise so I can scrap with my girlfriends since we all live in different states and this is our girl weekend! I did attend a couple of CKCs here in Florida by myself, and staying at the hotel and scrapping after shopping and classes would have been a great idea to stay motivated and get a bit of a mini vacation too!
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Post by scrapcat on Feb 5, 2018 17:00:55 GMT
I'm also an introvert, but find the crops to be comfortable. There's generally a few extra seats, so you could really sit out and be by yourself if that's what you want.
Last year, I went for the Thursday make and take, checked into hotel for that night, then went to the Friday crop. I really try to crop the most, but I did do some shopping. I'm not sure for your event, but for the one I went to the hotel was a 5 minute drive from the convention center and honestly the parking was a bit nuts, lots of walking and hulling things. So I wouldn't want to take all my stuff to my hotel room like that, but I'm sure it could work.
But I think if you attend the crop you will like it and have fun. There's really no pressure. I did a little casual chatting, but then I put my headphones on and got totally focused, completing a lot of pages.
There's prizes and music and silly stuff. You can participate as much as you want and I basically don't participate in any of that stuff.
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 5, 2018 17:52:34 GMT
I'm also an introvert, but find the crops to be comfortable. There's generally a few extra seats, so you could really sit out and be by yourself if that's what you want. Last year, I went for the Thursday make and take, checked into hotel for that night, then went to the Friday crop. I really try to crop the most, but I did do some shopping. I'm not sure for your event, but for the one I went to the hotel was a 5 minute drive from the convention center and honestly the parking was a bit nuts, lots of walking and hulling things. So I wouldn't want to take all my stuff to my hotel room like that, but I'm sure it could work. But I think if you attend the crop you will like it and have fun. There's really no pressure. I did a little casual chatting, but then I put my headphones on and got totally focused, completing a lot of pages. There's prizes and music and silly stuff. You can participate as much as you want and I basically don't participate in any of that stuff. The expo page says the venue is within walking distance of the hotel so it doesn't appear parking would be a problem.  I would just make sure to pack a good size reusable bag for my purchases so the walk back would be as painless as possible. |
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Post by travelscrapper2 on Feb 5, 2018 23:06:24 GMT
I've gone to CKC St. Louis for 10 years. In the evenings a group of us would go down to the breakfast room and crop on the tables there. Lighting was better than in the room and we have more space. I like doing that better than going to the organized CKC crop.
And as a side note. Whenever I go on a road trip I always take something scrappy wise with me that I can take down to the breakfast room to work on in the evenings.
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Post by LisaDV on Feb 6, 2018 0:00:36 GMT
I love the idea! I could see doing that. I might, actually.
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oaksong
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Post by oaksong on Feb 6, 2018 0:26:26 GMT
I did the crop at the Ontario Expo for the first time, and really liked it. It was calm and quiet, especially during the day. It's fun to see all the things that people bring and what they're working on, but if you stay in your little corner and keep to yourself, no one will mind or notice. Evening is a little more crowded and there are activities and giveaways, but I ignored it for the most part. My favorite thing about it was that I stayed focused and got so much done. I haven't gotten to do that since long ago days of Creative Memories crops. Maybe you could come to the crop the first day, and head back to your room if it's not for you. Even as an introvert, you might enjoy being among your own (scrappy) kind. Now that this Expo moved from Anaheim to Pomona, it is literally 10 minutes from my house! Let me know if you have any questions about the venue. I've been to the fairgrounds jillions of times, although not for an Expo. The convention hall is a lot like Ontario. It looks like the crop will be next to it in one of the large fair buildings. I would love to meet you for coffee if you come. I promise I'm not scary or obnoxious!  |
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leeny
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Post by leeny on Feb 6, 2018 1:20:27 GMT
I'm also an introvert, but find the crops to be comfortable. There's generally a few extra seats, so you could really sit out and be by yourself if that's what you want. Last year, I went for the Thursday make and take, checked into hotel for that night, then went to the Friday crop. I really try to crop the most, but I did do some shopping. I'm not sure for your event, but for the one I went to the hotel was a 5 minute drive from the convention center and honestly the parking was a bit nuts, lots of walking and hulling things. So I wouldn't want to take all my stuff to my hotel room like that, but I'm sure it could work. But I think if you attend the crop you will like it and have fun. There's really no pressure. I did a little casual chatting, but then I put my headphones on and got totally focused, completing a lot of pages. There's prizes and music and silly stuff. You can participate as much as you want and I basically don't participate in any of that stuff. The expo page says the venue is within walking distance of the hotel so it doesn't appear parking would be a problem. I would just make sure to pack a good size reusable bag for my purchases so the walk back would be as painless as possible. Most if not all Expos have a baggage claim run by a non-profit. I bring a tote bag and a rolling cart. I check the rolling cart in and use my tote bag for purchases. Since you can come and go to the shopping, you can bring things out to your cart. Then roll on back to your hotel. |
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Post by Mel on Feb 6, 2018 16:35:33 GMT
I went to an expo a long time ago in Arlington, TX (Great American SB Convention). We got tickets to the day crop but cropped in our room at night. It was more fun in the room. LOL
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 7, 2018 21:59:28 GMT
I am REALLY tempted to reserve a room. I guess I was reading a different cancellation policy when I thought there was a one night charge if you cancelled using the special group rate, but there isn't unless I cancel after the 4th. I either missed that part of the policy or was looking at another hotel just in case I need to do the stay at home getaway option instead.
The thing is, if I book the room and have to cancel the letdown of not being able to go is going to be so much worse than if I didn't do any booking and figure out I can't attend. I did decide that if I do attend I'm not going to stay until Saturday, I'm going to stay until Sunday. With check in so late and check out so early, I felt like only 1 full day with no driving wouldn't be enough and the unpacking and packing up would be too close together. My husband already doesn't work Sundays, so the only added cost is really the night's stay and meals.
Is there a 3 day pass to just the sale's floor or would I have to buy a ticket for each day?? I think admission is included in the cost of a class, but there is a chance classes wouldn't appeal to me every day (or some could sell out before I can book).
Also, I would love it if you shared your favorite classes (or even favorite teachers if what they teach varies from year to year or event to event). The details for Pomona don't go up for another 13 days and I've never looked too closely at the class content before!
I sure do hope I'm not psyching myself up for a letdown!!
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I would just make sure to pack a good size reusable bag for my purchases so the walk back would be as painless as possible. 
