OK, so on Thursday, Donna and I were going to have a leisurely breakfast, go to the Convention Center (CC), take about an hour to set up then mosey downtown and sample some of the famous "cart" food we were hearing about, then we'd mosey back to the CC and wander around the other vendor's booths to see what was available.
HAH! It took us an HOUR just to put together the wire cubicle thingies we bought to showcase her yarn. An hour. We felt completely mental. Other vendors kept walking by and saying, "Oh, I hate those things. We got rid of ours years ago." - but not in a bitchy way, in a very sympathetic way. We got to the CC at about 10:30 and were and we stopped setting up our booth at 3:30. We dashed down the street from the CC to have a tasty meal at Burgerville (fantastic shakes!) and ran back. We were back at 4p and were sort of moseying around, looking at things. We happened to pass the main doors of the Marketplace and saw the crush of knitters waiting to get in.
I did get to take an hour break when I took the Favorite Toe-Up Bind-Offs one hour wonder class with Chrissy Gardinier. Those knitters are clever! I had to run off in the middle to use the restroom and on the way back someone called my name. It was another woman in another one hour wonder class and we had the briefest of hellos as I had to dash back to my class (more on her in a later post).
We were back at 4p and were sort of moseying around, looking at things. We happened to pass the main doors of the Marketplace and saw the crush of knitters waiting to get in. We stopped moseying and hustled back to our booth. There was a countdown at the door and they let everyone in. The next two hours were a blur and we sold some stuff. Then they closed the Market. We threw some important things (cash, computers, ipod, etc.) in our car and went to the opening ceremonies. (OK, that's all a recap of my last post, sorry.)
The opening ceremonies were a good time. Tina and Stephanie (of Blue Moon Fiber Arts and the Yarn Harlot, respectively) had a longish speech all put together where they talked about how Sock Summit came about and what it took to get there. They talked about the trials and tribulations of trying to put together a convention of Sock Knitters as none of the rest of the world would really take them seriously. They were delirious and hilarious. They were completely loopy and kept cracking up or tearing up. It was funny and touching and they are lovely women.
Here's a better picture of them....
After their speech, they introduced all the teachers and said the teachers would be hanging out for pictures and such. I took full advantage of that and got our pic's with as many as we could...
Heather Ordover...
I took her Podcasting 101 class on Sunday morning and she lives in Tucson - my old stomping grounds! Very sweet woman!
Clara Parkes of Knitters Review fame....
Cat Bhordi...
What an amazing mind she has!
Angela Davis....
She and I had a nice little chat where we discovered we both used to live in Tucson and we both hated it! She was quite funny!
The ever-lovely Sivia Harding...
She is so petite and pretty!
Nancy Bush....
Love her books!
Lucy Neatby....
There were a group of women (must've been about 30 0f them - all different ages) who were walking around with these swathes of pink or blue in their hair and I didn't get it until I re-met Lucy. Yes, I said "re-met" (and not just because I like to make up words). When I was a fairly new knitter (a year, maybe two into it?), I met Lucy in Tucson. She came to give some classes to the knitting guild and she and her hostess stopped by the shop. Tracy (my knitting guru) introduced me and told me about her book (Cool Socks, Warm Feet). I had NO idea I was meeting knitting royalty! I wish someone had told me.
Abby Franquemont and Denny McMillan....
See the beer in Abby's hand? My kind of teacher! Also, I don't think I ever saw Denny w/o a spindle in her hand. Very cool!
Anna Zilboorg and Cookie A.
Anna Zilboorg and Cookie A.
I have to say, I honestly didn't know who some of these people were. Of course, I know who Cookie A. is! Great sock designer! But Anna Zilboorg... didn't know who she was. I'll tell you more about her later but suffice it to say, I would love to spend a lunch or two with this woman.
Carson Demers and Melissa Morgan-Oakes...
Carson Demers and Melissa Morgan-Oakes...
Two more teachers that I recognized by their name but couldn't tell you much about them. Donna took Carson's KnitteRx class and raved about it! He stopped by our booth to get his present and chatted with us for awhile. He is the sweetest guy - I just want to put him in my pocket!
Now, this next shot is probably one of the best ones of Donna and I but probably the worst ones of the teachers....
Now, this next shot is probably one of the best ones of Donna and I but probably the worst ones of the teachers....
Amy Detjen (probably spelled wrong - sorry Amy!) and Meg Swansen...
I want to be Meg Swansen when I grow up. She is one of the most elegant and gracious women I have ever met. Amy is her assistant. She is hysterically funny! And cusses like a sailor - I love her. She is a bit intimidating at over 6' tall, with a boisterous nature. I made customized Stitch Savers for all the teachers. Yes, I am a kiss-up but it also gave me an opportunity to meet all the teachers and get autographs and have them come by our booth (we also put a mini-skein of Donna's yarn in each little baggie)! When I told Amy to be sure to come by our booth to get her present she said, "You have presents for us?? Fuckin A!" I said, "Fuckin' Hell right!" And then my next thought was, "Wow. We really shouldn't cuss around Miss Swansen like this." But she was unfazed - used to it, I'm sure - and later dropped a couple of undainty words of her own at the Luminary Panel!
Here's a much better picture of Meg...
I'm gettin' this next one framed.
Miss Barbara Walker...
She's sweet and soft-spoken and brilliant!
OK, so you've lasted through all these pictures. Now I have the total amount of Stitch Savers that I sold at Sock Summit 2009.....
313. sigh.
So with the magic of the random number caller (also know as T) - Heide wins! I have a collection of small goodies I got at the Sock Summit and a skein of yarn to send your way - and of course a Stitch Saver (seems I have a few left over from the show). Just email me your addy!
More Sock Summit Shenanigans later, Ruth!
7 comments:
313? man. that just ain't right. I think its the economy. I loved seeing all the pics, wish I could of gone and hob nobbed with with all the celebs. you live a charmed life.
Too bad it wasn't much much more! but it does sound like a fabulous time.
Anna Zilboorg is who I blame for getting me into knitting. There was an article about her in a knitting mag I picked up when I happened to be in town one day. Hooked me totally.
313? Are you sure you added correctly because I heard lots of people talking about buying them. To quote that other lady, "Fucking A"... but not in a good way. I get paid on Oct 31st and you can bet your ass that I'll be buying a bunch of these for everyone. I don't work during the summer (school employee) so spending money was pretty much zilch for Sock Summit itself... but I made lists. Glad to have met you briefly. You have some awesome pictures with the knitting celebrities.
ps, word verification word is "flizip"... that sounds about appropriate.
Oh, that hurts! How can that be?!
The pictures are awesome, though, so that's some consolation.
wow really!?? i am so shocked! something so handy and seriously inexpensive! well i guess you have a good inventory ready, maybe they just haven't hit their prime yet!
Oh my god. You met Barbara Walker?
I would have sworn she lived on Mt. Olympus...
Many of the bloggers whose reports I've read mentioned being dazed by the whole experience and not getting back to buy things they wanted. I hope they find your blog. I know I read positive reports about your stitch savers.
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