A Peek Inside the Michaels 2012 Blogger Event

I mentioned a week or so ago about a trip I took to Dallas, Texas to participate in the 2012 Michaels Blogger Event. Michaels invited 15 bloggers from across the country to take part in this event and we spent three days together, crafting, chatting, and checking out all that Michaels has to offer. Today I’m going to share a bit more about my trip. You’ll want to keep reading through this post—there just might be a thing or two in it for you at the end . . .

Upon arrival in Dallas, we were picked up at baggage claim by someone holding a card with our names on it, then driven to our hotel in a limo. Much different than my usual mode of transportation to and from the airport!

As part of the event, we were able to spend some time crafting with Jo Pearson, creative expert for Michaels and judge on the TLC show Craft Wars. She and her team prepared several fun projects for us, including a jewelry making activity and a mixed media piece. Here’s a photo of the pretty bracelet I created. I had a lot of fun doing this, which kind of surprised me since my prior jewelry making experience—at a local stamp store with soldering involved—kind of convinced me to stick with paper crafting! We also had the chance to hear from Jo about her job at Michaels and about her experiences as a Craft Wars judge. Jo and her team also gifted each blogger with a journal with a unique collaged cover. I’m totally loving this special keepsake!

While we were at the blogger event, we were able to walk through the company’s 2012 Holiday Preview show. This exhibition was set up for the Michaels store managers and leadership who were also in Dallas for company meetings. It was filled wall to wall with all of the latest and greatest products that you can find or will be finding soon at your local Michaels. We were able to check out the products and watch demos from famous names such as Tim Holtz, Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes, and for paper crafters/Copic marker fans, Marianne Walker. Here’s a shot of Tim Holtz in action.

 We were also able to get a peek at MiDesign@Michaels, an online application that provides the ability to create and personalize all sorts of goodies from photo books, scrapbooks, invitations, and cards to party favors, napkins, and cups. Michaels is offering my readers a 30% discount on this service through August 29 with the code BLOGGER30.

All in all, it was a fabulous opportunity. I really enjoyed getting to know the people behind the scenes at Michaels and all of the other bloggers at the event and learning more about Michaels and the variety of products and services that they have to offer. I’m so appreciative that I had the opportunity to participate in this event—but have to admit that it was nice to get back home again to Chloe the cutie puppy, even if she insisted on giving me the cold shoulder for about 24 hours . . .  I'm looking forward to hopefully continuing an ongoing relationship with both Michaels and the rest of the amazing bloggers in the group.  Here's where you can find them:

Lorie Albright – be different act normal 
Nicole Balch – Making it Lovely
Kathy Barbro – Art Projects for Kids 
Mandy Beyeler – Sugar Bee Crafts
Lisa Blocksberg – Sweet Designs  (Amy Atlas)
Dee Brady – The CSI Project
Laura Bucci – Laura Bucci 
Beckie Farrant – Infarrantly Creative 
Amanda Formaro – Crafts By Amanda
Heidi Gustad – Craft Gossip 
Amy Huntley – The Idea Room
Marie LeBaron – Make and Takes 
Amy Locurto – Living Locurto
Courtney Whitmore – Pizzazzerie

Since Michaels was so generous with us, I want to pass along some of that generosity to you. I have a box of assorted crafting goodies, including some top-notch Westcott scissors, Martha Stewart and Mod Podge products as well as some items from the different Michaels private brand collections to share with one lucky Inking Aloud reader. Just leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite things to shop for at Michaels (or your other local craft store if there aren’t any Michaels stores near you—there are 4 near me that I visit on a pretty regular basis!) and I’ll randomly select a winner on Monday, August 27. Good luck!

Disclaimer:  Michaels was the sponsor of this event, but  did not require that I share any information about my experience on the trip--I'm sharing because I'm truly excited about the great experience I had!