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Posts Tagged ‘Quilt Vendors’

Road 2016 Highlights

Tuesday, January 26th, 2016

Were you one of the over 35,000 guests at Road to California 2016?

Did you enter the Ontario Convention Center to see the magnificent Atrium Display by the Glendale Quilt Guild?

[caption id="attachment_3754" align="aligncenter" width="496"]Photo by Brian Roberts Photo by Brian Roberts[/caption]

Did you see the over 1,ooo quilts on display including Best of Show, Silk Road Sampler, by Melissa Sobotka?Best of Show

Did you shop with one of the 220 retailers that came from 37 states and 7 foreign countries in the 700 merchant booths?_I4C8435

Did you meander around the live trees adorned with twinkly lights in the Pavilion?

[caption id="attachment_3755" align="aligncenter" width="529"]Photo by Brian Roberts Photo by Brian Roberts[/caption]

Did you attend one of the 173 classes, lectures, and special events taught by our internationally recognized experts in their field?

[caption id="attachment_3757" align="aligncenter" width="454"]Natalia Bonner Natalia Bonner[/caption]

Did you take a bus tour to local sites and quilt shops on one of our bus tours?113

Did you get inspired?

We hope you were able to come and participate with all the show had to offer. The next few months, we will be sharing on the blog some of the amazing stories that came out of Road 2016, bringing back wonderful memories and moving forward to future possibilities.

What did you enjoy most about Road to California 2016?

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Meet Road 2016 Marketplace Vendors: Shannon Fabrics and Clover USA

Monday, January 4th, 2016

Last year, Road introduced Marketplace where top manufacturers in the quilting industry shared their knowledge and expertise directly with our guests. Located right in the center of the main show floor, Marketplace is the destination for innovation and inspiration on the latest and most popular quilting products. This year, there will be 6 companies in Marketplace. This post features two more vendors:                                                   Shannon Fabrics and Clover-USA

Shannon logo-RGB

If you are familiar with plush fabrics, then you must know Shannon Fabrics. Shannon Fabrics was founded in 1995 by Ebrahim Pairavi, a Persian immigrant. A few years later, his son, Arvin, joined him to help manage and grow the family business. Together, they saw an exciting opportunity, and in 2005 Shannon Fabrics entered the quilt market. The company is well known for carrying the largest selection of high-quality Cuddle (minky) plush fabric. They also offer Cuddle Suede, Embrace (100% cotton double gauze), Terry Cloth, Faux Fur, Tissavel Faux Fur, Solid Silky Satin, kits and precuts. In addition to a licensing agreement with Robert Kaufman, Premier Prints, and other industry leaders, the company works with independent and in-house designers to develop and create some of the best fabric collections available in the industry. Shannon Fabrics is an innovative and creative market leader, regularly introducing new colors, styles, and products. Booth Day 1 Shannon Fabrics is excited to be returning as a Marketplace exhibitor for Road 2016. In their booth, they will be demonstrating a variety of tips and techniques, as well as how their fabrics can be used alone and together with other fabrications, including quilting cottons. They will also be displaying numerous finished samples made from some of their kits and precuts. Their booth will have lots of tip sheets and free patterns as well as other helpful information.  A highlight at the show will be their newest Embrace double gauze collection, featuring brand new prints and solids. With its signature “Cuddle” collection, Shannon Fabrics has become a household name and is Making The World a Softer Place™. To learn more about their company, please visit their website.   Clover_Logo Clover’s history dates back to 1925  when it was founded by Mr. Toshio Okada at the age of 26. The name of their company originated when Toshio Okada was attending college. He would study in the park and use clovers to bookmark his pages. When Mr. Okada founded the company, he remembered the hard work and dedication it took to succeed in his studies and all the clovers stuck between the pages of his books that accompanied him through his journey. In 1948, Clover officially became the brand. Clover began as a wholesale company of needles and handicraft accessories. Soon after, Clover became a manufacturing company, with the use of machinery designed to capture the vision of the engineers to create the wonderful tools we know and love today. In 1983, Clover USA was established in Los Angeles. Clover USA was given the name-Clover Needlecraft Inc. selling Takumi Knitting Needles. Later, the US line grew to patchwork quilting tools and sewing notions. With the support of their parent company, Clover USA has become a substantial brand in the artisan world of North America. At their booth, Clover will be demonstrating several of their products including the Wedge Iron, Press Perfect Collection by Joan Hawley, Felting, Tassel Makers & Handy Thread Twister, the Standing Oval Knitting Loom and Nancy Zieman Notions.  Mark your schedules now to attend one of the workshops they will be hosting:

Crochet with Fabric- Thursday, Jan 21, 7-10PM

Felted Scarf-Thursday, Jan 21, 7-10PM

Wrap ‘n Fuse Round Up-Friday Jan 22, 7-10PM

Bead weaving on Mini Beading Loom-Friday Jan 22, 7-10PM

Weaving Sticks Scarf-Friday Jan 22, 7-10PM

Nancy Zieman E-tablet-Saturday, Jan 23, 6-10PM

Mini Flower Loom- Saturday, Jan 23, 7-10PM

Yo-Yo Centerpiece-Saturday, Jan 23, 7-10PM

Learn more about Clover USA on their website.          ]]>

Road 2015's Top 20

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

Have you heard?

It’s Road to California’s 20th Anniversary

and we are celebrating with 20 things you won’t want to miss at this year’s show:

1)      Anniversary Celebration. Thursday, January 22nd at noon on the convention center main floor. Marching drumline, dignitaries, and special presentations._i4c2887[1]

2)      Quilts, Quilts, Quilts. Over 1,000 quilts will be on display

3)      Quilt Winners. Cash awards totaling $92,000 were given out this year.

4)      Vendor Mall. 220 Retailers with more than 700 merchant booths selling a wide variety of merchandise of interest to quilters, textile artists, home sewists, and crafters. Multiple locations: Exhibit Hall, Ballroom and Hall.   

5)      The Pavilion. First opening last year, the pavilion offers extra vendor space and is located adjacent to the south side of the convention center.

6)      Marketplace. Eight top manufacturers are available to talk with face to face, answer questions, and discuss their latest product line.

7)      Special Exhibits. There are 14 special exhibits including Fiber Art Celebrating 150 Years of California State Parks and Textile Art Inspired by the Beatles.

8)      Featured Artist. Meet award winning artist, Sheila Frampton Cooper.sheila_headshot_02

9)      Tentmakers of Cairo. Welcome Tarek Abdelhay and Hosam Hanafy from Egypt as they demonstrate the lost art of Egyptian applique. Egyptian Exhibit

10)  $5.00 Lectures. Each day, experts from various trades in the quilt world will be sharing their expertise. No advance registration is required. Sign up and pay that day.

11)  Road Booth. Purchase special show items including the 20th Anniversary commemorative Road to California fabric designed by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Also, learn more about the 2016 Tote and Handbag Challenge.

12)  The Daily Drawing. Each day, a different prize will be offered. Thursday: Babylock Rachel Donated by Moore’s Sewing Center MSRP $699.00. Friday: Bernina Sewing Machine Donated by Mel’s Sewing Center. Saturday: Viking Sapphire 930 Donated by OC Sewing MSRP: $1899.98. Sunday: La Cresta Premiere Work Station Donated by Martelli. MSRP: $3,250. Daily drawing tickets are available at the North Information Desk. The drawing is conducted daily at 3 PM. Must enter daily; only one entry per person; and winner must be present to win.

13)   Quilt Appraisals. Certified appraisers from the American Quilter’s Society are on hand to appraise quilts and answer questions.

14)  Sack Sitters. Boy Scout Troop 628 is available in Room 2 to watch over purchases, quilt supplies and/or sewing machines for a minimal donation.  

15)  Local Quilt Guilds. Each day of the show, different guilds have tables set up in the north end of the arcade, displaying their raffle quilts._i4c3326

16)  Complimentary Show Book. This is the first year all attendees get a show book for free with their admission thanks to our Bronze Sponsors.  

17)  Contest Entries for Sale. Eligible quilts will be specially marked for sale.

18)   Food. The Ontario Convention Center offers delicious food choices including California Pizza Kitchen. Food stations are located throughout the convention center.

19)  Great Weather. The forecast for Ontario, Califorina during Road to California is:

Thursday: 73° and partly cloudy

Friday: 74° and sunny

Saturday: 77° and sunny

Sunday: 80° and sunny

20)  Family Feel. For 20 years, Carolyn Reese and her family have offered the best quilt show in the west!! _i4c4160pg

Enjoy the Show!!

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Five Special Vendors

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

Road to California 2015 – 20th Anniversary Show will have 220 retailers set up more than 700 merchant booths devoted to selling a wide variety of merchandise of interest to quilters, textile artists, home sewist, and crafters.  Of those 220 retailers, there are five vendors who have been with Road from the first year:

ABC PatternsABC Booth Pics

Sally Bertetto, owner of ABC Patterns, remembers that in 1996, their dimensional patterns were VERY popular as well as their applique tools like mini-irons. In 2015, they have more patterns to choose from including at least 20 new paper piecing patterns, large baby quilt patterns, dimensional quilt patterns, redwork patterns, stained glass patterns, applique patterns, mini-quilt patterns, and more….patterns that is…  They will also carry some applique tools and small lightboxes, as well as some very nice hand dyed fabrics. 

ABC Patterns is thankful to be a part of Road for the past 20 years. Sue would like to wish Carolyn, “The very best this next year.  May her quilts shine bright above her mantle (or on her wall or bed), may she learn new quilting techniques, may her quilts touch the hearts of those around her, may she meet new quilting friends, and may she have fun quilting this next year!”

Pincushion BoutiqueST-country_elegance-SM

Pincushion Boutique, which carries Sweet Treats™, the coordinated groups of eight fat-quarters, uniquely named and tied with a ribbon, have been grateful to see the transformation of Road from a little “quilt shop” in 1996 to a national vendor and quilt show in 2015. Owner, Mary Hubka, reflected on the quality of the show for the past 20 years. Says Mary, “Carolyn has maintained the integrity of the show since the beginning.  The quilts are outstanding, and so are the vendors, which many shows can’t claim. We tell everyone across the country to come and check it out for themselves.  We’ve had many, many of our customers do just that!”

This year, Pincushion Boutique will not only have an assortment of Sweet Treats™ in their booth but also Pressed For Time Quiltworks patterns (they are the original designers) and Snuggle Upkits  that all use Sweet Treats™ interchangeably. In addition, they will have an abundance of specialty kits, including a salute to Frozen with a cuddly minkee back.

Mary wishes Carolyn “continued success” and thanks her for the opportunity to be a part of Mary’s “favorite show in the country.” 

Prize PossessionsPrize Posessions

Back in 1996, Prize Possessions owned by Susan and Allan Baker, made jewelry from antique and collectible buttons and somehow got named the “button people” which has stuck until this day. Susan remarked, “Just like 20 years ago, we still have the name Prize Possessions and we still make jewelry from antique and collectible buttons.  We like to think our skills and the quality of our jewelry has improved with age and experience.”

Susan added, “It feels great to be at Road for 20 years although it makes us feel a little old. However, we just like to think of ourselves as ‘experienced’. We have seen lots of changes over the years and have had many memorable experiences. I will never forget the day the Santa Ana winds almost blew us all away. I also remember the move from the Hilton to the new Convention Center. It was great to have so much room and such a beautiful facility to work in.”

“Allan and I wish Carolyn continued success. She has always been a good friend and a first class promoter. Road is a great show and it is definitely due to Carolyn’s talent and hard work as well as the great work of her outstanding staff.”  

TreadleArt

Janet and Tom Stocker remember Road’s first show in 1996. Says Janet, “We were fortunate enough to be at the inception of helpful gadgets, notions, and even CD’s with tutorials. It was an exciting time in the quilting business. New techniques were introduced and more books made variations to the original books.” That year, TreadleArt featured in their booth a lot of books, patterns, and new notions and gadgets just coming onto the market. Janet recalls, “Do you remember the adjustable cutting table; rolling cutters and mats; Laurel Burch bags; the walking foot; the Open Toe Applique foot which was the first device to hold your quilt while you did free motion quilting?”

Look for books having to do with quilting plus lots of notions, patterns, and rulers that make quilting more fun and accurate in this year’s TreadleArt booth.

On Road’s 20th Anniversary, the Stockers hope Carolyn can relax and that Matt keeps up the good work. Wallow in your accomplishments and remain excited about what is to come.” 

Treasures of the GypsyTreasures of the Gypsey

In 1996, Treasures of the Gypsy had a small 10X10 booth that featured four art dolls and one small art quilt on display. Says owner Pamela Armas, “ It feels great to have been a part of this show for 20 years and having watched it grow from Carolyn’s dream to one of the largest and most impressive shows in the country. We have always felt like we were part of the ‘Road’ family. Carolyn has been a good example for us all. Now after 20 years, I feel like ‘dead Gypsy walking’ But at least I am still walking!!”

This year, Treasures of the Gypsy will have lots of new fabrics, embellishments and patterns plus a huge selection of trims, braids, and ribbons to co-ordinate with all the fabrics. There will also be 160 art dolls on display with some new surprises!! 

“The Gypsies wish for Carolyn healthy years to come and some well-deserved REST!”

Road to California thanks these five special vendors for being with us for 20 years and we hope 20 more.

 

 

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