Today the show opened up with bagpipers and a video message from my mentor Karen Ancona who lead C.N.A. magazine for 20+ years. Karen has been fighting a really tough battle with cancer the last few months so it was great to see her looking so strong. In her message she urged us to promote the therapeutic benefits of crafting; to create a link between a road to wellness and a hobby activity. Something to think about- if you'd like to mail Karen a card- she has received literally hundreds of them- contact me directly for info at Beth.Mauro@fwpubs.com.

Most of the other info I have to report today relates to trends not in colors or techniques but rather some  business trends.

Trend: Partnering Up
It had to happen and now exciting new programs are resulting from new partnerships. Accucut & Mountain Cow, Lucidiom & Pebbles and Magic Mesh & The Freeze Frame are just a few harbingers of more partnerships to come. These partnerships bring new products to the market, a more successful way of using products or a more cohesive way to present product to the retailer and consumer.

Trend: Interest in Online Opportunities
There was a lot of buzz and a lot of questions about web programs, digital scrapbooking and online marketing opportunities.I look forward to learning more about how the various industry constituences are embracing different uses of the Web. Video and online radio are both new waves to ride.

Trend: Getting Organized
In  addition to interesting and sometimes product-specific storage solutions (Ribbon Ring), I'm noting that product manufacturers are trying to weave in the convenience of storage into tools. For example, Helix has the Paper Craft Station, a multifunctional craft tools where the embosing stylis snaps into place on the back.

Trend: More line extensions rather than new programs.
This isn't a bad thing. It's about taking something that was a winner and tweaking it to make another great product. For example, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L introduced black adhesive squares and adhesive rollers with extra footage of adhesives. Scraponizer took their storage product to a new level by creating a larger 12x12 version in the Ultimate and then  adapting that to a working/storage tool for scrapbook spreads with strong magnets to keep the paper pieces in place. Magic Mesh introduced a linen mesh.

Energy on the show floor has been high. Were they lined up 20 deep to get in the show? No. BUT, the folks here are clearly very serious about finding new ideas for their businesses so I expect orders to be written and left, especially after the day of tire kicking today.

Tomorrow morning we start the day with our DemoNar on clubs and classes!-- Beth