Me and the hubby in my booth day 2 of Licensing Expo.
The other side wall of my booth with the Woodland Friends!
So folks yes I know its been quite a long time since my last post, and well I have good reason as you can see why. I was not only preparing for this show I was knee deep in a huge project for a huge gift company which is almost finished by the way. I don't think I have been this busy since my junior year of college when I had to paint an 8ft X 10ft mural in one week! I didn't sleep for four days that week and when it was over I got the A and crashed hard!
The LIcensing Expo held in Vegas for the second year did not disappoint, the venue at Mandalay Bay was great despite the unforseen heat wave of 108 degree weather! My husband and I decided to go a few days before the show to enjoy some alone time, which for us is rare. We had fun hanging out at the pool especially the lazy river, I think we spent hours in that one day because it was so hot out. Also lucky for us some friends were in town from NYC and we had a great time hanging out with them at the Bellagio and dancing at the club. I believe my feet were shot after that night, too many blisters from my heels dancing, but it was all worth it.
The night before the show there was a special party in honor of the exhibitors at the Mix bar/lounge at the top of the Mandalay that did not disappoint! As soon as you got off the elevators there were waiters with trays of wine and beer and food waiting for you, as well as an open bar for Martinis and such, now thats my kind of party!
I had on my Vegas outfit and I was ready to party!! Here is a photo the waitress took of my husband and I at the lounge that night!
I had on my short shorts and fabulous top, I had to buy this since it just reminded me of Caesar's Palace.
Many of my fellow colleagues kept telling me how "Vegas" I looked and I said that was the point! haa My poor husband only ten minutes in got a glass of wine spilled on him from a girl working at the cigar table! He never used the cigar after that and luckily was able to wash it out in the men's room without having to go back to our room to change. Never a dull moment I tell you!
I don't know what I would have done without him at the show, since after the first day I almost ran out of business cards and the next day he was out getting more printed and making sure I had what I needed! I am lucky to have such a supportive husband!!
So onto the show.. well lets just say I was completely overwhelmed at the response I was getting from many big animation studios as well as big publishers and companies that own the rights to big properties such as Olivia and Eric Carle. I kept on hearing how wonderful and different my characters are, and companies from all over the globe were interested in them! I can honestly say I felt relieved to hear all that praise because I had no idea what anyone would think of them.
So I am thinking if it keeps continuing the way I had planned you just might be seeing a t.v show with my characters in the near future! This has always been one of my dreams and well, this time I can finally see that the possibilities are there. Funny but I am always reminded of the quote that Oprah says often that fits right in here.. "there is no such thing as luck, luck is when preparation meets opportunity!" and well bingo for me!!
Meanwhile back in the real world, I received word from a new seasonal client on the last day of the show that they are going with all of my ornament collections!! Holy moly and just yesterday I received word from another client I have wanted for six years that Homegoods is taking my Melamine line!! So I think I will be very busy this year!!! Its almost like that line "be careful what you wish for!" Oh yeah.. so here goes and I say "bring it on!!"
Dreams do come true if you work hard enough!
So dream big and work hard, and wait and see what happens!!
Ellen
