Don’t Forget The Alamo

Just one more post about the SDA Conference in San Antonio before I get back to updates about my studio work. Although the Conference schedule was very full, I did manage to get out of the hotel to explore San Antonio a little. Of course, I had to go to The Alamo and, no, PeeWee’s bicycle was nowhere to be seen.

Along the Riverwalk, San Antonio

The Riverwalk was just half a block from the hotel. Near us it was a lovely, quiet place for a walk but closer to downtown it was hopping. It was artificial, but not in an unpleasant way, and reminded me of something you’d see in Disneyland. The Texas-flavored Art Deco architecture was a treat to see and I actually enjoyed the heat and humidity. I’m finally getting old enough that it feels good to my middle-aged bones.

Of course, the biggest reason I attend conferences is for the face-to-face networking. Networking doesn’t have to be a bad word. Where else can I be in a crowd of 250 people who speak the same language? I love to meet other people who are as excited about working in fibers as I am. It’s the unplanned moments: the spur of the moment dinner invitations, hearing artists talking informally about their work, and the late nights in the hotel bar that break down borders and create friendships.

And the best part was my roomies, Marci and Amanda. There was a lot of laughing going on late into the night in room 1627.

The next SDA Conference will be June 15-21, 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and, even though Oklahoma is a tough sell, I know where I’ll be.

Amanda, me, and Marci at the Fashion Show

Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga talking about her show to Otto von Busch and another conference attendee.

dinner with Seattle pals Sharon and Barbara and new friend Lindsay