I just got back from Haven which is a DIY conference held in Atlanta. I’ve been blogging for almost 4 years and I’ve been to my share of blog conferences. I’ve met TONS of other bloggers, made friends and learned how to be a better blogger. At Haven, half the sessions focus on bettering your blogging skills and half are a place to learn DIY skills. I went to Haven last year and enjoyed it very much.
But this year — this year Haven was different for me. In fact Haven 2013 was different than ALL the others that I’ve attended. Know why?
‘Cause this girl was a teacher at this conference– Boom!
Usually the most prep I do before a conference is decide what to wear and get my toes done.
Not this time! This time I pulled my hair back, rolled up my sleeves and prepared for some hard work , sweat and tears.
I packed LOTS of tools and workshop supplies. Way too many!
I cut and labeled templates and lots of material for my class. Way too much!
My packing list was significantly different for Haven this year!
I packed my earplugs and platform work boots and headed to Atlanta.
I spent the next 3 1/2 hours as I drove to visualize my class. I might have practiced out loud and with BIG hand gestures putting together a little something to say at the beginning of class to break the ice. A car passed me at one point and a kid turned to me and started making gestures — like he was mimicking me.
As the weeks leading up to Haven approached, I kept realizing that I wasn’t feeling nervous yet and that completely surprised me. I am NOT a fan of standing up in front of a group of people and just talking. I kept expecting to have a wave of panic set over me but it never came. I know it’s because I’ve spent the last 6 months coaching/helping/teaching women over Skype. One on one and not big groups — but it still helped.
That and the fact that I had NO idea how many people would actually show up to this trim molding class. I might have subconsciously hoped that only 2 people would show up.
Serena @ Thrift Diving says
Those boots ROCK! And I’m happy to say that I now how a cool set of molding templates, thanks to you, Sandra! 🙂 I can’t wait to put them to use. Now if only Ryobi would send me a compound miter saw….hmmm……
Serena @ Thrift Diving
kim massa says
you are the definition of ‘cool chick’, glad i know you, hope to know you better 🙂
Janet G. says
Love those workboots, Sandra. Are they steel toed? Would you please share the brand?
Sandra says
I included a link–they are Volatile. Not steel toed but offer a lot of protection and are comfy.
MarieRoxanne says
Are the blog conferences just for U;S. DIY bloggers? Can anyone join the conference? I would like to know that my dream of going isn’t going to be squashed once I save up enough money…
Sandra says
No not at all. Anyone can go. Songbird (Marianne) was there from the Netherlands.
Stephanie {Binkies and Briefcases} says
I would have never in a million billion years thought you were nervous. I was in your very first session and you seemed pretty relaxes and we had so much fun! I also have a confession for you: I saw you Thursday night by the registration desk with Brittany, but I was too start struck and nervous to say anything. That seems so silly now because you were both so nice! I’m sooooo glad I got to meet you in person!
Sandra says
I wasn’t, I just kept expecting to feel nervous. It just never came. Probably because everyone was smiling and happy and sweet and excited to learn. I loved it.