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.
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!
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.
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…
No not at all. Anyone can go. Songbird (Marianne) was there from the Netherlands.
Love those workboots, Sandra. Are they steel toed? Would you please share the brand?
I included a link–they are Volatile. Not steel toed but offer a lot of protection and are comfy.
you are the definition of ‘cool chick’, glad i know you, hope to know you better 🙂
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