It's hard to believe the Creativation Show in Phoenix was almost one month ago! We are back at Ranger Industries and settled into our daily routines. Both the factory and warehouse are bustling this time of year producing and shipping all the new products to Distributors and Independent Retailers around the world! 

Creativation is such an exciting time of year here at Ranger. With many months of planning, product development and marketing leading up to the tradeshow, the experience is truly a rewarding one. Let's take a closer look at the best show of the year! 

Day 1: Booth Setup

Many of us from Ranger flew from New Jersey to Arizona to start getting the booth ready for the show days. 

A big part of the booth setup is our Designer Challenge display. This year, we decided to switch things up and create a display called the Artist Spotlight. Each of our signature designers invited five artists to create a piece of artwork using products from their respective lines. We really enjoyed seeing this display come together and all of the wonderful artwork. We will have another blog post highlighting the Artist Spotlight later this month. 

Day 2: Education Day
Day two is all about education! Signature Designers Wendy Vecchi, Dyan Reaveley and Dina Wakley each hosted classes showcasing their new products. During class both store owners and industry professionals are able to learn new techniques and features of the new products. Education day is always filled with excitement, creativity and of course, "Oprah Moments!"

In Wendy Vecchi's class, Mantle Worth Cards, students created multiple cards using her new Stamp, Die, Stencil Sets, Liquid Pearls Blendable Dye Inks and more! The highlight?  Giving  a new 7" Make Art Stay-tion to the class. You can check out the "Oprah Moment" here. 

Next, students had a blast with Dyan Reaveley in her class, Dylusions State of Mind. Working in the Creative Dyary Flip Journal, Dyan shared her favorite techniques for creating eye-catching collage journal pages using the new Collage Sheets and Flip Cap Paints in the vibrant cocktail range. You can watch Dyan share similar collage techniques in this Creativation LIVE video. 

We kicked off Dina's class, Mixed Media Layers and Effects with another "Oprah Moment!" Students each received a new Collage Collective to take home and admire or hopefully cut up and use!  Throughout the class, Dina educated the room on how to use her new Glossy Sprays while students created a beautiful mixed media art journal spread in the Large MEdia Journal. You can learn more about Dina's new Gloss Sprays here.

Day 3: Show Day 1
It's always amazing to see the transformation of the show floor from set up day to the opening of the show. All the booths are assembled, carpet is down and the convention center is full of buzz and excitement! Retailers and other craft community professionals visit the Ranger booth to see the new product, place orders, watch our signature designers demo their products and to create a Make & Take.  You can see what it's like to walk into the show as well as a full booth tour here. 

At the beginning of the show, the Ranger employees take part in what we call a booth walk through. Each designer, tells the staff about their new products and any potential questions that might come up. It's a great way for everyone to have all the information they need to help our customers. Things got colorful during our first Make & Take of the show! Ranger's Kathy Paglia shared a fun tag project using the new Dina Wakley MEdia Gloss Sprays & Dylusions Shimmer Sprays. Participants had a blast trying the new Gloss Sprays first-hand! You can see the Make & Take LIVE video here. 

An exciting part of the Creativation Show is watching the Ranger Signature designers demo their new products.  Each designer's product lines are displayed throughout the booth with beautiful samples and swatches of every color. The designers share new techniques and other creative inspiration throughout the show. Click to watch both Dyan and Tim's LIVE demos. 

 The first day of the show, we also hosted two more class! 

First, ICE Resin Creative Director, Susan Lenart Kazmer, teamed up with Ranger's Debbie Tlach to teach a stunning mixed media necklace using ICE Resin and QuickCure Clay. Students learned many jewelry techniques using these two product lines.

In Dare to Create with Simon Hurley, students crafted various all occasion cards using the Simon Hurley create. line. Simon shared his favorite techniques for creating watercolor effects, stamping and coloring images to craft the perfect cards! 

Day 4: Show Day 2
As the show continues, so do the product demos, classes and make & takes!

Our next Make & Take featured a DIY card showcasing the new Stickles Glitter Gels, Letter It Stamps and Archival Inks with Debbie Tlach!  Everyone had a blast trying out the new products. 

Ranger Signature Designers continue to demo throughout the show days. Here, Dina Wakley and Wendy Vecchi showcase their new products. You can watch their LIVE Creativation Demos by clicking here and here.

On Day 2 of the show we also hosted two workshops right on the show floor!

First, clay artist Jamie Dougherty shared her passion for QuickCure Clay in this mixed media class: A New Way to Clay!  Students learned simple techniques for sculpting, heating and colorizing clay directly on a Dina Wakley MEdia Journal. 

Next, Sharen AK Harris walked students through creating a stunning Alcohol Ink Landscape using Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks in the Sunset on Laguna Beach Paint & Sip class. 

Day 5: Show Day 3
The last day of the show! The final day of the show tends to be quieter than the previous two days but that doesn't stop us from sharing more creative inspiration using Ranger products!

Our last Make & Take of the show was a beautiful QuickCure Clay pendant by Debbie Tlach using the new Black QuickCure Clay and Pearl Powders.  

Simon Hurley, our newest Signature Designer, was busy demoing his Simon Hurley create. card making line which includes an assortment of whimsical stamps, stencils and dye ink pads.  Check out Simon's live demo here.

In addition to the Ranger Signature designers, we also had demos happening over in our Mixed Media Jewelry booth which includes QuickCure Clay, ICE Resin and Vintaj Patinas. Both, Sharen AK Harris and Jamie Doughtery shared their favorite ways to use QuickCure Clay and Susan Lenart Kazmer showed visitors how easy it is to use ICE Resin in their jewelry work. You can watch Susan's demo here.

And just like that it's time to pack up the booth and head home!