Beth, who works on the Etsy Business Operations Team, is on the road with a slew of business trips for Etsy, and so she's meeting with Etsy sellers along the way and filling us in on her travels. Thus, we're calling it the Mega-Beth Tour, Beth's professionalism notwithstanding. Here's her account...

This trip, I was accompanied by the lovely Christina (aka missbatch) where she showed me the ropes at the annual Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) trade show. This was a huge trade show, comprised of nearly a thousand craft supply manufacturers — and I was certainly overwhelmed, but we met a lot of great people and hopefully planted seeds that will turn into great partnerships and relationships. We are excited to tell you more about that once it is developed in the months to come.

While I was disappointed to be so close to Disneyland and not have a chance to hang with Mickey, I was very happy to be able sit down with a couple of fantastic Etsy sellers: Nina of ninagibsondesigns and Christine of chocolateandsteel, who made the trip from Los Angeles to meet us. Both were very excited about our new Cooperative Advertising Program, although they were disappointed they missed getting a spot (I hope you had better luck the next time around). Some of their favorite features are Shop Local (also my personal favorite), where they received a few local orders for Valentine's Day, and Pounce, which is a great way to find new and upcoming artists.

Christina and I also got a sneak peak at ninagibsondesigns new prototype necklace (on the left in the picture above); she was inspired by a buyer request to turn one of her tally mark earring designs into a necklace. The necklace on the right, made from precious metal clay, is by chocolateandsteel. It is called Accept Love and is for sale in her shop. Both ladies welcome custom orders, so drop them a convo if you have something special in mind.

While walking the floor at the CHA, Christina and I had the opportunity to meet Cathie Filian, an avid Etsy seller, blogger and co-host of DIY's Creative Juice, along with Steve Piacenza (pictured above, left). We also met Cathie's husband Gary Byers (above, right), who admitted since the writers' strike he has been very busy helping her fulfill Etsy orders. Their energy was infectious and their crafts are just too cute! Check out the glossy Elizabeth Taylor pop art they made for Plaid paint.

Other highlights of the trip included catching up with Storque contributor and westcoastcrafty blogger Susan Beal, whose new jewelry book, Bead Simple, hits newsstands the end of March.

Christina met up with Vickie Howell, Etsy seller and host of Craft.Rock.Love., her series of podcasts, available for your listening pleasure here. (She was actually texting the pattern for a knitted tie to a friend, when we snapped her picture: we love when high-tech meets handmade!) 

And last, but certainly not least, we got to preview crafty chica Cathy Cano Murillo's new line of crafty goodness for Duncan, including paints, stencils and glitter (of course!), plus lots of fun bases for embellishment like Frida-printed totes, "Create a Saint" icons and chihuahuas! Don't you love her customized apron?

Many thanks to everyone for sharing their time and thoughts about Etsy. I am looking forward to seeing another group of sellers soon in Chicago.

See Beth's post from her previous trip to Miami.