Unforgettable Insights: A Comprehensive Recap of the Haven Conference (Part 1)
Hello, wonderful readers! I’m thrilled to finally share the first installment of our Haven Conference recap. My initial plan was to post live updates from our hotel room in Atlanta, Georgia, last Thursday. However, with over 250 enthusiastic bloggers all trying to connect to the same hotel Wi-Fi, the internet proved to be a formidable opponent! The sheer volume of creative minds and digital devices brought the connection to a near standstill, making real-time sharing impossible. But fear not, this delay has only allowed me to meticulously gather my thoughts and curate an even richer account of our experience. This recap will unfold in two detailed parts, brimming with photographs, insightful discoveries, and memorable moments. Following my perspective, Mr. Woodsy will also share his unique take on the conference, offering a male blogger’s perspective on the vibrant DIY and home decor community.
Our custom Sew Woodsy t-shirt, proudly printed by Fibers.com, ready for the Haven Conference.
Connecting Beyond the Blog: Our Social Media Journey at Haven
For those of you actively engaged on Twitter, I sincerely hope you had the chance to follow our live updates throughout last week! While I was quite active in sharing our conference journey, Mr. Woodsy also dipped his toes into the world of live tweeting. Yes, you read that right – he now has his very own Twitter account: @MrSewWoodsy! It’s been an exciting learning curve for him, and while he might only be sending out a couple of tweets a day, it’s a fantastic start to expanding our brand’s presence and engaging with the broader DIY community. We encourage you to give him a follow and show him some love; every bit of encouragement helps him connect with more amazing creators. Social media truly amplified the conference experience, allowing us to share quick snippets, ask questions, and interact with fellow attendees and speakers in real time, making the networking even more dynamic and immediate.
Embarking on the Haven Journey: Atlanta Bound
Our adventure to the Haven Conference began early Wednesday morning with a full day’s drive from sunny Orlando to bustling Atlanta. I took the wheel for the initial leg of what I affectionately call “the race,” often fantasizing about us one day competing on The Amazing Race. Although, Mr. Woodsy remains skeptical, jokingly suggesting we’d be eliminated at the very first challenge. Nevertheless, the open road provided a wonderful opportunity to discuss our blogging goals, anticipate the conference, and mentally prepare for the exciting days ahead. This road trip wasn’t just about reaching our destination; it was an integral part of the overall conference experience, building our excitement with every mile.
The Road Trip: From Orlando to Atlanta’s Culinary Delights
Midway through our drive, we made a delightful stop in Valdosta for lunch. Thanks to a timely Twitter recommendation, we discovered an absolute gem of a restaurant called 306 North. This place truly exceeded expectations, offering gourmet-quality food at a price that felt almost too good to be true. I indulged in a mouth-watering plate of grilled shrimp, served with creamy grits and a generous portion of steamed asparagus, all for just $8. Mr. Woodsy raved about his buttermilk-fried pork chops, declaring them “out of this world.” It was a culinary highlight of our journey, a reminder that sometimes the best discoveries happen unexpectedly along the way.
Refreshed and thoroughly satisfied, it was time to hit the road again. Our progress was momentarily halted a mere 30 minutes later when Mr. Woodsy succumbed to a “slow and painful food coma,” necessitating an urgent coffee stop. Our usual preference is Dunkin Donuts, but with none in sight, we settled for a McDonald’s. While we generally steer clear of McDonald’s, we have to admit, their coffee is surprisingly decent in a pinch! It provided just the jolt needed to continue our journey northward.
Navigating Atlanta’s Bustling Roads and Checking In
Approximately 3.5 hours later, we finally entered the sprawling metropolis of Atlanta. We had been warned about the city’s complex and often confusing road system, but nothing truly prepares you for the reality. We found ourselves constantly navigating intricate interchanges, our stress levels rising with each lane change. It was a hair-pulling experience, to say the least! We breathed a collective sigh of relief upon reaching our hotel, the Crowne Plaza, miraculously avoiding any tickets for inadvertently straying into or out of the HOV lanes – a luxury we don’t yet have in Orlando.
First Impressions and Fabulous Connections: The Opening Night
Upon checking into the Crowne Plaza, we were immediately enveloped in the buzzing atmosphere of the conference. The lobby bar area was teeming with a vibrant crowd of ladies (and a few gentlemen), all excitedly chatting and connecting. The sheer energy and number of creative minds instantly felt a little intimidating, and I could sense Mr. Woodsy getting a case of “cold feet” – yes, even a tough, woodworking man can feel a bit overwhelmed! We retreated to our room to unpack and regroup. My priority was a refreshing shower, while Mr. Woodsy indulged in a much-needed 45-minute power nap. Re-energized and refreshed, we headed downstairs for the highly anticipated opening party, generously sponsored by Oreck and Frog Tape.
Making our way to the check-in tables, we eagerly picked up our coveted swag bags. Mr. Woodsy, ever the helpful partner, whisked the bags up to our room while I stayed downstairs, taking the opportunity to chat with Linda from Home is Where My Heart Is. These swag bags were truly incredible, packed with an array of amazing products from all the generous sponsors, providing us with fantastic items to test and enjoy back home. It was the perfect start to a weekend of inspiration and discovery.
An Evening of Networking and Swag Bag Delights
Despite the initial intimidation at the bustling opening party, I quickly found my footing and began introducing ourselves to fellow bloggers. One of our first exciting encounters was with Gail from My Repurposed Life and Roeshel from DIY Show Off (pictured in the bottom right corner of the original image). It was truly wonderful to meet these talented women in person, moving beyond their blogs to connect on a more personal level.
As we chatted with Gail and Roeshel, Sandra from Sawdust and Paperscraps (pictured in the bottom left corner) spotted us from across the room and came over. Meeting Sandra was a particular pleasure; her blog was the very first woodworking blog Mr. Woodsy ever started reading a few years back, so he was absolutely thrilled to finally meet her and “talk shop.” Sandra then introduced us to another fantastic husband-and-wife DIY team, Matt and Jacque from The DIY Village (pictured in the top right corner)! Both Mr. Woodsy and Matt were visibly excited to meet one another, and equally relieved to discover they weren’t the only male attendees at the conference! The evening flew by as we connected with many other incredible bloggers not pictured here. The cocktail party was scheduled to end at 8 pm, but we found ourselves still deep in conversation until nearly 9:30 pm, even as the hotel staff began cleaning up around us. Mr. Woodsy and I finally managed to grab dinner around 10 pm that night, buzzing with new connections and inspiration.
Day One Inspiration: Insights and Hands-On Learning
The next morning, 7 am arrived with startling speed, but we were ready for it. The conference officially kicked off with a captivating keynote address from John and Sherry from Young House Love. They shared their “11 mostly-subconscious decisions” that have been instrumental in their blog’s phenomenal success, alongside their inspiring journey from working full-time at an advertising agency to becoming full-time professional bloggers. I was particularly glad that Mr. Woodsy was able to hear them speak. Their candid discussion about the constant struggles of managing a blog – the immense time and attention required, the juggle of countless projects – resonated deeply with his own experiences. We both thoroughly enjoyed their insights into creating a successful and authentic online presence. Regrettably, we didn’t get a chance to meet them in person, though Mr. Woodsy did have the unexpected pleasure of sitting next to Sherry during Ana White’s woodworking session!
Here’s a snapshot of us during the opening session, eagerly anticipating John and Sherry’s inspiring address.
The Haven Conference schedule was meticulously jam-packed, offering attendees the opportunity to participate in six distinct sessions. With two of us attending, we adopted a “divide and conquer” strategy to maximize our learning, with one notable exception: Ana White’s highly anticipated beginning woodworking session, which we both attended together.
Mastering Power Tools: My Ryobi Workshop Experience
My first session of the day was an introduction to Power Tools with Ryobi. I anticipated a beginner-friendly class, and it certainly delivered. While I was hoping for more hands-on, one-on-one time with various power tools – having already learned the basics of an orbital sander and chop saw, and keen to expand my repertoire – I can now proudly say I officially know how to properly use a drill! The first half of the session involved Ryobi representatives showcasing their impressive range of tools (did you know they make over 50 different ones?!), followed by a practical workshop where we constructed wine racks. I teamed up with the incredibly talented Kristin from The Hunted Interior. Little did I know I was paired with a true furniture-building DIY pro! Kristin graciously guided me through the drilling process, and together we brought our wine rack to life. I’ll readily admit it might not be the most perfectly straight or accurate wine rack out there, but considering it was my first time, and I was without a tape measure or clamps, I think it’s pretty darn good! It definitely sparked a newfound confidence in tackling future building projects.
After the session, I met up with Mr. Woodsy, who was genuinely shocked that I had built something! Naturally, his shock quickly turned into a critique of my wine rack – go figure! We dashed back to our room to drop off my new creation, then grabbed lunch and spent some time exploring the various vendor booths, soaking in all the innovative products and ideas.
Embracing the Craft: Ana White’s Woodworking Wisdom
Following lunch and a fantastic mingling session with fellow bloggers and vendors, it was time for another round of sessions. Mr. Woodsy headed straight to Ana White’s much-anticipated woodworking session, while I initially attended the Design Studio session. Pictured above is Darlene from Fieldstone Hill Designs, who was expertly teaching us how to define and design our own personal style, sharing invaluable tips and tricks she employs when tackling room makeovers. However, halfway through, my phone began buzzing with text messages from Mr. Woodsy – he was insistent that I join him at the Ana White session, convinced I would absolutely love it. Trusting his instinct, I discreetly snuck out and spent the remainder of my time immersed in Ana’s inspiring workshop.
In the bottom right corner of the image is my wonderful new real-life friend, Ann Marie from White House, Black Shutters, who even got to assist Ana with a build demonstration!
Ana White has truly ignited a new passion within me. She stands as a living testament that with determination and focus, anything is achievable. Her session, coupled with my earlier drilling basics, has undoubtedly lit a fire under me, motivating me to embark on my own building journey. I’m ready – watch out, world! Even if I start by building simple boxes, it’s more than many can say they’ve accomplished. After the session, I eagerly approached Ana to chat and snap a photo. To my utter delight, as soon as I walked up, Ana exclaimed, “I know your blog!” I actually glanced behind me, genuinely surprised that someone as prominent as Ana White would even know of our existence. That moment absolutely made my year, tenfold!
Elevating Visuals: The Art of Photography and Styling
My final session of the day was “Basic Photography/Photo Styling,” led by the incredibly talented Kevin and Layla from The Lettered Cottage, alongside Josh from Shoot Fly Shoot. I was initially hesitant about attending this particular session, as I’ve been actively honing my food photography skills for quite some time. However, recognizing the distinct differences between food styling and home/DIY styling, I decided to give it a try. O-M-G, I am so incredibly glad I did! This session completely re-ignited my passion for photography and gave me a fresh perspective. I gleaned so many new tips and tricks, and most importantly, I realized that what I once considered a “want” in terms of photography skills has now firmly transformed into an undeniable “need” for our blog’s growth and visual appeal. The room was absolutely packed, with people standing along the walls, eager to absorb every piece of advice. I felt incredibly fortunate to secure a seat and have the opportunity to learn from Kevin, Layla, and Josh as they shared their expertise on capturing stunning home and DIY photography.
Celebrating Love Amidst the Learning: Our Anniversary Evening
As my sessions wrapped up, Mr. Woodsy, having finished his own earlier, made his way to the bustling vendor booths. I found him deep in conversation with Bruce at the Minwax booth, enthusiastically discussing the nuances of various wood stains! We seized the opportunity of a momentarily quiet and blogger-less vendor hall to explore the main exhibition area before everyone congregated for the Rust-Oleum cocktail party. By this point, we were both pleasantly exhausted, and with it being our 4th wedding anniversary, we yearned for some peaceful, quiet time to celebrate. We briefly attended the cocktail party, soaking in a bit more of the vibrant atmosphere, before heading back to our room to change for our special anniversary dinner.
We chose to celebrate our anniversary at Ray’s on the River, a beautiful upscale restaurant conveniently located just a five-minute drive from our hotel. The ambiance was perfect, and the food exquisite – exactly what we envisioned for an ideal anniversary dinner. Throughout the evening, our conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from life plans and exciting new ideas to our shared aspirations for the future. In my opinion, it was the perfect way to spend such a significant milestone, reinforcing our partnership both in life and in our creative endeavors.
Beyond the Sessions: The Power of Community and Connection
The Haven Conference truly underscored the power of community within the DIY and home blogging world. From the initial intimidating buzz to the late-night conversations, every interaction enriched our experience. Meeting fellow bloggers whose work we admire online, exchanging ideas with sponsors, and sharing laughter with new friends forged invaluable connections. It wasn’t just about learning new skills or absorbing keynote wisdom; it was about feeling a part of something bigger, a supportive network of passionate creators. These personal connections are the lifeblood of our blogging journey, offering encouragement, collaboration opportunities, and a constant source of inspiration. The conference served as a powerful reminder that while blogging can often feel like a solitary pursuit, there’s a thriving and welcoming community always ready to connect.
What’s Next? Stay Tuned for Part Two!
This is just the beginning of our Haven Conference story! Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll dive deeper into more sessions, further discoveries, and perhaps even some behind-the-scenes moments. Plus, we’ll be announcing a very fun Haven-related giveaway that you won’t want to miss! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media so you’re the first to know when the next installment and the giveaway go live. We appreciate you following along on our journey and sharing in the excitement of the DIY and home decor world.
A quick note on the visuals: While I faithfully carried my DSLR camera throughout the conference, the fast-paced nature of the event meant most pictures were snapped quickly with my iPhone 4s. The truly “bad” photos were given a little extra charm with Instagram filters to make them presentable, ensuring you get a genuine glimpse into our experience without sacrificing too much quality!