This past weekend, i headed up with my guy to Ventura. He had a book signing at the Ventura Museum and i was able to get about 20 hours off from work (at least having to be somewhere) and i figured this would be a great time to do a little Craftcation work- it’s not often that i can get to Ventura on the fly!
yes this can be yours on March 21st 2013!
So after teaching (an awesome!!) canning 101 workshop (LOVED all the students, very blessed always for having such amazing people in our classes!!), I grabbed a clean pair of clothes and PJs and off we went to Ventura.
Arrived at the Crowne Plaza, destination central for Craftcation and as soon as the doors parted, I was missing Nicole- Ventura and the Crowne are just not the same! The sea-side bar was mellow, DEFINITELY not how it was during the conference…it was certainly missing the chatter, music, crazy activity and decorations from March…but I was also about 1 million times less stressed out!
back to work- but now with a pomegranate margarita at our usual corner perch at the Crowne Plaza bar
That night, i had the chance to meet up with Allison of Ventura Food Tours at the popular Barrelhouse 101 where we chatted about a food tour during the conference (YES) and beer tastings (HELLS YES)- Craftcation Conference 2013 is looking so good!!! Allison is definitely the go-to gal for food findings in the area…cannot express how excited I am that we are getting a chance to work with this awesome chica!
After some more work and chatting to bartenders who we excited about the 2013 conference (they remembered and LOVED having us there!!), we settled in for the next day.
it was funny and awesome to walk around town and see images of Gustavo, (like this one, some were full-on LARGE covers-lol) on various papers in town!
In the morning, we walked through the downtown for some thrift store treasures. I scored a BINGO sign and a Descoware pot with lid. We also found 2 new places.
Iron and Resin, is this super cute dry goods shop that also has a line of clothing/accessories made in Ventura that is a combo of biker/surfer/eco…this was their store where they also curated other unique goods. While trying on items and chatting with the gal at the counter she recognized me as her instructor at the Urban Craft Center- i taught her canning!!! We started to talk about Craftcation and some ideas – hopefully you will see something in the works with them at the conference-love how the world works!
my new purse- already using it!
After that, we stopped by The Refill Shoppe- a store where you can refill your liquid items (this shampoo/detergent/lotion…etc..) and other items that are aimed for the non-disposable life- LOVED THIS PLACE and hopefully they will be a part of the conference too! I bought this dish scrubber that we can fill with soap and has replaceable scrubbers.
travel items for the next Ventura trip- i cannot wait to use this new brush
Not long after, we needed to head to the museum where beers were served up for Gustavo’s lecture on Mexican food- there was a HUGE crowd of people! Lots of laughing and great energy…so proud of him 
If you can get a chance to see him talk, please do…this is coming from someone who hears him everyday- i was cracking up and learned so much!
got my beer for the lecture
a great crowd at the museum
last minute work @ the tavern
While Gustavo worked his line of fans (LOVE THIS!!), I headed to The Tavern for some last minute work and took a chance to scope out the location…this awesome new place is going to be part of the conference line-up…think 80′s…think dance party….
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
So excited about Craftcation 2013, I can hardly stand it!
@alicia: been really wanting to do some kind of tasting item this time- so excited for it too!! looks like there will be 2 chances to do them…more to come!!
Love that bag! Also, +1 for beer tastings