This report summarises what the Committee and other volunteers from the CAA of NSW were able to achieve at this event, on behalf of all the Association's members.

This year, Stand 99 was offered free to the Association by Reed Exhibitions as long as it could be staffed from 10am to 5pm on all five show days, Wednesday through Sunday. This was achieved with volunteers from member companies Blue Gums Ceramic Studio, Fired Up Arts, KMB Ceramics, and Lane Cove Hobby Ceramic Studio.

Items to display were borrowed from Carmos Creative Supplies, Blue Gums, Fired Up Arts, KMB Ceramics, and seven Ceramic items to raffle were donated by Blue Gums, Fired Up Arts and Carmos. In addition there were 40 free lessons donated by Carmos and Fired Up Arts. These prizes made the raffle very popular, and the winners were very excited and happy! Five of the seven main winners came from Sydney, one from Tamworth and one from Thirroul.

Helpers on the stand diligently answered questions and offered copies of the latest Membership List to visitors who showed interest. Over 500 were given away by the end of the fifth day. One helper was also seen demonstrating some painting on a plate whenever he had a few spare minutes!

The Association also gave a daily half-hour free demonstration at 2.45pm in the 'Create, Make & Decorate' area. Kerrie Girard demonstrated on the first 3 days and Kylie Brooke on Saturday and Sunday. These demoes proved popular – with 20 to 30 people attending each. As they left the area all those who came were offered a small 'Show Bag' of samples and advertising literature donated by some of our member companies and studios. 150 bags were prepared and all were accepted.

The Committee hopes that, with more time now to prepare for the next Stitches & Craft Show (in August, after our main Ceramic Show) there will be more studios able to contribute items for the next batch of Show Bags, and more people able to volunteer for manning the stall and giving demoes. It's a great way to present Hobby Ceramics as a worthwhile and interesting craft to the large number of people who attend these Shows. The management seemed happy with our involvement and mentioned that they had been receiving a lot of enquiries about ceramics and mosaics. We are hopeful therefore that we will be invited back again in August to continue spreading information about our great craft.

The Committee will of course keep us all posted on developments.