2016 Stamp & Scrapbook Expo in Somerset, NJ

Woah, has it been a long week! Just finished working my first-ever 7-day work week after coming back from a weekend at the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo (SSBE) in Somerset, NJ. This year was definitely my favorite year of the 3 years I've been going to SSBE in NJ, and I'm sure it will only get better from here on out! The difference this year is that I broke free from my little "bubble" and actually socialized with others and made friends :) Typically, I just keep to myself when I go to the SSBE. I talk to a few people here and there at classes, but it never goes any further than that. This year, the SSBE set up Facebook groups that allowed those going to different locations to socialize before the event! I thought this was such a good idea, and at some point, someone suggested that we find a way to actually recognize each other at the event to take it beyond just the computer. From the group, I met Alison from Long Island, NY, who had recognized me when I arrived in line at the SSBE, and who I recognized from being at the beginning of the line with me last year. We've talked on and off since then on FB, and it was a pleasure to meet both her and her husband :)

On top of that, I also coordinated with Jess (another YouTuber - Jess Crafts) in taking the same card swap class after we realized we were both at the SSBE last year and never met up! After taking the class, she was kind enough to give me a ride to shopping and back to my class :) We also did some make and take's on the shopping floor together and got to know each other a bit more, realizing we actually have a lot in common :)

Making some friends during the event definitely made it more fun and worthwhile! Even for someone like me who typically has social anxiety.

In the video below, you will hear my overall review of the event itself, the location in Somerset, NJ, the shopping, as well as the classes that I took, including: