I spent 2 hours today at my Babylock Dealership with 60 of my dearest and closest friends - well fellow embroiders at least!
This dealership, here in San Diego, is really client friendly. They offer 6 to 8 classes (depending on your own needs) for your new machine. They also offer 2 hours a month, on the last Saturday of the month, to get together to discuss projects, UFO's (Unfinished Objects), new ideas and anything else reference our craft.
People bring such beautiful totes, Christening Gowns, blankets and other things they are working on. As an extra gesture, the dealer has a table with 25% and 50% off items (her items she wants to sell to get new items in her store). We have a great time, she even brings cake and coffee.
I am not telling you all this to make you jealous, I think it bears some thought. The Florida group was talking about where they are located in relationship to others. Perhaps you might consider asking a shop in your area to do something like this. It is important to support those who are so helpful to you and this type of group activity is a lot of work to put together.
This site is just like a meeting room except we do not face each other. I am glad we can come together here to chat and laugh.
I hope some of you are close enough to put something together in your area, it really can be fun.
Pat