Southern Adoornments Live 2026 is almost here — we’re just two days away! We’ve been busy behind the scenes getting every little detail ready so that when you walk through those doors, all you have to do is paint, laugh, and soak up the joy of being with your creative community.
Today, I want to take you on a little peek behind the curtain and show you how much love and work go into making this weekend unforgettable.
Press play and get ready to build some excitement before kickoff!
Prepping the Details That Make It All Flow
Ribbon and Bead Packets
Let’s start with the small stuff that makes a huge difference. Cutting and bagging ribbon packets might not be the most glamorous job — it’s tedious, my hands cramp, and yes, I needed a hot tub soak afterward — but it’s so worth it. Why? Because it keeps the flow of the event running smoothly!
Imagine trying to pass a roll of ribbon around 200 people during a door hanger workshop. Chaos! But prepping these little bundles ahead of time means you can sit down and get right to the fun part: painting!
Wood Blanks and Vendor Booth Goodies
While I’m cutting the ribbon, Michael is out in the shop prepping wood blanks. He labels, shrink-wraps, and counts everything so we know each attendee has exactly what they need.
Then there’s the vendor booth — our own mini craft store packed with brushes, stencils, paints, and more. Attendees love filling their bags with goodies, and this year, for the first time, we’re adding a virtual vendor booth so our online friends can join the fun too.
As you can imagine, that in itself takes a lot of prep work!
Getting It All to the Venue
Transporting hundreds of wood blanks, ribbon packets, and supplies is no small feat. In the early years, we hauled everything ourselves in a trailer. Now, we palletize, itemize, wrap, and ship everything ahead of time.
Of course, things don’t always go as planned. Last year, our pallets didn’t arrive until hours later than planned. Picture 20 of us sitting around with nothing to unpack! But when those pallets finally rolled in, our team knocked out setup in record time.
It reminded me how much teamwork goes into making this event happen — we absolutely couldn’t do it alone.
Setting the Stage
Once the supplies arrive, it’s all hands on deck. Tables are arranged, signs go up, paint trays get filled (hundreds of them…it takes hours!), and swag bags get stuffed with love. Even the kids pitch in to drop goodies into bags.
My mom usually leads the table setup, making sure every basket has brushes, wipes, scissors, and napkins so nobody’s scrambling mid-project.
All in all, every detail, from cutting ribbon to setting out baby wipes, is done so you feel cared for and ready to create the moment you arrive.
Why SA Live Matters
SA Live isn’t just about painting door hangers. It’s about connection, laughter, and filling your cup. We’ve seen women arrive nervous or weighed down by life’s challenges — grief, illness, or just the everyday heaviness — and leave with glowing joy and confidence.
That’s what it’s all about!
For me, these weekends remind me of why I do what I do. Running an online business means I usually connect with you through a screen, but at SA Live, I get to hug your necks, hear your stories, and laugh right alongside you. It fills me up for the entire year!
Ready to Join Us at Next Year’s Southern Adoornments Live?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I wish I could go!”— you’re in luck. While this year’s SA Live kicks off in just a couple of days, tickets for our 2026 event go on sale October 5.
Mark your calendars and get ready to grab your tickets. The super early bird price is the lowest of the year and only lasts about a week. These events can sell out fast, so snag your spot while you can!
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