Apr 28, 2010

Going to Quilt Market!

Just coming up for some fresh spring air as another issue hits the presses! The May issue of American Quilt Retailer will mail early next week — and this is our biggest issue EVER! We have 68 jam-packed pages full of great columns and ads. Our newest FREE-to-use pattern, “Woven as One” uses pre-cut strips, literally, “woven” together to make a new cloth! It’s easy, fun and full of texture.

This issue is all about Quilt Market! There are 75 different advertisers who have been working very hard this winter to bring you new products. Wait ’til you see! C&T Publishing announces their new division called Stash Books which “celebrates handmade fabric arts.” Possibilities has a new garden-themed sampler quilt. Jo Morton will have a new book at market called Coming Home. There are new tote and purse patterns from StudioKat, Ellen Medlock, Lazy Girl, Black Cat and Scrap-bags. There are lots of new fabrics, books, patterns, threads, zippers and other notions from all the other advertisers. The retailers in White Bear Lake just outside of Minneapolis are even advertising, inviting you to stop by while you’re there. So much to see, so much to choose from, so much to do!

Our cover for this issue illustrates how you can be more organized at market. Find (or make!) a cute tote or bag like our red vintage straw purse (remind me to blog sometime about how our covers evolve!), set up your market “to-do” folders and hit the floor. We also have two other columns by Linda Griepentrog and Roseann Kermes on shopping market.

There are a lot of changes taking place right now in our industry — going to Quilt Market is a must! You will feel recharged and invigorated. I checked the air fares in late March and then proceeded to procrastinate, putting off making our reservations. When I finally got around to it, to my surprise, the fares had actually dropped more than $100 each. Even last minute fares can be good!

American Quilt Retailer is hosting three Schoolhouses on May 20:

Deb Luttrell

“Boot Camp for Shop Owners”

3:05–3:35 in Room 205C

Rich Kizer & Georganne Bender

“What Today’s Customers Expect

From Your Business”

3:40–4:10 in Room 205C

Rich Kizer & Georganne Bender

“How to See Your Store Exactly As Your Customers See It”

4:15–4:45 in Room 205C

Kizer & Bender will be in the American Quilt Retailer booth on Friday, May 21, 2010 giving 20-minute consultations. The slots for these are currently full, but you may put your name on a waiting list. E-mail: becky@americanquiltretailer.com.

Don’t miss these! Don’t miss Quilt Market in Minneapolis  May 20 to  23 and don’t miss this new issue of American Quilt Retailer! It’s going to be so good!

Susan

Apr 13, 2010

Moda sure knows how to put on a good party!

What fun it was to spend two and a half days at the Moda headquarters in Dallas. Fifty or so shops attended the recent Moda University where three of American Quilt Retailer’s wonderful columnists and I spoke to the group. I covered “new directions” for the industry and “creative brainstorming.” The inflatable pincushions (Think about it!) from Kikkerland were a big hit! Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts talked about “display” and “promoting precuts.” Roseann Kermes of Rosebud’s Cottage in White Bear Lake, Minn., talked about “holding retreats” and “hosting show and tell everyday.” Then, on Saturday morning Jim Salinas had even more to say about the current state of the industry and the changes that all shop owners should be making in their stores. (He’s touching on some of this in his next “Just Ask Jim” column in issue 93 of American Quilt Retailer due out in early May.) I loved having time to visit with so many of you and hearing your “joys” and “concerns” about your business. You are definitely a hard working (fun) group!

What a treat it was to meet Kaari Meng of French General in person. She happened to be in town for another event and we all benefitted! I came home and reread her books and her profile in the first issue of Where Women Create. Kaari has a new book recently released on the Tinsel Trading Company — can’t wait to read this too!

And, Moda, you folks are the best hosts! The food was wonderful, your facility very impressive and the seamless event coordination pretty amazing. You can tell from these pictures, that a good time was had by all as we shared and learned from each other. I thank you for the opportunity to participate!

The Moda warehouse is SO neat, and have you ever seen one of the rolling machines in action! Very cool!

The Moda Lab is a complete quilt shop set up with fabulous display ideas! It’s like a dream shop set up by Debbie Duckworth, Moda’s resident “fluffer!”

It’s always necessary to have your antenna up when looking for “new directions!”

Roseann held a yo-yo making race during the carnival.

Joanna held a dress form design contest using Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes. Pretty interesting ladies!

More carnival fun!

Jim Salinas captured everyone’s attention and signed copies of The Answer Book.

Moda hosts these events for retailers almost once year. If you ever get a chance to go — do it! They make everything fun, set the best example, and getting out of your space and routine is the best shot in the arm there is!

Susan