Posted on May 15, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Connect at Quilt Market

American Quilt Retailer is returning with Better Homes & Gardens American Patchwork & Quilting for another Schoolhouse Series at this spring’s Quilt Market!

The Spring International Quilt Market is May 18-20 in Portland, Oregon, and the Schoolhouse Series will feature three classes on Thursday, May 17.

Editor of AQR and shop owner Heidi Kaisand will be joined by editor of American Patchwork & Quilting Jody Sanders and Roseann Kermes to feature three classes.

The first class of the Schoolhouse Series covers something we all wish we had more of; time. Owning a small business can make it difficult to reach business goals and often interferes with our personal lives. This session will cover organizing, delegating, and making essential decisions to run your business.

The second session is as dynamic as the people running it. Editors Kaisand and Sanders will cover information for consumers and shop owners alike through topics like color options and products to inspire customers.

Lastly, Heidi Kaisand is again joined by Roseann Kermes to share how to make a staff operate like a well-oiled machine. A team that works well together makes victories so much easier to obtain, and thus an even more successful business that everyone can reap the benefits from.

Finally for the part you’ve all been waiting for… AQR is happy to announce the now-legendary blue bags are back, and the first 400 people to attend the Schoolhouse Series will receive one filled with information and product in exchange for a business card.

Just some of the product to be featured in the blue bags AQR will hand our during their Schoolhouse Series at the Spring International Quilt Market in Portland Oregon.

If you so happen to be sticking around the Quilt Market, feel free to stop by American Quilt Retailer’s booth at 839 and talk to editor Heidi Kasiand about how we can make the issue better for you. We love feedback—and conversations with other small business owners, too.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

Posted on May 9, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

An Ode to Mothers

With Mother’s Day approaching this weekend, we thought we would take a moment to thank and appreciate mother’s every where.

Mothers are an integral part of the quilting industry. We work with mothers, sell to mothers, and are mothers.

Mothers walk into our stores every day with their children and grandchildren; planting the seed for a love of crafting.

They purchase our goods and create memories that will be looked back on with love, appreciation, and nostalgia. And one day, those children and grandchildren will return to our stores with their own children to create those same memories with the new loved one in their life.

Nobody ever said that motherhood would be easy; we all work with a mother and some days seem smoother than others. But I’m sure none of us would have it any other way.

Take some time this Mother’s Day to thank the mothers that come into your store. Be mindful of those whose maternal situation isn’t what it ought to be; and show them the motherly love they deserve.

No act is too small, even if you don’t have a Mother’s Day sale going on simply make a sign to display in your store. Find some product that would be good as a set, and use it as that week’s mothers day gift. Or buy some special wrapping paper and wrap any mother’s purchase in it to add just a little more color in their life.

Thanks again to mother’s everywhere, and take some time for yourself today—you’ve earned it.

Posted on May 2, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

The Wonderful World of Video

Social media can be intimidating enough, but the thought of video can make the task seem even more daunting. Even though it’s not easy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it; read these tips to find out why outsourcing your videos is not always the best idea.

The best way to learn something is by doing it yourself. It’s okay if your metrics on your first video post don’t compare with the rest of your social’s engagement – social media is learning by trial and error, which is something that should excite creatives!
Nobody knows your brand more than you. Think of your brand as your own creation, you wouldn’t want to give someone else your hard earned curation to take a chance on, would you? Keeping videos in house means the style and voice remains consistent.
Everyone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera. If I could explain why the second a camera is in front of my face I start second guessing every move I make I would, but since I can’t all I can say is practice really does make perfect. Give it some time and the process will begin to feel more natural.
Outsourcing videos can often have a low return on investment. This is especially true if you’re just starting to experiment with them. Having a high quality video but not knowing what content people like to see is the easiest way to see your hard earned dollars go down the drain.
If you’re struggling on content just remember that if you can’t come up with ideas, the people you hire to make a video will lack inspiration for ideas from you as well. Think about the last video you watched or searched for, then look around your store. With how much product you have, chances are there is something worth making a video about.

Like all other technology, cameras seem to get smaller and smaller. If you’re experienced, editing footage is easy, if you’re not the process may take a little longer. But if you start to learn it now, you’ll be a professional by the time every phone has the power to take high quality video (and finally ahead of the game).

Posted on May 1, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Team Building

We spend the most time with our coworkers; but how much do we really know about them?

The best way to relate to someone is to get to know their story. Businesses often overlook the importance of understanding one’s past; not only will employees overlook pet peeves in their colleagues to ultimately work better together, but these exercises can truly change the work environment for the better.

The ball. In college my advisor had a ball with things written all over it. She threw me the ball once and told me to answer the question my thumb was closest to when I caught it. Create your own ball with your own set of questions—this can be as light or as serious as you want. Ask questions like “What sort of legacy do you want to leave?”, or “If you really knew me, you would know _____,” and “Share a defining moment.” And don’t shy away from asking people to dig deeper if their responses are one word answers or seemingly superficial.
Speed dating. No, this isn’t a date, but more like a rapid-fire 20 question session. Set up team members with 20 questions to ask one another, and after five minutes, switch up the partners. Do this until everyone has spent five minutes (or whatever amount of time you chose) asking questions with every coworker.
Encourage play. One of the hardest things to do in a workplace is to break down the barriers of being in a professional setting to see people create things together. One of the best ways to do this is through play! Although this is the most light hearted of the three team building exercises, it can change the work environment the most. Have your team create a video about why they love their industry, task them with building a tower out of marshmallows and noodles, or have them design their own board game! The options are limitless and the more you sell the narrative of acting yourself during the sessions, the more your team will buy into showing more of themselves.

The power of creating together is more impactful than it seems (view this article on the power of play, or watch this Ted Talk). Whether that be creating moments, or creating with our hands (as most Quilt Retailers love to do!) the effects of working together can make work feel more welcoming and more like home.

Posted on April 30, 2018November 30, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Seams Like Home

Let us introduce you to this week’s Open for Business featured shop.
Shop: Seams Like Home
Address: 2153 E. 88th Ave., Anchorage, Alaska 99507
Phone: 907-677-8790
Website: www.akseams.com
Instagram: akseamslikehome
Facebook: www.facebook.com/akseams
Owner: Maret Anderson
Services: Fabric, classes, Bernina and Juki dealer, longarm rental and certification, guest teachers
Seams Like Home is located in Anchorage, Alaska (population 300,000) and was established in June of 2002.
Continue reading Seams Like Home

Posted on April 30, 2018November 30, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece — 2 Comments

M&E Quilt Shop

Let us Introduce You to This Week’s Open for Business Featured Shop

Shop: M&E Quilt Shoppe
Address: 279 E. Market Street, Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-502-9123
Owners: Debbie Neill & Jackie Sennish aka Mabel & Ethel
Website: mequiltshoppe.com
Instagram: mequiltshoppe
Facebook: mequiltshoppe
Special Service: You’ll leave our shop with a smile on your face laughing!
Located in a historical 1884 stand alone building in our downtown. Established in February 2014
Continue reading M&E Quilt Shop

Posted on April 30, 2018November 30, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Hen & Chicks Studio

Open for Business: Hen and Chicks Studio

Let us introduce you to this week’s Open for Business featured shop.
Shop: Hen & Chicks Studio
Owner: Heidi Kaisand
Location: 101 N. Main St., Conrad, Iowa; Conrad population is 1100
Phone: 641-366-3336
Web: henandchicksstudio.com
Facebook: /henandchicksstudio
Instagram: /henandchicksstudio
Years in Business: 6 (October 2011)
Services: quilting and scrapbooking supplies, longarm machine rental, fully-equipped retreat center
Continue reading Hen & Chicks Studio

Posted on April 18, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Blue Ocean Strategy

Every business owner has that dream of becoming a trendsetter in their industry, but doesn’t quite know how to get there.

How did Mark Zuckerberg create the empire today known as Facebook? How did Steve Jobs invent device after device for Apple?

Renee Mauborgne’s book Blue Ocean Strategy can’t tell you the answer, but can tell you what questions to ask to help you get there.

Within each industry, there is something known as the “Blue Ocean.” The Blue Ocean is the idea that transforms your business from fitting into the industry to standing out from the crowd and changing the status quo.

This book shows no matter what industry you’re in, there is a Blue Ocean to be found. It provides examples of people who looked at the problems around them, then had the heart to tackle a solution.

One example is with a 17 year old in Iraq who created one of the most prominent youth orchestras in the world. She set out not with a goal to become the best youth orchestra in the world, but rather to use peace as the foundation for their music, and somehow along the way created an orchestra difficult to beat.

One piece of advice Blue Ocean Strategy has is to look outside your industry to see what has worked for other sectors. If it worked for them, what’s stopping it to being effective in your own business?

Blue Ocean Strategy motivates readers to have a “today is as good as any day” mindset. Thanks to the ever changing technology around us, what wasn’t possible ten years ago can be done today.

For more information about the author and to hear more about Blue Ocean Strategy, watch this interview with Marie Forleo, creator of Marie TV.

Posted on April 11, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

A Journey in Art Quilts

Valerie Funk wanted to learn a hobby and make friends when she signed up for her first quilt class. Instead, the class launched her journey—and career—as an art quilter.

Funk served 10 years in the Army before becoming a correctional officer in Indiana. In 1998, she was injured in an accidental shooting and spent years enduring a difficult recovery. Ready for a career change, Funk pursued a college degree in photography and graphic design. She graduated in 2008, then took that pivotal quilt class.

“I was introduced to fabric,” said Funk, who had never sewn anything before. “It was almost instantaneous; fabric became my medium of choice.” Funk went from making a simple fence rail quilt to thinking, Hey, I can make portraits and landscapes out of this.

Funk’s ideas begin with hand-drawn sketches or graphic designs she creates on her computer. She then prints full-size patterns and uses raw-edge applique to make quilts in her iconic style.

Sundari Complete -2 — Sundari elephant art quilt using Painter’s Palette Solids by Paintbrush Studios

Funk looks for fabric in a wide range of colors with a tightly-woven grain that feels silky and doesn’t fray. “I love using solids because they generally don’t have a right or wrong side.”

In 2017, Paintbrush Studios asked Funk to create art quilts using Painter’s Palette Solids. “Just like a painter, having the right color for the job is absolutely key to creation,” she said. “This line includes every color I need in all the right values and tones.” Funk appreciates the line’s true eight-grade gray scale, including black and white.

“Solids let me focus on the art itself, eliminating the clutter and confusion that sometimes come with patterned fabrics,” she said. “As a photographer, I love the appearance of monochromatic grays because they allow me to create a timeless look.”

Funk admits she “doesn’t know the first thing about the retail business,” but offers quilt shop owners feedback from the perspective of an artist who struggles to find what she needs.

“I love to see shops carry a wide variety of fabrics from different companies,” she said. Funk attributes the increasing demand for solids to, in part, the popularity of modern-style quilts featuring large areas of negative space with pops of color. She also loves walking into a shop and seeing samples in the style she wants to create. “I would like to see more art quilts hanging in quilt shops for inspiration,” she said. High quality samples challenge shoppers to try something new.

Posted on April 4, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Cabin Fever

It’s the first week of April and spring doesn’t seem to be any closer. Daydreams of warmer days and a summer to-do list seem to get longer and longer, while our work sits around us. Motivation is no where to be found.

Maybe all you need is a change of scenery. Literally. The creators of Instagram and the musical Hamilton we’re both on vacations when they incepted their two brilliant ideas.

While you don’t need to go across country to strike big on something you’ve been working on, it isn’t a bad idea to pick that project up and head to your nearest coffee shop. If noise seems to be your main source of distraction, studies show that coffee shops provide the perfect amount of noise level to productivity.

And while you’re trying to optimize that productivity, leave your cell phone in the office. Another study found that even when a phone is left in a bag, just the thought of it is still more distracting than if it were in another building.

So maybe this “whole warm weather is never coming” thing isn’t as bad as we think. Cabin fever may cause boredom, but when boredom strikes, creativity reigns according to this article.

So the next time you’re bored out of your mind, try to stay there. Let your mind wander, and see where it goes. Who knows, maybe you’ll create the next best app?