Blog - Page 25 of 33 - American Quilt Retailer

Posted on August 22, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Your Store and You

When was the last time you walked into a small business and it took your breath away?

If you have to think about it, maybe it’s time to revamp your store!

I’m sure we’ve all had that wow moment, when we opened up the door into a shop and came into something completely unexpected. That’s the feeling our stores should give us every single time.

This blog talks about having your social presence reflect who you are, but shouldn’t your store do that too?

On the surface, being a business owner doesn’t seem to give much room for creativity. But when it comes to your store, you have just that.

We as creatives know what image we want our product to have, so curate your store to be like the life you want to have, too.

hunt and gather.jpeg — The facade of one of the best curated stores I’ve ever been to. (Hunt & Gather in Minneapolis, MN)

That means if you like your life a little cluttered and messy, then that’s okay to have your store like that! No, I’m not kidding, throw away that traditional cookie cutter nonsense and give your store that thrift-shop vibe if that’s what you want.

If you like things cookie cutter, then go way cookie cutter. If purple is your favorite color, then have everything in your store be purple. If DIY is your thing, then DIY everything in sight until it’s exactly what you want. Heck, even have your husband help you make the tables!

Have what’s next for your store constantly on the back of your mind, curating an appearance takes time so take it, it’s the one thing on your to-do list that can wait. Start with what you have and do some experimenting to see what works and what doesn’t, what customers like and don’t, but most importantly what takes their breath away.

There’s always something to do with our stores, and it’s easy to become complicit in the way they look. If you keep changing up things around the store though, you never have to worry about it staying the same.

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 August 15, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

What does Labor Day mean to you?

With Labor Day just a few weeks away, American Quilt Retailer took some time to reflect on just what this holiday means.

To some, Labor Day is just another day off.

To others, Labor Day is more symbolic, representing the end of summer and the beginning of a transition to colder months.

Some people use the extra time to look at what their job means to them. Yes, it puts food on the table, but how can we motivate those we work with? How can we add value to the workplace? Do we make people excited to work by our sides every day, or proud to say you’re their coworker?

Some people use the extra time to give back to their employees. Maybe your store isn’t having a huge sale that is going to bring a lot of extra cash into next month’s budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some wiggle room to take everyone out to lunch.

Others use Labor Day to catch up. What’s been on that to-do list for far too long? Maybe you can dust the shelves (yes that means you have to take everything off them first)! Or write some long overdue thank you notes-because we all know it’s better late than never when it comes to thanking someone. Or you can tackle two birds with one stone; throw an event on Labor Day to get the best of both worlds. You can use the event as the only time you’re going to work that day to still get some time to celebrate yourself.

And speaking of, don’t forget to do just that! After all, Labor Day was made for those who labor, you can worry about the work load again on Tuesday.

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

JAFTEX Facebook Live Shop Tour Challenge

This August, the president of JAFTEX Scott Fortunoff is hosting a competition for the opportunity to have him visit your store!

For those of you who don’t know, the collection of companies under the JAFTEX name include The Blank Quilting Corp., FreeSpirit Fabrics, Henry Glass Fabrics, Studio E Fabrics, Fabric Editions, and A.E. Nathan Co., Inc.

The idea for the competition stemmed from a couple quilt shop tours Scott has been taking this summer to highlight some amazing quilt shops around the United States that really go above and beyond.

After the first few tours, Scott started to receive many requests to visit others. That’s when Scott came up with the idea for the challenge, what better way to make the best use of time and being efficient than by going on virtual tours?

Here’s the gist: Post a 15 minute video of your brick and mortar store (either on Facebook live or just on your company’s Facebook page) during the month of August and tag @jaftexpresident. The video with the most likes on the Scott Fortunoff Executive Facebook Page will win the opportunity to have him visit your store and get some free Jaftex fabrics! Scott also requests that there be some charitable component of his visit. This part of the competition includes the U.S. and Canada (but excludes Alaska and Hawaii).

If you’re reading this outside of that territory—have no fear! The competition is global, and the video with the most likes outside of the U.S. and Canada (including you Alaska and Hawaii) will get 10 free bolts of any JAFTEX fabric shipped to your store at Scott’s expense.

Some tips for how to make your video great include practice, tidying up, and having fun! Show off what makes your store different, include any events or specials your store hosts, and show off some JAFTEX fabrics while you’re at it.

The best way to shoot a video from your phone is to hold it horizontally, make sure you have good wifi, move and talk slowly, and check out the lighting before you start. You can find out more tips and details about the competition at Scott Fortunoff’s blog.

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

The Pursuit of Design

I was reading an article today about UI/UX design and I couldn’t help but to think about the quilting industry.

UI/UX design is a cousin to graphic design, think about every time you open an app or even turn on your computer. The words and graphics on the page start the user experience you are going through, what happens when you click on those words or graphics continues that experience and overall influences—subconsciously or not—what you think about that company or brand. (Check out the above linked article for an even better/more in depth explanation if you’re interested.)

So what does UI/UX have to do with quilting?

Honestly, nothing. But the word “design” does.

What does design mean? As creatives, I think we can relate to the fact that design isn’t a concrete idea, nor are the tools and processes used to get to a design.

Think of your store as a design. (After all, you did design it!) Every time a customer walks through your front door, the experience begins through sights, smells, sounds, and more. Every time someone visits your website, or scrolls through your Instagram or Pinterest, that experience continues. And subconscious or not, they will start making assumptions to associate with you or your business.

When you think about it like that, doesn’t that change how you view every thing you put into your store? Doesn’t that change your perspective on where you get inspiration, and what you do with that inspiration?

I don’t know about you but it made me begin to ask questions about the companies, brands, and products I love. It ultimately made my creations more creative because this idea made me see things in a new light and look for things I hadn’t been searching for.

Even if this article doesn’t give you food for thought, I hope you have the same epiphany moment that I experienced to get your store one step closer to what you want it to be.

Posted on July 25, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Dog Days of Summer

The dog days of summer are upon us. Friday afternoons are spent counting down the minutes and itching to leave. And Sunday scaries are even worse with coworkers taking advantage of their vacation time, knowing the week’s work load will be even more than it already is.

The weather is the best it’s going to be all year long, and yet I’m still completely uninspired.

Here are some suggestions to get through this summer slump.

Change your scene. That’s right, take a vacation and unplug, baby. Work will still be there when you get back. I know it requires some forethought but getting the heck out of dodge can help you appreciate everything you have when you return. And yes, it also stinks to come back to a pile of things to do, but to really ward off burnout make sure you take as much time as you need to come back feeling inspired and refreshed.
Read and write. As if we don’t do enough of that already. Reading anything and everything you can will broaden your knowledge, and writing it down will help you decipher those true strokes of genius when you stumble upon them in a long lost note in your phone.
Workout. Making time for the gym is definitely the hardest part about a workout (first find a routine that works for you), but making that time will make you a better boss/employee/creative/etc. in the long run. Take some time for you, let those endorphins release, and reap the benefits.
Bask in boring. That’s right, sometime our best ideas are born out of the most boring of days. That’s because our minds want and need to be stimulated. Once you think you’re going to go crazy, the creative gears start turning.

Don’t forget that it’s okay to take care of yourself, being a small business owner (and living out our dreams) requires hard work and means were constantly on the grind. If this summer is stifling your creative process, take some time to get back on track.

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

How to Grow Your Email List

Email blasts are one of the most insightful forms of digital marketing. The statistics that free sites, like MailChimp and Constant Contact, provide open up a world of ideas for how to get your ideas out there fast.

Check out these tips to learn how you can grow your email list with quality customers.

Leave a sign-up sheet. You’d be surprised how many people will leave their information when you talk about everything your email blasts have to offer. Also print off your social media timeline so clients can get a sneak peak of your awesome feed and gain more followers that way too.
Always carry your business card. Yup, this old trick really does work. Business cards provide a tangible way to recall discussions and act as a constant reminder of your business when left on a table or desk.
Organize a giveaway. The giveaway can double as a sign up drive to reach goals you’ve set for yourself on how many more people you want to add. Keep track of the data during and after the giveaway to make sure the recruits you got are still engaging with your content.
Connect through social media. Encourage people to sign up for your newsletter in the bio of your Instagram and Pinterest. Sprinkle a couple posts in your feed every now and then reminding people to sign up. And don’t forget to reverse the process; always include your social media handles in your email blasts.
Don’t give up on bounce backs. That’s right, it’s okay to be pesky. Sometimes reaching out can help troubleshoot, or provide more insight on what your customers want to see. The more you tailor your content to what your customers want, the more excited they will be when they see your notification come through.

Have other tips for what’s worked for you? We’d love to hear them! Comment or start a discussion in our Facebook page about how you’ve grown your online following.

Posted on July 13, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Fox Chapel Publishing Acquires Landauer Publishing

Fox Chapel Publishing, a high-quality craft book publisher, acquired Landauer Publishing, an independent quilt-publishing company.

Landauer Publishing was founded by Jeramy Lanigan Landauer in 1991. The company has over 100 quilt and needle titles in circulation, and Landauer has served in a variety of executive positions to get her where she is today, including Funk & Wagnalls, Times Mirror Magazines, and Meredith Corporation.

The collection of authors under the Landauer name include Lynette Jensen who wrote the Thimbleberries® line and Edyita Star who is known for her quilts of both color and beauty. Quilt lovers will already be familiar with the quilt makers known as Sew Kind of Wonderful and their chart-topping book Mini Wonderful Curves. Landauer is not only a trusted brand within the quilting industry but they are also known for their books targeting beginning crafters.

Fox Chapel Publishing will maintain the Landauer website, blog, marketing, and sales initiatives. Some of the veteran members of the Landauer team will remain in their roles including Laurel Albright and Sue Voegtlin who were responsible for art direction and photography for new books. Jeramy Lanigan Landauer will also continue to work, just now under the Fox Chapel name.

As for Fox Chapel, they are known for a wide range of titles including hobbies, crafts, and lifestyle. The company focuses on top notch artisan and craft books and publish more than 1500 titles and two quarterly magazines. Other brands under the Fox Chapel name include Happy Fox Books, Quiet Fox, CompanionHouse Books, Design Originals, IMM Lifestyle Books, and Creative Homeowner.

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

Texas Quilt Museum’s Must-See Summer Exhibit

You’re not going to want to miss the Texas Quilt Museum’s latest exhibits that run until September 30, 2018.

A Nuestra Senora, La Virgen de Guadalupe.

The first collection, titled “Sue Garman: Traditional Masterworks,” features the works of Sue Garman, best known for her website ComeQuilt.com. For four decades, Garman shared her techniques, patterns, and advice with fellow quilters. She won many prizes and her quilts have been published in multiple books.

Not only was Garman talented in quilting, but she was gifted in math, working a lifelong career as an executive at NASA. This dedication shows in the detail and precision of her quilts. Even though Garman passed away in 2017, her two daughters remain active on the ComeQuilt.com website.

The second collection on display is “Comfort and Glory: Selections from the Briscoe Center’s Winedale Quilt Collection,” which will feature 14 quilts from the Winedale Quilt Collection, a scholarly resource at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. All of these quilts on display along with 100 others will be available for purchase and published in Comfort and Glory: Two Centuries of American Quilts from the Briscoe Center.

Three superstars that will be on display include the Troutman Quilt by Joanne Troutman that includes improvised red and green appliqué as well as the famous “Betsy Ross of Texas” and “A Nuestra Señora, La Virgen de Guadalupe” by Beth Thomas Kennedy.

If you’re going to be in the La Grange, Texas area, you’re not going to want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime collection of some of the world’s most famous quilts. To find out about hours, addresses, and more, please visit texasquiltmuseum.org.

*Inspiration for this post came from the Texas Quilt Museum.

Posted on June 27, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Fourth of July Crafts

Even though it seems like summer has just started, the Fourth of July is already here! Check out these five craft ideas you can add to your window display to celebrate the holiday of the summer.

American Flag Backdrop. Cut up strips of red, white, and combined red and white material you have in stock at your store and tie them to burlap string. Find some blue material with stars and pin to the top left corner—and there you have it, a homemade flag that doubles as a backdrop!
Handkerchief quilt. Make the quickest quilt ever with red, white, and blue handkerchiefs. You’ll need three of each color, and after a little sewing with quarter-inch seams, you’ll have a patriotic quilt hanging in your window in no time.
Cardstock wreath. Wreaths are every crafters favorite project because they’re known for being quick, easy, and cute. You’ll need red, white, and blue cardstock, and cardboard a little smaller than what you want your wreath to be. Roll the cardstock into cones, and glue them to the cardboard, stacking them on top of each other in a circle. Cover the center with a fanned piece of cardstock in the color of your choice.
Clothespin flags. Probably the most self explanatory craft, paint clothespins and glue them together so they make a miniature version of our nation’s flag.
Patriotic string lights. You’ll need red, white, and blue yarn, 5-inch balloons, petroleum jelly, and string lights. Inflate the balloons. Soak the yarn in two parts petroleum jelly to one part water. Tie the yarn to the tied end of the balloon, and wrap. Wait 48 hours. Pop the balloons and remove them from the yarn. Place balls of string over lights and voilà! Your own DIY string lights.

Don’t fret if time is short, these crafts will transform your window display so you’re ready to celebrate.

Posted on June 20, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Let’s Talk Money

Money never seems to be easy. Not easy to talk about, not easy to understand, and especially not to get.

But whoever said there’s no such thing as free money never applied for a small business grant. Grants are a great way to give your business the extra financial push it needs to meet it’s next goal.

When it comes to setting yourself apart from the rest of the applicants it’s important to do your research well ahead of time. Make a list of the grants you could qualify for, their deadlines, and their requirements. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to meet these steps, and begin to schedule a rough timeline to complete each task.

Make sure you don’t have to force justification for these grants; it will show in your materials if the fit doesn’t seem natural. And don’t forget to search for local or regional grants that may be better suited for your area’s economic needs (and thus a better fit for your business).

Next, seek professional help. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Or utilize resources that have experience in grants, like the Better Business Bureau or The American Association of Grant Professionals. If you have a friend with experience in the professional writing world or with a stellar set of skills and experience in editing, then you’ve hit the jackpot if they’re willing to give you help for free.

Often times these grants can seem like a pipe dream, but it doesn’t hurt to try. And with most things, persistence pays off. If you don’t get it in year one, try again. With each year you apply, the more the committee will recognize your effort and the less daunting the process will seem.