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Jean Lawes has been a guest on the podcast a few times, and on this episode, she shares what winning the Jill Robson Scholarship meant to her. You have until April 30th, 2023 to apply for the Scholarship. Visit WCAA's Scholarship webpage to find out more. Ann K. Johnson's Swag Books Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class The Complete Book of Curtains and Drapes Lady Carolyn Wrey Bluprint is back to Craftsy - Cynthia Blescakchek's class - Getting Started with Upholstery The Workroom Channel Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library
The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library Merril Y Landis, LTD Angel's Distributing, LLC Trading Up Consulting, LLC National Upholstery Association Terry Sandlin has been a part of the soft furnishing industry since 1992. Starting in a 1 person workroom, 1 day a week, making cording & ruffles. In 2007 she and her husband relocated to Birmingham, Ala, where she opened Terry's Designing Windows. Terry was a member of the WCAA Birmingham Chapter and served as Secretary for 2 years before they disbanded. Terry was a winner of the 2018 Artisan Project, Demonstrator in the Construction Zone of the 2019 IWCE Conference, and was slotted to demonstrate in the 2020 IWCE -newly named- Workroom Central before it was rescheduled. She was also selected to be an Instructor for the 2021 Custom Workroom Conference. Terry is on Facebook, Instagram Here is the link to Terry's article in the Drapery & Design Digital Digest Links and Resources; Pitch Like A Girl by Rhonna Lichtenberg Workroom Tech The Custom Workroom Conference Ann K. Johnson - Essential Workroom Skills & Efficiency Class Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades, and Top Treatments: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Making and Installing Window Decor by Susan Woodcock
See more about today's topic on Susan's Workroom Tech Blog. 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech is brought to you by Workroom Tech You can contact Susan at susan@workroomtech.com and Ceil at ceilwdi@gmail.com Links and Resources; (I sometimes use affiliate links and may be paid for using them. I am grateful if you choose to use them.) Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class Information - Contact Ann on her website Donna Skufis's Method Share on Time Blocking
The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA Helser Brothers, Inc The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library Merril Y Landis, LTD Julie Higgins, the owner of Ella Moon Designs, earned a Bachelors degree in Speech Communications from St. Josephs College in New York. Immediately after college, she began working as a communications instructor at the Helen Keller National Center for deaf-blind adults. She taught sign language and braille to her students and loved what she did BUT once she wanted to be a stay at home Mom. After a kitchen renovation in 2011, a neighbor inspired Julie to make her own window treatments. She is a surgeon and learned how to sew from her mother in law (Yaya). Once they completed the project Julie was hooked. She then began making window treatments for friends and family. In 2013 Ella Moon Designs was born. Links and Resources; The E Myth Revisited Episode 15 with Sarah O'Neil Ann K. Johnson's Article
The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA Helser Brothers, Inc The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library Merril Y Landis, LTD Terry Sandlin has been a part of the soft furnishing industry since 1992. Starting in a 1 person workroom, 1 day a week, making cording & ruffles. In 2007 she and her husband relocated to Birmingham, Ala, where she opened Terry’s Designing Windows. Terry was a member of the WCAA Birmingham Chapter and served as Secretary for 2 years before they disbanded. Terry was a winner of the 2018 Artisan Project, Demonstrator in the Construction Zone of the 2019 IWCE Conference, and was slotted to demonstrate in the 2020 IWCE -newly named- Workroom Central before it was rescheduled. She was also selected to be an Instructor for the 2021 Custom Workroom Conference. Terry is on Facebook, Instagram Links and Resources; Pitch Like A Girl by Rhonna Lichtenberg Workroom Tech The Custom Workroom Conference Ann K. Johnson - Essential Workroom Skills & Efficiency Class Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades, and Top Treatments: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Making and Installing Window Decor by Susan Woodcock
30 Minutes with Workroom Tech is brought to you by Workroom Tech See more about today's topic on Susan's Workroom Tech Blog. You can contact Susan at susan@workroomtech.com and Ceil at ceilwdi@gmail.com Links and Resources; Susan's Book - Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments BluPrint Episode 3 - Understanding Fullness Episode 31 - Challenging Fabrics Episode 36 - Ann K. Johnson - Ripplefold Panels
The Podcast is Sponsored by; Workroom Tech Susan and I talk about what the WAM group learned by doing time studies and as always, there is something for all of us to learn!! They were so many great ideas and we share a few of them today. Susan's Blog will have more information. Here are some resources on the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library to help with the next WAM meeting; CSFRL > Fly on the Wall with Zona Tiller, pinch pleated panels (seeing someone else in the workroom helps us to review what and how we are doing things) CSFRL > recorded webinar > Up To S.P.E.E.D. with Jeanelle Dech CSFRL > recorded webinar > Sewing Multiples with Jeanelle Dech CSFRL > recorded webinar > Best of Workroom Secrets with Cathy Tucker CSFRL > recorded webinar series > Workroom Policies and Procedures with Jill Robson Ann K. Johnson's class” Essential Workroom Skills and Efficiency” in April at Workroom Tech. Links and Resources; Time Timer Clockify App
Pricing is a challenge for most business owners, and we will cover a few ideas today on the Podcast. And what is a Day Rate and why do you need to know it?? Members of the Workroom Accountability and Mentoring Group you will find the links you need for our first on line meeting below. For others, please follow along with us and let us know what you think. Links and Resources; Susan's Blog Price Your Work with Confidence by Kitty Stein An excerpt can be found in D&D Pro 2011 Issue 4, Ann K. Johnson Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Profit Sheet by Sharon Greiner, Custom Home Furnishings magazine, 2007, Sept-Oct, pages 50 - 52, What Are You Worth, recorded webinar with Jeanelle Dech CSFRL archives Workroom Time Studies by Jeanelle Dech Ravi Pankhania Episode 66 & 67 Time Timer available on Amazon Susan mentioned TimeSheet App
Jean Lawes is my guest today on this special episode of the Podcast. Time is running out for you to apply for the Jill Robson Scholarship!!! The deadline is January 31, 2020. Visit WCAA's Scholarship webpage to find out more. Ann K. Johnson's Swag Books Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class The Complete Book of Curtains and Drapes Lady Carolyn Wrey Bluprint - Cynthia Blescakchek's class - Getting Started with Upholstery The Workroom Channel Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library
Diana Nolan is the owner of a retail and wholesale workroom located in Medford, New Jersey outside of Philadelphia. She started her business after a career in Retail Management for College and University bookstores. She started Diana Nolan Custom Windows in 2001 shortly after her children were born. Diana is a member of both the NJ and Pennsylvania WCAA chapters and currently holds the position of Vice President of the Pennsylvania SEPA chapter. Diana is on Instagram and Facebook Scot Robbins Workroom Valet Gridded Table Cover at The Workroom Marketplace Draw Matic For Information about Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class Kelly and Lonnie's Podcast Gretchen Rubin's Happier Podcast Donations in Lonnie Vanderslice's Memory
Kathy Patterson is the owner of Draperies by Kathy She started sewing for a designer 15 years ago and her daughter, Michelle has joined her in her business. Links and Resources; Michelle's Etsy Shop - This White Rabbit Co. The Custom Workroom Conference Kim Chagnon - Kim's Upholstery Ann K. Johnson's Workroom Skills Class Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Workroom Tech The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA Helser Brothers, Inc The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library
Susan and Ceil talk about why we pattern match and the best ways to do that. Spoiler alert - it depends!!! This link to Susan's Blog will make it easy to follow along! Resources; Ann K. Johnson's Method Share for Pattern Matching on The Workoom Channel Episode 9 of the WRT Podcast
Continuing our series of products brought to the market in our industry, Ann k. Johnson and Susan Woodcock share the stories of how they wrote and published their books. Ann K. Johnson owns Sew Easy Windows LLC, a wholesale workroom in Ohio, established in 1992. She is the author of The Professional Workroom Handbook of Swags I & II, and publisher for Kitty Stein's Price Your Work With Confidence! Ann offers private workroom training, seminars, and hands-on classes in workroom fabrication, pattern drafting, efficiency, and pricing. Her topics are always fully packed with time-saving tips and techniques, delivered in a relaxed and light-hearted style. Ann has been a popular industry instructor since 2004. She teaches at Window Fashions IWCE and Custom Workroom Conference. She is a webinar instructor for WCAA & D&D Pro, and a representative for DreamDraper. She is a member of the Greater Cleveland Drapery Professionals and WCAA. website: https://seweasywindows.com/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SewEasyWindows/ Susan Woodcock owns Home Dec Gal, a how-to sewing resource and custom workroom in western North Carolina, and is a Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) instructor and international speaker. Susan’s comprehensive how-to book, Singer® Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments was published in 2016. Together with her husband, Rodger Walker, Susan co-produces the Custom Workroom Conference, an annual educational event and trade show. In 2017, Susan and Rodger founded Custom Workroom Technical Center or “Workroom Tech”, a hands-on training facility dedicated to the workroom industry. She credits her mother with teaching her to sew and inspiring her career of creativity. www.homedecgal.com www.customworkroomconference.com www.workroomtech.com
017: Accidental Business that Became Intentional with Ann K. Johnson Ann K. Johnson is the owner of Sew Easy Windows specializing in decorative soft goods such as panels and draperies, cushions and pillows, tablecloths and napkins and much more. Ann is also a speaker, author and instructor known for creating ways to be efficient in the workroom. She is the author of a two volume book series, The Professional Workroom Handbook of Swags. Listen in as she shares how her business accidentally started but how she moved towards intentionality to keep it going. Topics Mentioned: Efficiency Investing in Your Business Consistency Education Thoughts from Ann: To have open communication we will always be better in the long run. Efficiency is extremely important because it rolls the jobs through but it is also important to be aware to not freeze up making custom items. It is important to keep consistency in product development and fabrication choices. They all contribute to how the product looks in the end and what the clients are buying. I look at achieving maximum efficiency by thinking about how I would train an employee. When I write I book or create a class, I give them everything they need. I strive to be as clear and concise as possible but to give enough information that they can make educated decisions going forward. Be teachable and willing to learn. Continue learning and taking classes. Links and Resources: https://www.theworkroomchannel.com https://www.curtainsandsoftfurnishingspro.org/ https://www.workroomtech.com Books: The Curtain Maker’s Handbook by Frank Moreland Price Your Work With Confidence by Kitty Stein The Professional Workroom Handbook of Swags Vol. 1 & 2 by Ann K. Johnson Socials: Facebook: Sew Easy Windows Website: www.annkjohnson.com Instagram: @AKJWorkroom
Episode 3 of the Opportunity Thinking Series is an interview with Kitty Stein, author of Price Your Work With Confidence. Ann K. Johnson is now the publisher of the book and she joins us in an entertaining conversation with Kitty. It is a little bit difficult for me to comprehend not thinking about window treatments or our industry on a daily basis, but that is what retirement looks like for Kitty now! Encompassing a career of 30 years in the Window Covering Industry, Kitty became a highly respected personality who wore many hats as an entrepreneur: Soft covering designer and fabricator, some of which appeared in national magazines and local designer show houses; sole proprietor workroom to the trade; partnership owning a retail decorating business and wholesale workroom; employer of decorators and workroom fabricators; monthly columnist for two prominent magazines to the trade, wrote well over 200 articles spanning 13 years; seminar presenter; teacher and development assistant to the original window coverings school, eventually called the Custom Home Furnishings Academy (CHF School); business consultant to the trade; and author and publisher of five business books to the trade, of which PRICE YOUR WORK WITH CONFIDENCE, published in 2000, is still selling. Kitty was also a board member of the Window Covering Association of America (WCAA) as a liaison with the workroom industry. During her tenure, she saw the development of the Certified Workroom Professional (CWP) program from conception to fruition, for which she received a special award from the WCAA. She also received a Life Time Educator award from the CHF School for her contributions to the industry. Ann K. Johnson owns Sew Easy Windows LLC, a wholesale workroom in Ohio, established in 1992. She is the author of The Professional Workroom Handbook of Swags I & II, and publisher for Kitty Stein's Price Your Work With Confidence! Ann offers private workroom training, seminars, and hands-on classes in workroom fabrication, pattern drafting, efficiency, and pricing. Her topics are always packed with time-saving tips and techniques. Contact Ann at ajohnson@seweasywindows to put together a training package for you. Ann is an instructor for The Workroom Channel and Workroom Tech, a webinar instructor for WCAA, and a speaker for The Custom Workroom Conference. She is a member of the Greater Cleveland Drapery Professionals and WCAA. Ann also is an educator for Dream Draper. During the podcast we talked about; Jesus Calling by Sarah Young A Course In Miracles by Dr. Helen Schucman These are Amazon Affiliate links, and I'm grateful if you choose to use them.
In preparing for the Anniversary Podcasts, I realized just how much incredible advice all of my guests have generously offered the podcast listeners. I thought it might be fun to put it all together in one episode, but it would have been too long, so here is The Best Advice Episode 1 and sometime in the future, I'll add more! I hope you enjoy listening! Thanks again, to my incredible guests for their generosity! Sandra VanSickle Kim Chagnon Julie Wood Jeanelle Dech Terri Booser Minda Fernish Margie Nance Sarah Devany O'Neil Elki Horn Monique Becker Beth Hodges Ann K. Johnson Tracy Windley Susan Gillen
I had such fun talking with Ann K. Johnson of Sew Easy Windows! Ann owns a wholesale workroom in Ohio, established in 1992. She is an author and publisher and offers private workroom training, seminars, and hands-on classes in workroom fabrication, pattern drafting, efficiency and pricing. Her topics are always fully packed with time saving tips and techniques, delivered in a relaxed and light-hearted style. Ann has been a popular industry instructor since 2004. She teaches at Window Fashions IWCE and Custom Workroom Conference. She is a webinar instructor for WCAA & D&D Pro, and a representative for DreamDraper. She is a member of the Greater Cleveland Drapery Professionals and WCAA. I have learned a great deal from Ann over the years, and I was surprised by how much we had in common. You won't want to miss her story, or miss her teasing me about my choice of words!!!