My words for the day –”Move on!” 

Wherever you are at this point in your career, your business, and achieving your goals, it’s time to move on! 

There is one common theme here that seems to be emanating from the wonderful presentations this weekend has offered. Get better at your techniques, your offerings, and the value will be appreciated by all. Step it up a notch! 

We know we’d rather just be in the fabrication studio being creative and working for that gratification we all love when we deliver and exceed the expectations of our clients, but don’t give your work away, make it a  “must have” and the quality value be appreciated 

Today, Ravi from Vancouver presented an awesome discussion on finding your niche and setting yourself above and beyond your competitors. He suggests   ways to market   that niche and   get noticed. His photography was displayed and his success has allowed him to reinvest in getting the skills to improve and market what he loves to do.

Great suggestions, and I must say, recognizing what he has accomplished makes me feel an enormous wave of overcoming inertia. 

Gillian   shared some unique ways to embellish your soft furnishings and the important craft of hand sewing with an amazing assortment of add-ons to make your custom work even more special. The thought of the vast details brought   into discussion certainly makes it apparent, being creative and stepping it up a notch calls out to the clientele- “You better have it made by me- you’ll never find anything so unique anywhere else!” Attending seminars such as Creative Camp sets us apart form others and not only are we considered experts we are changing with the times, you’d better keep up! 

The creative minds grouped all together gives an amazing buzz of energy to the group, and we all learn from one another. The common bond amidst this group of fabricators connects us on a new level. The distance between some of us is physically is  great, but in today’s world with a click we are staying in touch and sharing ideas and growing from those new links. The innovations we can implement to make our businesses grow, flow and fly will bring more than you can imagine back to your success. 

So take it to the next level, do something new to grow, attend Creative Camp in 2011- did you hear the news- some special classes and teachers will be onboard too- Hope to see you there! 

A few tips for the day:

Good thread is not the cheapest…

Create the perfect work place and be the boss   you’d want to have

It’s OK to be silent, think, listen and move on.. 

Connie Valente

A day in the countryside in Texas at the serene Camp Allen feels like we’re all on a retreat, leaving behind all cares and worries of our regular routines. What an awesome place- I’m inspired to be creative just looking at the handmade quilts on all the walls, just everywhere.

As we sit down to  begin our day, realizing people for  29 states are here- even from Alaska and Canada  it feels so special to be apart of this. The funny thing is “camp”  brings  back so many memories for  me as a kid, I remember the total mindset switch from the usual routines…playtime.

As we’re beginning to get smocking my partner at  the table discovers her husband  is stuck in traffic in the city and her little one has been left at day care well beyond the pick up time and the next child is about to step off the school bus and Dad is nowhere near the house…. Panic at smocking table one! Didn’t I just say “leave all the cares and worries at home??”

Well we got over that, with Donna Marie’s guidance we actually did manage to get our selvages cut and lines drawn and the sewing begins! (Yes, Dad made it home, more later  on that one I’m sure when Mom gets back….)

Now luxurious samples are made, and we have an awesome way to be set apart from the norm- this smocking is an art and boy does it dress a panel- or where ever you want to use it…I’m impressed.

The added expense for those special clients will be worth every   penny.

Many of you who know me can agree I am a gadget junkie- I  just don’t know who comes up with these new presser feet, but I’m sure I’ll use the new ones- for sure, one day. Then the girl next to me reminds me, we’ll probably get these home and not even remember what they’re for! So now Jill- we need a DVD on all of the uses for each one- next show- ok??

 Joanna’ pelmet class was packed as well as the smocking session and the enthusiasm showed quickly as her DVD’s were selling like hotcakes.

Speaking of which- the food is great, but what an interesting conversation to hear in a restaurant as one person said-“Where else can you hear a discussion of soft cornice vs. hard cornice vs. pelmet  as we share fruit cobbler?”

Wish you were here! Maybe next year?

A few tips from the day   to share..

            Origami is not just for paper….

             Did you know you can use dryer sheets on your threads when hand sewing silk instead of wax? No residue or knotting and glides like a charm?

Connie Valente