Sew Much More

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; Scarlet Thread Consulting WCAA The Workroom Channel   In 1987, successful window treatment designer Carlette Cormier started the business to help support her family. With a small toddler at home and her husband recently laid off Carlette needed employment that would not only allow her to contribute income, but to be at home to care for her family. Decidin...

The podcast is sponsored by; Scarlet Thread Consulting The Workroom Channel WCAA Caterina Meadows, of  Pate Meadows Designs  will make you laugh! Before the label "strong willed child" was so widely used, there was "hardhead". Caterina wears the label hardhead proudly but sometimes considers "passionate" to be a more politically correct description. She lovingly accuses her parent's of creating a...

This week I have the honor of interviewing Sue Gillen, owner of  Window Fashion Designs & More .  Sue is a dear friend of mine and is a Certified Window Treatment Consultant and Fabricator who works with homeowners and designers to create beautiful and functional window treatments that are truly works of art. She also offers shades, shutters, custom upholstery and accessories to finish the look. A...

Hearing Tracy's story was so inspiring!  Most of us at least knew how to sew when we started this journey, but Tracy had to learn that before she learned how to fabricate. And she hasn't stopped learning!  Hear how Tracy decided, "If I was going to do it, I was going to do it right!"   Tracy Windley is the owner of Sew Elegant Fine Window Designs , established in 1994 and located in Searcy, Arkans...

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...

Beth Hodges, owner of Beth Hodges Soft Furnishings , has been in business for almost thirty years! Beth reminisces about starting her business at a time when there was little education and almost no connection between workrooms. She raised 5 children, "in the middle of nowhere" and grew her business which employs several people - her second family! Like lots of us, Beth has had her ups and downs a...

Monique Becker, CWTC and Allied ASID owner of  Becker Home , started her journey in this business by googling, "how to earn a living sewing curtains" because she enjoyed making her own so much and she was ready for a change from her corporate job. Monique tells us about her journey and about how she serves her clients today.

Elki Horn is a friend and mentor to many in the custom home furnishings industry! Elki is a commercial workroom owner with a wonderful sense of humor and a mission to share with everyone in the industry!  Like many of us, Elki started her business, Interior Elegance by Elki  in her home.  Elki shares with us how and why she moved out of her home and how she makes time to be creative.

While many workrooms and designers started out in our homes and because we had a skill, Sarah O'Neil started her business,   Storibook Designs  out of a need to make a life change and to find joy every day.  She no longer wanted a job, she wanted to feed her soul! Sarah talks openly and honestly about the challenges of anxiety and the tools she uses to get through the difficult times.   Thank you...

With over 20 years experience on many sides of this industry, Margie's journey has moved her away from fabrication and towards education and instruction. Listen to Margie share her journey, perhaps she should stop saying never, and why do sewing machines just appear in her life??? You can find the Drapery and Design Network  here . Thank you to my sponsors who make it possible for me to continue t...

After spending a wonderful weekend with so  many creative women, I am wondering about how we find time to be creative and where we find our creativity.  I would love to hear how you find time to be creative. I'll post the question on my  Facebook Page .  Please share how you find time to be creative and where you find creative inspiration.  

  I am so grateful to share my sponsors with you, as they are helping to make it possible to continue brining the podcast to you. Scarlet Thread Consulting The Window Covering Association of America The Workroom Channel   This weekend I attended Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker's Workroom Weekend Conference and met some wonderful new people and connected with some dear friends!  I took the opportu...

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Minda Fernish for this week's podcast!  Minda is so passionate about sharing what she does that it was a joy to be in her classes earlier this year. Minda is so cheerful and positive.  Minda  opened her workroom in 1980. What started as a part time endeavor quickly grew into a full time business. Catering to the discerning designer, Minda's Draperies spe...

Our guest today is Terri Boozer, owner of Studio of Drapery And Fabrication Arts, LLC and Construction Zone Coordinator and Director of The Window Fashions Artisan Project for IWCE. Find out how Terri's business has evolved over the years and how even though becoming an elementary school teacher was not her passion, educating members of our industry has become a huge part of her mission. Terri sha...

The always fascinating, Jeanelle Dech, President and Co-Owner of Adaptive Textiles  and The Workroom Channel  is my guest today and we talk about the very first thing she made and sold.  You aren't going to believe it when she tells us how old she was!  There were some surprises and some ah ha moments in my chat with Jeanelle today!  As always, if you have any suggestions for guests or questions  ...

Today I have some helpful hints, suggestions and resources that have been valuable to me in my business. The books I mentioned can be found on my website  Ceildi.com . I also mentioned a great resource for free learning sites it's  here . I hope you liked this episode and it there was at least one helpful suggestion!

Julie Wood, the brand new President of WCAA National shares her elevator pitch, her biggest fear, and how she got started in the window treatment industry.  You can see Julie's beautiful treatments on her website,  The Leading Edge Drapery .  

Thanks for downloading the Sew Much More Podcast! If you have any suggestions for people to interview or questions to ask, please email me at ceilwdi@gmail.com .  I would love to hear from you.

Kim Chagnon has gone from upholstering in her living room to hosting live Facebook events while she chats with her viewers and works on furniture!  Hear how Kim learned to upholster by driving 20 miles to an upholstery class and now she is teaching on Craftsy and chatting with people around the world as they learn from her.  Oh, and I think we laughed a little during this episode of the podcast! ...

Join me today as I talk with the Pillow Queen, Donna Cash of  Designs By Donna Atlanta .  We talk about how yoga helps keep her centered.  How early morning is her favorite time of day and how important it is to set good intentions.

Today we chat with Michele Williams of Scarlet Thread Consulting .  If you've ever taken a class or been in Michele's company you know her passion for supporting those of us in the Custom Home Furnishings industry!  Michele shares her journey with us and tells us about opportunity knocking on her door (or ringing the doorbell!) and how she learned to set boundries

Susan Woodcock, also known as  Home Dec Gal , joins us to tell us about learning about window treatments from her Mother, her passion for education and exciting upcoming events.