I hope your new year has been going great. I pondered doing something and finally decided to take heed to some advice that my dear friend Joyce gave me years ago when we first opened Pieces of Time. She always said.. “Honey, the only way to make money in this business is to learn to do it yourself”. It was procrastination at it’s best. Well the procrastination has ended and the lessons will begin. My upholsterer who did Clarissa – has graciously said yes to teaching me. When I asked her about it.. her reply was not what I expected..she said “Sure, I would love to teach you… because someone taught me and I’d love to pass it on” Wow! Honestly speaking, I thought she would say “No” for obvious reasons and I’m very grateful about that. This is going to be a long process and I’ll share what I’m going through along the way. I hope you’ll follow along. This is the chair we are working on for the first lesson.
It has a small tear in the fabric and needs to be re-done. The simple lines along with a sleek look is perfect for a starter lesson. The style is mid-century modern Eames chair and reminds me of something you’d see in Mad Men – doesn’t it?
VIA
Very similar huh??
VIA
It’s a very popular style and I can’t wait to see the finished product. I picked a sleek fabric and will refinish the wood. I think I’ll call this piece Don – Looks sleek and casa-nova-ish.. like DonJuan.
So everyone.. wish me luck, on this new venture I’m taking. I just hope my hands hold up for the journey.
I can’t wait to read all about your new adventure. This is really exciting. I always find great pieces but never know who to go to to reupholster anything. I am so excited you are learning to do this. It might also inspire others to try their hand at it. I know I wish I had the time. That chair is going to be amazing when you finish with it.
Hey Kay! Yes, I’m really excited about how it’s going to turn out.. It’s a venture that’s going to a looooong process.. I mean realllllllly, long..chuckles… but I’m glad to give it a try.
I’ve seen some wonderful shops go out of business here because the owners hired people to do all the painting, upholstery, sewing, fixing, cleaning, etc. Yes, it would be wonderful to come up with the creative ideas and pay someone else to execute them, but that isn’t the reality of the small business. It is always a matter of keeping the overhead down.
I am also undertaking my first upholstery job this new year, a child’s over-stuffed chair, so I’ll need more luck than you! I hope you will share what you learn.
Ginene
Hey Ginene, yea, it was a tough decision to make, but I realize it’s best. Also, at least now I get first hand knowledge of what all it takes to create beautiful pieces. I hope your chair turns out equally beautiful.. I can’t wait to see it…
Good luck with the new craft. If you don’t enjoy the process, or decide it is not a craft for you,,,,so what. You have tried and you won’t always think, what if. But, you do have talent and will do a great job.
Thank you drpinyan… so true.. nothing beats a try than a failure to try..
you can do it… After that piece is done, Look out fabric stores. Hang in there!!!!!
Thanks Sylvia… You’re right.. I just hope my pocketbook can stand it !! LOL