Thursday, March 26, 2009

Just how bad IS the economy?

Today's blog is a reflection on a comment made by a Facebook friend, Marie Mouradian. She questioned whether the economy is really as bad as the news portrays it, and concluded it wasn't.

I'll include some comments I posted in reaction: "Yesterday I reflected with a client on how blessed we truly are in this great country. Daily, I continue to work hard, provide excellent service, and strive to constantly improve - and I see so many others around me doing exactly the same thing in whatever job or industry they are in. This continues to be a land of great opportunity and hope!
I'm chosing not to listen to the economic news. I'm going to keep on making those sales calls - and I'm thankful for every single client."

There are so many people like you and me, people who are just going about their everyday life, working hard, doing what's best for their families, their communities, and their country. Those are the people who will continue to make this country strong through times of economic turmoil, naysayers and second-guessers.

I'll work harder, pray more, trust my Heavenly Father and hope for more settled times in the near future.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Twitter Widgets, Hot Links and Mindfly.com

Another episode in the life of a multi-tasking custom window drapery fashionista! Sometimes juggling a million different balls can be a little crazy. Today Maya at Mindfly.com had some great ideas on how to finetune my website. Of course, we had to detour for a moment and have a look at some of the website stats showing up on Google Analytics and what they meant... What? Twitter's not installed on the website? Okay, let's get the Twitter widget up and running there... Oh, and anchor text and hot links on the blog - yep, should do that too...

Wow, lot's to do again in the cyberspace world. Now, back to the real world...

Monday, March 23, 2009

Custom drapery creativity!

Sometimes the right fabric just really isn't the right fabric! And how do you deal with that? I ran into that problem late last year. As I sat with a client flipping through sample fabrics, one caught her eye. It was a beautiful striped faux silk, with beige and peach colored stripes of varying intensities and tiny stripes of gold. The colors were perfect with her walls, carpet and room. What was the problem? The client wanted a room darkening drape in that living room, and this fabric was a sheer...

So, back I went to the office, searching for another very similar fabric that would suit her needs but be equally as stunning. Of course, that did not happen. There was just nothing like the original fabric choice.

That's when Angel's came to the rescue! Their 118" Bella Notte Blackout Lining with Eurohem saved the day. By railroading both the fabric and lining, the workroom could fabricate a pair of seamless drapes that stretched across the entire wall, draping softly and providing the desired room darkening. No unsightly seams showing through the sheers, no bottom hem of the lining to worry about.

Mounted on a custom wood Estate Rod by Kirsch with rings and decorative finials, the custom draperies with the subtly striped fabric finished the living room with elegance and style.

Moral of the story: Sometimes the wrong fabric IS the right fabric - it just takes a willingness to think outside the box and look for the less obvious solution!

Monday, March 16, 2009

I'm excited about the IWCE 2009 Vignette!

Two weeks ago I heard from Deb Barrett that I was one of twelve designers who would be creating Vignettes for the International Window Coverings Expo in Atlanta this May! Wow, was I excited! What an opportunity to showcase my creativity and ideas to an audience of 6,000 or so window fashions design professionals! But then the nerves set in - briefly. What was I thinking? Could I do it? It wasn't long though, before the creative juices started flowing, the ideas were popping into my head in the middle of the night and at other inopportune moments, and I couldn't wait to get all the details so I could get the design finalized. I had a preliminary design in mind...

But first, a "client" interview. I could chose a client profile - which would I pick? for there were many intriguing profiles - and then hold a phone interview with that client. Based on that interview, and the client's needs, desires and style, I would design a window treatment that would not only be functional, but also beautiful.

The client was a delight, and after the interview I had a clear picture of what was needed. Off to work - out with the preliminary design, and back to the drawing board. Different fabrics - but even more stunning! New design - but this would work so well given her room and window - and I was excited all over again!

I can't wait for the fabric to arrive. The workroom is eager to get started - and I'm ready to begin this next phase of the project. I'll keep you posted...

Friday, March 13, 2009

Stalling

Okay, I admit it, I am stalling. I really should be cleaning the house, since I have a whole day with no appointments - wow, what a luxury! - but instead I spent the morning ordering fabric for a client and updating the website. And I have to admit it, that was a job that I am glad to be finished with again. At least, for this month!

Up to now, I have managed my website on my own, but it was time to get some help. I have been thankful for the expertise of John Raasch and Maya at Mindfly.com, who is helping me fine-tune keywords, get Google Analytics going, and just generally making the website a better tool for Edwards Drapery & Interiors. Quite a science to the whole system of bumping your website up in the Google, MSN and Hotmail rankings! But the whole idea is to increase traffic to the website, for more phone calls, more sales and more enthused clients!

And now, time to grab the dustrag and vacuum cleaner... Because I can always design the next window treatment and whistle as I work...