Next month, I'll be hitting the road with Steve Cone for our Advanced Upholstery Masterclass. On July 15th, we'll be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota teaching at Design Works Studio. A week later, on July 22nd, we'll be up in Outing, Minnesota at Anna's Alterations, Restorations and Upholstery. I love teaching. I love meeting students, … Continue reading 5 Reasons to attend: “Advanced Upholstery Masterclass”

“True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.” ― Nikos Kazantzakis I need to tell you about Teacher Jen, but I don't know where to start. Teacher Jen is amazing. As my son, Ian told me one … Continue reading Teacher Jen’s Chair

For several years, I had the good fortune to work under the tutelage of Diana Shroyer Guenther at A-1 Foam & Upholstery.  She is one of the finest craftswomen I’ve ever met: I simply would not be the upholsterer I am today without her. Her journey through this profession is a story worth retelling. I … Continue reading I’m an Upholsterer: Diana Shroyer Guenther

You may or may not know this, but one of my goals for 2017 is to figure out YouTube. I know at least 20 of you know this, because that's how many subscribers I have, WOO HOO!!!! Double digits!!!!! I mean, I don't want to brag, but . . . I understand that 20 is a … Continue reading Everything Starts Small

Katherine of W.A. Brown Arts is a professional upholsterer living and working in Minneapolis. She specializes in the careful restoration of heirlooms and antiques using traditional materials and techniques. Where did she learn how to do that??? Let's ask Katherine, shall we? "I lived in Belgium for 12 yrs. and first trained in a Traditional Upholstery … Continue reading Meet our instructors: Katherine S.

The fabulous Amy Oh has been many amazing things - to name just a few: a middle school art teacher a freelance illustrator a decorator a "blogging RV hobo" (her words) And this summer she'll be a guest instructor at The Funky Little Chair!!! How lucky are we??? Let me tell you more. . . How/where did … Continue reading Meet our instructors: Amy Otteson

Steve Cone is a familiar name to many of you - he's been a teacher, writer, mentor and professional in the Twin Cities upholstery community for decades. Among many other accomplishments, Steve: Taught upholstery at Century College for 20+ years Owned Cone Upholstery in St. Paul for 14 years Wrote for The Upholstery Journal for 14 … Continue reading Meet our instructors: Steve Cone

Susan Woodcock (Home Dec Gal) is a high end custom drapery professional living and working in North Carolina - in addition to client work, she does a good deal of teaching, both online and in person. She's a frequent industry presenter and advocate for education. She's also delightfully approachable and truly genuine - my favorite kind of … Continue reading Meet our instructors: Susan Woodcock

I entered the upholstery industry in 2001, first through my mom's shop and then through the Professional Upholstery Association of Minnesota (PUAM)  That was when I first heard, "upholstery is a dying industry," I hate that phrase. Hate, hate hate. But I understand it. New furniture is cheaper than ever. Walmart is booming. Degree programs are just … Continue reading Who will save the upholstery industry?

Here are two things I really love: small businesses, and thin crust pizza. I mean, I have other loves,  but those two are waaaaaaaaay up there. So imagine my delight to learn that one of our Tuesday crew met her now-husband at his  little pizza parlor in Coon Rapids, Minnesota: "I went in to pick … Continue reading Operation Pizza Flame: Our first upholstery field trip