NUA's CWC Pre-Event: Plate & Panel
It's decided! This year, the NUA will hold its CWC pre-event on the evening of September 22nd at the Crowne Plaza Warwick-Providence hotel, immediately following CWC registration. Our Plate & Panel event will include a buffet dinner and panel Q&A with respected upholsterers in the industry. Moderated by Ruti Wajnberg of Find The Thread, this event will include panelists Cynthia Bleskacheck, Mike Mascelli, Bruno Paulin-Lopez and Ella Hall. It's an event you won't want to miss!
Registration opens in early May. For more information, visit our event page. Skip the hassle of dining out after CWC registration and join us instead!
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Scholarship Winner Announced
In March, the NUA announced its first scholarship, with the support of The Workroom Channel and the Custom Workroom Conference. We received a total of 24 applications from very deserving applicants. After deliberation, the NUA decided to award TWO scholarship winners this year. Congratulations to Leah Ureche and Nicole Neder!
Leah and Nicole will receive and all-expenses paid trip to this year's Custom Workroom Conference, to be held at the Crowne Plaza Warwick-Providence hotel on September 22-24, 2024. They will also receive access to the NUA's Plate & Panel pre-event, and one year of NUA membership.
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Virtual Community Meeting
May 17, 2024, 12:00pm EDT via Zoom
Join us for our next Community Meeting on the topic of Navigating Fabric Decisions with Clients! In this session, we'll explore strategies for handling Customer Owned Material (COM), discuss the balance between guiding clients in fabric selection and working collaboratively with interior designers for optimal choices, streamlining the client experience through efficient fabric sampling methods and more.
For more information and to register, visit our event page. Community Meetings are open to all.
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Webinars
The NUA holds webinars on the second Tuesday of every month at 1:00pm ET. Registration information for webinars are emailed to members two weeks prior to the event. Here's what we have planned next:
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Breaking into Upholstery: A Pathway to a Skilled Trade from Your Home with Kymmburleigh Clark
Tuesday, May 14th at 1:00pm EST
Dive into the world of upholstery with Kymm Clark of LullCo, an instructor and innovator in the field, renowned for her engaging in-person and live virtual classes. Kymm will share her story of stepping into a gap within the industry, offering practical advice for learning and experimenting with upholstery on a budget.
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Navigating Efficiency, Organization, and Modern Technology in your Workroom with Ella Hall
Tuesday, June 11th, 1:00PM EST
Join us as we explore efficient workroom practices. Learn about tech's role in productivity and get hands-on with tools. Gain workspace organization tips and share experiences in the Q&A.
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Latest Blogs
The Power of Upholstery in Activism
Jamika Smith, of Teena’s Legacy, based in Gary, Indiana, has been using upholstery in activism for the past decade. Honoring the memory of her entrepreneurial grandmother, Alberteen, after whom the foundation is named, Jamika shares the can-do spirit of “Teena”, who never met a roadside castoff that she couldn’t see the potential in - something I’m sure many of us in the upholstery trade can relate to.
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Volunteer of the Quarter
Kelly Stehly
Kelly is a teacher and professional cookie maker. She began her journey into upholstery in 2023, working toward her certificate in upholstery at Phoenix College.
In addition to her teaching and upholstery pursuits, Kelly plays a crucial role in managing the social media presence of the NUA. Her curated posts and stories inform and inspire, fostering a sense of community and enhancing the organization's online visibility and engagement. Thank you, Kelly!
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Volunteer with the NUA!
Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Our board and committees are composed of unpaid volunteers - small business owners, manufacturing professionals, and upholstery students - who are all passionate about supporting and advancing the field of upholstery. Please consider becoming an NUA Volunteer - learn more here.
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Industry News & Upcoming Events!
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Furniture Manufacturing Expo
June 13-14, 2024 in Hickory, NC
The Furniture Manufacturing Expo (FME) is the largest gathering of suppliers for manufacturers of home furnishings. The show brings suppliers offering the latest supplies, machinery, technology, fabrics, parts, and more, directly to the manufacturers of home furnishings. For more information and to register, visit www.furnituremanufacturingexpo.com.
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PIN-FIT SLIPCOVERS with Jeanelle Dech
Nearly twenty years since the classic Fit-Like-A-Glove Slipcovers training DVD was published, Jeanelle Dech is at it again. This time sharing the most thorough guide to slipcover fabrication within The Workroom Channel's online course platform. Jeanelle cleverly breaks down the steps and guides each student to master the basic techniques of patter placement, pin fitting and stitching.
For more information and to register for ANYTIME ACCESS, visit The Workroom Channel.
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Learn more and register here.
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Greenhouse Fabrics
Shop our new Upholstery Collection! This well-rounded collection includes performance, chair patterns, prints and traditional tapestry.
Learn more at greenhousefabrics.com.
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Trivantage PlusTM
A Membership Program Custom Built for You
The Trivantage Plus Membership Program marries core customer benefits with membership advantages designed for customers like you to level up their businesses. Unlock exclusive member benefits like discounts on products from Trivantage and esteemed industry partners like Consew. Plus, enjoy the added perk of flat-rate parcel shipping and complimentary memo samples.
Learn more about our customer membership program.
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Casper Hill
Casper Hill introduces "The Paris Collection" A luxe line boasting a sophisticated multitone appearance. This new leather sets the standard for both style and performance. The silky touch enhances the appeal of this timeless leather. Both elegant and durable, your customers will certainly fall in love with Paris!
Not a Casper Hill member yet, connect with us today at casperhillleather12@gmail.com or 800-592-1201 we're ready to share our full Casper Hill Sample Box with you.
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Save the Date! Colorado Upholstery and Soft Furnishings Meetup
August 22-23, 2024 (Location TBA)
Rhonda Shanahan of The Whimsical Chair is organizing a meetup to be held in Colorado on August 22nd-23rd. Mark your calendars! Location to be announced. To stay in the loop, sign up for her mailing list here.
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What We're Reading
Industry News
Have you or your business been featured in an article? Let us know and we’ll add you to our next newsletter!
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What We're Listening
The Sew Much More Podcast
Next month, Robbie Richardson (of Stuff Stitch and In Stitches podcasts) is back with a new podcast called The Feathered Edge. Listen to his announcement here. Follow him to find out when the first episode drops!
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