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Glendon Place |
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| Designer's Name: Cheryl Granda | |
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Location: Valrico, Fl
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I understand there was someone very special who taught you at a young age to work with a needle. Can you tell us a little about your needleart mentor?
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Most children or young adults today are not lucky enough to have someone close who could teach them how to stitch. As our industry ages, what could needleart shops and designers do to introduce cross-stitch to people (potential customers) who have never heard of it?
I've thought about this quite often and have even talked with fellow stitchers about ways to get young people interested in needleart. A couple of things we talked about were making contact with the local middle and high school Home Economics teachers and offering to visit their classes and introduce the students to cross-stitch and some of the other needlearts. Another idea might be offering to teach a needleart project at a Girl Scout troop meeting or gathering. With so many working parents these days, many children attend summer camps where organized activities fill their day. It's just a matter of making the effort to do the research, make the contacts, and schedule time with the kids.
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How long have you been working in the cross-stitch industry and what was your profession before? I'm a relatively new designer. Glendon Place opened for business in August of 2005. Prior to that, I spent 25 years in the banking industry in a variety of different roles, beginning as a teller and working my way up to branch manager. I then moved into backroom operations activities, then to training, and finally spent the last 10 years in marketing, advertising and communications. However, during all that time, I always cross-stitched. It was truly my stress reliever and allowed me to escape. I looked at stitching not only as a hobby, but a way to relax after a hectic day at work. I have stitched so many beautiful patterns created by incredible artists and designers over the past 25 years. They are my idols! For years I have had the incredible urge to design and stitch my own work. I actually developed a few designs before taking a leap of faith and making the decision to leave my banking career. Perhaps I had what they call a mid-life crisis! And I am happy to say without an ounce of hesitation or regret, that it was the best decision of my life. I have never been happier! However, I will say that the skills I acquired while in marketing, advertising and communications have aided me tremendously in my cross-stitch business.
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New From Glendon Place... Let Freedom Ring One of four brand new patriotic designs from Glendon Place. This design boasts a stitch count of 72w X 98h, design area 5 1/8"w x 7"h, and is stitched on 28ct Lambswool Jobelan. Includes 5 Kreinik #4 Very Fine Braids and 2 Mill Hill beads. Suggested retail price is $8.00. |
When you're not designing or stitching, what are some other activities that might occupy your time? Regular exercise has always been a very important part of my life. For me, it not only relieves stress, but allows me to balance my work and personal life. I spend at least an hour 4 times a week either walking, taking a cardio or step class, or weight training. I love to golf, but can't seem to find the time to do it as often as I would like. I also enjoy reading and am an absolute crossword puzzle junkie! Whether it be a crossword puzzle, Sudoku or the Cryptoquip, I try to spend at least a few minutes a day completing a puzzle. It challenges me, makes me think, and helps keep me sharp. I'm also an avid collector of Pipka Santas. It seems I just can't get enough of Christmas! I am sure that I am not alone and there are others out there that share my sickness!
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What are a few things you like about living in Valrico, Florida? Although I was born and raised in Brunswick, Ohio, I've lived in Florida for 27 years. And even though I'm not a sun-worshipper, I do enjoy getting up every morning knowing it's going to be another sunny day. I like knowing I can just walk outside without donning a coat, gloves and boots. I enjoy living in Valrico because it's far enough away from the city (Tampa), yet only 45 minutes to the beach. The people are pretty nice too, maybe that's because almost everyone comes from somewhere else!
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As April comes to a close, we will be ushering in what is traditionally the "busy season" for the cross-stitch industry. Do you still see summer as the busy time for the industry, and for Glendon Place, or are the times changing? The end of summer, beginning of fall seems to be my busiest time. Maybe that's because I love designing for the fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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What plans for your business do you have this summer (new designs, trade shows, promotions, etc.)? Well, new designs are always at the top of my list. Although it's only April, I'm working fast and furious on new Halloween designs. I am so exited this year about Halloween and can't wait to show everyone what's coming out. One of my main goals in 2007 is to finally develop the Glendon Place web site. There...I said it! Now that I have put that in writing, I'll be committed to follow through!
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When you have an idea for a new design, what are the next steps in taking that idea from your mind to something tangible? Do you have a "go to" person that will give you an honest critique? That's a very interesting question. I actually have a circle of friends, some cross-stitchers and some not. I always bounce my ideas off of them to get a reaction and solicit any feedback they may have. Some are good about offering their creative input, while others make me think of the business aspect of a design decision. Yes, I do have a "go to" person. It's my dear friend Linda. She's really good at playing "good cop, bad cop". But, I'd have to say that my most honest critic is probably my husband Allan. Once I decide on an idea, I actually sit down with a very large sheet of graph paper and draw the entire design in pencil. Since it's already on graph paper, it's then easier to convert those free-flowing lines into individual graph lines. I then enter those individual lines into my cross-stitch software program and begin to add color.
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Can you share with us a little about your family? My family consists of my best friend and husband Allan, our two dogs, Molly and Jeter, and a white-headed parrot by the name of Chet. Molly is a golden retriever and as sweet as they come, while Jeter is a miniature bull terrier (remember Spuds MacKenzie?), and thinks he's a tough guy but he's really a big baby. Molly and Jeter are always at my feet while I'm in my studio designing. Jeter is literally laying on my feet. My husband is a sales representative for a company that sells environmental construction products. Needless to say, he is my biggest fan and has spent countless evenings helping me stuff and package charts. I am so lucky to have such a supportive spouse.
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Thank you Cheryl for taking the time to participate in our Friday Feature! It's time for the inevitable Friday Feature recipe. Do you have something tasty you could share with us? Granda Black Beans Ingredients: 2 lbs. of black beans (normally 2 bags) 1 ½ lbs of salt pork 2 large green peppers 3 large onions ½ cup of crushed garlic 2 Tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Tbsp. of Oregano 2 Tbsp. of Cornstarch Olive Oil Salt and Pepper to taste Black Bean Preparation (Previous Day): 1. Pour beans out on baking sheet and clean all rocks and debris (anything that doesn't look like a bean!) 2. Place beans in large kettle, fill with water to rinse beans (2 inches above beans). Pour off water. (If possible, use an aluminum pot. For some reason, the beans just come out better.) 3. Fill kettle again, pour off water. 4. Fill kettle a third time (2 inches above beans). 5. Soak beans overnight (minimum of 8 hours). Cooking Beans (Next Day): Note: Always stir beans with a wooden spoon. Do not use a metal spoon. My mother in-law swears that using a metal spoon affects the taste of the beans! 1. Leave beans in original soaking water. Make sure that beans are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Add more water if necessary. 2. Cut salt pork into strips and add to kettle. 3. Pierce 1 large onion with fork several times and place in kettle. 4. Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 1 hour (uncovered). Beans should be tender (you should be able to smash between fingers). 5. While beans are simmering, puree 2 green peppers and 2 onions in a food processor or blender. 6. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of a large frying pan. Add the green pepper, onion, ½ cup of crushed garlic, 1 Tbsp. of Oregano and 2 Tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar to the frying pan. Saute but do not brown. You want this mixture to be hot when you add to the beans. 7. After beans simmer for an hour, remove the whole onion and discard. 8. Add the above mixture to the beans. 9. Simmer beans for another hour (uncovered) or until beans begin to thicken and absorb much of the liquid. 10. Remove salt pork strips. 11. Mix 2 Tbsp. of Cornstarch with a little water. Stir into beans. This will help thicken beans more. 12. Salt and pepper to taste. 13. Serve black beans over white rice with your favorite pork dish and enjoy! If you're interested in an "authentic" Spanish pork dish to go with the beans, just email me at email@glendonplace.net
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