Custom Home Furnishings Traveling School

Be part of an exciting, one-of-a-kind training experience

The most common question I have received since I started the hands-on Custom Home Furnishings School in Swannanoa, NC, is: "When are you coming to my town?" I've had to explain that the School consists of a 5,000 square-foot building with eight twelve-foot tables, twenty-three sewing machines, eight ladders, eighteen drills, numerous tools, a multitude of supplies, stacks of fabric, piles of wood, and huge wall displays for installing treatments. Obviously, it would be impossible to take the entire school on the road to other locations. People interested in receiving our training would just have to come to us; we could not go to them.

Well, as the years have gone by, we still keep hearing this frequent request. So, our eleven instructors and I decided to think outside the box (or school building) and see if we could come up with a viable "portable" idea. After much brainstorming, we all agreed that it would be impossible to take on the road all of the necessary equipment for hands-on classes. However, we are very excited that we have developed an innovative solution for serving this need. Four of the school’s instructors are going to present 2-day mini-versions of the classes at the school in various cities around the country. At the Trade School, students actually make the treatments that they are learning about. At the "Traveling" School, students have the opportunity of observing the instructor demonstrating treatments step-by-step. Students will also see a wide variety of displays and learn of business topics and industry suppliers.At their conclusion on Sunday, all classes will join together for an open discussion session, the Custom Home Furnishings Fashion Show Extravaganza, and graduation ceremonies.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and coupons for $50 off two day classes or $100 off 5 day classes at the CHF School in Swannanoa North Carolina. ~ Cheryl Strickland

Past Attendee Comments

“ I never imagined it would be possible to learn the amount of information I did in the two days at the Chicago Traveling School. It was, by far, the best investment I ever made in my business.”
~ Linda Yackle

“It paid for itself in the first hour I was there.”
~ Brenda Bohman

“Enjoyed it alot. Just to be in the company of others in the business was encouraging.”
~ Teresa Gianakakos

“I thought it was worthwhile and I enjoyed it very much. The teacher and classes are very good.”
~ Alice Sichting

“Beth was great. I learned which fasteners to use and what is needed in a tool kit.”
~ Jim Fisk

For more information or to register, contact
The Custom Home Furnishings School at
800-222-1415 (828-686-3185) or CHFschool.com.

Boston Traveling School Devens, Mass Springhill Suites Devens Common Center June 25-26		Tampa Traveling School Clearwater, Florida Harborview Center August 6-7

View Boston schedule click Here		View Tampa schedule click Here

Summaries of Classes
	Pick from an array of terrific classes taught by the CHF School Instructors. Whether you are interested in window treatments, installation, slipcovers, or upholstery, come and see how the CHF Traveling School can help you build your confidence, your business, and your profits! Light Upholstery for the Workroom Anita Boetsma — Class #1a Every window treatment workroom is showered with requests for upholstery of dining chairs. It's not "really" upholstery somehow…but is it? Can I do it with the tools I have? What do I charge? Is it hard? This class will answer all these questions and more. Attendees learn three different methods for covering dining chair seats, from simple to complex. Materials and pricing will be discussed. Hands-on Wall Fasteners Beth Hodges — Class #1b Never doubt your installation savvy again! In this hands-on class, you will not only learn which anchor system to use in which situations, but actually experience hands-on how to install them. This class is a “must” for those who are learning to install and an eye-opening class for more-experienced installers. Creative Valances Jill Stanbro — Class #1c This class will show you fun and innovative valances, most of which can be made from simple shapes. Jill will show you what difference fabric and trim can make in taking a valance from “simple” to “elegant.” She will also share techniques for mixing and matching "parts and pieces" from one valance to another. Creating Patterns Margie Nance — Class 1d Margie Nance will show you quick and easy steps to recreate window treatment styles seen in magazines. Learn how to break down the sections of a treatment and recreate them with the proper scale and proportions. Margie will also show you exciting new software created for pattern drafting. Perfect Cushions Anita Boetsma — Class 2a Creating the perfect cushion need not be difficult for the workroom, upholsterer, or slipcoverer. Using the techniques and tips outlined in this class, attendees will discover how to make a perfect cushion…first time–every time. Zipper construction and welt cord techniques will be covered. You will see timesaving techniques for cutting patterned cushion pieces and matching cushion tops and boxings accurately. Step by step, this class will cover construction of the cushion from pattern to completion. Traverse Rods Beth Hodges — Class 2b Are you intimidated by traverse rod installations? Conquer your fears! Learn all about these rods: how to string, convert, and alter the rod to meet your needs. You will also learn what three steps to check before you leave every job. Workroom Secrets Jill Stanbro — Class 2c This fast-paced and fun class will leave you with many "lightbulb" moments. There will be lots of tips, tricks, products, and tools to help you save time and effort in your workroom. There will be a hands-on tutorial of Jill's famous banding trick. This is a summary of four years of sold-out classes from the CHF Conferences. Arched Panels Margie Nance — Class 2d More and more homes today are using a beautiful but challenging style of window called the arch. This class shows you the steps to fabricate a drapery panel that will custom fit any size arched window. From making the template to installation, Margie will show you step-by-step how to create this style of treatment. Roman Shade Lift Systems Anita Boetsma — Class 3a Learn your way around the variety of lift systems available today. From low-tech cord and cleat set-ups to cord locks, bead chain systems and beyond, learn which products work best for each application. Learn to easily thread the “dreaded cord lock”. Exciting new decorative headrail systems will be shown as well as fully contained headrails with velcro already attached. Sources and pricing will be covered. Kingston and Empire Beth Hodges — Class 3b Never be intimidated again when asked to make these most difficult of window treatments. All aspects of planning and fabricating will be covered in step-by-step detail. Many full-sized samples will be shown, and many variations will be given in order for you to “kick up” your skills a notch. Bring your camera! Swags and Cascades Jill Stanbro — Class 3c The word swag is scary to some. Jill will try to take the mystery out of the process and have everyone confident that they CAN make a beautiful swag in a short amount of time. Cascades of several styles and shapes will also be shown in this class. You will leave with the formula to make a cascade- folding template that will save you hours of figuring. The Paper Trail Margie Nance — Class 3d Are you overwhelmed with piles of paper? Learn what forms are necessary to run a successful and organized workroom. Margie discusses contracts, workorders, terms, conditions, and how to keep track of your clients and their fabrics. She will also show several forms designed for today’s industry.

Bonus Presentations, Discounts and Prizes

3 Bonus Special Presentations

Keynote Dinner with Beth Hodges, WCAA President
Network with your peers and the School instructors at this fun-filled event. Learn about the benefits, direction, and goals of the industry’s only association, the Window Coverings Association of America.

Fashion Show with Cheryl Strickland, founder and owner of the CHF School in Swannanoa, NC
Enjoy your lunch on Sunday, sit back, relax, and take in a presentation of treatments designed and created by School instructors.

Open Forum
Make your list of questions and bring them with you to an open forum session with all of the instructors after lunch on Sunday.

Supplier Displays & Demos
Several industry suppliers will have their products and services on display and will be presenting hands-on demonstrations, to further your educational opportunities at the CHF Traveling School.

3 Special Discounts
1) Bring your spouse with you for half price! 2) Full time interior design students receive a half-price discount with school status verification. 3) Four or more employees from one company may qualify for a $50 discount per person. All must register at the same time, with one company check, one contact person, and one company address.

$50 Coupon and Attendee Certificate
Every Attendee receives a CHF Traveling School certificate of attendance and a $50 coupon off any class at the CHF School in Swannanoa, NC.

Closing/Door Prizes
School Founder Cheryl Strickland will complete this exciting educational event with an inspiring closing address and door prizes, including a free 5-day class at the CHF School in Swannanoa, NC, worth $995.
More Information on the CHF School
For more information on the CHF School located in Swannanoa, NC, call 800-222-1415 or visit the website at CHFschool.com.

Instructors
		Cheryl Strickland is an internationally-known speaker and author with over 30 years experience. She is publisher of the Magazine and the founder and owner of the Custom Home Furnishings School in Swannanoa, NC. Cheryl will be presenting the Traveling School’s “Window Treatment Fashion Show”.
		Margie Nance owned her own successful workroom for 10 years in Charlotte, NC. She teaches several classes at the Custom Home Furnishings School. She also is the Director of Education for the CHF School and for the CHF Educational Conference.
		Anita Boetsma has worked in the interior design business for 18 years as a designer and offered full drapery, upholstery, and canvas workroom, along with sales and marketing. She is an instructor for the Custom Home Furnishings School, writes for Magazine, and is the Director of Sales and Marketing for the CHF Network of Knowledge.
		Beth Hodges has been in the window coverings industry for nearly twenty years. She is the current President of WCAA and the Installation instructor at the CHF School. Her business, Soft Furnishings, Athens, GA, employs five and offers high-end retail and wholesale services.
		Jill Stanbro is from Canton, OH, and has been working in the drapery field since 1979. She has had her own business since 1984 and currently has six employees. Jill is a writer for the Magazine and the Window Treatment Fabrication 102 instructor at the CHF School.

"Traveling School" Locations

	Boston Traveling School Devens, Massachusetts Springhill Suites Devens Common Center June 25-26 , 2005 Class Location: Devens Common Center The Boston Traveling School will be held at the brand new Devens Common Center in Devens, MA. View Boston schedule click Here Accommodations: The SpringHill Suites The nearby Host Hotel is the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, offering a discounted event rate of $99. Make your overnight reservations at 978-772-3030. Directions to the the hotel and the Traveling School location will be included in an attendee Registration Confirmation packet sent by mail. Click here for directions Meals Choose you meal preferences when you register.

	Tampa Traveling School Clearwater, Florida Harborview Center August 6-7 Class Location: Harborview Center The Tampa Traveling School will be held at the Harborview Center in Clearwater, FL. View Tampa schedule click Here Accommodations: Comfort Inn Suites Clearwater Bay The nearby Host Hotel is the Comfort Inn Suites Clearwater Bay, offering a discounted event rate of $75. Make your overnight reservations at 727-489-5000. Directions to the the hotel and the Traveling School location will be included in an attendee Registration Confirmation packet sent by mail. For directions click here and then click on general information. Meals Choose you meal preferences when you register.