Quiltwoman Designers Retreat 2016
What a great way to learn, relax, re-energize and engage in networking with other designers just like you. 5 days just for pattern/quilt/craft designers. Here is what you can expect:- Brainstorming about YOUR business
- Open designing time and sharing - work on your own projects
- Networking with other designer entrepreneurs
- Marketing workshops
- Speakers on business/marketing topics
- New designer breakout sessions
- Established business breakout sessions
- Optional software classes: EQ7, Adobe Illustrator
- Private-one-on-one business consulting sessions available with Nancy Dill (limited time slots)
Spring Retreat: February 16-20, 2016 in Sebring, Florida
Download application form Here for FL Retreat
Fall Retreat: August 3-7, 2016 in Silver Lake, NY
Download application form Here for NY Retreat
Here is what other designer (who attended last year) are saying:
Carol Steely
I got so much usable information from Barb Sackel’s Designing for the Market workshop my head is still spinning. She broke all the aspects of pattern design down into bite size pieces of information. We learned about quilting styles, brainstormed how they cross over, looked at the demographics of the industry, learned creative ways to find design opportunities, and so much more. We discussed what makes a good pattern by dissecting it into all its individual parts. I’ve been able to implement so many things learned in this workshop on my own patterns. Website www.funthreadsdesigns.com blog www.funthreads.blogspot.com
Reeze Hanson
The Designers Retreat was an invaluable experience I think all designers should experience. The marketing and networking information was especially beneficial to me as a relatively new business woman. I really enjoyed the camaraderie and the beautiful setting, and there was a good balance of structured workshops and activities, and free time for designing, collaborating, or just enjoying the lake-side scenery. The retreat was exceptionally well organized by Nancy Dill and Barb Sackel, and included a great mix of topics from a variety of perspectives including publishing, marketing, creativity, social media, working with video, working with fabric companies, wholesale, retail, and quilt market. Of the three business and marketing workshops I attended this past year, this one was by far the best. I took away lots of information and strategy I could use, and felt like I went home reinvigorated and ready to move forward in my business. It's a great value for the money. Reeze L. Hanson, Morning Glory Designs Website: http://morningglorydesigns.com Blog: http://blog.morningglorydesigns.net
Tina Dillard
The QuiltWoman.com Designer Retreat, was an amazing experience for me. The networking with other designers was one of the biggest gains for me. When I came to the retreat, the only people I knew were Nancy Dill and Barb Sackel, which I briefly met at the Spring Market in Minneapolis. By the end of the retreat I had 16 other designers I could network back and forth with. I also gained a few new friends that I can communicate with all the time. We bounce Ideas off one another and help each other grow our businesses. As for the workshops, I gained the most from the Marketing, where I learned to find the One Big Thing (my niche in the market) and set it as my goals to meet it. For me, I feel my big thing in business is the combination of Piecing and Applique Patterns. Also in the Marketing workshop, we learned how to market ourselves, by building Email lists, blogs and Social Media. I’m currently working on strengthening these areas. I know this will take time. I look forward to the 2016 retreat to see how far I have gone from what I learned from this retreat. Tina Dillard Website: QuiltingAffection.com
Trisha Dellavella and Mary Eeg
The most beneficial part of the retreat for us was Networking with Nancy as well as Barb and all the participants. We were particularly inspired by Nancy's personal story and journey and how she took risks, expanded and followed her dreams with courage and stamina to overcome many obstacles. The emphasis on finding your own niche made us realize that when designing you must always consider your target audience rather than just your own personal preferences. What may appeal to you may not always please potential customers. Sharing ideas and experiences with a diverse talented group of pattern designers was most rewarding. Overall, Nancy was a huge inspiration to us. Trisha Dellavella and Mary Eeg Website: Hairbrained Happenings
