Join me for the inaugural launch of my 6-month course & coaching program focused on creating captivating artwork and patterns for interiors, outdoor spaces, and home decor products. Don’t miss the chance to transform your passion into a profession.
Embark on this transformative journey with us from
May 28th - November 22nd, 2024
The Private Facebook Group will open on May 20th
Secure your spot before enrollment closes on May 24th at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
Saana Baker
The Textile Eye, Editor in Chief
Saana Baker, with over 25 years of experience in home textile design and consulting, has helped craft collections of fabric, rugs, bedding, and wallpaper for brands like Jiun Ho and Barbara Barry. Leveraging this wealth of expertise and her deep love for her industry, she founded The Textile Eye five years ago. The quarterly trend and product report covers the best in high-end interior textiles, empowering companies and designers to do their best work. Saana lives in a Victorian fixer-upper in San Francisco with her husband Matt, a NASA robotics engineer.
Presentation : Market Research & Exploring Trends
Schuyler Samperton
Schulyer Samperton Textiles, Founder/Owner
Schuyler Samperton, a Washington, DC native and daughter of an award-winning architect, brings a rich educational background in art history and decorative arts from Trinity College, NYU, and Parsons School of Design to her interiors and textile design career. Known for her modern-classic style, Schuyler combines imaginative uses of color, pattern, and texture in residential and boutique commercial projects, adding a youthful, West coast flair to her designs. In 2017, she launched her own textile collection featuring printed linens inspired by diverse influences such as centuries-old documents and vibrant Indian patterns, sold in thirteen showrooms worldwide, embodying her passion for textiles with fresh and unexpected color combinations.
Interview : Building a Pattern Collection from an Interior Designer’s Perspective
Emily Mann
Ink + Indigo, Artist + Owner
Emily Mann is an artist based in Avondale Estates, just outside Atlanta, Georgia, where she operates her multi-media fine art studio known as Ink + Indigo. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of artistic practices including large-scale, mixed-media sculptural works, site-specific installations, fine art licensing, encaustics, and various techniques in paper and canvas. Emily's work is characterized by a focus on texture, assemblage, and scale. Having built her business by collaborating with art consultants, interior designers, architecture firms, and environmental design firms, Emily has recently developed educational resources and a master course designed to help other artists access similar client bases and think creatively about new applications for their work in diverse spaces.
Presentation : Creative Exploration & Working with Art Consultants
Hopie Stockman Hill
Block Shop Textiles, Founder and Creative Director
Hopie Stockman Hill leads Block Shop Textiles, an LA-based home textile brand blending artistry with conscious commerce. With a background in painting and a Harvard business degree focusing on social entrepreneurship, Hopie drives the company's ethos of sustainability and craftsmanship.
Block Shop's products, crafted in partnership with family-owned manufacturers in Jaipur, India, reflect this commitment to ethical production. Block Shop epitomizes interconnectedness in every aspect, transforming spaces with purpose and beauty, one ethically crafted piece at a time.
Interview : Building a Sustainable Pattern Focused Product Business
Diane Kappa
Artist & Designer
Diane Kappa, with her two-decade-long career in fashion and textile design, skillfully blends traditional methods with modern aesthetics. Her licensed designs are showcased in a diverse portfolio that includes apparel, home decor, and stationery, supported by her deep knowledge of production printing. This expertise enables Diane to provide a full spectrum of services from design to production, catering to a variety of clients from national retailers to boutique shops and design firms, all driven by her dedication to enhancing surfaces with beauty.
Interview : From Creative to Contracts: Navigating a Variety of Career Paths
Liz Taylor
Liz Taylor Creative, Owner and Lead Designer
Liz Taylor, a multifaceted graphic designer, illustrator, and certified interior designer, specializes in crafting immersive brand narratives and unique designs for creative projects, with her work licensed to entities like Minted and Target. Embracing collaboration, Liz values the expansion of her creative foundation through others’ innovations. Additionally, as a parent to a dyslexic child, Liz leverages her artistic skills to advocate for dyslexia awareness, notably contributing to the passage of Arizona's inaugural dyslexia law in 2015. Her illustration, "A Day in the Life of a Courageous Dyslexic Student," received national acclaim, leading to her illustration of the book "Dyslexialand" by Cheri Rae.
Presentation : Thinking Beyond 2D Patterns in Architecture
Alexandra Olin Lazar
Valley Girl Soldier, Artist, Stylist, Designer, and Owner
Alexandra Olin Lazar, the artistic force behind Valley Girl Soldier, graduated from UC Riverside with a BA in Studio Art and furthered her education in Surface Design at FIT in New York City. With over 13 years in the industry, she has served as an art director and surface pattern designer for notable companies such as Ruggable, Macy's, and Sanctuary, and has designed for licensed brands like The Pioneer Woman and Emeril Lagasse. Working from her Southern California bungalow, Alexandra specializes in creating unique prints for children's items, and home decor, and integrates her art into patterns with a modern rustic flair, often inspired by her garden and family activities.
Interview : From In-House to Independent: Navigating Career Transitions
JoAnne Lenart-Weary
The JLW Company, Color and Design Expert
Joanne Lenart-Weary brings over four decades of experience in the design industry, combining her passion for mentoring with her extensive expertise to guide others in transforming their love for design into thriving businesses. As a mother of five and grandmother of sixteen, her life is full of family connections that fuel her creative drive. Despite being a baby boomer, Joanne's enthusiasm and curiosity for design remain as vibrant as when she was in her twenties, showcasing her lifelong commitment to beauty and creativity in all its forms.
Presentation : Color Psychology & Style DNA
Rebecca Jane Woolbright
Rebecca Jane Woolbright, Artist & Online Educator
Rebecca Jane Woolbright, residing in the scenic Columbia River Gorge between Washington and Oregon, finds her inspiration from the seasonal transformations and the intimate details discovered while tending her garden. She eagerly anticipates winter, which fuels her dreams of paddling on the river and racing alongside her husband. Rebecca is dedicated to expanding her business with unwavering integrity and perseverance. Through her art and teaching courses, she aspires to inspire fellow artists and encourage them to persist in their creative journeys.
Interview : Manufacturing Domestically and Abroad
Laura Adams
Kindly Woven, Creative Director and Founder
Laura Adams is a highly experienced Surface Pattern and Textile Designer specializing in residential, commercial, and home décor fabrics. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with some of the world's most prominent brands and currently serves as Creative Director for various companies via her design consultancy. Her newest initiative, Kindly Woven, is dedicated to empowering small brands and innovators, helping them penetrate the woven fabrics market. Laura's drive to infuse the industry with innovative and equitable artistry shapes her professional pursuits and creative vision.
Presentation : Designing for Wovens
Linda Tully
Tully Drapery Shop, Drapery Designer and Workroom Owner
Linda Tully, a distinguished figure in the interior design industry, founded Custom Coverings in Arizona in 2000, successfully operating it until its sale in 2022. An acclaimed former speaker at the IWCE, Linda has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the prestigious IWCE’s Workroom of the Year awards in 2011 and 2019. Her expertise spans designing, selling, and fabricating various styles of window treatments, enriched by her experiences across nine states in the USA, which have provided her with a deep understanding of regional styles and architectural nuances. Currently, Linda resides and operates Tully Drapery Shop in central Texas, continuing her legacy in the field.
Interview : Pattern to Product: Understanding Construction Techniques
Sandra VanSickle
Sew What’s New, An Artisan Studio, Owner
Sandra VanSickle’s career in the window fashion industry is deeply rooted in her passion for sewing, fabric, and design. Her entrepreneurial spirit is continually nourished by the success of her ventures, Sew What's New and the Craft Your Creative Life Retreat, which not only bring her ideas to life but also inspire her daily. Ultimately, Sandra is committed to enriching the lives of others by fostering creativity, inspiration, education, and empowerment through her contributions to the industry.
Interview : Insights from the Workroom on Making Concepts Come to Life
Erika Firm
Graphic & Surface Designer
Erika Firm is an artist, surface designer, graphic designer, brand builder, magazine hoarder, kitty squisher, wife, and mother. Known for her love of the color green, a perfectly imperfect stripe, stationery with an "e," and a well-poured cortado, Erika lives on Johns Island, South Carolina in a four-generation, bi-lingual household. She has been designing stationery since 2002, and has owned stationery and branding companies. Erika currently licenses her designs to stationery and gift manufacturers; her favorite thing to design is holiday gift wrap. The unique charm of the South Carolina Lowcountry, her French heritage, and every color Mother Nature has to offer (especially green) inspire her work.
Interview : Ex-Journalist Turned Designer’s Unique PR & Marketing Strategy
Presentation: How to Utilize Pinterest to Build Brand Awareness
Jen Pace Duran
Pace Creative Design Studio, Designer and Illustrator
Jen Pace Duran is the dynamic force behind Pace Creative Design Studio, where she channels her talents as a brand designer, illustrator, surface designer, and artist. Known for her vibrant and playful style, Jen is deeply passionate about every aspect of design, from logos and typography to colors and patterns. With over 15 years of experience, she brings boundless energy and enthusiasm to a diverse range of art, design, and branding projects. Living in the Arizona desert, she draws constant inspiration from her surroundings, particularly her beloved cacti and succulents. Outside of work, Jen supports various causes including environmental sustainability and equal rights.
Presentation : Setting the Stage for a Cohesive Brand
Presentation: How to Utilize Pinterest to Build Brand Awareness
Nicole Bedard
Nicole Bedard Photo + Video and Brand Strategist
Nicole Bedard is a Connecticut-based brand photographer, videographer and strategist, who is on a mission to help fellow creatives step out from behind their work, showcase their creative process, and make their branding irresistible to their ideal client so they can feel more confident, connect with more people, and create more of an impact in their industry. Beyond being a photographer, she also helps clients with brand strategy. Nicole discusses how the images can be used to support her client’s brand messaging and provides a plan showcasing ways to utilize them on social media.
Interview : Visual Storytelling: Connecting with Clients through Photography and Video
Jo Magliocco
NAV Creative, Executive Director
Jo Magliocco is a self-taught web designer and content creator who leveraged her skills to finance her parks and recreation degree. Now an expert in digital marketing with a focus on SEO, SEM, and automation, she leads NAV Creative, a full-service marketing and design agency based in Eugene. Passionate about servant leadership and work-life balance, Jo enjoys culinary explorations and hiking in the Pacific Northwest with her two corgis.
Presentation : Building Your Website & the Importance of SEO
Emily Oberman
The Content Atelier, Content Strategist
Emily Oberman, founder and CEO of The Content Atelier, specializes in omnichannel marketing for digital entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and lifestyle brands, with expertise in copywriting, digital design, and operations. With over 15 years of experience gained from various ventures, including the Academy of Art's MFA Fashion School, Pottery Barn brands, and a Facebook Ads agency, she excels in crafting brand identities through authentic storytelling and strategic partnerships. Emily leverages technology and collaborative methods to build seamless content systems that prioritize visibility and community engagement.
Interview : Crafting Your Narrative : Strategies to Engage Your Ideal Clients
Erin Cantwell
Erin Cantwell Co., Business Coach for Creatives
Erin is a RISD-trained graphic designer (GD '08) who went to work at a branding firm in NYC and discovered she had a knack and passion for the business side of the creative industry. Since then she’s specialized in business operations and client experience, helping to grow and run successful creative agencies. Today, Erin is Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Client Services at Clearbridge Branding Agency, an award-winning branding agency with locations in PA, NJ & IL. Through her company, Erin Cantwell Co., and her volunteer work Erin continues to work with designers, makers, and other creative entrepreneurs as business coach, helping them to start and scale successful and profitable businesses while doing the work they love.
Presentation : Your Creative Career Vision
Beverly Chang
The BRC Group, Inc., President
Beverly Chang, President of The BRC Group, Inc., is a seasoned creative business strategist with a strong track record in developing strategic and marketing plans for new products and services. She has led marketing for notable art exhibitions like "A Community of Angels" and nearly 20 editions of the California Art Club’s Annual Gold Medal Exhibitions. Beverly advises graphic and surface designers on entering premium markets, offering services in branding, competitive analysis, licensing, and contract development. With experience at The Walt Disney Company managing national marketing campaigns for collectible artwork, she holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a bachelor’s in journalism from USC.
Interview : Strategic Partnerships: Leveraging Relationships for Business Success
Andi Whalen
Virginia Kraft Textiles, Owner/Designer
Creative Source Collective
Andi is a fabric and wallpaper designer based in Ohio, who initiated her design journey with Spoonflower during their beta phase in 2008. Since then, she has established her own brand, Virginia Kraft Textiles, and launched an additional line, VK Studio, with Spoonflower. Her designs aim to evoke warmth, joy, curiosity, and nostalgia, drawing inspiration from her grandmother, Virginia Kraft, after whom her lines are named.
Panel Discussion: How Individuality & Community Led to Forming the Creative Source Collective
Faye Bell
Faye Bell, Founder
Creative Source Collective
Faye Bell is an artist who draws inspiration from the organized chaos of nature, beginning her creative process by distilling essential structures into intuitive patterns. Her abstract works are personal meditations, evolving continuously as she explores new iterations of her ideas. Currently, her artistic offerings include wallcoverings and hand-painted murals. Beyond her personal creations, Faye is the founder of Creative Source, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the interior design community.
Panel Discussion: How Individuality & Community Led to Forming the Creative Source Collective
Teresa Roche
Teresa Roche Textiles & Light Gallery, Owner/Founder
Creative Source Collective
In 2010, Teresa Roche acquired the early 1900s parsonage house at 16 Aiken Street in the Village of West Greenville, transforming it from a space housing six working artist studios into a contemporary gallery representing over 50 artists today. Inspired by her artistic practice and a passion for merging original artwork with interior design, Teresa expanded her creative pursuits to launch Teresa Roche Textiles (TRT). Through TRT, she has successfully developed a luxury fabric and wallpaper collection that showcases her distinct brushstroke quality and painterly techniques.
Panel Discussion: How Individuality & Community Led to Forming the Creative Source Collective
Brooks Morrison
The Design Social Popup, Founder & Creative Director
Brooks Morrison founded The Design Social after a 12-year tenure at Moore & Giles, where she transitioned from leading Marketing to becoming VP of Product Design and Merchandising, guiding creative direction. Her passion for design, travel, and storytelling flourished in her new venture. The Design Social, starting with its first pop-up event in Nashville in September 2019, spotlights boutique brands at community-level sourcing events, fostering dynamic interactions among design professionals and artisans, quickly expanding across emerging design communities in the U.S.
Interview : Navigating In-Person Networking and Sales Events
Annie Soga
Thibaut, Showroom Sales Manager
Annie Soga brings eight years of experience in interior design trade sales, representing a range of brands in textiles, wallcoverings, and furniture. She has collaborated with interior designers, architects, and contract specifiers to source the right products for their projects. Annie offers valuable insights into creating cohesive collections, effective merchandising strategies, training sales reps, and the specific considerations necessary for developing textiles and wallcoverings tailored to the interior design trade.
Interview : Trade Secrets: Unlocking the World of Interior Design Showrooms
Grace McNamara
Grace Media, LLC, President
Grace C. McNamara is the owner, president, and CEO of Grace Media LLC, known for publishing Window Fashion VISION magazine and organizing the International Window Coverings Expo. With a 37-year career in interior design, she's been a key figure in education and resource provision, producing magazines and hosting educational events nationwide. She's also the creator of the Window Fashion Certified Professionals Program. Beyond work, she's a devoted mother to four daughters, whom she adopted from Poland, and resides in Arden, North Carolina.
Interview : Making Headlines: PR & Advertising Tactics for Magazine Features and Convention Success
Chrissy Morford
Minted, General Manager of Art & Home
Chrissy Morford is a seasoned leader in art curation and home design. As Minted's General Manager of Art and Home, she spearheads the curation of Minted's diverse collection, emphasizing quality, originality, and inclusivity. Her expertise continues to shape Minted into a premier destination for homeowners seeking personalized style and artistic expression.
Presentation : Exploring Unconventional Licensing and Marketplace Options
Erica Meehan
Minted, Director of Marketplace Business Operations
Erica joined Minted in 2021 after receiving her MBA at Stanford -- drawn to the company's mission and design-focus. Her passion is Homeware, which she's been involved in at Minted both in the Minted x West Elm patterned furniture partnership and, the past two years, building Minted's third-party marketplace businesses in the Art & Home and Wedding spaces. Erica is constantly on the hunt for a "find" -- be it a compelling new artist to bring onto Minted's Marketplaces or a thrifted piece of furniture to bring home to her ever-evolving Home.
Presentation : Exploring Unconventional Licensing and Marketplace Options