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Just messing around and decided to make a list of all the yabb gods over the years. A lot of good people here. You can click on each one and see when they registered and when their last post was.

65Buick
BCKC
BigJohn
bobbin
brmax
byhammerandhand
Darren Henry
forsailbyowner
fragged8
gene
Grebo
hdflame
jojo
JuneC
M-E Fabrics
Mike
mike802
MinUph
Mojo
papasage
Peppy
regalman190
Rich
Skoda
sofadoc
SteveA
stitcher_guy
Ted_IL
tudorford
wind_rose_2

Slow start to the year but business has been trickling in. Picked up 3 jobs today.
Been working on some unusual pieces lately.

This small wing chair in a furry white fabric. We tried to talk the customer out of this fabric but she insisted. I really didn't know how it would turn out, I've never used fabric like it before. I was surprisingly pleased with the results.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x386/EdwinNorthuis/0/DSCN3248.JPG

And these two deconstructed chairs by Restoration Hardware. I'm not a big fan of this style, it looks like something is missing. The customer was happy and that's all that maters.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x386/EdwinNorthuis/0/Restoration%20Hardwear.JPG

How has business been for everyone else?

The drum table belonged to Rose's Aunt. One leg was broken and another was cracked with a very bad repair. I fixed them as best I could and refinished the top

The chair was bought at an estate sale and we recovered it. Funny story, there were two chairs. The little old lady had owned an antique store here in High Springs. This chair we bought for $35. The other matching chair was amateurishly reupholstered and she was sure it was worth $150. We offered to buy both for $70. I hated to break up the pair but she wouldn't come down on her price. We also bought two matching, vintage and fully upholstered slipper chairs with dressmaker skirts. $35 each. That was two years ago. I'll bet she still has that other chair. 

This is a question asked on Quora. Sometimes its hard to take these questions seriously.

In this consumer based capitalist country you have a choice in almost everything you buy. Whether it be cars, clothing, tools or even your home you may choose to buy the least expensive one. But experience tells us we may want to  pay a little (or a lot) more and buy a product that is higher quality and will last. Why does this logic fly out the window when it comes to buying furniture?

Most consumers understand the difference between an economy car and a luxury car. Do they really not understand the difference between a $600 sofa and a $2500 sofa?

Haven't been a whole lot of chatter on the forum lately. I'm guessing y'all are as busy as I am with holiday orders. I saw Pauls ad on FB looking for a seamstress.

I noticed photobucket is new and improved, again. Thought I would try loading this photo of a cocktail ottoman we just finished. The last time it was recovered the fabric was simply stretched on and buttons poked through. When I stripped the old fabric off I noticed holes for deep tufting. I went ahead and did it the right way without the extra charge knowing the customer would really appreciate it. And she did. Lets see if this photo works.

Bought this cool trunk from a customer 2 years ago. Used it at the cabin for a while and today Rose sold it. https://photos.app.goo.gl/eyVgjyCbuDE6ve4y7

Speaking of the cabin, great catch last weekend. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cHryWKqwSbjuEkVa9

Why should you always buy secondhand furniture?

This question was asked on Quora. And a follower gave this interesting answer.

You shouldn't. While budget may dictate it, Be careful! Some used furniture, primarily older antique type, can have negative energy which can manifest as "haunted." You buy haunted furniture, bring it home, voila! Haunted house. Some people have good luck with smudging furniture, but I prefer not to take a chance. Most people may not be sensitive to this, but I am. New furniture is always a better choice for me.

Got a notice today in my e-mail,

"We noticed some unusual activity on your account and are concerned about potential unauthorized access. We need your help resolving this issue. and for your safety, we have temporarily limited what you can do with your account until you take action."

They provided a link to log into my account.

Problem is I don't have Pay Pal or an account with them.

Who's ready for a party?

So here's a scenario. A firefighter or police officer or paramedic walks into your business. They need a repair that will only take you 1/2 hour. Do you,

1. Charge them regular price

2. Charge them reduced price

3. Do the repair for free

4. Refuse them service.

Here is what an employee at a Madeira Beach Fl McDonalds did.

https://news.ntd.com/mcdonalds-employee-refuses-service-for-2-florida-paramedics-saying-we-do-not-serve-badges-here_365123.html?fbclid=IwAR1aVdQT44bbsTCUStCSzHCO10zXOHNc53rzCW4tYuBQ_Y6cfd2LMG-FKYs

Over the years we have collected many glowing reviews. And on our website homepage I have posted 13 of them with a thumbnail picture next to each one. These reviews are one of the first things potential customers see when they visit our site. I have also copied and pasted a review at the top of some of our other pages. Many times this has helped us nail down jobs from first time callers.

So this review came in yesterday in an e-mail from a lady Rose has been working with, I deleted the name of the city she lives in for obvious reasons. The last sentence says it all. Treat your customers right and you will get their business.

"Here in xxxxxxxx, we only have 2 options for upholstery work. One man only does chairs due to a bad back. I've used the other a couple of times with disappointing results. They also kept my furniture for months and when I called to see what was going on it took a full week for them to get back to me because they didn't want to admit they hadn't started on it. And that was just for a very small chair.

I asked around and no one had any recommendations for me so I did my own research. I've actually corresponded with you before, about a year and half ago maybe, about a couch and loveseat I wanted to have recovered. I got really busy and had to table that project for awhile but I would still like to have that work done at some point. This little loveseat came into my possession after my mother-in-law died and I just cannot live with that 90's floral fabric any longer than I have to!

I will go ahead and order the extra fabric. I would like to get on the schedule to bring the piece in but if you prefer I call you to do that I would be glad to.

Thanks so much for all of your help. It's refreshing to deal with a business that has great customer service."

Its been a while since I've upholstered a hide-a-bed and even longer working with one this heavy . This one had a Stearns and Foster tag on the mechanism. It also had an inner spring mattress. When I dropped the bed I noticed the mechanism alone was very heavy. I honestly do not know how the two young men who brought the sofa to me, with the bed in, were able to carry it out of the house and into their truck. I delivered it in two pieces. Thankfully the two young men were there to help and they were grateful the bed was separate. It was a struggle to get the sofa into the house and at one point I was sure they would drop it.

I guess the last upholsterer didn't know how or just didn't bother to fix the springs. Sooo... lets just stuff it full of whatever is laying around the shop.

So what have we here.


And pull it out


Look at it a little closer


Some kind of expanding foam for packaging


And why not add a little scrap foam to the mix


We got er all fixed up


Almost forgot this neat little note from 1958

We picked up these two chairs at a yard sale a little over 1 year ago. Last month we sold them to a customer and last week we upholstered them



I refinished the wood. tied the springs and added padding to the seats. The happy customer picked them up yesterday. 
 

Whats Zucherburg up to now? I've been noticing the reach on our fb business page has been creeping up.

When we first joined fb our reach was often 100 or more. Then it dropped drastically to around 10 or 15 per post. I got fed up and stopped posting. That's when Rose took over, about 2 years ago. Now I notice its up to 65 on one post and 85 on another. I'm thinking some kind of fb scam. But if its real I'll take it.

Edit: Just reached 380 on a before and after post. Haven't seen numbers like that in a long time.

Lord knows how complicated our lives are in this day and age. And owning an upholstery business has its unique set of stress. Here are 10 good ways for business owners to deal with stress and stay motivated. #8 is my favorite stress killer.

https://www.manta.com/resources/small-business-advice/10-ways-small-business-owners-stay-motivated/?

For the past few years I've been thinking about this web page update suggestion from Manta.

"Update and/or redesign your website using a mobile-first approach. If you haven't updated your website in the last three years, it's time to do so. You don't have to be an expert, according to Taylor, who recommends using an agency that specializes in working with small business owners. "I use and recommend OptimizedScribes.com-they do it all and they are ridiculously affordable," said Taylor."

But the older I get (Birthday the 25th) the more I think screw it. I'm at a point where I'm happy with my customer base and thinking I can ride out the next 7 or 8 years before retirement on business pages we already have in place, our company reputation and word of mouth. I still update our business pages from time to time by adding new photos of our work but a website redesign does not sound like fun. Of course if the economy ever goes south I may have a different attitude.

I know there are a lot of old farts like myself on here so I'm wondering how many of you are spending precious time thinking about retirement rather than building your on line presence and building your customer base?

https://www.manta.com/resources/small-business-tips/6-boost-digital-marketing-2019/?

1994 or right around there.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/eQfgsKgizTWxrS1x6

2014
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ctz766KFME9RctbZ9

But if you want to go way back, 1984
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cbVdtJV7TRspZfZd8

And here I am today
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kujMf3pyQMzSHVnh6

Yeah, I know.

It seems like this is the first time in my life where I don't have some kind of job on the side to pick up a little extra cash. Whether working for someone else or figuring out ways to add extra income to our business. The last two years have been great with a steady work load and our prices where they should be. We are able to turn down undesirable jobs and this is the first time in a long time we are booked solid through January and February. Here is another interesting article from Manta
   
8 SIDE HUSTLES YOU CAN START TODAY
Work is no longer limited by traditional nine-to-five jobs. it is easier than ever to earn cash on the side without sacrificing too much of your time or sanity.
https://www.manta.com/resources/small-business-advice/8-side-hustles/?

Rose got a notice in her e-mail that Osbourne just bought out Massasoit/Tackband Inc. I guess its no big deal, both companies always give us good service.