Olive Grace Studios: April 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

To-Do's

So I decided to start typing my to-do list today and well I stopped. It was getting long and bringing ideas and other to-do’s up that I had not thought of. This is how I work …one thing at a time and once that is done I like to take a big fat red pen and cross it off the list. Although, I would say lately I have been jumping around a lot. I am not to sure why… I think it is the mix of emotions that I am having. Opening a retail space is quite an adventure…oh I think I may need to explain myself.

So obviously I have not blogged in a very long time. I decided and with the help of my two favorite cheerleaders (mom & dad) that I am going to open a quilt and gift shop! Actually it was dad who said “Kori just go for it” sooooo Mom and I looked at each other and was like oh it’s on! YES VERY EXCITING!!!! A dream that is actually coming true and well…it is hard to believe. I have a great space with practically no over head! The SCHOOLHOUSE

…it sits on my family’s property. The little red building will be the permanent home of Olive Grace Studios, LLC (an eccentric quilt shop). I have a bit of construction to do on the interior from trim work, new lighting, and mill works to be designed and built. The perfect little square approximately 400 sq.ft. has the ideal character for my unconventional little shop. Everybody keeps asking me when it’s opening? What are you doing in the meantime? Why can’t you open now? Well PEOPLE there is a lot of prep work from going to markets to buy product, finishing touches on business details, most importantly the vision that I have in my head is what I want to introduce to all of you. Early this fall is my projected opening. Actual dates to come…

In the meantime I have been working on my personal little studio here at home. My Libby Lou turned one and is ornery more than ever, my cousin had the most handsome set of twins Dane and Caden who have inspired me just not yet sure how, going on two big trips the International Spring Quilt Market (Pittsburgh in May) and Primitives of the Midwest with three of the most amazing quilters/women I know (Kansas City, MO in June). 2009 has really started off GREAT I hope it continues that way. I obviously have a ton of things to do…later!

P.S. One of the tasks on the list is being better about blogging... I am a little bummed can't use my red pen on this one.

The Olive Grace Story

5 years has come and gone and oh how things have changed!

What is Olive Grace Studios ?
It is a sweet little quilt shop and a pattern and design company!

Who is behind Olive Grace Studios?

Me (Kori Turner-Goodhart) and the people that inspire me and the memory of people who I have loved and lost.

Since I was a little girl my mom and grandmas’ took me in and out of little quilt shops and surrounded me with fabric. I believe this is where the dream of opening a quilt shop all began. When I went away to college this enigma was put on the back burner. I received a B.F.A. in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art and Design and headed off to the corporate world of Interior Architecture. The path of climbing the corporate ladder was not for me and I looked back at the dream I had once envisioned. So I packed my apartment up in Washington D.C. and Dad moved me home to Fowler! I opened my little quilt shop in hopes of sharing my experiences through my pattern, hand picked sewing goods and gifts. Now I am designing and using the Olive Grace Studios brand as a path way to great things in the quilting industry.

Where is olive grace Studios, llc (an eccentric quilt shop)?

The little red school house at my parent’s home and my sewing studio in my home basement!

What is so ironic about my idea is that in the late 50’s the Dewitt sisters who’s family originally built my family’s home saved the schoolhouse from becoming a garage. The sister’s moved the one room schoolhouse to our property to become a retail space and McGuffy Reader Museum. They to had a big idea…Mable’s was to provide our community with music lessons and Evelyn’s was to have a quilt shop and classes. Although the sisters never opened their own shop I hope in some way I am making their dream come true too.