Business Member Spotlight: Bill Volckening Quilts

This month we're featuring Bill Volckening! Here is what Bill had to say about his company:

The name of my business is Bill Volckening Quilts, and it started up when I began receiving requests for appraisals from people in the quilt community. I took the appraisal skills classes in Paducah to learn what quilt appraisers do, and decided to be an independent appraiser. Although I didn’t promote the business and wasn’t expecting a lot of activity, I appraised more than 500 quilts in the first two years.

What are your hours and location? Other info? (Phone number, website)

My hours are by appointment. E-mail: williamvolckening@comcast.net or call 503-327-3202, web site: www.billvolckening.com

                                    

What’s the best thing about owning your particular business?

Serving the quilt community. That’s how the business started. And of course, meeting so many great people and seeing lots of wonderful quilts.

How long have you been in business?

Almost two years.

What’s been your favorite order/customer/memorable moment as a business owner?

My favorite moment was when I visited the new home of a client, who told me the appraisals served as proof of assets in the process of being approved for a loan on the house. It was very gratifying to assist a first-time homeowner.

                             

my logo

What other jobs/businesses have you worked/owned?

I’ve done a lot of things, but never owned a business before. For ten years I was editor of a magazine for a sports organization with 50,000 member/subscribers, and midway through that time, I led the creation of a new magazine.

What made you want to go into this field of work?

When I first started sharing my collection in lectures, I didn’t realize it was anything out of the ordinary at first. The quilt community recognized it and grabbed hold of me. The knowledge I gained over years of collecting had value. That’s when people started asking for appraisals.

Do you still have time to do your own quilting and sewing while owning your business?

I’ve never done much sewing. Truth is I can’t see small things close up, and threading a needle is really difficult. If I look at this question as “do you still do the things you enjoy?” it’s an absolute yes! All the activities that led me to start a business are things I continue to do every day.

Does your store have classes, get-togethers, or special events you’d like to mention?

Although I haven’t done any special events with the business, I have curated four exhibitions in the last three years, two from my collection. The next show will take place at Latimer Quilt & Textile Center in March and April 2014. In 2015, I will exhibit 50 quilts in France following the release of my book with Quiltmania.

                          

pieced quilt from the New York Beauty collection, c. 1868, Kentucky

What would you like to see PMQG do to strengthen the quilting community in the Portland Metro Area?

I already love what PMQG is doing, and honestly don’t see much room for improvement. Just keep delving into all things quilt-related, keep interacting with other quiltmakers, and have fun!  

Thanks to Bill for sharing with our Community. We love our Business Members!

November Meeting Reminder

It's almost time for November's meeting!

When: Thursday, November 21st, 7:00pm

Where: PNCA, Room S1
1241 NW Johnson St.
Portland, OR 97209

Room S1 is located across the street and upstairs from the main campus: 
Stagecraft Bldg. 1302 NW Kearney St.

We will have a member holding the door open until 7:00, after that someone will check the door every 5-10 minutes until 7:30.

What's happening in November?

• Show and Tell--at the beginning of the meeting!
• Voting for 2014 PMQG officers
• Presentations from Business Members Bill Volckening and Threadbias
• If you haven't picked up your Riley Blake fabric yet, it will be available. The deadline has been extended to February 17th, 2014, check out the MQG site to read about it! Note: The MQG site states that all entries must be quilted.

Don't forget to bring:

• Charms for our Fussy Cut Charm swap! Bring as many fussy cut charms (5 inch squares, with a design centered in the middle) as you like, and you will take home as many as you brought.
• Your stuffed baggie of fabric for our December Swap! If you missed getting a baggie at last month's meeting but would like to participate, just fill a sandwich sized ziplock bag with your favorite fabrics and a note with your name, Pinterest/Wists/Flickr faves (if you have), and a few ideas for items you might like.
• Doll Quilts for the OBT Doll Quilt Challenge! The November meeting is our deadline for this. Hand in your doll quilts and receive your vouchers.
• Charity BOMs from last month. October was Susan Beal's Picnic String Quilt Block from her new book, Sewing for all Seasons.

A Message from Michelle

Who will be next? (BTW, pretend Jen is in this photo too!)

I recently came across a newsletter from another quilt guild and saw that it had a special section for the President's notes. My first thought was, "oh no! I have never done that for our guild - were they expecting me to do that?" and then I laughed and thought of how all of you would have reacted to a formality like that and I felt relieved. 

Taking on the job of guild president this year was not without trials. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and in-over-my-head. I wondered on occasion if I was the right person for the job and whether or not I was meeting expectations of our members and the greater MQG community. Many of you were candid with your compliments as well as your critiques. I was grateful for the feedback and took each and every comment seriously.

But that is just me. The office of president has been approached differently each year that I have been a member of our guild. How I would follow in the footsteps of the women who had stood in my shoes before me? How would I compare? The first PMQG meeting I went to was in January 2011. There was a fat quarter swap, a fun wonky argyle presentation and mug rug challenge (a what?) I only knew one person there that night and I did not consider myself a quilter by anyone's standards. I went back through old posts and found a picture of me from that meeting. Who knew I would serve as your president a few years later!

I love looking back at those meetings and thinking about the friendships that I have gained from guild and the wonderful and inspiring meetings that I have attended. This year was extraordinarily special. I have had the opportunity to work along side of four inspiring and talented women, Kim, Mary Ann, Amber and Anne who served as your officers this year. I participated in the formalization of our guild as part of the national MQG organization. We had an exciting calendar of programs, events, challenges and education. And I witnessed our guild grow to 175 members! 

2014 is right around the corner. I have been asked daily who I think will be our next guild president. Last year about this time I was asking myself that same question. I knew the answer in my heart was me. I sat down and wrote a letter to the officers detailing my vast inexperience, lack of professional connections and most importantly why I would not be qualified at all to lead the group. I am happy I never pressed "send." The next morning I wrote a second draft. I'll be honest, I was terrified! Yet I knew Susan, Christina and Jen would help me if I needed advice, that my fellow officers would support me if I made a mistake and most of all that our community of members would inspire me to be the best leader I could be. 

So next PMQG officers: don't delete those letters of intention. If we can do it, so can you! We need our members to step up and take the reins. And we are here for you! We will help you succeed. And I for one am looking forward to that.

-- Michelle