Tessa Cooper as her sugar paste self

CONFESSION #1

So after six years of working in public relations, event planning and production, and finally advertising, I found myself not really liking the marketing world. Oddly, it took doing what my degree was in, advertising, to realizing this line of work was not for me. I remember telling my soon to be manager at the ad agency during one of my interviews that I longed to produce something, whatever it may be, that I was proud of. At the time I thought that would be amazing ads that I, as the account manager, would help create. Unfortunately, I never found a interest in what was being produced, nor was I proud of the finished product.

During my interview with Spruce for the upholstery apprenticeship, I shared this goal and found lots of smiles and nods to this ambition that made me feel like everyone here had a similar wish that they saw come true daily. They also told me during the interview that this line of work would “ruin your hands” and I smiled and nodded back to indicate I was ready for it.

As I work through my first weeks of the apprenticeship at Spruce, I find myself both proud of the finished products I am helping make, and also devastated by the condition my hands are in from manual labor. Bye bye manicures for typing and taking diligent notes in client meetings – and hello stronger hands that create beautiful furniture!

LESSON OF THE DAY: It is OK to bleed on the burlap. It is NOT OK to bleed on the Schumacher fabric.

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1. martha's comment is:

   I just discovered your web site and blog . I am in love with all of you . I am an upholster and have been for twenty years . I have always been a little ashamed in some situations to admit what I do for a living . Saying I was a designer seemed to be more respected. I am a designer, but primarily I am an upholster. You guys put a new stereo type on our profession. You make it ARTSY, SEXY and WAY COOL!!! Love what you are doing you have inspired me to do the same . Hears to making being an upholster cool and respected by our snobby intellectual white collar friends.
   Martha @ A New Cover Nashville Tn.

   September 7, 2011 - 2:09pm
2. Jennifer Hamilton's comment is:

   I am a non-traditional Interior Design Student who is about to graduate. I have been in retail management for 13+ years and I am ready to do what I was born to do… CREATE! I have been sewing for the better part of 30 years on top of other handywork. Upholstering is one thing I would LOVE to learn. I stumbled upon your site while “surfing” and I love everything you gals are doing. I hope one day I have enough courage and talent to be a part of a business or own my own similar to yours! Keep up the great works you all do!

   January 7, 2012 - 9:30pm