Janet Fenton - Designer Feature Page 2 Click Here to go back to Page 1 of our Designer Feature "French Cross" Janice Gaynor (#JGN165) Collection of Nutcrackers by JB Designs
Picture contributed and pieces stitched by Alicia Lewis------
"Stitcher's Nutcracker" (left) by JB Designs (#CNT102) stitch guide courtesy of Shear Creations "Merlin Nutcracker" by JB Designs (#CNT21) Taking their extremely modest joint investment of $11, they purchased some canvas, paint and brushes and came up with 10 original designs. They then made a cold call at the local needlepoint shop. To their utter delight Janet and Barbara made their first sale, one canvas for $10, which was promptly spent on a celebratory lunch! Friends who wanted to learn needlepoint began calling and classes were arranged and conducted either in their own homes or hosted by interested students. Janet elaborates, "We taught these people on our own kits... and gave each hostess her choice of kit. Soon we had a substantial following and did a considerable amount of custom designing." In 1980 Barbara decided to take a leave from their venture and that left Janet to fly solo or quit. She decided to sell only to stores and hired a sales rep. One of her early reps was none other than Elaine Warner! As Janet's design line grew, so did sales. When Janet's son, Mick, began attending Valley Forge Military Academy near Philadelphia, she would combine visits to him with sales calls in surrounding areas. Her next move was to join the TNNA and, in 1987, JB Designs exhibited at it's first trade show at the Jacob Javits center in NY, acknowledging her readiness to make the major the leap to the Big Time!
"Iris" by Marcy Covington (#MC2123) In 1989, Janet added needlework totes to her line. She was still working out of her home. When the JB line began to dominate almost all the family's living space, Janet knew it was time to take the next giant step and rent an office-warehouse. That was 1993 and JB Designs is still firmly ensconced there. The year 1996 heralded yet another major turning point; Janet purchased Erico of California, a leading needlepoint manufacturer. Unlike the JB line, which consists primarily of Janet's own designs, along with those of her niece Hilary and a few other artists, Erico is comprised of numerous very distinguished artists, including Peter Ashe, Marcy Covington, David McCaskill, Katherine Parfet, Raul del Rio, Janice Gaynor, Ronda Aherns, Sev Ickes and most recently Valentina Heishman. JB Designs currently inventories about 1500 designs as well as 25 styles of tote bags and accessories. Consequently, they have almost outgrown their space, which was already once doubled in 1993.
Totes and accessories by JB Designs At heart, Janet is a dedicated and spirited good Samaritan. Over the years she has generously donated time and energy to worthy causes: Guiding Eye Dogs, the Volunteer League, sorority groups and, most recently, as the chairman of the Needlepoint Group, a committee of TNNA. As in the Sound of Music soundtrack, "...Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...," here are a few of Janet's favorite things: animals (especially her own 2 cats and 2 dogs (Golden Retrievers named JB and Leia. JB even gets treated with acupuncture for his ailments - now only a true Californian would think of that for a pet!), antiques, Gone With the Wind, travel, genealogy, tennis, art, crafts, home decorating, film, Jeopardy, e-mail, old photos, friends, everything about 17th-18th century England, Amsterdam and Russia, music, safari, "High Society," 20/20, Excel spreadsheets, trade shows, her employees, her job, her company and of course, needlepoint. She bemoans, "I rarely have the time these days, however and that's why my e-mail address is j2bzy4this!" Considering her interests, lifestyle and responsibilities, one would hardly think she could keep up the pace. But just send her an e-mail and you'll find the reply come back at the speed of....well that depends on your own internet provider! Janet is already on to the next task at hand....
JB Designs
18344 Oxnard Street #109
Tarzana, CA, 91356
Phone: (818) 776- 1787
Fax: (818) 776-0988
E-mail: j2bzy4this@aol.comClick Here to go back to Page 1 of our Designer Feature
CARON email: mail@caron-net.com / Webmaster nika@optonline.net
