What does being an upholsterer mean to you?
Well, it means just about everything! I love making things beautiful again. It gives me a lot of joy to turn what was old into something very new and beautiful. I also enjoy having a flexible schedule. I work when I want to work and that gives me time to spend with family and friends. 

How did you get started in upholstery?
I started working for a pontoon company as a seamstress and realized that doing the upholstery seemed interesting and fascinating to me. So, I went home and told my husband that I thought I could do upholstery. He gave me the seat to our four-wheeler and said, “Well if you screw it up, I guess we’ll have to buy a new one!” That was in 2013. In 2014, we finished off our house garage which is currently my shop. It was always a hobby until 3 years ago when I was able to quit my full-time job and stay home and do upholstery work! 

What types of upholstery do you do?
I can do pretty much anything as long as I can figure out how to get it apart and put it back together – so basically anything I can get my hands on!

How long have you been upholstering?
Since 2014! 

What is the biggest customer demand?
Well, I probably have to say it’s boats and pontoons, but it mostly depends on what time of year it is. 

What is your favorite upholstery project you’ve done?
Gosh, I don’t know. I probably have to say it was the Vikings themed pontoon. That was probably the most memorable. 

What is the strangest item you’ve found in a restoration?
Probably not the strangest but definitely the funniest was when I found a bunch of marbles. I thought it was funny because every time I turned the chair, more marbles would fall out! 

What changes would benefit the upholstery industry?
I think using more AI technology would be a benefit. You can take a picture and see what your project will look like when it’s done. It helps the customers see the vision!

Have you ever been featured on television, online, or in another publication?
No, I have not. 

Some answers have been edited for clarity.