Meet Audrey Alich and Julie Norton by Rita Vainius
This is a true tale of how needlework impacted the lives of two women - an accountant turned shop owner/teacher and a marketing assistant turned teacher/designer- creating a special bond between them as enterprising business collaborators and the best of friends. Meet Audrey Alich and Julie Norton.
Audrey "got the bug" (for stitching) after being intrigued with the cross stitch that a co-worker engaged in. In Audrey's case, it began innocuously enough, with a simple little kit, which she completed on her own. Ten years later she got hooked on Hardanger, but knew that in learning it she could use some help. The opportunity to do so was provided by none other than Julie Norton.
Julie got the "itch to stitch " while still a child. Her mother sewed and fabric remnants would be salvaged by Julie to create doll outfits. Into adulthood Julie engaged in various forms of needlework, always keeping her eye out for new challenges. What she eventually found was something quite different from anything she had tried before: Hardanger. A 1 night a week indulgence quickly turned into a more time consuming preoccupation. Her instructor was an extraordinary stitcher/teacher who became a friend. She encouraged and challenged Julie, bringing out her creativity and strong drive for perfection. Julie admits: "I am a perfectionist ... (to a fault). Precision.....balance....texture....logic....carry over through out my entire life. So Hardanger is just the craft for me. No room for error...A design has to be balanced and make "sense"....or how can I expect anyone else to sit and stitch it?"
When her teacher took ill, Julie was asked to take over. Hardanger had become second nature to her and as a teacher she was soon deriving a new satisfaction from sharing her passion for this "lost art." As Julie tried to apply her knowledge to existing patterns, she was often found them lacking. She took the next leap, designing a doily specifically for teaching traditional Hardanger by employing alternative methods, eliciting the question: What Alternative Hardanger Techniques? Julie clarifies: "I use a method of basting the fabric working from the center of the design to the outer edge. Rather than starting at the designated arrow and working around the outer edge of the pattern hoping you aren't off a thread and if you are, wondering where the heck it is. This is only one of the methods that is very helpful especially when you are a beginner." This design was published as her first book, The Ultimate Teaching Doily.
Back to Audrey's and Julie's first encounter - Audrey found Julie's class fun and stimulating. With each class completed, she would sign on for the next level. Her third class with Julie turned her on to color in Hardanger, stitching on a red 28 ct lugana with Caron Flame Wildflowers fibers. "Wow," was her uninhibited reaction. Some other vibrant combinations followed - orange fabric with Marigold Watercolours and Wildflowers, loud purple with Amethyst Watercolours, raw banding with Blueberry Wildflowers. Not only was she hooked on Hardanger, but now on variegated threads as well. Julie would just smile at Audrey's color choices and proceed with the subdued and subtle shades more to her own liking. Audrey's early observation still holds true: "We go good together that way; she's a little bit country, and I'm a little bit "rock 'n roll." Julie's take is: "Audrey and I see things differently. Audrey is an "amethyst kind of gal " and I am a "rose quartz". I am a traditionalist ... I love the tone on tone look and feel... I love the combination of Rose Quartz on Cherub pink linen....And MY all time favorite, eggplant and natural linen."
At about this time, Audrey and her husband, Jon, were at a career crossroads. A contract job they had worked on was done and they were ready for a change. They knew two things - the next endeavor had to be something they really enjoyed and they wanted to continue to work together. It was Jon who suggested opening a cross stitch and framing shop. Audrey was tentative because she felt she didn't have enough know-how to offer other stitchers but she was soon convinced otherwise. They started researching the business, sending for information, visiting other shops and attending the INRG Convention in Charlotte. Minds made up, they found a location in White Bear Lake, MN. The town was perfect for their plans; it had the look and feel of a small Dickens era community with an established art and craft background. Cross Stitch Plus opened in October, 1996, specializing primarily in counted cross stitch, Hardanger and needlework framing.
Cross Stitch Plus opened about the same time that Julie finished her first book. Audrey and Julie had already formed a close friendship.They would often meet and just talk fabrics and fibers. For the shop's grand opening, Audrey arranged for Julie to be on hand for an exclusive book signing. The Ultimate Teaching Doily became both the shop's best selling book and class. Together they arranged other classes, attended shows and worked displays at fairs together, though one of these, "Yule Fest," was a fiasco and has since become their own generic name for similar events! Audrey discovered that her clientele wanted classes in Hardanger more than anything else. After an introduction 1 day class, "A Taste of Hardanger," most would move onto Julie's 4 week "Ultimate Teaching Doily" class and then just keep going. Julie published her next book, Holiday Hardanger and continued to create designs that challenged stitchers and introduced them to new mediums." Another book, A True Keepsake, illustrated how variegated threads could enhance a piece in subtle but very distinctive ways.
Julie was also at a crossroads; she wanted to cut down on her work schedule to stay home with her kids and help care for another friend, Jane's baby. This would give Julie more time to design. And it wasn't long before Audrey had a full class schedule in place at the shop and Cross Stitch Plus became not only Audrey's home away from home, but Julie's as well. Julie stresses: "She and Jon were instrumental in the development of my designing career. They opened so many doors for me...It was exciting for both of us. We always used to say 'two nobodies who think we are somebody.'"
One of Audrey's mottos which hangs prominently above her class room table says "You never know what you can do...until you try." Her favorite anecdote to illustrate this, involves a piece she stitched called "Christmas House," which Jon framed with rich green and red suede matting in an antique gilded frame. This became Audrey's showcase piece and caught everyone's eye. Finally, she was convinced to teach it as a class. Most of the students had never done any specialty stitches or worked on linen and many had never even seen Hardanger. Just the same, it was a huge success and had a waiting list for the next class before the first session was over. Cross Stitch Plus also became a needlework mecca for kids. They had Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownie Troops, Birthday Parties - you name it - they came for classes. They might come down with a bad case of the "wiggles, giggles and jabbers," but by the end of two hours they were quiet and intensely focused on their projects.
One of Julie's books is geared to stitchers who want to try Hardanger but are intimidated by it's complex and intricate appearance. Take the HARD out of Hardanger resulted from a remark made by a frustrated Jane: "Why is it the craft I choose to do after a stressful corporate day.... compiled of the two words HARD and ANGER!...I better look for a different hobby." Julie's reference volume, is jammed-packed with helpful hints, alternative methods and fiber and fabric information. She focuses on illustrations that better help the stitcher understand the traditional and alternative method of hardanger embroidery. Julie's main objective is : "To explain as thoroughly as I can.....to the reader/stitcher so they can execute my designs or any other published pattern... Each of us understands differently, whether it be by looking at the picture....one who comprehends by reading... those that more clearly understand by watching and "hands on."
Both Audrey and Julie receive valuable input and support in their endeavors from their husbands, Jon and Tom. Jon performs wizardry with his framing, using exquisite taste and craftsmanship to turn each piece of needlework into a work of art. Tom builds Julie's booths and has handcrafted the box for Julie's Hardanger Treasure Box design. When Julie and Tom first exhibited at the National Retailers market in Charlotte, they got advice from Audrey and Jon, seasoned show veterans. Julie recalls: "We were so nervous...Audrey brought us a gift bag of Boost power drink cans.....and Dr. Scholls shoe supports...With last minute jitters....I called Audrey....and said "What if this is another 'Yule Fest' and they just come by and take my free mints???" It wasn't!
Though it is not the end of their story by any means, circumstances have arisen which have necessitated the closing of Cross Stitch Plus. Audrey laments: "With tears in my eyes we put the closed sign up for the final time on August 21 [1999]...Next week contractors may be coming to knock down the store...but I have wonderful memories. Our mid-February "Stitching in the Tropics Sale" was a scream. We turned up the heat, put on our shorts, hula skirts, sunglasses and got out the pineapples. Customers got a percentage off based on their attire...The best display of insanity was our tatting instructor; she actually walked down the street in a swimsuit and beach towel carrying a beach ball. Now, mind you, it was only 15 degrees outside.. Daniel (our son) has been coming to the shop with us every day since age 4 months...It has been a wonderful life...and hopefully...when the timing is right, Cross Stitch Plus will open again. Needlework gets in your blood and there is just nothing else like it and having your own store may be a lot of work, but its the ultimate stash."
Julie's sentiments mirror those of other customers, students, teachers, designers and friends: "I am deeply saddened by the close of Cross Stitch Plus. To have had the opportunity to teach in a store that was so warm and inviting....was really a treat. Both Jon and Audrey offered a positive and encouraging attitude to all...Audrey and I have grown as "business" women and as friends. I know that great things are in store for them...I only wish that her store wasn't closing....so many would have enjoyed a trip to Cross Stitch Plus."
And perhaps those, who missed their chance the first time around, someday will. We wish Audrey and Jon the best of luck and will keep stitchers posted on their plans.
Julie Norton's books are distributed by Nordic Needle. She sells wholesale direct to shops across the U.S. Her publications are distributed in Australia by Down Under. She also sells to "regular" people. For more information contact her at:
J. Designs, Alternative Hardanger Techniques, Designs by Julie P.O. Box 20346, Bloomington, MN 55420 e mail: [email protected] Note: all the images shown here are Julie's designs. Unfortunately, Audreys were already all packed away.
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