Flame Tree Glass in Roswell, GA has a truly impressive roster of classes and instructors scheduled to teach at their facility. I couldn’t help but noticing that Loren Stump has been added to the schedule. This is something that shouldn’t be missed. I haven’t had the opportunity to take one of his classes although I have been fortunate to see him demonstrate more than a couple of times. What a master! And what a nice guy. He’s teaching in December and the class is as described…For people who have already taken Loren I and II and want to come back again for something new. Each themed class will include Murrini, sculptural and encasement projects related to the theme of the class. For example, “Under the Sea” includes several kinds of fish Murrini. The sculptural portion includes several kinds of sea creatures with tentacles and fins. The encasement portion involves creating a paperweight of an underwater scene with rocks, coral, shells, fish and sea creatures created in the other two portions of the class. This will fill up soon so if you’re on the east coast or in the south…hell, you’ve got time book a trip. It should be a blast!
Have you read?
Joann Files for Bankruptcy Again
Last March the craft retailer Joann announced that it was filling for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and that the company would become a private company with a better handle on its debt. The first part did happen, but the company has now filed again and is looking for a buyer, and the next chapter might not be so rosy for crafters who depend on the retailer.
In the most recent filing the company said it has $615.7 million in funded debt obligations and $133 million in trade debt, according to a story from Yahoo Finance. Interim CEO Michael Prendergast said the company faced “unanticipated inventory challenges” and sluggish sales coming off the pandemic. Bloomberg News had reported in November that Joann was asking vendors for rebates and retroactive discounts as sales slumped.
A news release from Joann says that all stores will remain open for now. In it Prendergast said “the last several years have presented significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment” and their financial position and inventory problems have forced the move.
The company is looking for a buyer but has a “stalking horse bidder” offer from Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which will serve as the starting bid as the company await other offers. If there are other offers, the company will have an auction around Feb. 12.
If there are no better options the company will sell to Gordon Brothers, which specializes in liquidating companies and is involved in the closure of Big Lots.
John Bringardner from the research firm Debtwire told CNN that if/when Gordon Brothers takes over Joann it will likely start going out of business sales and lay off employees.
Of course that’s something we don’t want to see as crafters. It’s terrible to see big players in the industry go down, potentially leaving people without local places to buy supplies. (I shop at Joann and if it closes there will only be Hobby Lobby and the sad craft section at Walmart for me. The closest Michaels is about 50 miles away.) I’ll keep an eye on the story and update you when there’s more to tell.