“ I had a lady years ago in Whynot who I went to when I was honestly in tears ,” she said . “ I had a recliner and I took it apart – it seemed like it had a million pieces and I didn ’ t know how I was ever going to get it back together . She was able to help me – and I also learned from her that you never fully take something apart when you are re-covering it . I have been so fortunate to have people like that in my life . You really do need someone who is willing to help you , if at all possible .”
Sutton said people interested in trying upholstery should start with something very small – like a single dining room chair .
“ You don ’ t want to start with something really complicated ,” she advised . “ That might make you overwhelmed and then you are more likely to give up completely .”
Sutton also said that today , people can learn a lot about the craft from watching videos on YouTube and other sources .
“ There is a lot of great information out there ,” Sutton said . “ And even though I have been doing this for years , I still find myself going there and learning new things at times . Videos can show you a lot .”
A business that is also a hobby
For Sutton , what started as a hobby has also turned into a way to make money . She does not advertise for clients
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and has mostly had people come to her through word of mouth in the last few years . She said while she does charge for most of her handiwork , she also is careful not to lose the fun in what she does .
“ I ’ ve never wanted to do this working entirely for someone else ,” she said . “ I think that when you lose that freedom and you have to keep certain hours , it ’ s not that fun anymore .”
She said that in a lot of ways , meeting new customers also feels like a part of her hobby .
“ I don ’ t know if this is good business , but for me , the people that I do work for become my friends ,” she said . “ I have met some of the sweetest , most interesting people just by doing this work . It feels like fun to me and I think that ’ s important . I don ’ t ever want to lose the joy of it . When you lose the joy , you need to stop doing it .”
During the pandemic , Sutton said that her hobby turned business has helped to keep her sane .
“ It gave me something to do and that was especially important ,” she said . “ I am someone who just thinks constantly – always asking why . Sometimes , it ’ s better for me to think about what I am working on than to think about the things that are going on in the world that feel so unpredictable .”
A time of spirituality
Sutton also said that the time she spends working on furniture is a time of spiritual renewal for her .
“ I always , always have on music ,” she said . “ I tend to listen to Christian music and while I am working I think a lot about the Lord . That is something that is important to me – my relationship with the Lord . And I just get out there and reflect on him and pray to him . For me , there is nothing else like it . I treasure that time .”
When Sutton is not working on making old furniture new again , she can often be found gardening .
“ Like I said , I just don ’ t sit still well ,” she said . “ But I think that ’ s OK . I see so many people who retire and then they don ’ t do so well – they become inactive and they sit too much and that ’ s not helpful . All this work that I do , I think that it helps me to stay young .”
While she is working on fixing up old furniture , her husband can often be found working , too . He works in the yard and cares for his animals . He also makes wooden bowls .
When the couple isn ’ t working with their hands , they can often be found working with the youth group at New Beginning Christian Fellowship . The couple hosts about 10-20 teenagers and adults each weekend . They feed the teens a meal and then have a time when the teens play volleyball and other games outside .
“ We love having them and we absolutely have loved getting to know them ,” she said .
Sutton said that in life – and in upholstery work – it is important to keep working and to never give up .
“ I think that in anything you do , you have to realize that we are always learning ,” she said . “ Practice eventually makes perfect – or something close to it . But we can ’ t get discouraged and we can ’ t give up . You can ’ t let little mistakes bother you and you also can ’ t let what anyone says about your work upset you . You keep moving and you keep going and keep trying . That ’ s the important thing .” T www . meridianstar . com
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