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For Liz Turner Diehl, creativity is a movable feast. It's what has fueled her success from the plains of Kansas to the rainy days of Oregon; a path ranging from 10 years with a symphony orchestra to orchestrating the workings of a successful, still growing international needlework business for the past 30 years. Along the way, time for a family and volunteer work in between. Music, needlework, and her new awakening of writing continue as intertwining threads. Liz enjoys playing in the "Steel Magnolias" all women steel drum band today.
Creativity comes naturally to Liz "My great grandfather designed 15 courthouses back in Kansas; my mother and grandmother were involved with needle arts and painting and I have a degree in music," she says. But it has taken focused attention to use this creativity in building her needlework manufacturing and publishing company to its present level.
Liz finds Oregon to be "a real great spot for creativity and I feel that color and environment turns me on." And, she adds, "What I see and what's around me has a great deal to do with my positive thinking and image for designing." Her present business is only the latest of her ventures. "I was in needlework retail for eight years," she says, "today, with Mike's involvement (my other half) we are partners in The Stitching Festival (CATS), a national needlework consumer show and Liz Turner Diehl, Inc." In addition, Liz has a passion for teaching and writing, finishing her first fiction novel in 2005.
She has been able to focus on attaining a high level of excellence through conscious choice: "It is a choice that we moved to Portland," she says. It is also what has enabled Liz and Mike to juggle all the activities which have lead to successful careers and family. Demand for time keeps Liz on a tight schedule, with an eye on her goals.
Not all of the business is done at home. Liz Turner Diehl, Inc. exhibits at shows throughout the country. The shows provide both a challenge and another way to stay focused for Liz. "Most of my goals and my focusing are on deadlines," she explains. "Every show in every region expects to have certain things; so you tend to set your goals to meet the shows that are coming." The shows have another advantage. "I get satisfaction from receiving feedback," she says, and there is plenty of that from stitchers who come to the shows and take classes."
To maintain good health in the midst of a crowded schedule, Liz walks early every morning with neighborhood friends. Liz reflects on how the direction her business has taken affects her personal creativity: "I find that when I am designing, I design for what I think the stitchers will like. Designing consumes my thoughts!" In fact, she adds somewhat wistfully, "I find that I rarely have time to just sit down and stitch for fun." |
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