Spring has sprung and I am happy and blessed to say that I am staying consistently busy, thanks to all the wonderful contacts and relationships I have worked hard for over the past 19 years as a designer with Hands-On Woodworking.  One of my current projects is outfitting all the closets for a Clancy & Theys project called The Cherokee.  The Cherokee is a 20 unit condominium building on the corner of Cherokee Rd. and Fenton Place.  They start in the $900,000 range.  The job has been going smoothly and it's encouraging to see folks purchasing new construction in that price range.

As a member of N.A.R.I. (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) it is my pleasure and privilege to be helping out with two upcoming events in April.  The first is the second Annual N.A.R.I. Surplus Sale to be held at the Habitat Restore on Wendover Road in Charlotte on Saturday, April 24th and the N.A.R.I. Golf Team Challenge to be held at the Birkdale Country Club in Huntersville on Thursday, April 29th.  Both events are to help N.A.R.I. raise monies for financial assistance to NARI educational programs, community service projects, as well as help sustain and promote the NARI Code of Ethics in the marketplace.  It's a wonderful organization and if you do work with a company who is a NARI member, you can be assured you are in good hands.

My goal for 2010 is to help more clients with new kitchens and baths.  I've, unfortunately, seen too many kitchen cabinets in need of replacement in upscale neighborhoods that are less than 15 years old!   I hope to educate my clients on the differences between a manufactured cabinet and a custom made cabinet.  As I say often, "everything we make starts with a 4'x8' sheet of material.   Though I've been designing for many years, I have decided to pursue becoming a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD).  Continuing education always helps and I want to remain current in the field!