The 2014 Winning Walls With Wallcoverings (WWWW) contest is off and running! The official entry form is in this issue of The Installer and can also be found online on the Guild website www.ngpp.org.

This year’s contest brings an important change in the rules. All murals and scenics will be judged only in the Specialty category. Please carefully read the criteria for the four categories when submitting your entries but understand that final category placement rests with the judges. Like last year, the essay portion is restricted to 1,300 words. Tell your story detailing the techniques used during your installation. In addition, explain the challenges you overcame and any special comments you want to share.

Some of us work on a handful of wallcovering projects each year while other members have a new project nearly every day. It really is quite important to our national organization that its members help in the marketing of the wallcovering industry by taking some time to show and tell us the kind of work they do each and every day. Often when I question members as to why they didn’t enter any of their work into the WWWW contest they say that they didn’t have any “winning” projects. Let me stress that there is no “exact formula” for winning the contest. Each and every year we receive a diverse collection of entries and no one can predict who may win from that group.

Actually when it comes to winning as an organization, the greater the number and the greater diversity of projects entered, the better we will be situated to market our craft through publicity in trade magazines, promotional articles

and at industry events. When I hear installers and associates talk about the business of paperhanging, they say that the NGPP is one of the best kept secrets. Entering this contest is one easy but important way to showcase the amazing work our members do.

Good photos are an essential component of your entry. Try to provide photos depicting before, during and completed stages of your project. Ten to thirty photos are suggested. Small captions are acceptable if additional explanation is required. Avoid taking photos with identifying features such as company name, logo, or persons. Recognizable elements will be redacted to protect anonymity during the judging process.

Grab your writing materials and camera and document those projects. The work we do every day as installers is amazing to our clients. Please share your creative use of wallcoverings and your superior craftsmanship by sending in your entry by Tuesday, June 3, 2014 for your chance to be one of twelve winners in this year’s Winning Walls With Wallcoverings contest. What are you waiting for? Let’s go!

Winning Walls with Wallcovering 2014By NGPP WWWW Chairperson Phil Curtis, C.P., Curtis Enterprises, South Holland, Illinois

President’s Message .............................................................2

National Convention 2014, Louisville Here we Come ............3

National Awards Recognition ................................................4

Call for 2014 Region Director Nominations.......................... 6

New Members...................................................................... 7

NGPP March Madness in Windsor Locks, Connecticut .........8

To Be Or Not To Be ..............................................................10

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

March/April 2014 - Page 1

Volume 40, Issue 2 March/April 2014

Grab your writing materials and camera and document

those projects. The work we do every day as installers is

amazing to our clients.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE . . .

March/April 2014 - Page 2

Improving Efficiency with Cost Effective AnalysisBy President Cyndi Green, C.P., Cyndi Green Wallcovering, LLC, Monroe, Louisiana

Every year the NGPP Board is faced with implementing a budget and every year we are faced with different challenges. Among our challenges for 2014, the biggest is how to make a bold move to implement some much needed programs. I have talked about those programs throughout this year. These include our need for a new updated website as well as the need to update and project a more professional image, etc. These programs cannot be done without spending money, but the long-term value of this change will be worth it. In essence, we are making a capital investment in the NGPP. This capital investment will be the foundation that will continue to keep us strong and productive.

Our budgeting process is one that we don’t take lightly. The budget is reviewed based on past expenses and estimates of future income and expenses. We look at the income generating programs as well as those programs that may not cover their costs but have a value to the membership. We take on the challenge of reviewing programs to see how we can streamline the costs and perhaps shift those funds to a new program or service. With today’s technologies there are many options on how programs are implemented that can produce a significant savings. We would be foolish not to go over each program that has been funded for years to see if there is a more effective and economical way to meet the expectations and needs of our members.

One of the hurdles of using technology to streamline budgets is that doing things the way it has always been done, may no longer be the most effective or efficient way. An example of this “change in the road” is the electronic version of the Resource Guide. Some folks

felt that they wanted this printed and mailed to them while we had just as many more say they loved the ability to download the Guide. Not only was an electronic version a substantial savings, it was important to members that we keep

it online so that when people visit the NGPP website they can download and use this Guide. What a great opportunity when we can take a distribution of 1000 paper copies and turn it into a distribution of that original 1000 plus potentially multiple of thousands of electronic end users! But, I also remember how many of us struggled to transition from a simple phone to a smart phone. After time, you don’t know how you did without it. Every organization faces the challenge of change and how their group will have the readiness to successfully accept effectiveness and/or efficiency initiatives. Accepting the benefits of change takes an effort to understand why the need is there. We trust that you agree that making smart cuts in order to keep dues low and value high while going green for the environment, is beneficial for everyone!

I want you to know there is a method to our madness. We do not take program funding decisions lightly. Every program gets a thorough cost-effective analysis. Questions that are asked and scrutinized include:

1. Define the program and its intent; is the way we do it still as relevant today as when we started doing it?

2. Analysis of actual program income and expenses.

3. Review possible utilization of new technology to accomplish the goals. Evaluating all options noting expected performance, savings and outcomes.

One of the hurdles of using technology to streamline budgets is

that doing things the way it has always been done, may no longer be the most

effective or efficient way.

4. Review the pros and cons of implementing a change.

5. Follow up: Revisit the program after a defined period to measure outcome.

As you can see, today’s extraordinary challenges also provide us with extraordinary opportunities to utilize technology to improve our outreach while utilizing the new found income to fund more programs. This shift in income and expenses helps NGPP to keep your membership dues dollars at a minimum. These review practices are essential in making smart steps that preserve and even enhance effectiveness. These practices help build a foundation for institutionalizing efficiency while creating a

sustainable organization that can adapt as needed to evolving budgets and mission responsibilities. We did accomplish keeping your dues at the most affordable of all professional organizations in our industry. We always strive to do everything “well” while being as efficient as possible thereby fulfilling our fiduciary responsibilities. We trust that you will do your part to support our findings and decisions.

As always, we are here to serve this organization and welcome your involvement on volunteer committees. Please contact me if you would like to serve on a committee. n

March/April 2014 - Page 3

Mark your calendars for the National Convention and Vendor Showcase being held in Louisville, Kentucky on September 12 & 13, 2014. The Galt House is the place to be in September. Come by plane or train or just drive to Louisville and experience the southern hospitality of this beautiful city.

This year’s convention packs all of the education and excitement into two FULL days of learning and camaraderie. Some of the topics to be covered will include:

Wallcovering: A Future Vision

Can You Wrap That?

QuickBooks: A Quick Study

Destination Safety: Scaffolding

Fabulous Fabric

Commercial Wallcovering Tips and Tricks

WWDD: What Would Dave Do?

Today’s Technology for Installers

There will be plenty of time at the wall for hands-on training as well as the fabulous table

top demonstrations! In addition to work, amazing creations will be shared at the Winning Walls With Wallcovering luncheon.

A special treat for attendees this year is a fabulous anniversary bash on Saturday night! Instead of the National Awards being held as a luncheon, we will celebrate the NGPP’s 40th Anniversary with a dinner and live entertainment! The nationally known Eisenhauer Band will be entertaining NGPP members

with their wonderful instrumentals and vocals! A hearty thank you goes to Gardner-Gibson,

makers of Dynamite 234 and 433 Wallcovering Adhesives as they will once again be generously sponsoring the National Awards and Anniversary Bash!

Registration forms for the convention will be coming soon but the forms for submission of the WWWW and National Awards can be found in this issue of The Installer or online under Upcoming Events at www.ngpp.org. Contact the National Office at (800) 254-6477 or ngpp@ngpp.org with any questions. n

National Convention 2014 Louisville, Here We Come!

SEPT. 12 & 13, 2014

National Awards RecognitionBy NGPP Awards Committee Chair Anthony Russo, C.P., Anthony P. Russo Paperhanging, Stratford, Connecticut

March/April 2014 - Page 4

Do you know a fellow NGPP member who gets so involved, goes above and beyond the call of duty all the time and is always there when you need him or her? Does that person deserve a national award? Well, it’s time to take action and nominate any and all of those award candidates!

Through its National Awards Program, the NGPP honors paperhanger members, chapters, and associates who have made significant contributions to the organization and industry. These honorees have made the organization stronger and influenced others to strive toward the highest standards possible within the wallcovering industry.

This year’s national awards will be presented in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, September 13, during the National Convention. Take a look back at last year’s events – charity hangs, workshops, conventions, regional and local events to help identify worthy candidates.

What makes this organization great? Our members make us great! There are those who shine, those whom you count on, those who lead. You get out what you put in. With all these clichés there is probably a person who stands out who has made a difference. That person is one you need to nominate for one of our national awards. Look over the awards and descriptions and fill out the enclosed form or go online (http://www.ngpp.org) and make that nomination before the July 1st deadline. Please be as specific as possible, because some people may not know this person and the judging committee must understand why this candidate is deserving of the award.

If you have never been to the recognition ceremony at the convention, then you have missed a special time where members get together to celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues and our organization has a whole.

Listed below are the awards bestowed by the NGPP. Please take the time to read each thoroughly and think about who might qualify and whom you would like to nominate. ALL NOMINATIONS MUST LIST

SPECIFICS. Nominations without specific detail will

not be considered. A nomination form can be found with this issue of The Installer or linked to the NGPP website at www.ngpp.org.

Sam Kovnat AwardThis is the highest award bestowed by the NGPP. This award is given to a paperhanger (regular) member who has given outstanding service to the Guild over an extended period of years. The nomination comes from the Board of Directors. (If you have a person in mind, contact a board member to discuss).The individual must have a minimum of 10 years of service to the NGPP at a combination of local and national levels; e.g., local level-chapter officer, involvement in the industry; national level-board member with substantial responsibilities; committee chair whose ideas and dedication have brought projects to fruition.

Golden Shears AwardThis award is for an innovative, new program or service that furthers the Guild within the industry, the profession, and/or the membership, at the local or national level. Nominations can be for an individual or a group for their collective work. The program’s conception, development and implementation must be spelled out along with the benefit to the NGPP or the installation industry it provided (e.g., Maya Romanoff Educational Program, The Point System, etc); service to the NGPP beyond the call of regular involvement; revitalization of a chapter through a new creative approach.

What makes this organization great? Our members make us great! There are those who

shine, those whom you count on, those who lead.

Bob Isenberger Paperhanger Member of the YearThis award is for a paperhanger (regular) member who has made noteworthy contributions to the NGPP and/or industry during the preceding 12 months. The involvement can be at the local or national level with contributions which have benefited a chapter, region or the entire membership with expectations beyond the normal participation expected from a member.

The Guy Cooper Golden Plumbline AwardThis award recognizes an outstanding NGPP affiliated chapter. Examples which would make a chapter worthy of this award include: 75 percent of members attend meetings/activities; yearly charity projects either with chapter members or individuals within a chapter; great programs for members; activities that bring members’ families and/or other chapters together; interaction with local industry people; workshops or “Meet the Guild” programs as well as member recruitment and retention. Best NewsletterThree (3) consecutive newsletters from the current year must be submitted. Any chapter may nominate its newsletter and its editor for this award.

Skip Lowe AwardThis award is presented to an associate member who has given dedicated service to the Guild. It is anticipated that the board of directors would place names in nomination; however, any member may nominate an associate serving at the National or local level. Documentation of the contributions of the associate member must be included with the nomination.

Patricia Niehaus Leadership AwardThis award is for an individual who has displayed leadership, initiative, creativity and dedication and through involvement has inspired others. NGPP members, leaders and staff along with industry related organizations may nominate an installer member for this award. Self nominations will not be considered. n

March/April 2014 - Page 5September/October 2013 - Page 9

Welcome New Members New and Rejoined Members

Charles B. BogertPerseverance Paperhanging6010 North Douglas HighwayJuneau, AK 99801(303) 956-3859perseverancepaper@gmail.com At-Large

Jeffrey DiFilippoJD Paperhanging Corp238 West End AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11235(347) 462-1051jdprohang@yahoo.com New York

Claudia EverettBrewster Home Fashions67 Pacella Park DriveRandolph, MA 02368(781) 437-9295cev@brewp.com At-Large

Lisa HartmannHartmann Wallcoverings3506 Catalina Drive #BAustin, TX 78741(512) 663-5525hartmann_wallcoverings@yahoo.com At-Large

Alise HeemstraWallpaper DirectP.O. Box 1258Maynardville, TN 37807(865) 992-0068alise.heemstra@wallpaperdirect.com At-Large

William HockWilliam A. Hock Professional PaperhangingP.O. Box 882Doylestown, PA 18901(215) 348-0711billhock3@verizon.net Philadelphia

Brian HunterHunter Wall Coverings17604 Boy Scout RoadOdessa, FL 33556(813) 760-6651cagreav@aol.com Bay Area

Bill McCollomBill McCollom Wallpapering2454 E. Desert Trumpet RoadHouston, AZ 85048(602) 430-4874mccollomconst@aol.com At-Large

Ted OstlerOstler and sons26 Alevera StreetIrvine, CA 92618(949) 275-2601tedostler@yahoo.com Los Angeles

Timothy R. PetersonPeterson Painting & Paperhanging446 Stafford AvenueBristol, CT 06010-4620(860) 582-5582petersonpaintpapering@hotmail.com Connecticut

Victor PinoDream Interiors2980 McFarlane Road #204Miami, FL 33133(305) 244-7407dreaminteriors@outlook.com South Florida

Greg TefankjianGreg Tefankjian Custom Wallpaper Installation279 Lawndale Ave.King of Prussa, PA 19406(610) 608-3844gtfnk@comcast.net At-Large

Lang TriggsWall Creations by Lang719 Joel DriveTyler, TX 75703(903) 571-8288lang.triggs@yahoo.com At-Large

Kevin M. WeisAll Island Painting & Paperhanging, Inc.6 Maple AvenueFarmingdale, NY 11735(516) 433-5701kweis518@optonline.net New York

Painting and wallcovering professionals trust Dynamite® brand wallcovering adhesives for engineered quality that delivers dynamite results.

Dynamite 234 Heavy Duty Clear, our premium strippable adhesive, offers superior open time, wet tack and slip, making it the industry leader for ease of use.

Dynamite offers a full commercial line of adhesives, caulks and spackling. See the complete line on our website, www. gardner-gibson.com.

Gardner-Gibson, Inc. proudly supports The National Guild of Professional Paperhangers.

March/April 2014 - Page 6

Call for 2014 Region Director Nominations

NGPP is pleased to announce that election 2014 has begun! It’s time to nominate your favorite member or yourself for a Region Director or Alternate Region Director position. To qualify for one of these positions you must be a current member and in good standing for a minimum of three (3) years at the time of the election. This year we will be filling five region positions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Central and West. States and countries included in these regions are:

Northeast: NH / NY / RI / VT / MA / CT / ME/ Eastern Canada and Africa

Mid-Atlantic: PA / DE / MD / NJ / VA / WV / KY / Middle East

Central: MO / ND / IL / SD / IN / IA / NE / MN / OH / WI / MI / KS / Australia and Europe

South: AL / AR / TX / OK / TN / LA / MS / FL / GA / NC / SC / South America and Mexico

West: WA / AK / OR / CA / ID / MT / WY / NV / UT / AZ / CO / NM / HI / Western Canada and Asia

The Board of Directors shall have management, control and direction of the business and affairs of this corporation. The Board of Directors is subject to the bylaws of this corporation and none of its acts shall conflict with these bylaws. The Region Directors shall participate in board meetings at least four times a year, and perform all duties of a member of the National Board of Directors in a professional manner. The Region and Alternate Region Directors are to represent all members in his/her region. Candidates for either position may campaign by private means (i.e. written correspondence, private email, in person or on the telephone). All written correspondence (including anything distributed in mass via email) must be copied to the NGPP National Office prior to distribution. Eligible candidates will be voted for by members in their respective region, which is determined by the state or country of residency. Ballots will be distributed 60 days prior to the

annual membership meeting, which this year will be held at the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Region Directors coordinate with the Alternates in attending Board of Directors meetings. Prior to these meetings, the Region Director and Alternate are required to submit reports and review the Board Book so they are prepared to participate and vote on issues brought up at the board meeting. In addition, they are required to write “Paste-It-Notes” (a summary of news in their area) for inclusion in the six issues of The Installer during the calendar year. These “Paste-It-Notes” should describe the activities and concerns of the region as well as report pertinent national news and the activities from board meetings. Region Directors/Alternates are also asked to call every member in his/her region at least once a year as well and follow-up with perspective members who have contacted the National Office for information. So you may be asking yourself, with what type of other activities might they be involved? To begin with, all of the Region Directors are part of the Membership Committee. In addition to representing the members in their region, they should also try to promote member benefits and the recruitment of new members. In regard to serving the chapters in their region, the Region Director and/or Alternate could oversee and facilitate the planning of productive meetings via suggestions for demos, guest speakers, new product information, and encourage the chapter’s leadership to promote regular attendance at monthly meetings as well as at regional and national events. They are also encouraged to make periodic visits to chapter meetings or other organized events in their region. For associate members in their region, Region Directors should stay in contact quarterly to be certain that we have the most current contact and new production information. They should also promote networking opportunities for all the members within the region. The leadership of the NGPP is professionals

March/April 2014 - Page 7

who are passionate about their work and the members they serve. Why consider stepping up and volunteering? Volunteering and the leadership it creates provide many opportunities to advance your own career. Volunteering is rewarding. It has a positive impact and allows you to be a part of making a difference, being a role model, meeting new contacts, and providing self-improvement. Volunteering provides you with the opportunity to devote your time, energy and compassion to your community by giving back. Reach out and start a relationship with others to give them a start. Mentor and be mentored. If you have any questions, please

call (800) 254-NGPP. If you have great ideas and the enthusiasm to be a part of a great organization, consider running for one of these Region Director or Alternate positions with the NGPP. Anyone interested in running for the position of Region Director or Alternate Region Director must submit his/her name in writing to the National Office, 136 South Keowee Street, Dayton, OH, 45402 or fax (937) 222-5794 or email at ngpp@ngpp.org by April 30, 2014. n

CHAPTERSAtlanta

BaltimoreBay AreaBerkshireBoston

Central PennsylvaniaChicago

Coachella ValleyColumbus

ConnecticutDelaware County

Greater CincinnatiLos AngelesMiami ValleyMilwaukeeNew Jersey

New OrleansNew York

Northeast OhioNorthern CaliforniaNorthern New Jersey

NorthwestPhiladelphiaPittsburgh

Rocky Mountain ChapterSan Diego

South FloridaTwin Cities MetroUpstate New YorkWashington DC

Westchester CountyWestern Carolina

Welcome New MembersNew and Rejoined Members

Robert BaderJ & R Painting & Wallpaper405 Weldin RoadWilmington, DE 19803(302) 438-9718rjb1166@yahoo.comDelaware County

Ami ByersByers Wallpaper & Painting, LLC102 McIlhaney WayPurcellville, VA 20132(540) 490-0448amibyers@gmail.comAt-Large

Joseph DonawayJoe Donaway Wallcovering Installation, LLC38 Dogwood RoadBoonton, NJ 07005(973) 335-6010joedonaway@aol.comAt-Large

Jon FieldhouseAplikay58d Tsung Pak LongHong Kong, +852 6337 8395jonfieldhouse@gmail.comAt-Large

Scott JohnsArrow Remodeling2115 W. Tonto LanePhoenix, AZ 85027(602) 390-0404arrowbuild1@gmail.comAt-Large

Christopher John Keller11664 North Heights DriveCoon Rapids, MN 55433(763) 421-4122ckeller2428@gmail.comTwin Cities Metro

Martin O’KaneLincrustaNumber One @ The Beehive, Shadsworth Business Park, Lions DriveBlackburn, Lancashire LA3 3PB United Kingdom+44 1254 222 800martin.okane@cwvgroup.comAt-Large

John OlsonTrinity DecoratingP.O. Box 4071St. Charles, IL 60174(630) 549-0439john@trinitydecorating.comChicago

Tim PuckettThe Wallpaper Guy130 Overlook DriveBrandon, MS 39042(601) 720-9990thewallpaperguy@gmail.comAt-Large

Viktoria and Steven SemischModern Wall Design#707 3240 66 Avenue, S.W.Calgary, AB T3E6M5 Canada(403) 671-6447steven@modernwalldesign.caAt-Large

Joseph A. Van BenthuysenWallcovering Colorado199 Bearfort RoadWest Milford, NJ 07480(970) 618-6794wallcoveringcolorado@gmail.comWestchester County

March/April 2014 - Page 8

If you were unable to attend this workshop, you missed some great presentations! Are you really doing your homework when it comes to optimizing your online presence? I thought I knew quite a bit until I listened to our young whipper snapper, computer savvy Guild member, Dave Adams of Shelton, CT! He could work for Google, but let’s not give him any ideas. It was quite refreshing to listen to his eye opening summary describing the importance of social networking no matter what your age. Heck, it amazes me that my 82 year old mother day trades online, but it also motivates and inspires me to really dig in and learn on that tablet or laptop. 

Just toying around with Google AdWords will get you excited about posting your website. And if you don’t have a website, Google reps will help you build one for any budget. They’ll also recommend one through several resources such as LinkedIn or Yahoo. Gone are the days when hiring a website developer was required to build a website. Get recommendations from other contractors for your website or go to your daddy! No, not your own dad…GoDaddy.com. This small business portal, registration service, and website building service will actually guide you through the steps to get you started, even if you’re a novice. You can converse with a rep online or by phone. I was impressed with GoDaddy’s selection of plans that are available for any income level. Google understands the needs of small businesses. They’ll help you market and promote your services while allowing you to log on at will to make changes to your Google account when needed. They’ll also coach you with videos, chats, and simple advertising to match your personal budget. You can spend as little as $1.00 or $200.00 a day. What mass marketing service does that? Jump on the wagon!

If you think having a smart phone is a waste of time, think again. Two years ago, like the rest of my generation, I wanted nothing to do with a smart phone until a younger friend introduced me to this powerful phone/computer.  I quickly found the video recorder, camera, data finder, and other apps to be

indispensable.  Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Behr have apps that are great for displaying colors on a screen swatch so you no longer have to haul those silly fan decks around. With these apps you can use your android, i-Phone, or tablet to take a photo of a room to upload the customers new color selection to help them visualize and finalize their decorating decision. Those evasive and indecisive prospective customers can no longer say they lost the signed contract and agreement since you’ve got a copy saved in your file and email. Now all you have to do is resend the original because you were smart enough to throw away those useless paper contracts that might have been lost!

These workshops help us as professionals to reinvigorate the lifeblood of the NGPP and the services we offer. Here’s more of what I enjoyed at this educational event. I loved Phil Reinhard’s speech on commercial goods and grass cloth. His approach suggests keeping installations simple by planning and experimenting first before rushing to complete a room or difficult installation. Why not use that scoring outside corner technique to wrap difficult vinyl? His excitement to continue the quest of learning and sharing his commercial wallcovering expertise seems to inspire those of us who have weathered the tough economy in the past years. His shop talk approach and enthusiasm reminds me of my former high school metal working teacher. Like Phil, he emphasized the importance of optimizing our craft through patient practice first rather than pumping production for the quick almighty dollar. None of us knows everything. The day we stop learning is the day we will all be out of business.

Sarah Smith demonstrated and encouraged us to always pursue perfection when it comes to installing the almighty delicate fabrics. Sarah suggests using sponge sanding blocks and finding the right company to apply an acrylic backing to these delicates improves handling, stop bleed through of paste, and minimizes shrinkage. Her ‘Martha Stewart’ like demeanor reminds us all that

NGPP March Madness in Windsor Locks, Connecticut

By NGPP Member Thomas Kalinoski, Thomas Wallcovering, Westchester, Pennsylvania

March/April 2014 - Page 9

exemplifying professional confidence is required for demanding customers. Therefore we must demand much of ourselves as NGPP wallcovering professionals.

Marcie Cooperman, the prominent designer and color author, encouraged us to not overlook opportunities to go one step beyond installing wallcoverings and to represent the world of decor as hands-on craftspeople. Using our expertise can better guide clients into making wise color selections for challenging interior projects. 

Dennis Picard educated the group on using the holistic tactic of self help treatment with useful mental and physical relaxation techniques to overcome pain. I look forward to hearing more about his Jin Shin Jujitsu art form to manage my back stiffness. Can you envision Dennis bringing in a crew of masseuses for whole body massages at the next workshop? Yes! Bring on the incense and rubbing oil. We can all use that! My personal fitness training has taught me to challenge and stretch the body even during break time while on the job site to heal and manage pain.

Gerald Poirier demonstrated some of his favorite wallpaper sprayers for removing wallpaper while advising us tools to buy to make the task easier. His table set up consisted of height adjustable light weight plastic Stanley horses that will surely reduce back pain when matching, booking, and cutting various widths of wallcoverings.

The irony of this March Madness Guild workshop was that just when most of us expected the newest technology and innovation to help us excel as professional paperhangers, Bob Kelly’s expertise as a wallpaper historian reminded us to always research and replicate techniques to optimize the installation of historic reproductions, period documented papers, handprints, and screens. Pattern placement, evaluation, symmetry, and balance were discussed to encourage us to plan and use wallpaper more creatively as a beautiful work of art. Why not transform your clients’ homes to look just as nice as Bob’s job at the White House?

Whether you’re are a master or novice wallcovering installer, these workshops are something every Guild member should make an attempt to attend. Where else can you get this specialized education for $30 all in one day? This is a great opportunity to improve our skills to distinguish ourselves as the elite professional paperhangers as opposed to the hackers and cheapskates.

Thanks to Anthony Russo, the Connecticut Chapter, and all of those who contributed to a truly interesting and exciting resurgence of NGPP’s presence in the industry. Let’s make the national convention’s attendance this September 12th and 13th in Louisville, Kentucky a record breaking accomplishment for those who never want to stop learning more in the wallcovering trade. n

NATIONAL ASSOCIATE MEMBERSAdvance EquipmentManufacturing Company

Bradbury & Bradbury ArtWallpapers, Inc.

Brewster Home Fashions

Cavalier Wall Liner

Concertex

Custom Laminations, Inc./The CLI Group

Designtex Group (The)

Fabricmate Systems

Fidelity Wallcovering, Inc.

Gardner-Gibson, Inc.

Jacaranda, Inc.

Jack Loconsolo & Company, Inc.

Jacobsen & Balla

KC Sales Group

Koessel Studios

Len-Tex Wallcoverings

LSI Wallcovering

Maya Romanoff Corporation

MDC Wallcoverings

Metro Wallcoverings

National Wallcovering/Tapo-Fix

Naturetex

Pacific Laser Systems (PLS)

Phillip Jeffries Ltd.

Presto Tape

Purdy Corporation

Rife RE Enterprises LLC

Roman Decorating Products

Roos International, Ltd.Wallcovering

Roysons

Rust-Oleum Corporation, ZinsserBrands

Schooner Prints

Sean O’Connell Painting Corp.

Sherwin-Williams Company

Steve’s Blinds & Wallpaper, LLC.

Tajima Tool Corporation

Textile Wallcoverings International,LTD (TWIL)

The Williamson Free School ofMechanical Trades

Thibaut Wallcovering

Total Wallcovering

Vahallan Papers

Wallauer’s

Wallpaper Direct

Warner Wallcoverings, Division ofRJF International

Weitzner

Wolf-Gordon, Inc.

XIM Products, Inc.

York Wallcoverings, Inc.

To Be Or Not To BeNGPP Central Region Director Steven Kaye, C.P., Papercraft Interiors, Algonquin, Illinois

March/April 2014 - Page 10

This is a non-fiction story of a non-Guild Paperhanger. Though we all can relate to knowing other non-Guild paperhangers from time to time in our business, there are no names given for the character of the story as I don’t want to feel that I was writing about someone we all might know. My short story begins.

I had been hanging wallpaper for a few years (before that I was a salesman where ever there was something to be sold; why not sell myself as a paperhanger?) I am self taught, and I have my brother-in-law to help me. We are so busy with never a day off, charging $30.00 per roll, business, as I said, is very good. I can hang anything and if I don’t know the product, I will figure it out and wing it. I hang a lot of commercial wallpaper and on a good day we can hang up to 100 yards. This non-woven wallpaper is easy peasy. A big part of my business is self-stick and unpasted digital murals. It’s just like hanging commercial vinyl. I love the high-end residential wallpaper as well. Beaded wallpaper, the silks and grasscloth. Give me more of this stuff. I charge more for high end papers; up to $35.00 per roll. In going to the paint and wallpaper stores in buying my supplies, I have met other paperhangers. These guys from the NGPP. I think they’re some kind of union. Anyways, they think they’re so smart. I digress. I have to be honest. I am not as busy as I would like to be. Those commercial vinyls and digital murals I have hung, well the seams are coming loose. I looked at those seams and it appears that it has lifted the paint off of the wall. Maybe when I was double-cutting, I cut too hard into the wall. That self-stick wallpaper, it is a bear to pull apart once it sticks together. The non-woven papers are staining at the seams. Let me tell you about those beaded wallpapers because when I hang them, the beads come off the face, get onto my paste roller and the beads get onto the back of the wallpaper and it shows when it is on the wall. The hand-painted scenics and silks, why are they so sensitive when I get paste on the front of them? The scenics paints wash off and the silks stain. All of these wallpapers must be defective and I hang them. Why else would this

be happening? Anyways, the designers seem to be upset with

me, as if I did something wrong and they are not using me anymore. Now I am not as busy as I used to be. Maybe those NGPP paperhangers know something that I don’t know.

THE END [of my career...]So that’s my story. My point is how many

paperhangers out there don’t know to charge enough to put a value on their work? Thinking that because they are busy, they think they are good at the craft. To me, they are just misinformed and under-educated. Being a member of the NGPP has many benefits, but to me, the most important part of the membership is the on-going education of its members. From tabletops at conventions or workshops and how-to-hang clinics, we are given opportunities to be able to keep up with the latest skill set of installing these difficult to hang wallcoverings. We become more confident and have increased our income along the way. So when a clinic, workshop or convention comes your way, come and empower yourself. You are never too old to learn new tricks. There is no better way to do this than at our Annual Convention which is coming your way on September 12th and 13th of 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. Meet you in the winner’s circle! n

TheINSTALLERVolume 40, Issue 2 • March/April 2014

The Wallcovering Installer is publishedbi-monthly by the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers, Inc. The subscription is included withmembership, butis available for $36 annually tonon-members.

Contact the National Guild ofProfessional Paperhangers:136 South Keowee StreetDayton, Ohio 45402(800) 254-NGPPFax (937) 222-5794ngpp@ngpp.org • www.ngpp.org

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTKimberly A. Fantaci

THE INSTALLER EDITORLauretta Jenkins

OFFICERSPresident - Cyndi Green, C.P.Vice President - Vincent LaRusso, C.P.Treasurer - Carl Bergman, C.P.Secretary - Bob BankerPast President - Elsie Kapteina, C.P.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATE CO-CHAIRJerry Russo, Roman Decorating ProductsGreg Laux, MDC Wallcoverings

REGION DIRECTORSCentral - Steven Neal Kaye, C.P.West - Jeff SmithNortheast- Jack EganMid-Atlantic - Michelle CorlSouth - Pam McCartney