Experience

• 

  Kim Ballor Designs

  • Designer/Author/Editor

• 

  Kim Ballor Designs

  • Designer/Author/Editor

    • Jan 1980 - Present

    • Authored Fashion Beading, published by Sterling Publishing, 2005• Co-authored Collage Creations, published by North Light Books, 2004• Trend Columnist Paintworks Magazine 2003-04• Authored over 20 How-To Craft books, 1996-1998• Designed product samples, sales aids, merchandise displays, plan-o-grams, customer education, project design• Wrote curriculum and taught extensively for foreign markets• Trained trade show demonstrators, in store demonstrators and on camera personalities• Designed and wrote over 300 craft projects using consumer products for print, internet, television, and classroom• Newsletter developer and copywriter• Manufacturer Social media: blogging and Facebook• President 2002, Educational Seminar Chair 1997, Board Member 2003-04, Society of Craft Designers• Certified Professional Teacher, Hobby Industry Assn. 1999• Certified Professional Demonstrator, HIA 1996• Awarded Loctite Designer Scholarship 1995, studied Television Production

  • Owner

    • Jan 1980 - Present

• 

  Poof-Slinky LLC

  • Canton, MI

  • New Product Development/Graphic Arts Manager/ Direct Importing Purchasing Manager

    • Jul 2012 - Apr 2015
    • Canton, MI

• 

  Bead Unique/Bead Design Studio

  • Columnist

    • 2005 - 2014

    Columnist: First Glass, Lampwork Bead MakingAuthor: Varied articles

• 

  Creativity, Inc.

  • Van Nuys, CA

  • Mass Account Marketing and Sales

    • 2007 - 2008
    • Van Nuys, CA

    • New product ideation and development team: tools, craft items, jewelry programs• Trend gathering for product development and retailer customers: attended European and American Gift Shows• Product support at retail: direction of project sheets, internet content, in-store activities • Sales; new customer, new market development

• 

  Plaid Enterprises

  • Atlanta GA

  • Education Director, Trend Director

    • 1987 - 2007
    • Atlanta GA

    • Designed, implemented, and maintained the One Stroke class program in over 1200 retail locations• Led and trained team of 800 instructors• Support for Sales and Marketing Teams: o Wrote curriculum and taught customer and consumer product knowledge training for all accounts globally o Gathered and prepared trends for new product design department and for all retail customers globally; monitored gift, fashion, and craft market trends, domestic and foreign o New product concept and development; designed a wood surface line that lived over two years in Wal-Mart Stores o Product Support Book Editor, wrote, designed and worked with contract authors and designers o Hired and edited project design for project sheets and internet for all retail customers globally, managed a team of 20 designers o Designed classes and wrote curriculum to support product sales, new and promotional for all customers globally o Hired and trained demonstrators and teachers for special events, for all customers domestic and foreign o Sales; line reviews, new programs and extensions, promotional product o Accomplished planogrammer/merchandiser o Producer and on-air talent; craft TV programming: Do-it-Yourself Programs and Home Shopping Network

• 

  Zaks Stores, Inc.

  • Dallas, TX

  • Buyer, Store Manager, Class Coordinator, TV Producer

    • 1986 - 1990
    • Dallas, TX

    • Bought merchandise in two departments for 17 store chain• Conceived, designed, wrote curriculum and implemented class program at retail stores• Produced weekly TV show Zaks Crafts to the Max!, and weekly kid’s craft segment on local TV programming• Asst. Store Manager in 22,000 ft. store