Fred Ball Speaking on Business Each weekday on KSL Radio 1160, Fred Ball of Zions Bank highlights a Utah business -- from small home based businesses to large Utah based corporations. Access the latest "Speaking on Business" report below. More info on Speaking on Business

Gentler Times -- November 4, 2004

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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Whether they're made for warmth and survival or artistic purposes, quilts are works of art. The different colors, fabrics and patterns sometimes carry significant meanings. For example, the popular "Double Wedding Ring" pattern is used to symbolize the union of a bride and groom. For years, Connie Sheffield has been sharing the joys of quilting with others.

You see, Connie operates a charming quilting shop named Gentler Times. The business is located in an old pioneer farmhouse in South Salt Lake that was built by the Brinton family in the 1870s. The entire store is decorated with gifts, fabrics and quilts that will make any house feel like home. Connie says it's a privilege to have such a quaint building for her business because it creates a unique ambiance.

Before moving to its current location, Gentler Times started as a small quilt shop in 1982. It has since grown to include gift items, a large selection of fabrics, a variety of quilting patterns and instructional classes ranging from quilting to stitchery and hand-hooked rugs. The classes are taught by a friendly and experienced staff of quilting experts.

Two class instructors have published pattern books in the national market. One of them, Cody Mazuran, had a quilt featured in the American Quilter's Society Quilt Exposition in Tennessee earlier this year. She has also designed many of the 20 original quilting patterns available at Gentler Times.

Connie tells me the class instructors offer courses for everyone, from first-time quilters to seasoned experts. Her favorite part of the job is seeing the amazing quilts that customers are able to create from simple pieces of fabric.

This weekend, Gentler Times will turn the entire store into a Christmas wonderland. The public is invited to attend the open house displaying all types of Christmas gifts, quilts and decorations.

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.

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