A quilt shop that might be just down the street Jenny Bugs Quilting opened for business in Plano, Texas in 2010. It was the beginning of a new adventure for Ken Pens, the owner. Little did he know, the adventure had only just begun. In 2012, Jenny Bugs made a bold move. They closed the store and embraced a new business model for Jenny Bugs Quilting—one that has proven successful and exciting. For Ken Pens, this wasn’t the first big transition in his life. He already had a long standing career in the steel industry. After his retirement, one meeting led to another and before long he found himself in the quilting business. Ken shared with amusement, “Now I talk to my customers about yards of material instead of tons.” After closing the storefront, Ken hit the road. He had found that he loved the quilting business but that a different business model was more suitable. Ken covers many miles every year attending shows in several states as a vendor. Typically, Jenny Bugs loads the truck and takes in the neighborhood of 300 bolts to a show. Ken maintained a 1,000 square foot warehouse in Plano, Texas where they store fabric, all the display equipment, the truck and all the odds and ends the business requires.
14 fabric vine 2014
Asian themed goods are a primary focus with the balance leaning towards detailed and elegant designs. Many of their fabric selections have metallic accents. 90% of their sales come from cut yardage. Pre-cuts are popular, too. Their roll packs of 40 —2 1/2” strips go fast. The main fabrics they sell are from Kona Bay Fabrics, Kaufman, Moda and Timeless Treasures although they do have a sampling from other companies as well. To round things out, they also carry some notions, books and patterns. Ken’s sister, Pegg y, and niece, Michelle, help him a great deal at the shows. Peggy also makes the display quilts you see at the shows. As if Ken isn’t busy enough, he also has an ETSY storefront—JennyBugsQuilting. Visit the ETSY storefront for an idea of what they carry or to buy if you can’t make a show. We know what you’re all wondering. Can the man that made the transition from steel to fabric make a quilt? We had to ask. “I have made a quilt but it most certainly is not show quality,” was Ken’s response. There is no doubt, though, that Ken has built a fun and successful quilt business. Seek them out. You won’t be disappointed.