Bags, bags and more bags

A quick post while I wait for some glue to dry! I'm busy making stock for Handmade Market, which is just over a week away. There will be more satchels than I can probably fit in the car, as well as some new handbags which I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at...

This pretty pretty one has a leather base and strap!



And this is a work in progress pic of a bag that is now finished. It's the same shape as the one above, and in a really nice fuzzy wintery fabric.



I'm in the middle of making another one in this shape too. It'll be from a beautiful olive green linen and will feature a lovely vintage doily.

The glue is dry, so off I go! See you all in Canberra on June 11th!

New products!

My embroidered clutch purses have always been really well liked by everyone who sees them, but it has always been obvious that a lot of people who loved the embroidery didn't purchase one because a clutch purse isn't the most practical thing.

So, I have a solution! And it's fabulous, and a little bit in part to a request from my friend Cloud. The idea was half formed in my head already, but Cloud's request cemented it.



I'll have a few (this design and at least one other) at Glenbrook Market this coming Saturday (21st May). And I'll post here again when they are listed online. I'll also be taking some to Handmade Market Canberra in June.

Mountain Makers Market wrap up

The Mother's Day Mountain Makers Market was a fantastic day, despite the rain and cold. Thank you to all the lovely customers who came to support us. You can see a wrap up of the day, including some pics here.

My next market is at Glenbrook on May 21st. Then I'm back at Handmade Market in Canberra on June 11th.

Tomorrow I'm off in search of a coat to get me though both those markets!

In time for Mother's Day

Lots of things going on here at the moment, but the first one to note is the Mountain Makers Market next Saturday!



It is going to be a great day, so please come along if you're in the area!

We have the technology

I'm ridiculously excited about this! I just took delivery of a shiny new mobile EFTPOS machine, so next time you visit me at the markets, you can pay by card!



My focus this year is on markets and since my products tend to be on the higher end of the price scale for your average market, I'm hoping that it will make things easier for my customers who don't always carry a lot of cash.

Can't wait to try it out!

Wow

My mind is officially blown! Watch this movie about how jeans are made! http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/03/how_jeans_are_made.html

Amazing!

Did you make this yourself?

A regular question that comes up when I'm trading at the markets is "Did you make this yourself?". The answer is "I did!" Sometimes when I say that, people look at me with what I see as a hint of disbelief. Maybe I'm imagining it, but it happens enough that I don't think so.

Now I don't think that they think I personally couldn't have made things, but that any one person couldn't. I'm convinced there's an idea that only well made products (and purses with metal frames!) can be made in factories.

It's an interesting mentality to contemplate. We are told so often by advertising that products we buy in stores are good quality etc. But the handmade movement doesn't seem to come with that same idea. I can't wait until it does. And I can't wait until I can articulate how buying something beautiful, direct from the maker, has got to be a great thing.

PS. Am interested to hear if you think I might be imagining it?