When one door closes…

Well it’s done, I’ve ‘quit’ my day job and have started working full time on my bags!

Okay, so that is not entirely true.

The whole story:

I’ve found a buyer for my gallery, but we have not passed papers yet, so technically it’s not officially sold. I will still own and work at the gallery until AT LEAST July 1. When the papers are actually passed, I will then be working full time on my bags. Hopefully I can sustain that for a few months before starting the job that I have just recently been offered, but I will be staying mum on that until it is official (I hope I have not already jinxed the sale of the gallery).

Tonight I spent the night cleaning my studio in preparation for spending my days in there sewing. Just spending time in there has made my mind start racing with new designs and visions of what future craft booths will look like filled to the brim with my creations. Which brings me to other news…

….a new one opens

I have officially been accepted to show/sell at the South End Open Market. I am very excited for this opportunity. Not only is it an amazing location, but the entire show is juried! I absolutely loved the juried show in Newburyport that I participated in and can not wait to see what is in store for me here. From the images I have seen online, I will fit in perfectly, I’ll just have to remember to NOT bring my wallet or else I will spend any money I make on all the cool stuff there.

Come by and visit, say hello and buy a bag!

The days I will be showing:

• Sunday July 13

• Sunday July 27

• Sunday August 10

• Sunday August 24

• Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 2

Does this not look awesome?!

First Craft Show = Busy Busy Bee

I had my first official craft fair this past weekend (Sunday and Monday). I LOVED it except for the fact that I slept a total of 2 hours in 2 days, but regardless, it was worth it. Hardley a single woman walked by my booth without stopping and I gave away a lot of business cards. I also sold enough bags to make back the entry fee and take Nick, my fiance, out for a “thank you for putting up with me and helping me set up and take down everything twice” dinner; and have money left over to enter more fairs.

I hope to sign up for the same fair in the fall, and of course next spring! I loved that it was juried, that everything had to be handmade, and that everyone was so nice! I did this fair all by myself and the two women who had the booth next to me were awesome. They even watched my tent when I had to go to the bathroom, something I didn’t even think of! Those women definatly spoiled me for my next craft fair neighbor.

Key points:

•The weather was amazing for BOTH days.

•I took multiple custom orders for bags.

•I may have an order for a set of pillows coming my way.

•A few brides were interested in my idea of bridesmaids bags (I make a set of bags, one for each bridesmaid, that match the wedding so they can use them at the rehearsal/reception and since the bags are interchangeable, I then make each bridesmaid a unique bag that fits their personality for them to use after the wedding)

Back to the Real World

Well I am back from a long needed vacation to Mexico. Ugh, but this whole real world thing is hard to get use to! At least I’ve come home to ‘nice’ weather by Boston standards but I do have to say I was inspired down there! I have some sketches of a wicked cute new bag that I came up with and as soon as a catch up with my regular job, I’ll be able to go into the studio and start working.

Wish me luck

My First Post

Hello! For my first post, I will write about my first show!

Yesterday I was invited to participate in a trunk show at History in Cambridge. Let me start off by stating the owner, Rachael, is awesome (although I will certainly use this same statement for the following artisans). Rachael not only greeted me with a smile, as well as everyone else who walked into her boutique, but offered everyone food and wine for her trunk show. Her shop was full with some of the best selection of vintage clothing and accessories I’ve ever seen. I wanted to spend every dime I had on me there!

But before I commit to that last statement, let me warn you, I would have also spent every dime in my pocket on any of the following artisan’s products that participated in the trunk show.

•Sidonie and Ciel who are the forces behind the clothing line J’aime Colette . They are not only talented but beautiful. My favorite item that they brought to the trunk show is:

• Tanja Cesh of Clementine Design, who was the one who actually invited me to the trunk show. Talk about a small world, we actually took a letterpress class together and found out that one of my friends from high school, works for her! I swear it’s all about the connections. Her website is not up and running yet, but as soon as it is, I will post the link. But believe me, she makes some of the most beautiful jewelry, simple, but beautiful.

• Alanna of toby+rei (Kate is the other half, unfortunately I was not able to meet her) makes organic clothing and blankets. They have the cutest oneies, blankets, hats, and even a lunch bag, so cute it makes me *almost* want to have a baby so I can buy their items for myself. I spent the entire day trying to convince Alanna to make her designs in adult sizes so I can wear them! Below is a picture of the baby blankets I saw. Believe me, they are so soft, you will wish the are at least four times the size so you can wrap yourself up in them multiple times.

Now for me! I, of course forgot my camera, but took a picture as soon as I brought my display to the River Gallery, Ipswich, MA