Category: shop updates

I've just come across the work of Akiko Kino, a Japanese textile artist. Check out the gallery, there's some wonderful samples of collage like embroidery/stitching.

There's not much in my etsy shop because I've been busy sewing for stores. August has been full of surprises with inquires from stores in Bellingham, Vancouver, and Toronto. I will announce later where you can finally find my stuff in brick and mortar stores.

This was one of my goals for 2008...to have representation in one or two stores. And it looks like this goal will be achieved with certainty in September.

I am now sewing up multiples of any one style while still incorporating the one of a kind and one of a few idea.

I decided to raise my prices so that I could afford to give a portion of each sale to the store. I also find that handmade work on etsy is highly undervalued and I was pricing my items based on what I saw there. Working handmade is different from producing within large industry and that means that prices have to reflect the slower movement. Mind you I am constantly thinking of how to be more efficient in how I work...

Category: shop updates

Here's a variation of a previous bag using the same Japanese fabric.

Features:

- a flap for security
- a magnetic snap closure
- decorative wood button
- adjustable strap making this a shoulder or messenger bag
- non-slouching



Flower outlines on blue is available at my etsy shop.

Category: inspiration: fibre artists, phot

I get a lot of inspiration by simply looking at many of the talented makers on etsy and by perusing many of the arts and crafts blogs. Some stores I bookmark so I can revisit and try to understand why I like them, and some blogs I subscribe to just to see what people are up too and how they do it all.

I've realized that my routine of checking out blogs helps me to focus on what I want to do. I think this works because I am constantly exposing myself to like minded people full of creative ideas, and of course I'm learning from others how to mix business with what you love to do.

I must say that as bad as paper might be, I love having magazines for inspiration. Being able to flip through them whenever, wherever, and for as little or as long is just great. I don't loose them like I loose bookmarks.

So, here are a couple of shots of two magazines I am currently enjoying: FiberArts and Selvedge. FiberArts is an American publication with a new editor - Marci Rae McDade, who I think (and hope) will make the magazine more contemporary and Selvedge is a British publication with a strong focus on textiles and European designers.


In the July / August issue of Selvedge, I discovered the wonderful work of Japanese-Canadian Takashi Iwasaki. Pictured above are embroideries on canvas.


Pictured above is the work of Swedish textile designer Anna Sorensson. Sadly, Sorensson passed away recently.

Category: sewing

In July I tried to take a break from creating new bags and focused instead on sewing some of my own clothes.

I thought I'd start with something simple where shaping isn't crucial. For this top, I used a tutorial from Belle Epoque.



It's nice to be able to sew up a top without buying a pattern. With this tutorial you quickly make your own pattern. I must have gone wrong in my measurements, because in my first try I had a top that was a puffy affair. I took off about 3 inches from each side to come to what you see here.



As I kept on taking off fabric from the width, the length kept on getting shorter. To bring the length back, I added a band of contrast fabric.

This is a great top for the summer, it's super comfortable, so I'm going to try it again and hope for perfection on round 2.

Category: trips



My latest post on my travel blog is about Bogota. Go on over there to read about being pick pocketed and the stresses of travel.

An unpleasant episode in Bogota

Category: about Laura

One can never underestimate the comfort of a regular pay cheque or some form of steady income. So, here's a shout out to those businesses who have blogs and need a blog writer (working from home of course). I can help you keep your blog relevant and up to date with daily or weekly posts of 200 to 300 words. You can be located anywhere in the world and payment can be arranged through Paypal.

Making a go of my handmade bags venture has been challenging. I'm not giving up though, just re-thinking how to do things.

I've had more success with my fabric bags than my felted ones, so that's encouraging. And I've found it easier to focus on one product as opposed to offering several like: flower pins, wrist cuffs, etc.

I was trying to hit different price ranges with these additional items but found that some things are easier to sell at markets than online, for example, the wool or felted flower pins sell really well at Christmas markets.

I've decided to 'try' and stick to making fabric bags which can include pouches, wristlets, and coin puses and thus still hit different price points. So you see, there's lots to figure out in running a mini venture.

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Category: shop updates



A new cute little number has been in the shop in the last few days. This is a small shoulder bag made of linen and cotton with mustard and gray polka dots.

Features a pocket, key holder, and magnetic snap closure.

Full details of the Polka Dots Shoulder Bag

Category: about Laura



These past few days, I've been updating my travel blog: http://wewerethere.wordpress.com. My partner and I (Lenny) went on a two month trip to Latin America in 2006. I never got the chance to finish posting about our trip but I'm finally doing it and revisiting some awesome places.

Take a look for a bit of day dreaming and discover the wonderful colonial town of Villa de Leyva, four hours from Bogota in Colombia. Happy day dreaming.

Category: about Laura



Yet another way to keep track of what's new.

I'm now on facebook. Besides having a personal account I also have a business page. You do not need an account to see the business page.

Now, I also upload new bags to my facebook business page, so for those of you who prefer facebook, that is another way to keep track of what's new in my shop.

My facebook business page

Category: marketing + promotions + selling


Marimekko Lidith Dress, Spring/Summer

Just want to share with you an interesting article at Hobby Princess. It's called Big Returns and it's about Marimekko and the idea of 'slow style'. That's a first one for me! I know of the slow food movement but was intrigued to read about Marimekko's philosophy of "age-defying dresses." Unfortunately, Marimekko seems to have taken a new route in their latest marketing partnership with H&M. Read all about it at Hobby Princess.