Craft Show Complete

Yesterday's craft show went pretty well. My Serenity bag was a huge hit and did not make it home with me... and I went home to design 13 more different embroidered messenger bag ideas :) The blue floral Bizarro clutch found a new home too. I think I need to post my new stuff here more regularly since 2 of the last 3 sold...and the one that did not wasn't even on display. And that's just one of the changes I decided to make.

I took my son with me again. He told me parents he was bored, yet while we were there he was talking about improvements for next time. But still, it couldn't have been too bad for him if he wants to go again. Some of his ideas were merely things for him to fill the time with, but he did help me towards some other changes I will be making.

I did leave the show with lots of new ideas though. And not just show improvements. I have decided that I will be changing my shop. I am not giving out all the details yet...especially since I am still banging some of them out. It will involve more clear cut "lines". Casual -v- "dressy"...which can be in the eye of the beholder, but it'll help me narrow down what I offer. Within each I'll have a small, medium and large bag...all different designs of course. I can't not have a variety of styles. But they should have a more cohesive flow. And it will involve lots more embroidery and buttons :)

I can say that it involves a HUGE sale.

I want to get all the items that won't mesh with the new flow, so later this week I will have a $10 and $20 clearance section in my shop. So if there's a bag of mine you've had your eye on but it was too pricey at the time...now it won't be :)

One last goodbye...No pics of everything since some things that sold were not listed yet :)

Bizarro Clutch

Have you ever wondered how many different designs can be out there? Ever hear about people "borrowing" designs and claiming they never saw the other one out there that looks just like theirs?

Well...it just happened to me. And no, my pattern wasn't "borrowed".

I just finished off a new clutch this weekend. 100% me. Most of it was even freehand. I drafted out the basics: handle & body. I pleated the body & curved the sides after I sewed in the pleats to give it shape.

And this evening I took some pics and then checked my email while they downloaded. I had lots more to pic than just the clutch.

Lo & behold...my newsletter from The Fabric Shopper had advertised a pattern for a clutch that is nearly identical to the one I just made. And I know I have never seen it before. I guess there are just only so many ways to make a basic pleated curved clutch with a flat attached grip handle.

So if you see something out there that looks a lot like yours...it doesn't necessarily mean that someone "borrowed" the pattern. It's all in the individual touch you give it that makes it yours.

So...here's my Bizarro clutch:



And the pattern I saw tonight...after the fact...