U-handblog

Friday Bag Eye Candy

This is the last call for this "The only thing about asking what your fave beauty product is that I now have a shopping list as long as my arm (lucky I don't have long arms eh?).  What a bad for the wallet fabulous resource this list is!   We've even had some welcome recommendations from blokes (Helloo!  Jem, Ryan, & Mark, great to hear from you!).   Have you shared with us what your fave beauty product is yet?  Go on, you'd be doing a good deed and you could win a yummy pair of bag handles, or a pretty silver purse chain.  You have until the 20th Friday"  I will be doing the random number at the end of today.

I saw the rather nice picture viewing device on Pim's excellent food blog and I though it would be a nice and tidy way to show off bag eye candy pics.  It's also much faster because uploading pics to Typepad takes ferlipping ages!!!  We'll see how we get on with it.  I've love to know what you think of the new viewer.

Click on the thumbnails to see a larger picture, click on the words 'PHOTO LINK' (to the right) to see my comments and the photo in Flickr.

...and the winner of the bag handles is...!

Ho ho ho, ha ha ha!  Your replies to the wost hair cut draw were painfully funny, it's great to know that I'm in good company.  Mothers, Jennifer Anniston and the dreaded perm all have a hell of a lot to answer for...  I'm so glad the 80's are safely in the past.  I know that the fashion world is in the middle of an 80's revival but surely they wouldn't resurrect some of those hair cuts...would they?

Anyhoo the Random Number Picker picked Karen V.  Karen if you're watching send me your address and I'll hand these bag handles over to you, congrats!  Make something nice out of them and share a pic with us!

 
Karen wins these yummy Carbonised Bamboo Bag Handles!

 

Sorry to those who didn't win, and I hope your bad hair cuts haven't scarred you emotionally.   Perhaps you'll get lucky in an up and coming draw for one of my handmade bags that I'm making to celebrate mine and my blog's birthday.  I haven't finished this bag yet, but it's looking good so far...keep an eye out for it :0)

Tuesday (bag) Eye Candy

Tutorial is still on the way...it's coming along slowly nicely so hopefully it's worth the wait!

Had a very domestic weekend, we cut our jungle of a garden back, had a BBQ to feed our garden helper friends, and gave my sewing room a super duper tidy up.  It wasn't the most fun of weeknds but, boy are we feeling smug with ourselves now :) 

Here are a few of your bag beauties.  Thanks for sharing them with us girls!

Can you believe this is the first thing that Christine has ever sewn on her machine?  She took this beauty to work one day and she was asked to make another one for a work collegue!  This classic bag always looks fabulous; I have lost count of how many of these bags I've made! To see how to make one for yourself click here.

 

I love Iseult's bags  Yummy Yummy Yummy! Lovely choice of fabrics and really original shape.

Taken from our Flickr.  Lookee here! Karola has made her own brill version of my Door Keeper.  Isn't it great?  Note keepers, pen holder, loads of pockets, and yummy fabric!

Taken from our Flickr.  Isla has cable knitted this gorgeous  complete  with scrummy bobbles!  It looks like a  lovely  big strawberry :)

Taken from our Flickr.  Joanna made herself this yuumy velvet wristlet to wear for a spesh occasion last weekend.  I bet she looked lovely, and I bet it was really nice for her to say 'I made it myself! when she was asked 'ooh where did you get that from?'  To make your own wristlet click here.

 

Taken from our Flickr.  Here is another of Lisa's (nope, not me - unfortuneatley!) wonderful patchwork beauties.  Isn't the hand stitching and the crochet flower just lovely?

Mega Monday bag & purse eye candy.

I'm really delighted with this blog's handbag galleries on Flickr, here and here.  Thank you so much for adding your amazing bags to it, I love visiting the two galleries and getting soo inspired by your gorgeous handiwork.  I'm really glad that you are enjoying the galleries as much as I am (that's the whole idea :)).

Some of you bag makers haven't had the chance to play with Flickr yet (for those that haven't, please do because it's easy peasy to use, you just need an email address, and some pics), you have emailed me your pics, and they are way too nice to keep to myself...  Big thanks to Jennifer, Denise, Alison, Jane, Joanna, and Christine for sharing your lovely bag pics with us!

First up we have a deee-lightful clasp purse

Isn't this purse by Jennifer in USA, just darling.  I adore the colours and that chrysanthemum is hand embroidered!  She followed this tutorial, and she's made a beautiful job of it too!

Next we have set of amazing hand felted purses...

Denise in UK loves felting, and these mouth watering purses are her first attempts at using felt in a frame, aren't the results just stunning! Front View.

Back view.  Denise has even glued some Swarovski Crystals into the purse clasp...drool!

Unbelievably CUTE...

...see above!

Next up we have a happy shopper...

Can you believe that this Betty Shopper this is the first thing Alison in UK has ever made on a sewing machine??!!   Isn't it  lovely, and cheerful?

Next up we have another delectable clasp purse...

Jane in UK has lovingly recycled a jumper and one of her husband's shirt to make this really delicious purse using this frame and this tutorial.  Incredibly charming!

Next up, we have sweet & bright drawstring bag...

Joanna in UK has been busy supplying half the school with her lovely drawstring bags, I can hear it in the school playground; 'Mummy I want a bag like hers!!!!'

Lastly we have a colourful patchwork bag...

Christine in UK has made this gorgeous patchwork bag using a Lazy Girl pattern and these bag handles.  Isn't it really eye-catching?

Just as colourful on the inside!

Mums and Moms are the business.

Amy Butler interview will appear here tomorrow, Hurray!!  Tomorrow.  Hurray!!

I was on the phone with Denise today who was inquiring about the size of some metal rings, and we ended up talking for the best part of an hour about our love of craft and going into business  to sell our handiwork.  In the time I have been running my shop I have had lots of phone and email conversations just like this one with folks just like Denise.  These chats give me the warm fuzzies because it's sooo wonderful when women (and men - Hi Ryan) decide to take the plunge and unleash their creativity on the world. 

The best thing about wanting to go into business in this day and age, is we that have the wonderful Internet, and the trend for craft fairs and market selling.  These two avenues enable people to be in business without spending huge amounts of money and without chucking in the day job (perhaps prematurely!).

I have already written quite a few posts on Bag Selling & Business Advice (which I will keep writing more of), but I haven't really touched upon 'making the decision to go for it'.  So Denise (who already has decided to go for it, with a website and all) this post is for you!

Emotion as a deciding factor (to go for it!):

• So, you made quite a few bag, vases, clothes etc. and they've been really welcome presents to your friends and family,   You've even sold some to neighbors and colleagues at work for a reasonable (e.g. not dirt cheap) price...that's really good because that means that people DO admire your work and other people will pay for it too.   So don't put yourself down and think silly dum dum thoughts like 'oh, they're just being nice'.
• You HAVE to be confident in your skills as a craft-isian, you know yourself that you made the items with love and care; you have to believe that other people will see this too, and it would make that same person happy to buy it. 
• You also have to really enthusiastic about this, it's gonna be a long hard slog if you don't love what you do.  Even if I hadn't told you how much I love my work (which I know I do go on about!), dontcha you think it shows in my shop, and my blog anyway?

Research as a deciding factor:

• The best way to start is not making loads of things to sell.  Start the process by researching.   Do research before, and during running your business and this will help you to save time, save money, and make money YAY!  Check out these great business articles about business start ups for mums (in the UK)  or moms (in the US) (cos that's where most of my readers come from!)
• Do have a look through the Business Resource links in the left hand menu bar (and there are also  lots more sites available on the web, and some which are likely to run by the local authority in which you live).
• Don't forget to research your market, who is your competion?   How is your offering different to what is already available? 
• Who would you like your customers to be, can they afford your prices, will they be attracted to your offering, if not (yet) how can you convince your audience that your offering is going to benefit them?
• Check out websites and magazines to see what's hot in your chosen craft.
• I know, I know, questions questions (and that is only some of the questions you need ask!)  But the more you can answer (or begin to answer) before you start (and continually ask as your business evolves) the easier, more successful, and haappeeee you'll be!  Just jot these questions and all of your other research findings in the one book (rather than paper napkins, old menus, post-it notes etc!).  My research for U-Handbag filled up a thick A4 refill pad, I still have it because the info is dead handy, and it's sentimental :)

Funding as a deciding factor:

• I would advise folks to start off small - rather than go bonkers and buy a shop, pretty rope carrier bags, and have glossy catalogues (I can dream, can't I?)  I think it's wisest (and I was also advised by Steve) to make money from what you sell and use that money to buy more things, (to make) so you have more things to sell, and so on.  This is exactly what I did with my shop.  I had a much smaller product range when I first started; I've grown organically.  This way I had more control over things and my mistakes (and there always will be mistakes to make!) haven't hurt as much as they would've done had I spent loads starting up my business.
• If you can, get start-up funding in the form of a business grant, look at the business links (in the left hand menu bar) that I just told you about, and check out what grants are available to you.  Honestly, you'd be surprised at just what is there for the taking, you may well be eligible!  To start hunting for business start up funding in the UK click here, for the US click here, and here.  If you don't want to do the grant thing, try asking friends and family for a loan.  The thing is to avoid getting a bank loan if you can, they are expensive!

I know many of my readers have already gone into business themselves; and you are selling through Etsy, Ebay, various craft fairs, your own websites, and, or your own blogs.  WELL DONE!!!

I love to hear about your experiences of going into your own craft business.  What advice would you give to others?  What things would you do differently?  What are your proudest (or lowest) moments?  How do you market yourself?  etc.  Why not share your craft business stories with us?  Send me an email (see top left corner of this blog for email add.) with your business gems (and if you like, some pics of your fave stuff for sale), and I'll feature you on my blog. 

In return, you'll get that warm fuzzy feeling from helping others out, some free exposure, and a permanent link to your shop on the side bar of this here blog (which I'm happy to say has it's own fair share of readers...who are fabulous, each and very one of you!).   The Emoms and Make It blogs have this Guest Post Feature on their blogs, and it works well, perhaps it will take off here too :)

 

U-Handbag Tutorial Polls!!

I must say, I feel very touched and a bit maternal (a little bit odd, I know) when you tell me that you use my tutorials.  You've been very kind in telling me that you like them, that they are clear, and that they are not difficult to follow.  So, thanks muchly!

I get quite a few emails and comments from you requesting certain tutorials so I thought rather than make a tutorial and hope you'll like it, I thought why not ask YOU what bag tutorial you want? 

There is no closing date for these polls.  I'll just leave this polling thingy here until I get a spare day (because it takes most of a day to design & write one of these things!) to make up the tutorial.  I'll then make up tutorial the with the most votes - simple eh?

 

Select the bag Tute you want, and then click on the 'Vote' button.

Each time after I've made the Tutorial that has the most votes, I'll make up a new poll which will be (kinda) based on your requests for bag tutes.  If you have any suggestions for further bag tutorials, you can comment on this here post.  If this tutorial polling thing works, I'll make it a permanent fixture on my blog!

NB: To vote in all future polls simply click on the pic of the cute sewing machine which is under under 'Get Involved with U-Handbag' in the right-hand side bar of my blog.

As seen in, & Weds (bag) eye candy

Ohhh sooo excited!! U-handblog has been spotted with her scarf and Hollywood style glasses around Blog Town  in CraftZine and Home & Garden Television!!  Thanks heaps to Natalie and Camille for the mention :)  Do check both of these crafty DIY style sites out; they are absolutely jam packed with craftastic news and advice.

Yesterday whilst blog surfing working hard I spotted this gorgeousness...

 

An amazing handmade Lap Top bag by Akhila.  Ber-luddy ell!! It's just fabulous isn't it.  I'm lost for words...

Whilst packing Bernadette's order I thought to myself 'ohh pretty...'

...so I took a photo of her fabric order.   I am (amongst other things) a fabric perv and sometimes I just admire the way that pieces of fabric look so pretty together.  This can be a bit annoying because it distracts from actually cutting into it, and using it!  Do you do this as well, or is it just me?

From top left, clock wise: Paint by Nos. in Cherry;   My Room in Aqua;   Daisy Days in Warm Orange;  &  Paint by Nos. in Teal.

These shoes are the reason why an email buddy Jo has recently taken up Flamenco classes...

...who can blame her eh?  Especially if a spot of Flamenco will get my legs to look that that!

One phone conversation later...

I've just off the phone form talking to a very bright, and very lovely Kirsty.  'Ring ring' I pick up the phone; 'Hello, U-handbag" and a normal sounding woman's voice says 'Hello, can I speak to Lisa please?"  I say "Yes speaking" and then the same voice changes to what can only be described as the sound of a rainbow exploding at the other end of the phone says (I can't remember word for word, but it went like this) 'says WOW it's you! I'm Kirsty Wiseman, y'know from Crafty Blogs!!! (a UK craft blog directory - on which we are both ranked in the top 5.  It's not very important, but it is very nice to be ranked high, and we would have both known about the existence of each others blogs because of this...). 

Kirsty was calling to introduce herself after having just bought some bits from my shop, and to have a bit of chin wag.   We ended yakkitty yakked about alsorts.  I was really left with the warm fuzzies after our lovely chat.   Lovers (and lovers to be)  of photography, scrapping, and a good giggle do visit her amazing blog, she is just as warm, friendly and colourful on her blog as she is to talk to.   

I'm so lucky that  everyone I have spoken RE:U-Handbag matters either on the phone, or via my blog, or email is so so nice!  I want to thank you all for being so lovely and friendly.  It makes my job (not that I EVER view my work as a job!) really pleasurable (big cheesy grin on my face right now).

And the winner(s) of a new Amy Butler pattern is (are)

Thanks to everybody who entered the draw for one of Amy's patterns.  It's great to hear from some lurkers (Hi there!) and the lovely regular readers.   I can't reply to comments in draws because (hopefully) there are so many, but it's really nice of you to drop in and take part, and I still really love seeing what you have to say :)

That little draw great fun!  Amy and I both LOVED reading your questions, it became quickly apparent that all of the questions were very well thought through.  So rather than give myself the headache of choosing the best ones to go into the draw, I just put them all in the draw!  I also decided to have 2 prize winners in this draw (instead of 1) because your questions were that good!

Right, down to business...

Beanie looks sad, but he's just dog-tired from playing in the park.  OK, 40 names in the bowl. 

The 1st winner is...

Lucy!!! Congrats!  Lucy's  entry was this:

My question for Amy would be: 'What advice would you give someone that wanted to sucessfully take their hobby (and passion!) i.e. all things fabric/sewing/bag making related, and make it their business?'. I dream about being able to take the leap and give up my job and focus on my creative side!

I love all of Amy's patterns but if I HAD to choose just one it would be the frenchy bag!

The 2nd winner is...

Anary!!! Congrats to you too!  Anary's entry was:

Tradition. How do you feel about taking part of the sewing revival? How important is keeping this tradition alive?

Feel free to edit...and thanks for the opportunity to " maybe" have this question dear to my heart asked to someone so gifted as Amy. By the way do you mind answering that too..? (Aw that's kind! Yup, I'll answer in another post sometime this week).   What was your fave new pattern, Anary?

Sorry to those who weren't lucky this time.  Maybe next time.  I will continue to hold more Amy Butler themed draws in the future (as this one went so well), perhaps votes on the nicest Amy Butler bags made from her patterns, or something like that :)

Thanks again everyone for taking part!  Look out for the interview with Amy which will appear in this very blog as soon as my order of her yummy new patterns arrives in the office...

Tuesday (bag) eye candy

Have you entered our little contest to win one of Amy Butler's lovely new range of patterns yet?   You have until the end of today.  Your entries have been fab!

Here are some pics of your delicious bag creations.  Thanks to Grainne, Claire, Joanna, Heather, Katie, & Lexie for sending them in and sharing them with us!  How about giving them a warm hand (and a nice comment)!

First up we have a very smart number...

Grainne in Ireland has found some very yummy pink tweed and added these handles to make rather posh handbag.  Love it! The fabric and the handles go beautifully together.

Next, we have something else smart in tweed...

Claire in UK has made a  lovely chocolate brown tweed hand bag with self cover button trim and matching lining.  It looks good enough to eat!

Next, we have a really sweet 'In Town' Drawstring Purse...

Joanne has combined Moda's Peas and Carrots fabric beautifully to make this really sweet Drawstring Purse.  She says 'I can't stop looking at it' , and no wonder!

Next, we have some very cool lap top bags...

Heather in UK makes these fabulous Lap Top Bags with detachable straps and sells them on Ebay.  Aren't they just the nicest lap top bags you've ever seen??!!!

Next, we have a yummy felted bag...

This super cute felted bag is Katie's (in UK) first knitted and felted bag attempt.  It's so sweet! She did a beautiful job of it.  So cuddly.

Lastly we have these lovely things...

...

Isn't the handiwork amazing? I really love the Lexie's (in USA) hand stitching and patchwork details on those bags (matching coin purses too, yum yum!), the bead work her purse is also gorgeous (it must've taken ages).

 

Tuesday (bag) eye candy

Ahh, I love a little holiday as much as everyone else but I really love my job too, so it's great to be back in the swing of things. 

I got through truckfuls of your lovely emails last night (thanks for sending them in, still a few more but I'll get there in the end) with a big mug of French hot choc. by my side.  Thank you everyone for your kind holiday well wishes, I had such a lovely time :)

Here are some of your lovely bag creations.  Thanks to Anne, Ryan, Lisa, & Joanna for sharing these beauties with us!

Firstly we have an incredibly charming clasp frame purse...

I love bag pics and emails from Anne S. in UK because up until recently she had never made bags or purses before and now she's an avid bag maker (and as you can see she's become very very good at too!).  Anne has used this yummy purse frame (and some cute fabric that I used to sell but is all gone) and followed (but slightly modfified) this tutorial to make this really sweet purse as a prize in a draw for her favourite charity Breast Cancer Care. 

She took some of her bags and purses to show off in her local hair dressers and she caused a  right commotion with her bag creations, everyone, staff and clients got so excited at seeing her lovely work that she ended up leaving the hairdressers having agreed to take part in a charity extravaganza to be held in the hairdressers for her fave charity.  Now, that's a really lovely story!  Good work Anne! You can't help but be chuffed for her  :)


Next we have some pretty hot seamstress work created by the fair hand of a bloke...

Ryan in Belfast is an artist/photographer by trade, but recently he decided to whip up some bags which ended doing really well at an exhibition.  He bought various bag making bits and he says that he's having fun with them on his sewing machine as we speak!  This lovely bag was made for his Mum for Easter.  It's his own design using silk tweed, and 100% wool for lining (fab quality ingredients).  He's gathered the sides using eyelets and tied the fabric handle on which makes a nice feature of the knots.  I'm sure Ryan's Mum is going to very pleased with her posh handbag!


Next we have some very clever fabric play...

How gorgeous is this bag?  This is just one of the very pretty bags that Lisa has sent in for us to feast our eyes on.  Gosh they're yummy, and she's very talented!


Lastly, we have a pleated pouch purse...

 
Joanna in UK made this Pleated pouch purse as her first bag!  That's brave, but she's made a brilliant job of it.  In fact this pic is one of several bags that she has made in the last month.  It looks like someone else has gotten the bag making bug!