Craft Show Update

Here are some pictures of my booth setup at the Unionville Festival on Saturday.

Thank you to everyone who came by to support me!

Here are some pictures of my booth set up for the Unionville show I did on Saturday. The weather was fabulous!

June Update!

It has been a while since I posted anything and here's why. I am enrolled in a Marketing night class that is very intense - certainly not the fluff class I thought it would be.

I am also getting ready for 2 craft shows, the first being the Unionville show this coming Saturday June 6th. The 2nd show will be July 17, 18, 19th in the Muskokas - Bracebridge, Ontario.

Preparing for these 2 shows, while going about life isn't an easy task. Trying to come up with creative ways to display things on a budget is even trickier. I have been racking my mind on what to do about table coverings and since time is running out, I decided to make my own using drop cloths and yardage I had on hand.

My method of construction was draping, that way it was a custom fit. Not the best job I could have done, but it is completed and I am happy about that!

The covers shown here are a little wrinkled and I will probably press it the night before.

I need to do a mock set up before the show so look for more pics coming soon!

New Steampunk Cuff Colour

Cafe au Lait has a romantic feel, just in time for summer!

Butterfly Bling Rings

Newly listed!

These cocktail rings are fun to make but tedious. I used tooling leather and hand drew my design then stained and/or painted. I really love how they turned out. You can see more pictures here.

Flowers for a Rainy Day

Tip for your life: Be grateful for what you have because things could always be worse. I had a bad dream last night that I backed into someone's car. The young guy just got his license and wanted to beat me up. His lawyer was there in a heart beat and I got the feeling it just wasn't my fault. Anyway, I prayed to God asking for a re-do so this incident never happened. I even reached deep into my head for clues that it was just a dream. Sadly, it seemed that it was a reality. When I woke up this morning I was so thankful that I got my re-do.

Maybe it was a lesson to not be complacent, not take things for granted and always be careful.

I am thankful for my life and all those in it.

Photo-shoot Saturday

Introducing my little Top model!

I wish she were a little older just for taking my product pictures.

She is a handful!

New Toy -- er, Tool

I just purchased the Big Shot Die-cut machine from Stampin Up! and I can't wait to get it. If you have any suggestions on how to use this for business promotion, please share.

I added more Bling!

My newest 2-N-1 Bling ring in time for spring. Well, you can wear it all summer long too.

You can wear it two different ways - Now that's versatile!

Fresh and New

It has been a while since made any new Dana Wristlet Wallets. I just listed this one yesterday and am working on an emerald one.

My Cuff has been Featured!

On TotusMel's Wunderkammer's blog. I wish I were able to wear those outfits - fabulous! Please check it out the other featured artists here.

Value Village Studio Find

I found this metal beauty at Value Village today - what a steal for only $12. If you look closely you can see that I put my postal scale on top of it.

This filing cabinet found a home in between my two wood and metal desks that I made. One is for packaging my items and the other desk is, well... my desk!

Weekend Find

It was a beautiful sunny day so we decided to go for a drive and explore our surroundings. We spotted this beautiful old barn that displayed an Antiques sign. When we entered the barn it was like I entered a wonderland. Everywhere I looked there were beautiful pieces of furniture. I am not typically an antiques fan, It usually brings to mind ghost stories and dead people.

There was a sweet barn cat that was incredibly friendly and followed our every move. She would even jump on furniture to get to our eye level so I could pick her up. Her name was Diesel and apparently steals the show every time.

I spotted this chair and thought it would be perfect for my office because it was compact, the wheels didn't take up much room. It is solid walnut with solid brass wheel covers and iron hardware. The price was only $20 so I could not resist.

Now the hard part, actually doing the work to refinish it. I like it the way it is though so I won't feel so bad if the refinishing takes forever.

Thank you for taking the time

The poll results are in it seems that pretty packaging does not matter to most, as long as the product if packed securely that is.

Thank you to all who partcipated!

Modesto Day Runner

Modesto is the name of a city that was incorporated August 6, 1884 in the Stanislaus county in California and I just love the sound of it.

My latest cross-body messenger bag bears that fabulous name and comes complete with 5 compartments! I will be doing more in different colour ways and have made one for myself (I know, I know, I really don't need another bag). Please feel free to suggest colours that you think look great together.

Packaging is important right???

Please take a moment to do the poll above.

What's new in the shop?

Well for starters, I did my steampunk messenger bag in a new colour way - Brick Brown and black.

I also added a new Corset cuff in hair-on calf skin in turquoise and brown for the Diva in you.

This cuff has a secret zippered pocket in the back, just like all the others.

A great week for Features

I feel very honoured to be included on the following sites.

CanArtisan is a brand new site that puts the spotlight on up and coming Canadian artists/designers. It is put together by the wonderful Brandi who also has a site on Etsy called Enthral.

Read all about it here!

I can also be seen on Indie Collective in their Spring/Summer Shopping guide. They featured both my Metro-Man wallet with SNAP Pocket and my Steampunk Unisex Cuff with secret pocket.

Gilbea's Fashion blog. You can see my steampunk cuff amongst other fabulous cuff designers.

In other great news, my 2nd Steampunk Messenger bag sold!


What a great way to end the week.

Coming soon........

~~ Starlene Messenger ~~

I worked on a prototype bag last night and just finished taking pictures. Right now I am calling it the Starlene Messenger, what do you think?

It is all leather and very roomy. Unfortunately this was the last of the distressed blue leather, so the next ones will be in different fabrications.

New Messenger Bag and Model

My newest model is also my neighbour and she does a fine job modelling my new Fiona Leather Messenger bag in taupe.

What's shiny, new and Red all over?

It is not a new sports car but sure would make any man jealous! It is my new tool chest. I wanted something that I could house all of my metal hardware in one place.

It has 4 drawers and the hood lifts up. I still need to get more dividers for it and have to transfer over all my rivets and snaps from another system but I couldn't wait to show it off.

It fits under my riveting station, so everything I need will be right on hand.

The 'hood' opens up so I have chosen to put my leather working tools there.

This drawer is almost filled up. The bottom one is deeper than the other three:

I think I'm running out of room already! :-)

Thread bared in Modish Handmade Spaces

My thread rack was featured in Modish, what a nice surprise to see it there. My spools of thread was #6 and you can see a larger picture here.

Gothic Chic

My latest bag is gothic in feel but very chic. The leather used is soooo supple - it is definitely a paw-able bag so beware of strangers getting too close while wearing it. More pictures here.

Studio Revamp Update

I am always moving things around, I really believe it keeps me inspired. I recently painted all of my desk surfaces white and wanted to share that with you.

Here are 2 of my industrial sewing machines.

I draft patterns and cut here.

This is where shipping happens.

My riveting station.

Pressing
Fabric storage combined with entertainment!

Leather storage and printer
I hope you enjoyed a peek into the Sewlutions studio.

Two more bags to add to the collection

I have been working on piping lately and here are 2 bags that demonstrate this. Piping is a wonderful detail. It adds structure and is aesthetically pleasing.