Well summer has finally arrived and it seems to have finally brought some sun! Here in PA we have had rain for the past month! It starts to get you down in the dumps.
Things here have been busy. My show on the 19th was a huge success and I met the nicest woman from Good Housekeeping magazine who loves my bags and is interested in my fall line and what I will have for the holidays.
This week I will work on several custom orders from the show and then I will be starting my fall designs. I have some new shapes I want to try out and some gorgeous fabrics I can't wait to work with! I want them ready for the Philly Designer Market Show on the 18th of July.
I also have to work on some more wedding bags to get to Kori from Wedding Daze Boutique in Easton. Work, Work, Work... It's great to be busy!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
New Bag Designs
I wanted to share some new bags I have made for an upcoming show next week. These will not be available for sale unless they do not sell at the show. The next public show I will be at is the Philadelphia Designer's Market on July 18th so be sure to stop by and say hello if you are in the area. The show is free!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Woo Hoo!
Just was contacted from the owner of the bridal boutique and she loves my work and wants to display it in her shop. She also wants to put all my information on her website which is fine with me!
I also have to contact another business owner who wants to carry my bags, as well as start working on two large shows in June and July. I need help!!! I am a little nervous and starting to freak out a bit but I am so excited at the posibilities!
I am also now on facebook so come be my friend! I still have no idea what to do there but I am learning!
Off to start sewing!!!
I also have to contact another business owner who wants to carry my bags, as well as start working on two large shows in June and July. I need help!!! I am a little nervous and starting to freak out a bit but I am so excited at the posibilities!
I am also now on facebook so come be my friend! I still have no idea what to do there but I am learning!
Off to start sewing!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
New Opportunity?
Yesterday I attended a bridal shower for my friends daughter. I had made her bridal purse as well as the money bag which I had posted here about a couple of weeks ago. The shower was lovely and afterword my bff and I walked around downtown Easton to look at some of the new shops.
A brand new bridal boutique has opened up and we went in. The store is so pretty and the dresses were gorgeous. Wedding Daze Boutique is owned by Kori Muntean and she is a professional bridal consultant. Wedding Daze not only carries bridal dresses, but they also take care of every aspect of the planning from invites, to flowers, to catering, location, and photography. The website is gorgeous so be sure to check it out http://inaweddingdaze.com/ .
While we were talking to her, my bff, who is a consummate sales person, casually asks if she carries handbags, Kory said she didn't so I told her I was a handbag designer. She asked for my card and said she knew of no one who does that kind of work and if I wanted to bring a few to show her she would love to see them.
Although I am excited at another opportunity, I am scared. I am my own worse critic. Things have to be perfect and when they aren't, I am not happy. Although everyone thought my bridal purse turned out beautiful, all I could see were the small bumps from the interfacing, and the way the silk draped a little weird on the front flap.
I need to find a way to interface these wedding bags without the interfacing texture showing through. I also worry that I won't be able to keep up with all the work that is coming my way. With all the custom orders, the store in New Hope wanting more, a home show in June and the Philly Market in July, as well as a store in Avon NJ wanting some clutches to wholesale from me, I am getting panicked that I am only one woman!
So my question to all you talented artists out there: Does anyone know how I could interface a clutch to keep its shape without the lumps? I want to use more delicate, wedding fabrics, but without the worries of them being transparent. Also, how did you keep up with your growth spurts?
Answer on!
A brand new bridal boutique has opened up and we went in. The store is so pretty and the dresses were gorgeous. Wedding Daze Boutique is owned by Kori Muntean and she is a professional bridal consultant. Wedding Daze not only carries bridal dresses, but they also take care of every aspect of the planning from invites, to flowers, to catering, location, and photography. The website is gorgeous so be sure to check it out http://inaweddingdaze.com/ .
While we were talking to her, my bff, who is a consummate sales person, casually asks if she carries handbags, Kory said she didn't so I told her I was a handbag designer. She asked for my card and said she knew of no one who does that kind of work and if I wanted to bring a few to show her she would love to see them.
Although I am excited at another opportunity, I am scared. I am my own worse critic. Things have to be perfect and when they aren't, I am not happy. Although everyone thought my bridal purse turned out beautiful, all I could see were the small bumps from the interfacing, and the way the silk draped a little weird on the front flap.
I need to find a way to interface these wedding bags without the interfacing texture showing through. I also worry that I won't be able to keep up with all the work that is coming my way. With all the custom orders, the store in New Hope wanting more, a home show in June and the Philly Market in July, as well as a store in Avon NJ wanting some clutches to wholesale from me, I am getting panicked that I am only one woman!
So my question to all you talented artists out there: Does anyone know how I could interface a clutch to keep its shape without the lumps? I want to use more delicate, wedding fabrics, but without the worries of them being transparent. Also, how did you keep up with your growth spurts?
Answer on!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tough Decisions
Today I made the huge decision to put my Etsy shop in vacation mode. I moved all my listings to my artfire shop which I am hoping will do better. Although I loved the idea of Etsy, they are just getting too big, they do not advertise to the general public as much as they should, and the sales and views are shrinking.
I was very excited and proud to make the home page a couple of weeks ago, and I had hoped that things there would pick up. Things did not change and instead of wasting my time promoting, and creating for them, I am focusing more on my other outlets.
Truthfully I am becoming too busy to handle the upkeep of two online stores. I have been receiving more and more custom orders, and my designs are selling well in New Hope. I have also been contacted to wholesale my clutches in another boutique in NJ, and I have several home shows this summer. The textiles editor of Good Housekeeping saw one of my bags and loved it. She said my bags were of superb quality, inside and out, which is the sign of a real artisan! She is coming to one of the home shows so keep your fingers crossed.
Once I complete my custom order backlog, my goal is to start on my fall line. I want to come up with 2-3 basic shapes and a couple of special techniques I have in mind to really make them original, funky, and fun. I will premier them here when they are completed!
I was very excited and proud to make the home page a couple of weeks ago, and I had hoped that things there would pick up. Things did not change and instead of wasting my time promoting, and creating for them, I am focusing more on my other outlets.
Truthfully I am becoming too busy to handle the upkeep of two online stores. I have been receiving more and more custom orders, and my designs are selling well in New Hope. I have also been contacted to wholesale my clutches in another boutique in NJ, and I have several home shows this summer. The textiles editor of Good Housekeeping saw one of my bags and loved it. She said my bags were of superb quality, inside and out, which is the sign of a real artisan! She is coming to one of the home shows so keep your fingers crossed.
Once I complete my custom order backlog, my goal is to start on my fall line. I want to come up with 2-3 basic shapes and a couple of special techniques I have in mind to really make them original, funky, and fun. I will premier them here when they are completed!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Finding Time to Sew
2 Years ago, I foolishly thought that when my youngest was at school all day I would get so much sewing done. This is why I timed starting http://bstauffdesigns.com for when all three would be away at school.
Boy was I mistaken. Now that the oldest is in High School and the other two starting 45 minutes later, I spend most of the day in the car! I don't get back home until 8:30, so by the time I eat breakfast, shower, and check my emails, it's 9:45-10 am before I can actually start sewing. I roll along pretty good until the phone rings, or the washer buzzer goes off, or the dog needs to go out, or I have to return books at the library. I then have to leave at 1:40 to pick up said teen, then drive to pick up younger two. It is 3:30 by the time we return home. I maybe get another hour in if I am lucky before homework, dinner, driving to activities and baths happen. By the time youngest is in bed at 8, I am tired and not feeling too much like sewing!
I have such ambitious intentions when I first wake in the morning. I think of my new fabrics and of what I want to make with them. I dream of completing three projects and posting them on http://bstauffdesigns.artfire.com or http://bstauffdesigns.etsy.com and still having time to work on the computer a while. Sadly the reality is there just are not enough hours in the day.
Balancing a start up business, being a mom, and running a busy household is not easy, but it is possible. You must be disciplined and dedicated, and you must want it bad!
Boy was I mistaken. Now that the oldest is in High School and the other two starting 45 minutes later, I spend most of the day in the car! I don't get back home until 8:30, so by the time I eat breakfast, shower, and check my emails, it's 9:45-10 am before I can actually start sewing. I roll along pretty good until the phone rings, or the washer buzzer goes off, or the dog needs to go out, or I have to return books at the library. I then have to leave at 1:40 to pick up said teen, then drive to pick up younger two. It is 3:30 by the time we return home. I maybe get another hour in if I am lucky before homework, dinner, driving to activities and baths happen. By the time youngest is in bed at 8, I am tired and not feeling too much like sewing!
I have such ambitious intentions when I first wake in the morning. I think of my new fabrics and of what I want to make with them. I dream of completing three projects and posting them on http://bstauffdesigns.artfire.com or http://bstauffdesigns.etsy.com and still having time to work on the computer a while. Sadly the reality is there just are not enough hours in the day.
Balancing a start up business, being a mom, and running a busy household is not easy, but it is possible. You must be disciplined and dedicated, and you must want it bad!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wedding Purse
One of my friend's daughter is getting married on 6/20. Her shower is on May 16 and I made her the purse and the gift bag to match her dress. Her dress is beautiful, in ivory and champagne so I made the bag in the champagne and lined it with ivory taffeta. Her bridesmaids are wearing terra cotta so I added the little terra cotta rose buds to bring in the color.
I had some challenges because the silk I worked with was thin and when interfaced, it did not look smooth over the interfacing. I ended up having to double line it and it helped a lot, but it still pulls a bit when snapped closed. After three attempts and wasted materials, I stopped trying for it to be perfect.
I hope she likes it and I hope years from now she will look back with happy memories of her special day!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
I Made The Front Page of Etsy!!!
Holy Cow! I went online this morning only to find out that my Box Tote graced the front pages of etsy last night at 7pm! I am so sad I missed it, but thankfully I got to see it in the archives.
I am so excited! It got a ton of views and 8 people marked it as their favorite. This has been a really good week for me as far as exposure to new markets.
Currently, I have been very busy with custom orders. I finished a wedding bag set for a friends daughter, and I made some clothes to send to S.O.T.A. in New Hope. I also made my daughter a dress for her spring choral concert which I have to put the finishing touches on. I have 7 more bags to finish for orders and then I can start making some new ones for my artfire and etsy shops.
Have a great weekend everyone, and what ever you do, don't lose hope, keep plugging and do it the best you can.
I am so excited! It got a ton of views and 8 people marked it as their favorite. This has been a really good week for me as far as exposure to new markets.
Currently, I have been very busy with custom orders. I finished a wedding bag set for a friends daughter, and I made some clothes to send to S.O.T.A. in New Hope. I also made my daughter a dress for her spring choral concert which I have to put the finishing touches on. I have 7 more bags to finish for orders and then I can start making some new ones for my artfire and etsy shops.
Have a great weekend everyone, and what ever you do, don't lose hope, keep plugging and do it the best you can.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Featured Artist!
I am being featured on www.bretttorrium.com ! This is a really cool site from NYC that markets handmade artisans from all over the country. I don't know how they found me but I am sure glad they did. I am hoping this will bring me some exposure in the big apple which would be great!
Please check it out today and let me know what you think.
Please check it out today and let me know what you think.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Best Recycling Idea
Last week I talked about ways to recycle and asked for your ideas. I got 15 great responses and I thank you guys for that!
Two that really stood out as great were to use old sewing patterns as tissue paper in gifts and to use old receiving blankets as diaper doublers. Although I am long out of the diaper stage this really is a fantastic ideas for those of you with little ones still in diapers. Cut them up, fold them up and sew along the open edge. They are washable and reusable!
This weeks question is more of an idea hunt. I have a big collection of vintage calendar tea towels. They are in great condition and I would like to make some things with them. Any ideas? Comment on what you think I could make with them. I will make the best idea, post the finished product here and on Etsy, and give you the credit!
Two that really stood out as great were to use old sewing patterns as tissue paper in gifts and to use old receiving blankets as diaper doublers. Although I am long out of the diaper stage this really is a fantastic ideas for those of you with little ones still in diapers. Cut them up, fold them up and sew along the open edge. They are washable and reusable!
This weeks question is more of an idea hunt. I have a big collection of vintage calendar tea towels. They are in great condition and I would like to make some things with them. Any ideas? Comment on what you think I could make with them. I will make the best idea, post the finished product here and on Etsy, and give you the credit!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Shad Festival
This weekend is the Shad Festival in Lambertville, NJ. Lambertville has a really cool main strip that has lots of antique shops and boutiques. Go over the bridge and you are in New Hope which is an awesome town for shopping. While you are browsing around, please make sure to stop in at Simply SOTA on North Main Street http://www.simplysota.webs.com/ .
SOTA is a consignment shop for only PA artists and crafters. Not only do they carry B Stauff Designs, but they have beautiful art, clothing, jewelry, woodworking, and more.
If you go, get there early as parking is on the street and since the weather is going to be fantastic, it will be packed!
SOTA is a consignment shop for only PA artists and crafters. Not only do they carry B Stauff Designs, but they have beautiful art, clothing, jewelry, woodworking, and more.
If you go, get there early as parking is on the street and since the weather is going to be fantastic, it will be packed!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
For the Boys....
I can't tell you how many times friends will say to me "don't you make any boy things?" Having three girls, I have always just gravitated to the dresses, the purses, and the feminine accessories. Finally, I was asked by my favorite shop owner Patti Cilenti of Simply SOTA in New Hope to make something for younger boys because there is nothing out there for them.If you don't believe me, take a look through a pattern book one of these days. 700 pages of women's and girls, 2-4 pages for men and boys and 90% are PJ'S!
So, after some thought, I decided to branch out a bit and make some cute drawstring bags with different themed pockets. The first one is shown above. They are perfect for carrying toys, handheld games, clothes, books, or just about anything. An overnight bag, pool bag, gym bag, beach bag, or small laundry bag even.
I also have planned and in construction some pj bottoms, fun boxers, and some outfits for little boys.I have so much to make I better stop blogging and get back to work!
What would you like to see me make more of? Have any ideas of handmade sewn items that boys would like? Let me know, I read all comments!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wanted: Your recycling/reusing ideas!
Rather than use the dreaded Easter grass that ends up on our floor, our carpets and is horrible for the environment, I will be using fabric.
I am going to pick spring colors from my scraps and tear them into thin strips. Then I will line the baskets with the strips to resemble the grass. I can them just store them in a bin for next year!
Now it is your turn. What is your favorite recycling tip? It can be simple or you can tell me about a favorite project you did. Post it here and let others be inspired! I will read every suggestion and post the one I think is the best on my blog!
I am going to pick spring colors from my scraps and tear them into thin strips. Then I will line the baskets with the strips to resemble the grass. I can them just store them in a bin for next year!
Now it is your turn. What is your favorite recycling tip? It can be simple or you can tell me about a favorite project you did. Post it here and let others be inspired! I will read every suggestion and post the one I think is the best on my blog!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Growing
In the past few weeks business has started to really take off which I am so excited about. More people are hearing about B Stauff Designs and word of mouth has been really instrumental in helping me to make a brand for my work.
In addition to my custom orders and selling at Etsy, the consignment shop down in New Hope, Simply SOTA is now going to be running a weekly feature in the Bucks County Herald. Each week a different artist will be featured and this will bring lots of exposure not only to the store, but to the individual artists as well. The artist will also be at the store demonstrating their craft, answering questions and letting people see how things are made. I will be down there one of these weekend so when I get the date, I will let you know!
I have been working on some new original designs which I will be showing this summer. They will be part of my Fall line so stay tuned for that too!
In addition to my custom orders and selling at Etsy, the consignment shop down in New Hope, Simply SOTA is now going to be running a weekly feature in the Bucks County Herald. Each week a different artist will be featured and this will bring lots of exposure not only to the store, but to the individual artists as well. The artist will also be at the store demonstrating their craft, answering questions and letting people see how things are made. I will be down there one of these weekend so when I get the date, I will let you know!
I have been working on some new original designs which I will be showing this summer. They will be part of my Fall line so stay tuned for that too!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
New Look for a New Season
Recently on http://handmadeinpa.net/ , we were given a challenge to redesign our blogs in order to help with our brand, and connect more to our businesses. I took this challenge and the results can be seen with my new look.
I changed the background colors to coordinate with my business logo and changed the heading of my blog to my business name. This helps my followers connect my brand name to my blog and makes my logo get stuck in their brain for future use!
I also added a section on side called "About Me" which explains what B Stauff Designs does and why I love doing what I do.
My goal is to have a cohesive package so that customers, bloggers, and those just browsing will be able to get a complete package from their visit.
I have been so busy the past two weeks with tons of custom orders and sales! My poor Etsy shop is getting low, but I will not be able to re-stock until the middle of next week when I should be caught up. B Stauff Designs is growing and I want to thank all my family and friends for their love and support. Thanks you also to all my customers! You are the best!
I changed the background colors to coordinate with my business logo and changed the heading of my blog to my business name. This helps my followers connect my brand name to my blog and makes my logo get stuck in their brain for future use!
I also added a section on side called "About Me" which explains what B Stauff Designs does and why I love doing what I do.
My goal is to have a cohesive package so that customers, bloggers, and those just browsing will be able to get a complete package from their visit.
I have been so busy the past two weeks with tons of custom orders and sales! My poor Etsy shop is getting low, but I will not be able to re-stock until the middle of next week when I should be caught up. B Stauff Designs is growing and I want to thank all my family and friends for their love and support. Thanks you also to all my customers! You are the best!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
tidbits
Ok I know I have not posted in a while but I have been busy and life interrupts my blogging sometimes.
I wrote another article for http://handmadeinpa.com which will be out Wed. or Thurs. I show a dress I am making from upholstery fabric.
I had some custom orders to get out and I sold my vintage dress so things are really picking up again! I have three more custom orders to do and a bag for my friends daughters wedding in June, plus I am making some kids clothes to sell down in the New Hope store.
I recently acquired a dozen vintage aprons that are so cute! Some I will use in other projects, others are just too cute to rip apart. I will post about what I make with them and put up some pics also so you all can get some ideas.
It is slowly warming here in PA and I bought the seeds for my garden yesterday. We are expanding ours this year and I am trying to grow everything we eat as a family. I wish I lived on a farm and could have my own chickens and cows but that is not allowed here in my development.
Not much else is going on so I will keep it short.
I wrote another article for http://handmadeinpa.com which will be out Wed. or Thurs. I show a dress I am making from upholstery fabric.
I had some custom orders to get out and I sold my vintage dress so things are really picking up again! I have three more custom orders to do and a bag for my friends daughters wedding in June, plus I am making some kids clothes to sell down in the New Hope store.
I recently acquired a dozen vintage aprons that are so cute! Some I will use in other projects, others are just too cute to rip apart. I will post about what I make with them and put up some pics also so you all can get some ideas.
It is slowly warming here in PA and I bought the seeds for my garden yesterday. We are expanding ours this year and I am trying to grow everything we eat as a family. I wish I lived on a farm and could have my own chickens and cows but that is not allowed here in my development.
Not much else is going on so I will keep it short.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Wearin' of the Green!
Happy St. Patrick's Day Weekend to all my Irish friends and those who wish they were! Today is our annual St. Pat's Party so I will make this brief because I have to get the corned beef's in the cookers!
Every year we invite family and friends over for corned beef and cabbage, we laugh, drink, and sing Irish songs. The kids love getting together and putting on acts for us which is a riot. I took over the tradition a few years ago from my Uncle Jim who lost his brave battle with cancer in July,2006. He was famous (in our huge family)for his annual St. Pat's Day Gala which was a talent show. It started at his apartment in Little Falls, NJ with just the immediate family and close friends. Over the years, it grew to fill the Belmar Fishing Club in Belmar, NJ with about 150 people.
His best friend would don a tux and be MC each year. Some of the acts were hysterically funny and some showed real talent. I have had my share of fame with singing with my sister and my daughter and my cousin's. It was looked forward to and people rehearsed their acts for months ahead of time.
When he grew too sick to host it, I decided to just have my mom(his sis)and dad and my sis and her family and some close friends so that we could look back and relive the good times. It is my small tribute to him and I hope he is smiling today from heaven having a Guinness with us!
Every year we invite family and friends over for corned beef and cabbage, we laugh, drink, and sing Irish songs. The kids love getting together and putting on acts for us which is a riot. I took over the tradition a few years ago from my Uncle Jim who lost his brave battle with cancer in July,2006. He was famous (in our huge family)for his annual St. Pat's Day Gala which was a talent show. It started at his apartment in Little Falls, NJ with just the immediate family and close friends. Over the years, it grew to fill the Belmar Fishing Club in Belmar, NJ with about 150 people.
His best friend would don a tux and be MC each year. Some of the acts were hysterically funny and some showed real talent. I have had my share of fame with singing with my sister and my daughter and my cousin's. It was looked forward to and people rehearsed their acts for months ahead of time.
When he grew too sick to host it, I decided to just have my mom(his sis)and dad and my sis and her family and some close friends so that we could look back and relive the good times. It is my small tribute to him and I hope he is smiling today from heaven having a Guinness with us!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
News Update!
FYI, I wrote an article for http://handmadeinpa.net on what to do with old fabrics. It is the first of a series I will be writing for the site and it is up today! It's weird seeing my name as a byline!
Swing by and check it out for some great repurposing ideas.
Also on the site is the giveaway for my Olive Green clutch. The deadline is Friday so don't forget to comment and enter for a chance to win!
Swing by and check it out for some great repurposing ideas.
Also on the site is the giveaway for my Olive Green clutch. The deadline is Friday so don't forget to comment and enter for a chance to win!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Partridge's
I made this charming tote today from this adorable Retro fabric. I listed it on Etsy and named it "The Partridge's Summer Vacation Tote" When I named this I was thinking of "A Partridge in a pear tree" because of the birds shaped like them and the upside down pears on the fabric. I didn't want people to think "Christmas" so I thought it would be funny to wonder where the partridge goes for sumer vacation.
I had to laugh because when I was on the Etsy forums and asked if anyone thought the name was too long, most people thought I was referring to "The Partridge Family"! I hadn't thought of that but hey, if this makes you smile or better yet, buy it, then good for you!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Yippeee!
My meeting went great!!! I now have 15 of my handmade items in a really cool store that is in a fabulous location. I couldn't ask for more. The store is adorable, My things are totally unique, and she was so impressed with my work and said my prices are great. She said that definitely have found a niche because no one seems to sew anymore.
The Grand Opening is Saturday, March 14th 10am-9pm. If you will be in the New hope PA area, make sure to check out Simply S.O.T.A. at 26 North Main Street. Great store, great artists, great owners.
The Grand Opening is Saturday, March 14th 10am-9pm. If you will be in the New hope PA area, make sure to check out Simply S.O.T.A. at 26 North Main Street. Great store, great artists, great owners.
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