Uploaded

I’ve spent the last few days uploading loads of new bags in my Webshop all are waiting for new owners!

More Day bags, Triangular bags and Make up bags still to come.  As well as my first attempt at man bags!

Custom Made

After seeing the Minty Green Bags a customer asked me to make a messenger bag using the same material.  When I explained that I didn’t have any of the green left but that I could try and get more of it, or if she liked I could also make it in black with the same decorative material and green stitching she jumped at the idea!  So here are some pictures, I really like the stitching! I think it’s even better than the one on the Tote. I am really proud of the result. 

I just hope she will like it too!

  

Shopping under the lemon tree

On Saturday was our ‘Shopping under the lemon tree’ event.  What a success!  The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining and we had loads of visitors!  I took these pictures right at the beginning, later on it got so packed you could hardly get through. Everyone had made something yellow for the day and the shop looked great, especially with all the lemons.  Outside we had also set up a few tables and benches so everyone could have a browse then have a drink and then another browse.  We must have gone through over 20 bottles of bubbly wine!!!  See what you missed you out on! 

       

 

I’m sure we will do it again.  I’ll keep you updated! The people who won the draw will be contacted this week and asked to go pick up their prize at ‘designe, kleine!’ 

Tropical Turquoise

Sorry, didn’t have a chance to add to my ‘colour’ yesterday.  I was busy sewing right up until it was time to go set up for the ‘big event’. Today is the day of ‘Shopping under the lemon tree’; the reason why I have been sewing so much! But before all that starts, today’s colour is I think my personal favourite.  Actually no, I don’t think I have a favourite, I like all colours, it just depends on the mood I’m in. Anyway, I know I’m waffling on and on and all you really want to see are the new bags.  Today’s aren’t all knew but they are all of today’s colour, so enjoy!

Drum roll, please!!! Today’s colour is TURQUOISE!
(as if you hadn’t noticed yet…  

 

The only comment I will add to today’s bags, is that if you like the top one, the make up bag, then you better come to the event as that will be prize for the draw!  For those who live far away…  Sorry, better luck next time! 

Anyway, hope you like what you see. What do you think of the bags?  What would you suggest as next colour? Any comments and feedback is welcome with open arms, even from you Jan  

Sweet Orange

Today’s colour is ORANGE! 

Well to be honest when I bought the material I thought it was orange denim but the longer I look at it, work with it and try and match it to other orange tones the more confused I become…  Is it orange?  Is it red?  Is it coral???  I’ll let you decide for yourself.  All I can be sure of isthat I love the next orange/red/coral bags!  Though it was rather difficult to match it with other materials; I think I managed and I’m quite proud of the results.  If I can say that without sounding too big headed!

Left:Orange denim triangular bag with decorative buttons. This could be used as the coolest school bag ever, the top is wide enough for DIN A4 (European standard writing block). Plus it has two pockets, one inside and another underneath the flap; offering enough space for wallet, keys, mobile and pens.
Right:Orange denim round handbag with fun black stripes. This bag is sporty yet feminine, I like it!  It’s as simple as that!  It’s great for any occasion; a simple day out on the town shopping, a day at the office, a long walk along the river, whatever!  It’s happy and summery and practical.
Bottom: Orange denim day bag with bright yellow and turquoise!  How cheeky can you get?!? This fun little bag has a yellow zipper under the flap and two yellow buttons.  The lining is bright turquoise, as is the decorative stitching!  Super festive!!!

 

                            

Hope you’re enjoying these new colours. Why not take a minute to let me know which your favourite is. Or what colour you would like to see next.  It would be great to get some feedback.

 

Minty Green

To follow the new pattern here are today’s bags! And today, is case you haven’t yet noticed, GREEN is our theme!  They are fresh and cheeky, perfect for the summer!

Left: funky little day bag, perfect for a day out with a sexy little summer dress.  It’s just large enough for mobile, wallet, keys and a few bits of make up.  What else can a woman ask for?!
Right: green tote, perfect for shopping.  The fun stitching really makes it something special.  The lining is of the same flowery material as the decorative strip.  Who wants to go shopping???

 

Left: summery round bag!  Oh, so lovely!  The back and strap are made of the same green denim as the others which makes it more robust, for the woman who want to carry a bit more round.
Right: green and yellow messenger bag.  For those who like colour!  This bag is full of little hidden details!

 

Bottom: green and black wristlet, for that evening out on a warm summer evening.  This will look great with a little black summer dress, or a denim one, or a white one, or a bright yellow one, or a pink one…

                    

Hope you like them! What colour do you think tomorrow will be??? 

Ferrari Red

I thought I would do things a little differently this time.  Over the next few days I shall show you my new bags but instead of showing you all the new bags per type, as I normally do. This time I shall show you new bags per colour.  

Today’s colour is RED!  And a great red at that!  A fast and furious Ferrari red! I love it!  It’s sexy and happy!

The first is a new red and black messenger bag (left).  Its got black cotton lining, a black polyester adjustable strap, black ribbon and black and white decorative material.  What do you think?  Like it??? 

Then you have a funky red round bag with blue denim back and decoration.  Plus fun red buttons!  I love this one, I’m actually thinking of keeping this one for myself. 

Lastly at the bottom is a red and black wristlet! It has black cotton lining, black ribbons for decoration and a practical black zipper under the flap.  Plus a great silver button, to make it more special. I think it would be perfect with that little black dress for an evening out! 

 

                 

I hope you like them.  Make sure to pop around tomorrow to see which colour I’ve used for the next batch! 

Busy day

A couple of weekends ago I bought loads of new material both in preparation of the ‘Shopping under the lemon tree’ event but also for a new ‘Spring/Summer’ collection.  I though it was time to add a few more colourful things to my web-shop, as well as to my DaWanada and Shopwindoz shops.

So today I spent the whole day cutting, matching and planning new bags. I find more inspiration this way. I simply cut out all the think cottons into the shapes I want and need, i.e. Messenger bags, Triangular Bags, and so forth. Then, I make a BIG mess!!!  I take out all my materials lay them one after the other, next to the particular bag that I am working on, until I find the one I think looks good. I also match zippers, buttons, ribbons, prints, etc. So, tomorrow or whenever I start with the sewing, I simply pick up the ‘bag’ at the top of the pile, and everything will be there, all I will need to do is last minute decisions such as what colour thread and exactly where to sew on buttons or prints.  I find that I get more ideas this way as I have a better general idea (though the German word is so much more accurate ‘Überblick’) of all the materials I have.  Also I tend to get more ideas this way, as an idea might not work with one bag, but work with the next, I would forget these ideas if I didn’t do them all in one go.    

It does look a little daunting though doesn’t it?  A whole pile there and it takes a while before you can see it going down.  But heay, making them is all part of the fun!  I’ll post some pictures tomorrow of some new bags!

ALEX in the press

One of my bags was featured in ‘Journal Frankfurt’ this week! Cool! 

 

Translation:

As stylish accessory and everyday companion it would be impossible to remove bags from the fashion scene. From lipsticks to laptops, everything wants to be wrapped up in something pretty. Preferably in something unique and original, like these bags from Frankfurt.

Changeable: Wiesenglück
Elegant: Anastasia
Original: ALEX – Original handbags  
Flowery interior and purple cord exterior (€35). This handmade one-of-a-kind from the Canadian Alex ist definitely a favourite!
Round: Affentor
Airy: Airbag
Colourful:Linda Maniola

Sorry, I guess it’s a little arrogant but I’ve only translated the bit about my bag!!!! 

Things are looking up

Well, I hesitated a long time before opening up the other day ( 15.04.2008 ) and saying how low I was feeling. But I must admit I already felt so much better after simply admitting that starting your own business isn’t all easy and happy moments.  Then I got the lovely comments from Steffi author of ‘Morningflower’s blog’ and Jan author of ‘tomatobaby’, simply knowing that I wasn’t the only one made me feel so much better! Steffi also mentioned her dilemma of working full time at the same time as trying to make her business work and that made me appreciate my situation even more. 

Basically when my husband got the job offer that would bring us back to Germany last year I told him I would only come back if I could start my own business.  I didn’t want to end up in a job I didn’t like, as I had done in the past, mostly due to the language barrier. He agreed! I am so lucky that I can dedicate all of my time to make this work.  Actually I would to take the time thank him (again)!  I so appreciate the chance to give this idea all my time, dedication and effort. He is so supportive!  He believes in me too, even when I don’t, which is an incredible feeling. He is a great husband; he might not surprise me with flowers or chocolates, and I do have a go at him sometimes for not helping enough around the house (it’s not because I work from home that I should have to do EVERYTHING…  the key word is work, not spend the day tidying).  But he believes in me and he’s giving me the chance of a life time, that counts for so much more than flowers that will fade away and chocolate that will only end up on the hips anyway.  So, Steve thank you! One day I hope to be able to return the favour! I know that’s what he’s secretly hoping for

Things are looking up since my moan too.  I’ve sold a couple of bags from my DaWanda Shop and from my own website, which makes it all seem worth it! One particular round handbag was online for less than 24 hours which is amazing! Plus one of my bags was pictured in a local magazine.  I will buy an issue today and scan it for tomorrow’s entry!  Cool isn’t it? Plus it’s somewhat sunny outside, it’s still cold but all in all things are looking up!