My online shops

I’ve been producing none stop, but have not really been adding any of the new bags to my website as I will be bringing most of them to the fair on Sunday.  Hopefully it all goes super well and don’t  have any to bring back but if there are they should be online by next Monday or Tuesday for you to brows though.

In the mean time I did add one super bright pink messenger bag to my Etsy shop:

And a super colourful ‘flower power’ messenger bag to my Dawanda Shop… 

I hope you find something you like!

New Make Up Bags

Preparation for Sunday’s fair continues; yesterday and today I’ve been working on loads of new Make Up Bag, Wash Bags or Cosmetic Bags, how ever you prefer to call them.  To be honest it is such a pleasure to be sewing with my new machine and sooooo much quicker.  I could spend all day, every day sewing.  But I can’t really let all my other duties, like writing the blog, fall behind

These are not only cute and colourful but also very practical; they all have a plastic lining so if something were to spill, it wont reuin the bag.  They are great for carrying a few bits in your handbag or they make a cute yet practical decoration in the bathroom.

So I hope to see you at Lokale Helden on Sunday.  If you are not from the area, you will find many cute Make Up Bags on my on-line shop, on my Esty shop or even on my Dawanda shop.

New Small Purses!

In preparation for Lokale Helden, next Sunday’s fair I’ve just spent the day making loads and loads of new little purses.  They are always popular as they make a great little present or a great treat for oneself, as you can never have enough little bags for your big bag  

 

  

 

My display box is now full again, which is good, as there is something for every taste. I love this little display box, I know it’s not to everyone’s liking but I love the colour and it’s just the right size.  It’s actually a flower box, well, I guess it’s pretty obvious. 

Still I love the effect. It’s just so eye catching!

  

 

 

 

 

Coming up

ALEX-Original Handbag’s first fair of the year will be next Sunday, May 3rd in Schönschräg  in Wiesbaden.  It will be the first time that I participate in this particular fair but it is also the first time that it ’s open to designers from all of Hessen.  Up until now Lokale Helden had concentrated on offering the stands to designers from Wiesbaden only.  But this year its evolved into quite an event that will go on for a whole week verses the one day that it used to be. Lokale Helden with it’s designer stands will only be for the Sunday but there will be other activities throughout the week.

To see who else will be participating on the Sunday press on the placard below.

Why not come and check it out! 

As well as funky stands to explore there will also be a DJ and snacks to get you into the spirit.  There will even be a wii station where you can drop off your boyfriend or husband so that you can shop around in peace

For more information, an article about the whole event can be read in the Frankfurter Rundschau (30.04.09) or on their online version: click here.

Hope to see you there!

I did it!

I did it, I took the plunge! Writing how confused I was the other day really helped.  It put everything into perspective.  Afterwards I made some more phone calls and considered all the options and decided to purchase the machine pictured in the last entry.  And I am very happy with the decision.  This was the only company that actually asked what I needed the machine for, they even wanted to see a sample of my bags in order to be able to really answer my questions.  What a novel idea, a company that is actually helpful!  One person I called actually hung up on me!  Just out of principle I didn’t want to buy anything from them.

The machine is great! It sews through the think bits, like where the strap is attached as if it was normal material.  It locks the thread at the beginning and at the end as well as cuts the threads.  I was able to finish off 10 bags this morning!!!  Ok so all that was left to do was the last two seams which are the thickest but still…  Although I must admit that it will need some getting used to.  There is a knee pedal to lift the foot and one for sewing, it all feels so different to the little hobby sewing machine I have been using for so long. I will get the hang of it quickly though.

Here are a few pictures of my workshop with all my new bags and new machine.  Not 100% sure of the layout yet, but not sure how to change it around yet.

New machine and loads of new bags

New layout in my workshop

So if you are looking for an industrial machine I really recommend:  www.bernkopf.de they are based in Germany near the Czech boarder, but they deliver throughout western and eastern Europe.

Totally confused

Well, I’m totally at a lost, baffled, befuddled, bewildered, confused, disconcerted, flummoxed, flustered, fouled up, glassy-eyed,  misled, mixed up, muddled, not with it, out to lunch, perplexed, perturbed, puzzled, shook up, shot to pieces, stumped, taken aback, thrown, thrown off balance, etc. as to which sewing machine I should buy!

So now you know just how confused and frustrated I am.  Basically I have been using a normal household machine since I started making bags, so almost tow years ago now.  The problem is that as the bags improve thinker and stronger they get and the more the machine is struggling to keep up.  It has now broken AGAIN!  It is the fourth time in two years.  So I think it’s time to get a stronger, more stable machine, one that can sew all day and not suffer from it.  So I’ve started doing research on industrial machines.

Wow, I really didn’t realize just how many brands or types of machines there were out there.  First of all which brand is the best to get?  Then what type? Should I get one that cuts the tread automatically? Should I get one that locks the thread automatically? Should I get one where the needle actually moves with the material? Should I get one where the foot moves too? Should I get one with 220Volt? Should I get a new one? Should I get a second hand one? etc. These are all the questions floating around in my head at the minute.

potential new sewing machine

I have been to a few shops in the area but I didn’t think they were very helpful, they just tried to sell me their one display machine without asking so much what I want or need it for.  Nor did they really answer any of my questions.  So I’ve turned to finding a machine online, but that’s also difficult, these machines are expensive, you want to see and feel them before you spend your €1000-1500!

 

So far I have managed to work out that I want one that will lock the material and cut the thread automatically, this will save A LOT of time in the long run.  But the question remains does in the this ‘needle transporter’ thingy (that’s what it’s called in German) or is that not necessary? And should I get a second hand machine or a new one.  For example I’ve seen a couple of machines that were worth much more, now that they are up to ten years old, they are affordable, so in the long run are these worth more or is a new one worth more?  Can any one answer that for me? Are you using an idustrial sewing machine? Which type are you using?  

Custom Made

I just finished work on some funky little bags. They aren’t ALEX – Original Handbags but they are never the less super cool!  They are definitely original and of course one-of-a-kinds.  I was actually asked by a friend of mine, Miss Tula Trash to sew bags for her that she could then decorate. And I must say that they came out even better than I thought they would. 

There are two sizes to choose from; small for kids and large for teenies and adults. They are of course black but they come in two different materials, cord and a really strong canvas type cotton. All are decorated differently, you logically have the front view of the spooky on the front and the rear view of the spooky on the back.  As you tighten the drawstrings it makes them longer to create shoulder straps if you want to wear it as a backpack.

If you are interested in seeing more of Miss Tula Trash’s work or even purchasing one of these then why not check out her MySpace. I don’t think she’ll mind!

Custom Made Presents

A good friend of mine’s daughter will be two in a few weeks and she wants to throw her a little birthday party. She will organize a picnic in the park so that the little boys and girls can play and the moms can chat.  Instead of getting sweets for the little ones she’s asked me to make all the little girls mini-handbags and a little handkerchief for the little boy.  I think it’s a great idea, as not all mom’s let their kids eat sweets but also as they will all have a little something they can use over and over again.

 

Happy Easter!

Hi everyone, sorry for the lack of posts recently! 

I hope you all had great holidays and didn’t eat too much chocolate

What with the beautiful weather, family coming to visit and having to use up loads of holiday days from last year or else I would lose them, I’ve simply not been getting much sewing done or anything else for that matter.  I’ve just been relaxing in the sun, the weather here has been absolutely amazing! I’ve also been eating too much good food and drinking too much good wine. 

But today was back to reality! I promis to have loads of new stuff to show you soon.

What else is new? Well, I’m still searching for an industrial type sewing machine. The normal household type of machine I am presently using is just not coping and has broken yet again!  This is the second time this year and we are only in April. The problem is that I don’t know anything about industrial machines…  So the decision will be difficult.  The second problem is, have you seen the prices of these things?!? Though I must admit that they are GREAT, I saw one in a shop that the sales man let me try out, wow!  It did the back and forth at the end on it’s own to lock the tread, then cut the thread all on it’s own too!!!  What luxury, but also time saving.  Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on that and let you know as soon as I’ve made a decision.

The spring is here!

The spring is finally here!  The last few days have been nice and sunny outside and that has spread into my workshop and my mood. 

I’ve even managed to buy some great new fabrics that matches this mood and feeling.  What happy colours!  Even if the weather hadn’t improved a bag made out of these great materials would have lifted up any grey mood.

You almost need sunglasses! 

I love them all and am sooooo pleased with my choices. 

As soon as I got home I got straight to work as I was so inspired.  Here are the first of my new collection of bright bags, there are many more in planning. I just can’t keep up with all the ideas I have at the minute.

To be honest, it will be hard to part with them!  Which is your favourite?  

             

Be sure to pop around again soon to see what I create with all the other bright and happy materials!