Brown Paper Packages

A couple weeks ago I got a few packages in the mail that I was anxiously awaiting. One from Etsy for some bead weaving supplies and the other from Jo handbags, off of a Lucky Breaks deal.

The first little package was beading threads from the seller GotBeadsNY who was very informative and had great communication. I highly suggest her for beading supplies because of followup on the order and genuine conversations we had through the messages. I've had many good etsy experiences but few so great that I need to spread the word about the seller (seriously this is not an endorsement she was just that excellent!).

She had a huge variety of colors for this Superlon beading thread and the spools were enormous compared to the ones that I had gotten previously from another vendor. I'm very excited for when my calender frees up and I have more time to play on my beading loom as well as some off the loom bead weaving.

The larger package was my gorgeous new clutch from Jo. Originally $112 but with the Lucky Breaks I got it on sale for 40% off. Well worth it even if it wasn't on sale. It is called the Dakota Clutch and the color is espresso.

I love all the little details that this bag had even with it being a tiny clutch, to the size of a long wallet at 7.75" x 3.75" x 1.25".

This little ruffled edge on the pocket was an unexpected embellishment. With how polished and clean the outside looked I never would of expected this little touch of feminine.

It comes with this sturdy chain to wear it cross body which is exactly why I got it. I am trying really hard when I got on vacation to not carry my entire life with me especially when I am planning an entire day of city walking. I really do not need to carry knitting, my 3DS, all my 3DS games, 4 tubes of lipstick, compact , sketch book, kindle fire, etc.... all in my purse. Especially if I am out of town visiting someplace I would hope that it is exciting enough that I would not have to revert to my boredom fighters.

Lastly I wasn't so keen on the hardware online but I thought I would get this purse anyways. In the end I love how simple it was and inventive. The clasp slightly twists the leather so that it hugs around the pin to keep it closed. On the wire wrapping it was all finished and not a single piece of wire was hanging out anywhere to poke me.
Overall I would certainly recommend Jo handbags for rustic fine leather goods. I hope to get something else from them in the future.

Have you gotten anything great craft or fashion wise in the mail lately? It not maybe you need to treat yourself to something nice!

All I ever wanted.........

Once upon a time in Korea when I was in High School I had the perfect wallet. My oldest brother bought it for me. I didn't know it at the time but it was a total splurge. We got it from Galleria Department Store in Apkujung Dong. Department stores in Korea are what they used to be here in the States. Only superior high class brands they basically are the equivalent of what the Original Marshall Fields or Bloomingdales. Anyways I digress, this wallet was perfect, slim dark turquoise leather with the Logo OZOC on a rectangular silver plaque only have an inch by half inch large placed off center to one side. It was a long style wallet but not accordion, it would open up all the way with a small accordion for cash, a zippered change pocket and slots of cards and ID on the opposing side. The best part was it zippered all the way around flawlessly. If you can't tell by now I loved that wallet, it was the one wallet that I think all wallets should aspire to be. I have been on the hunt for such a wallet every since it was stolen from me in the summer for '99 at night club in Myung Dong.

I thought my search was fruitless until I saw this wallet on Linea Pelle. It was by chance that I went to their site through an "Lucky Daily Break" where they were offering 50% of this wallet. I'm a sucker for sales so of course I clicked into. I was pleasantly surprised by this luscious looking leather wallet. Her name was Dylan and I knew I needed her.

About a week later she came. I was impressed with the clean packaging and the safety put into it. There was a small box much larger then the wallet filled with packing peanuts and wrapped in two layers of zebra tissue paper.

The pictures on the website did her no justice. Where I was wary in getting the green color because of what looked like white leather painted green I was happy to see that it was not the case. The leather was a fully dyed green so there were no awkward white edges around the seams. Buttery Soft with shiny gold hardware.

The inside was my identical to my precious lost OZOC wallet and best of all was the zipper all the way around!

I'm telling you guys even though I got this wallet at 50% off because of that deal, if I had seen this in person I would of dropped that money for full price. This is high quality leather, thick and buttery with the wonderful wrist strap so I can take it on the go as needed without toting my entire Purse (no really more like knitting bag) with me. I feel like I will never need to buy another wallet as long as I have her. My husband will be very happy to hear that.

Do you have any Holy Grails of accessories or clothing that you have accomplished in owning? or have anything you are still on the quest for?  I'd love to hear about it!

Fringed Skirt - DIY

I saw this in Lucky and was inspired to make my own over the weekend. Although the materials are supposed to leather and glass beads I used what I had, T-shirts sitting for disposal from the house.

Thankfully my hubby and I are of completely different sizes. His old t-shirts were just the right amount of fabric to make my fringe skirt.

I cut each one in half so that I would have room on the front and back. Also if you have ever worked with t-shirts before the best roll is when you cut them across horizontally in strips.  I divided it vertically first so that I can cut my pieces horizontally for the fringe.

I measured out and cut with a rotary cutter 1" wide stripes leaving 1" at the top for me to be able to sew it to the skirt base. This also keeps the fringe from stretching too far up and tearing itself apart.

After all the pieces are cut I stretch each individual strip to give it both length and let it roll itself into thinner strips.

You can see the difference here between stretched and unstretched fringe.

With all the fringe stretched I am ready to sew it onto my skirt base.
The skirt base I used was a simple pencil skirt with a high stretch on the horizontal.

I sewed the first top fringe color on first so that I could judge the placement of the others as I worked down. I attached it with a top stitch since that would easiest to work with.

Remember when you are sewing with stretch you want to use a stretch friendly stitch such as a zigzag stitch. This will allow the fabric to freely stretch with the fabric without breaking the stitch.

I lay out the second tier of fringe under the seam line about an inch and make it with chalk so I can see it while sewing.

Sewing the fringe onto a pre-made skirt can be tricky and you want to be careful when pinning things on stretch fabric because they will want to move.  I didn't do it here but I suggest using a walking foot when working with stretch. Otherwise the bottom feeder feet will put more tension on the bottom and stretch the fabric more then the top.

I followed the same steps with the third and last tier.

When you get this far it can get a little complicated so make sure to keep all the other fringe tiers out of the way of your sewing. A good tip is to pin them up or even pin another piece of fabric over them to keep them out of the way.

My finished skirt! I would show you a full photos but when I sew, let's just say it's not the most fashionable things I wear. I'll do an Outfit of the Day soon showing off my new skirt.

I Baggu, do you?

A few weeks ago there was this Lucky deal for 50% off of Baggu leather products in Black.  I thought why not. Instead of paying $120 for a small leather back it cost me $60. I realized when I got the package that I have never actually ordered from Baggu before.  I fill up my cart and then I forget about it or realize I already have a ton of totes and reusable bags or that I can make that cute zipper pouch myself. Well with the leather bag I figured I would use it like an instant purse to carry only essentials when I am on the run like my wallet, kindle, keys and lipgloss, maybe a small digital camera and my flip.

 The packaging was about as minimal as possible, which was nice.

Folding out the bag the leather is super soft and supple.  I wish you could feel the gorgeous of it's buttery surface. Although the shape is just that of a normal Baggu bag. I think for $120 it's a bit much, in fact a total splurge. Even though I only spent $60 I still consider it a total splurge.

The interior is raw and just as soft.  I was hoping for maybe a little interior pocket or lining at such a high price point for a bag that is only 10"x18.5"x3.5". I may sound like a naysayer but I love this bag and I am glad that I snagged it. It does work perfectly for a "to go" purse when I am doing a long shopping trip (like in Chicago) and it forced me to minimize what I carry. I was a little disappointed that the deal was only on the black color but now I'm glad it was because the black goes with everything, doesn't show dirt and even for a hobo type bag looks classy. I was even stopped and asked by someone at Nordstorms where I picked it up at. My one hesitation with raw leather is that it can leave some of the oils on whatever things you put inside of it. It didn't discolor anything I had in there but they were mostly black or patent leather, but I did notice the oil on the face of my phone. By the end of the weekend it wasn't giving me that problem anymore but it was just something to be cautious about with a new bag.

If I was someone of more means in money I would like to pick up another one or two in different colors and perhaps try the larger size as well. Alas I am a poor fashionista relaying on coupons and internet offers to enjoy some of life's finer things.

As the World Turns

Whilst the rest of the world is obsessed with the going ons for NYC Fashion week I am patiently awaiting the publications to follow.  I find hardly any time to keep a firm grasp on what is in style and what is not.  Sadly I am most involved with the consumer ridden publication that is "Lucky"  I feel it is the ultimate trickle down with a pinch of straight off the runway fashions.

Aside from my patience in Fashion coverage I am working dilligently on new items for the coming fall craft shows and how I should set my display.  I am this odd wonder at the shows.  I am walking the line between crafty and fashion.  Trying to bridge the gap with accessories that are both unique and me yet useful.

My new thing that I LOVE to make is these pincushion rings inspired by coral and anemones.

I'm also doing these knitted cord necklaces which I had been wanting to do for myself for years but now I figured I would just do them for the craft shows as well.  I know there are some other people out there doing something similar from t-shirts and such but these are knitted and with embellishments such as my Kanzashi flowers, freshwater pearls and Swavorski crystals.

My Next upcoming event is this Saturday where I will be selling at Independents Day in Downtown Columbus.

It has been really interesting experiance for me as the Group I am with "The Crafty Cotillion" trusted me enough to spearhead the Organization of Craft Alley.  I feel awesome that they trust me to do it but also flustered because it is a lot of work.  I tried to delegate some things but then I ended up being able to figure it out or do a lot of it myself.  Definately and experiance and I think if I didn't have so many other things going on I would be happy to do it again.