Thanks for a great day!

This is half of my space at the Ridge Fine Art & Handmade Wares Show yesterday. I was so busy I forgot to take more pictures. The show was held at a new location this year, and I think it was a lot better and more fun to be in one room, instead of the 2 rooms it had been split into previously. The show draws a great crowd of regulars that I've seen come back each year in my 3 years there. I'm happy to be a part of it! Thanks to the founder Siouxsan Miller - or as she calls herself, the 'mother hen' - for putting on such a great event.

Here's some new stuff

I've been really, really bad about keeping up with my website, posting photos, updating bags, etc. Working full time and making stuff in my spare time doesn't leave a lot of extra time for the upkeep. I like doing the web stuff actually, but when I do get free time I'd rather go make something! So here's what I've been up to lately, and there's more where this came from:

Ridge Show, November 19

The Ridge Fine Art & Handmade Wares Show
Saturday, November 19, 2011
10AM to 5PM

NEW LOCATION:
Drayton Ave. Presbyterian Church
2441 Pinecrest
Ferndale, MI 48220

Click here for the event website and more info.

Here's what's coming with me to the Berkley Art Bash

Before every show, I line up all the goods and take a picture. Then after the show I mark off the ones that sold. Pretty scientific inventory system, I know. Here's the current lot that I'll be bringing with me next weekend. I'll also have a 'sale' bin, which will have some of my older bags at DEEP discounts! I found the little wire bin at a garage sale for 50 cents (woohoo!) and whipped up a little sale sign for it - made out of fabric scraps, of course. Pretty cute, I must say.

Inspired by.....

I got some sweet 1990s sewing magazines at a garage sale last weekend (free) - see the fancy pictures! But I actually ended up getting more than just a laugh out of these... I learned about something called "quilt as you go," which was featured in one of the magazines. I'm not a real quilter, but I do a little unofficial quilting on some of my bags. Well, quilt as you go is a quicker method of quilting - kind of freestyle quilting I guess. It takes a lot less planning and can cover up mistakes. It still takes some time to do, but I really love the results. I made the two bags below today after my discovery.

Berkley Art Bash

Click to visit the Berkley Art Bash site for complete details, including a list of artists.

New stuff

Love this scrap

The front of this bag is a beautiful floral piece.... hmmm, how to describe it... it's got raised leaves and flowers - I think they are knit or something. And if you look close, there's a little lion in the bottom corner. I combined it with an old army green raincoat that had some nice giant pockets - one of which takes up the whole back of the bag. Long strap so you can wear it cross-body.

This one might not make it to market!

I always like what I make, but occasionally I make a bag that I just LOVE... and this one is it. My plan yesterday was to take an inventory for my upcoming show, and if anything, make some smaller stuff. Well, I didn't get very far because I spotted a beautiful ensemble of scraps in pretty browns and blues (my favorite combo) in my fabric stash and one thing lead to another and next thing you know, I'm making a giant bag. But I just LOVE all of the pieces that went into this one and didn't want to waste a single bit. This is the result - a big ol' bag that would be great for the beach (with a brown bathing suit of course... ooh, gotta go shopping). Anyway, I'm so in love with this bag that I might have to keep it.

New stuff

Save the date - Saturday, April 16

I just learned that I've been accepted to participate in this event - it's called Youtique and it's put on by Michigan Artisans, a group that supports Michigan artists and crafters. Looks pretty cool and I'm excited to be a part of it. Click on the graphic to view it full size for details.

First haul of the season...

A pretty tray from an estate sale in a gorgeous Franklin home.

What's a shopping trip without a new purse?

Too bad this is how big it is. haha.

Fun fabrics from the estate sale and a couple thrift shops.

WHEW!!!

I just got home from the Royal Oak Artists' Market, which was today and yesterday, and I'm exhausted! I did the show at Leon & Lulu last weekend and I don't normally do back to back shows like that, so I feel like I've been working for 2 weeks straight and I don't really know what day it is. I'm glad tomorrow is Sunday and not Monday, so I have some time to regroup before going back to work on Monday. Oh, and another thing I already knew, but was reinforced in the last two weeks is, I love my hobby and I love doing shows - it's so much fun to set up my own little 'boutique' and to meet so many interesting people. And, I sold a few things, so that makes it even more fun.

So, if we talked last week at Leon and Lulu, or this weekend at Royal Oak, I really enjoyed it, and I sincerely want to thank you for your interest in my stuff! It is truly my passion, and I appreciate your compliments and support.

Royal Oak Artists' Market

My display at Leon & Lulu

This one got a lot of looks and finally sold at Royal Oak.

One of my faves, sold to a nice lady from Pleasant Ridge.

My pride & joy... heehee... my handmade sign.

New, new, new.....

Looks like leather but it's not!

Which way to the beach?

The body of this bag used to be a skirt; inside was a shirt.

Skirt pocket recycled and repositioned with a cute new button.

First patchwork bag in awhile...

The green part of this bag used to be a coat.

Accented by a funky hollow bead.

Catch me at the Leon & Lulu Artist Market!

I just found out I'll be a part of this show, too! Better get back to the machine!!! Here's the scoop:

Feb 27 & March 1, 2011
Sunday, February 27th from 11am - 5 pm
Tuesday, March 1st  from 3 pm - 8 pm

Highlights:  Leon & Lulu invites everyone to meet local artists and craftspeople and discover the handmade crafts being made in Michigan and surrounding areas. Leon & Lulu is an eclectic mix of upscale furniture, unforgettable gifts, and accessories located in the historic Ambassador Roller Rink at 96 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson, MI 48017

2011 Royal Oak Artist Market Show & Sale

I just received notice of my acceptance to this NEW show at the Royal Oak Farmers' Market facility the first weekend in March. Here's the scoop:



March 4 & 5, 2011
2011 Royal Oak Artist Market Show & Sale

FRIDAY, MARCH 4  2pm – 8pm
Special Preview Friday  5pm – 8pm
SATURDAY, MARCH 5  9am – 2pm

The Royal Oak Artist Market Show & Sale is a juried Fine Art Show in its inaugural year. It is held at the Farmers Market, 316 East 11 Mile Road, in downtown Royal Oak, MI 48067. Click here to visit their website.

Studio23 in the News

My bags and I were featured in two local newspaper articles last November, in promotion for the Ridge show. I was honored to be interviewed, and they even used pictures of my bags. The articles were in the Woodward Talk and the local Observer & Eccentric. Just sorta getting around to putting them up... Check 'em out - woohoo!

Hello, Cutie

The colors in this photo are slightly off but it's a rich purple with green accents, and the flap is a pretty chartreuse - and none of the colors look quite as harsh as they do here. Someone was feeling a little too lazy to take another picture.

The back story on this bag

I loved the heavy blue fabric I used for the base of this bag - it was just so sturdy and such a pretty slate blue color... but when I finished it, it was like blah - too plain and boring! So I found a pattern on the internet (because I can't draw freehand) and this little birdy found a home, and the bag also got a nice outside pocket! Now little birdy just needs a new home.  

Estate Sale Find

I found this pretty fabric at an estate sale... The large orange piece was a twin bedspread and the print piece was a tablecloth. The owner told me that the bedspread was from the 30s (wow, really?) and the fabric is just gorgeous, with a little texture and a few shades of orange. There's still quite a bit left after I made a nice roomy purse and a small drawstring pouch. Hmmmm, what to make next.