AKraftyCatch has evolved and moved to . . . 

Clare Marion - Simple handmade wares & wants

come and join us!!!

To the Market . . . to the market . . .

Woohoo . . . . my book finally arrived. This week after reading one of my favourite blogs Gussy Sews I took her advice and got myself a new wealth of Knowledge.  I invested!!!! . . . in a book called The Handmade Market Place - how to sell your crafts locally, globally and online.  I am not even halfway through and already learning so much about branding, pricing, knowing and marketing your product.  I definately recommend it for those already in business and especially those starting out like me.

I also decided to indulge in a fun project over the last week.  My inspiration comes from my daughters bedroom floor would you believe.  Well . . . . those mothers out there that are constantly cleaning up after their little treasures (aren't we all)  will understand. So, my joyous task was to put together a pretty 'Wash Me' bag.  We end up with a constant pile of laundry on her floor, which seems to grow.  In every direction, I might add LOL.  And would you believe it's an absolute hit!!!  I just need to put in the handle snaps and it's ready to hang - she can't get it up fast enough to enjoy piling her laundry in.  Good on ya mum!!

The front has a really good size hole for dropping that laundry into . . .

and easy access at the back rear using poppers to empty

Now onto the search for some Harry Potter and Transformers fabric for my nephew's Wash Me bags.

Till next time xox

Products & Labels

I must say I am having some serious sewing withdrawals!!!  In the past few weeks I have been dealing with eye strain.  Hence, I can't sew as the close work gives me headaches and I can't actually see what im doing properly LOL.  I have to admit that it is completely self inflicted by using my iphone and laptop and not using my reading glasses (i wish someone had of warned me of iphone addiction lol).  However, in my defense, the glasses I was last prescribed just weren't right for my eyes.  So off I trotted to the optometrist to get a test done.  Low and behold, I have strained my eyes and need to wear glasses 'all the time' . . . wish I had of known this sooner!  So now I wait . . . . wait . . . . a little more for the text to tell me my eyes are ready.  Meanwhile, I have bags half made and material every where waiting for me to get back into my work.

I would like to share with you all though, one of the bags I made not so long ago.  I love it and there will be many more coming in various styles . . . .

Are you loving it?? . . . . I would love your feedback . .

Ok . . . . moving right along.  Now what I'm super excited about are these little babies:

 

My new bag labels!!! Woohoo . . .have arrived. I ordered them a few weeks ago and have been waiting for them with much anticipation.  300 of them infact!

So . . . Welcome to Clare Marion - unique bag designs!

Where I'm at . . . .

So many things to do and its been busy busy in my sewing corner.  Drawing up designs, drafting out and creating with as much love as possible.  A little while ago I bought myself a sketch book and every time I have an idea out it comes and I sketch it out as best as possible . . . then comes the trying to put it together.  Hence, I still have quite a few sketches in my book! LOL I just haven't got to them yet.

I was lucky enough to be in town the other week (looking for a job I might add) and wandered into one of the fashion boutiques.  We got to chatting and I happened to mention to her that I make bags.  I was pretty excited when she said that she would love to see my work to possibly put in her store and she is interested in getting some 'handmade' bags placed in the store alongside some of the other handmade lines.  Well . . . I came home with a very large smile on my face.  I've since thrown a couple of my own tote designs together and one of my messenger bags along with another new design which needs some tweaking before it moves forward.

Aside all this creating and sewing I have been working on the creation of my new business "Clare Marion".  It is all in the early stages and I am yet to get my website up and running - when I figure out how it is done! (if you have any tips on this I'd love to hear from you)  But what is really exciting is . . . . my new bag labels are on there way.  I went through an etsy shop to have them made up and they should be shipping them out to me this week.  Super exciting and I just can't wait to start sewing them into my bags and getting them out there - I promise when I get them I will upload some piccies of them in all their glory.  My business cards have been designed and they are next on the list.

creating and drafting . . .

My two latest Totes . . . ready for market!

 

 

My messenger bag  - so cute and convenient!

So . . . this is just some of what I have been working on and much much more.  The ideas just keep flowing . . . just need more hours in the day and a bigger bank balance to shop shop shop!!

Till next time . . . take care all :)

Going Janome . . .

Well, today was such an exciting day for me!! . . . it was the first day of sewing with my brand new Janome sewing machine . . . and she purr's like a kitten!!  I love that it's so shiny, smooth and silent . . . oh and did I mention its digital!  Ahhh . . . modern technology LOL

It was so fantastic to thread new bobbins, play, enjoy some stress free sewing and finish off some products that had been waiting patiently for the 'goods' to arrive.

Now that I have this little girl at my finger tips, I can get cracking on some serious sewing!

Ciao for now ...