I need new fabric.

Yep, I need new fabric. I'm nearly done with taking inventory...okay, I shoulda been done by now, but between procrastinating and actual valid interference from life, I got about 2/3 done and stopped. Anyway, I'm going to finish it this week, which is good, because I don't get to order anything new until I do, and some of my prints are completely out. The big question is do I reorder more of the same, or try something new?

The Blue Buttercups fabric, which is my favorite, has been out for awhile. Sadly, it has been discontinued by the manufacturer, and unless I order 500 yards of the stuff, it's gone for good. I can't even STORE 500 yards, never mind wanting to tie up that much money in one single fabric print!

I'm also out of the Pink Dandelions - a bright, fun print, but a bit of a slow mover. I'm surprised, as it's really a sweet print, and the hot pink is, well, HOT! I'd like to find a similar print to replace it, but haven't had much luck so far.

My usual source has disappointed so far this season - their new prints are either boring, ugly, or too juvenile...and considering that I make diaper bags, that's saying something! I've got some swatches on order, but my hopes are not high right now.

Unfortunately, many fabric manufacturers won't deal with small businesses like me - most minimums are prohibitive! I'm limited as well by the size and weight of fabric I need (gotta be 57" wide, and heavy like twill or canvas). Most of the other companies that I could possibly buy from make their stuff too small, or on quilting-weight cotton, which is too light. Dang!

I'm thinking about something like Spoonflower, an excellent little company that allows artists to design and print their own fabrics. But their goods are expensive - about 7 times the price I pay right now! And even with their 20% bulk discount, the cost would be too much - I wouldn't be able to sell my bags for a price that anyone would want to pay! I've found a number of similar companies, but most of them seem to be in the same price range, or even higher - yikes!!

Of course, I'd really like to design my own fabrics, and I could certainly sell them in my Etsy fabric shop (VN Rose Fabrics) in addition to making bags...but would people pay for it?

So, what to do??

Sip and Shop with your Sweetie

Valentine's Day is fast-approaching - have you gotten something special for your special someone? Flying solo but still wanting to treat yourself right? Well, if you're in the Snohomish/Mill Creek/SE Everett area, have I got an event for you! Boodlebags will be co-hosting a "Sip & Shop with Your Sweetie" party at Adore Salon & Spa on Sunday, 2/13 from 6pm - 9pm. Sip wine, nibble on nosh, and shop for the perfect gift in a beautiful setting! Other participating vendors include Fired Glass Jewelry, Esoterica Candles, and Juice Plus.

I've been a client of Adore Salon & Spa for over a year, and I love 'em! Jenifer Groh, the owner of Adore, will be offering free product samples, as well as specials on salon and spa gift certificates.

I'm a huge fan of Fired Glass, and own a few of Terri's gorgeous, hand-crafted pieces. They're colorful, luminous, and fun to wear - I always get lots of compliments!

Sherry of Esoterica makes lovely, fragrant soy candles, as well as lotions and bath salts. Regular paraffin candles are made from petroleum; they're toxic, and can aggravate respiratory conditions. These handcrafted candles are the answer - made with pure soy wax and essential oils, they're non-toxic, burn clean, and smell nicer.

Juice Plus is a daily staple in our household! My kids and I love the delicious fruit and veggie gummy supplements. They offer a variety of whole food supplements that can help you to eat right...even when you don't. Trish will be happy to help you find the right product to improve you and your family's nutrition!

We do hope you'll join us - it'll be a fun party!

The Radster Lives

Finally, my newest design can be revealed! A top-secret project, the prototype was to be a surprise gift for the husband of a very dear friend, and the photos couldn't be released until the package was received. At last, the Radster lives!
(I'm feeling very Dr. Frankenstein here...) Now,
the prototype was actually custom-designed as a laptop bag, but the exterior is identical to the new diaper bag design. I realize that a few of you have already heard about this bag, but for those of you to whom this is new, here's the scoop:

"The Radster joins the Xander bag in my new line of diaper bags designed with dads in mind! Made of durable, waterproof cordura nylon, this bag is one tough customer! Dark gray with black trim, the bag has green (or orange) glitter vinyl eyes, and a toothy grimace - perfect for parents with an edgy, fun fashion sense! The Radster has all the same great features as the Miranda II, including the snap-out washable lining and backpack straps. Also a great laptop bag for computers 15" and smaller." And there you have it.

Special thanks to Mary Platz of Platz Photography for her beautiful work!

The following is a re-posting from my shadow/duplicate blog (see previous "defective brain" post).

Happy New Year! Well, 2011 is starting off with a bang, to be sure! First, I’m back in the saddle again, and sewing up a storm. Good thing, because I opened the year with two new wholesale/ consignment accounts, and they cleaned me out of new inventory. Also, I’ve just re-launched my Etsy store, and it’s going great guns! And finally, Renee is back – yay!

Yes, it’s true – I’m sewing again. My doctor still tells me I shouldn’t, but I just can’t stay away! I’m so glad to be back at it, but I’m trying to be careful and rest my hands often, so hopefully I’ll not overdo it and reinjure myself. Tracy is still doing cutting and tracing for me, and Jennifer and Paula still help with the sewing, as I just can’t sew fast enough to keep up with demand! I’ve also moved my sewing area from the garage studio (so c-c-cold!!) into the office/bonus room upstairs. I must say, it’s way more comfortable, at least in the winter! It’s also not so crowded. I miss working in the same space with my helpers, but it’s worth the trade-off.

On the retail front, you can now find Boodlebags at Me-n-Mom’s (soon to be Hopscotch Kids) in Lynnwood, and Swanky Babies in Kennewick! Both are boutiques featuring gently used consignment as well as new, higher-end products. I’m delighted to see my products in such great stores.

My very first retail outlet was on Etsy, three years ago. I never did much with the store and let it slide. Well, with the encouragement and help from Angela Inman of Sweet Bobbins (an Etsy superstar!) I’ve re-opened the store! In addition to selling my bags, I have also opened another Etsy store for just my fabrics! I’ll do a new post for the grand re-opening, so check back to score your coupon code.

What’s this about Renee being back?! Well, okay – she’s not BACK back, but she’s helping out again with the social networking, research, newsletters, and all that other important stuff she’s so amazingly good at. Much to my relief, as I kinda SUCK at all that! In fact, she’ll probably be blogging a bit, too. So, give it up for Renee, folks!!

Happy Holidays!

Well, my family & I have been in beautiful NC for the last 2 weeks with my husband's parents for a much-needed vacation. The weather (up until yesterday) was glorious, we've enjoyed getting out and about, and the kiddos have had fun with cousins and grandparents. Thanksgiving was fun with the family, we're rested, and ready to go home tomorrow.

And when we get home, I'll be hitting the ground running! Did I say I was done with the show season for the year?? I lied! I'll be doing the Snohomish Holiday Market every Fri-Sun in downtown Snohomish until 12/19. Hope to see y'all there! If I'm not there in person, you'll probably meet my lovely assistant, Tracy.

Also in the news, a BRAND NEW BAG!! Yep, meet the Xander Bag, Miranda's big brother. Available in dark gray ballistic nylon, this is a great looking bag with the same features as the Miranda II, but with masculine appeal. Sleek lines and a single stripe of silver reflective tape add a bold touch, and safety, too! Once again, a lousy photo, but a great-looking bag (and yes, that is my leopard-print ottoman it's sitting on...).

Seasons are a'changin'!

Well, summer is nearly over...and weatherwise, it made a pretty poor showing. Even so, Boodlebags has had a terrific summer show season! But, fall is on the way, and soon comes the holiday show season.

I'm looking forward to the Urban Craft Uprising in early December (which I expect I'll be in, not confirmed yet). It's my favorite show of the year - not just because it's a moneymaker, but because it's so much fun! There are so many amazingly cool artists, and the art is so awesome! I always find way too many things I can't live without, and I can't recommend this show enough to anybody looking for unique, well-made, edgy hand-craft.

I'm also going to be in my first TRADE SHOW in October!! This is hugely exciting, and represents a major turning point for Boodlebags. For those who don't know, trade shows are not open to the public - they are for buyers to go and order merchandise for their stores. I'll be at the NW Baby & Kids Show, which, as the name suggests, is baby and kid-specific. All the area kid stores, from small boutiques to Nordstrom send their buyers there to scout out the newest trends from Northwest designers and manufacturers. This is the big time, kids!!

I'm also looking into doing home parties this holiday season. I'm talking to some home party specialists to see about having them promote Boodlebags. Sounds like fun, right? Moms-to-be will enjoy ordering diaper bags and changing kits; the new purse designs will appeal to the no-babies crowd. A little nosh, perhaps some wine, and stylish, fun Boodlebags - that's a party!

In order to do either of these new ventures, however, I'll have to make a lot more bags! And to that end, I am currently working to expand my production. I'm interviewing new in-studio assistants and contract stitchers tomorrow, as well as a really cool contract sewing shop in PDX. Keep your fingers crossed that I can find qualified helpers who will stay with me for a while!

The other reason that I need to find more helpers or a contract sewing shop is that I just can't make the bags anymore. My hands hurt. All the time. This last bunch of orders has nearly done me in - I'm having to stop and ice frequently, it's really slowing me down, and it's just too much stress on my hands. I still want to be able to design and prototype, but there's no way I can continue to be a primary sewer. And frankly, I never wanted to be! I got into this with the idea that someday the bags would be made by other folks, and I would just get to do the fun part of designing.

While we're on the subject of manufacturing, I'd like to say a few words about one of my pet causes: preserving and creating AMERICAN JOBS. And I'm not talking about anti-immigrant horse hooey. Anybody who comes here to live should be able to work. No, I'm speaking simply of keeping jobs here and creating new jobs instead of sending them overseas!

Boodlebags will always be made in America, and I buy as many American-made components for my bags as I can. Sadly, some items simply are not manufactured in the US anymore, and are only imported. I employ local people to sew my bags, and I plan to keep higher-volume manufacturing as close to home as possible. If not Washington State, then at least someplace I can drive to.

The point of my little rant? To encourage all of you to think about HOW you buy. Consider not only the quality of the goods, but also how and by whom they were made. Are your purchases supporting your local economy? Are they reflecting your principles? This isn't a call to boycott or anything extreme; sometimes convenience and price do trump our ideals, and it is increasingly difficult to find American-made products. I ask only that you be mindful of how your spending choices impact your local economy in the long-run. Every little drop in the bucket makes a difference.

First Show of the Season - Woohoo!!

Spring is here, tra-la, and the craft show season begins. I'm so excited to be joining the EtsyRAIN team for their spring craft show at the Seattle Center's Intiman Theatre! Come on down Saturday, May 8 from 11 am to 5 pm; what better way to spend a spring day? It's the day before Mother's Day, so don't forget a fabulous handmade gift for Mom! There will be booths indoors and out; I'll be outside with a view of the fountain...just hope the weather holds...but rain or shine, I'll be there, and I hope to see lots of you there, too! Check out the link for more details and to see who else will be exhibiting their fine wares:

Mother's Day Sale!

Chances are that if you're reading this blog you are either a new mom or you know someone who is. Well, have we got a deal for you! Announcing our Mother's Day SALE going on right now through May 16. Go to www.boodlebags.com, order one or more of my fun, functional, hand-crafted, machine-washable products; enter coupon code ILOVEMOM15 at checkout and receive 15% off your entire order! Because we love YOU, Mom.