Bon Voyage

to my first trade order which is making its merry way to a gallery in Margate :) I'm sad to see them go but so excited that they will be making their debut in sunny Margate.

I'm having so much fun at the moment, I feel like I need to pinch myself. Shop orders, new bags to make, website and blog to revamp, lots of photos taken of my new collection, the prospect of going part time at the day job :D and spending lots of time with my other half (now he's not working). Life is wonderful.......xx

Almost there

I'm not very good at deciding what a post title should be.....and today is the usual. Its almost the weekend, well I know we're only half way through the week but since I have so much to get done this weekend I cant wait for Friday to be here.

I'm almost done with the website makeover, I cant wait to reveal the 'new' look site. I cant say that my favourite part of it is the actual uploading, but its slowly getting there. A few new pages, lots of new bags and accessories and some photos of me, my studio and me working in my studio. This will also mean that my blog will be getting an overhaul too to match.

Today is my 2nd Etsy anniversary, so I'm offering free delivery on any item until Sunday (delivery will be refunded after purchase). I also thought it would be nice if I did a giveaway which celebrates, my blog anniversary, my Etsy anniversary and the re-launch of the website...so keep your eyes peeled for that as I'm feeling pretty generous on this one!! ;)

(still loving the antlers, something exciting happening for the next trade fair which includes them and more!!)

Come along and join in the green swap!!

Pop over to thatlittlebitgreener to join Rachel and Emma's (me) 1st green themed swap :D

MOO CARDS - TRADE

This was my biggest Moo card order to date! I had ordered two sets for the BCTF and I think they came out rather well, don't you think? And big thanks to Chris who again did all the photoshop'ing, tweaking and making them look fabulous.

4 of the new bags and a card with details on ....on the reverse of the bag cards there was a little bit of blurb about bagladee.


I then paired the cards up, image and a details card, hole punched them in the top left hand corner and threaded some pretty ribbon through them.

Lovely :D

Whats this then?

There is something very strange going on over here!! I wonder whats happening?

Mondays.....yuk!! At least its over and done with. Only 4 more yucky days until the glorious weekend. :D Hmmm I'm in the "right lets get this started" mood tonight, who knows what will happen.

P.S. Went looking for an image and found this adorable video!!

Blog Anniversary No.2

Yesterday was my 2nd blog birthday. I had totally forgotten until I looked in my diary this morning. How on earth did I miss that one? Well it has been a little hectic round here lately :D

I was planning on having a giveaway to celebrate but since I forgot all about it I've decided to have one towards the end of the month so that I can make some goodies for it. Before I went off to the BCTF I did promise photo's of the little bit of bling that I was adding to the bags......so here they are.

They are flower corsages to go on all the new bags. They are attached with a brooch pin on the back and in the centre there is a rhinestone button with some chain and teardrop crystals.

I think they just add a glam touch to the bags......and if you like you can wear the corsage on your jacket to match your bag.

BCTF 2010

Hello,I have returned from sunny Harrogate.

A lot of prep was involved for the BCTF (British Craft Trade Fair) and it started just before Christmas. There were endless lists of things to buy, things to make, things to do and think about. And as the weeks crept closer the more and more nervous I was getting......

Well there was no need to be!! I've had a ball these last 4 days, there were a few people exhibiting that I already knew, some of them I knew were going to be there, others were just a lovely surprise to see when I arrived.

I was really lucky as I had one of the end stands which had an open end. Perfect!! This is a photo of the stand before I dressed it with my samples. At long last I can show you the ANTLERS!!! Don't they look fab (don't worry there were NO Deers hurt in the process of me acquiring them, Deers shed their antlers every year). A lovely plain white unit and some vinyl stickers for the wall and top of the unit. I am so so grateful for Chris's help with my stand, he did an amazing job on it. (Big love's to you C)

It didn't take me long to dress it.....I already knew in my head where it was all going. These are my new design bags that are not even on the website yet. Will be getting round to that this weekend.

I was so pleased with the way the stand turned out and I received lots of lovely comments, not only on the exhibition space but on my standard of sewing skills. Which really was a huge boost for me. If anything the show has reassured me that I actually can make quality items that could potentially make me a living :D very happy girl indeed.

OK down to the nitty gritty and exciting part!!! I am now officially stocking 3 shops!!!!! I know exciting. Cant reveal just where yet but in due course I will let you know.

While I was there I popped over to one of the stands that I knew a fellow blogger was exhibiting at Area thrifty one, hello Net **wave**. It was lovely to put a face to the name, your stand looked fab...I am now a big fan of the kitten (as well as the dino) :D hope you had a great time.

I also made so many new contacts, fellow crafters and buyers. And hope that 2010 has lots to offer bagladee, we are most definitely looking forward to the next chapter. Speaking of chapters I took the first editions of my book along to the show, it was fantastic to talk about it and some buyers even took the details to order some. So a fab show all round. I will take some photos of the book this weekend and give you a sneak peek.

And just in case you were interested this was the scaled model that Chris made whilst designing my exhibition stand....isn't he soooooo clever?! I'm keeping it in my studio as a reminder. He's already working on the design for next year, yes I loved it that much that I signed up for next year on the last day. And if there are any crafters out there that are thinking I'd love to do it but dare not, go on give it a go, I did and it was great fun. I was so nervous the first day but as soon as I'd spoken to the first buyer I just relaxed and enjoyed it.

Another day, another order...

....and this time a big one :D there was a different atmosphere today. Slightly more business'y but all the same I enjoyed it. Again met lots of lovely people who were really interested in my bags as a product and how I promote myself. And I received a very flattering comment on the quality of my sewing which was ever so lovely (and relieving) to hear. It was the awards ceremony after the show today, no awards unfortunately but there was a free glass of wine (bonus!). So after grabbing a salad from Sainsbury's it was back to the hotel. Check out in the morning and last day of the show.

Just stopping by....

....for a quick post. Today was fantastic but boy am I tired. I've met A LOT of lovely people, crafters and buyers and even took my first trade order!! :D

Today's there were mostly independent buyers and regular visitors, students etc but apparently tomorrow is when the bigger stores and boutiques arrive. So even though I got over 1st day nerves quite quickly....I am still a bit jittery about tomorrow. I have taken some photos of my stand and will tweak and post them when I get back.

Ooooh and just wanted to say 'thanks' for all the well wishing for the trade fair, I really appreciate the support. I've just had a lovely hour reading all your recent blog posts. I'll get back to proper commenting on my return.

xx

Sorry :o/

Time has ran away with me today trying to get everything sorted for the big off tomorrow. So I guess my post about Press Releases will have to wait until I get to Harrogate. The bags are all stuffed and packed, the antlers (yes I did say ANTLERS) and the brackets and the unit are dismantled and good to go......looks like I'm all ready BCTF here I come :D

I DID IT!!!!! :D

I've eventually managed to write my press release!!! Woooooo Hoooooo!! Thanks to some inspiring input from both my Mama and Chris (and some helpful links from fellow bloggers, thank you ladies) its being proof read now. Back tomorrow for some photos and more news.

On the last stretch...

....I have 3 more days left to tie up all the loose ends for the BTCF. Saturday is set up day so its gotta be all packed up and ready to go Friday.

Not much more to do....a few niggly bits that I plan on getting 'out of the way' today. If I have time I will be back to show you a few of the things I've been up to this Easter weekend. And I will be taking my camera and lap top with me while I'm there so I can do a daily blog.

The nerves have passed and I'm now into the panic stage (this is normal for me). Today is the last full day I have to get anything really done.....so with that in mind I'm off to get cracking.

xx

Had you forgotten?

Happy Easter everyone!!!

I know its been a VERY long time since I mentioned anything about the book I had written.....some of you may have forgotten and for me, well I was getting pretty impatient (I'm that kinda girl, want it all yesterday). Well after a little nagging and persuasion it looks like I will get to see a copy very soon.

It was completed quite sometime ago, but we were waiting for the publishing company etc etc....blah blah, you know the usual stuff. I still have no idea when it will go on general sale but hopefully I will have a copy to take to the trade show as a bit of a advertising tool (so to speak), its always a good conversational topic.

Here are the mini moo cards that were made for me to promote the book, it has a lovely close up shot of the main bag in the book.....still cant believe that I am an author!!! :D

Hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend, I'm off to do LOTS of hand sewing. Pics to follow.

Because this happens...

following on from my post yesterday (see below) this is what I get "up to" in there. Chris is always calling up "what are you doing" and this week its been cutting felt and fabric flowers ready for something sparkly :D I just cant hide the fact that I LOVE bright, bold fabrics....I know they're not everyones cup of tea (and for that I do apologise) but if its not bright and bold its not me!!

Simples!