Spring has sprung

Well, after a very long and unexpected hiatus, I am back in the sewing saddle. On my very recent birthday I made a resolution to really commit to my sewing and make my bag business what I want it to be. My wonderful husband has created an incredible sewing room for me and lovingly refers to it as "my studio," so I really have no reason not to get things done at this point.

I'm feeling really inspired these days and have been creating some great new designs. Slowly I'm getting things posted on Etsy, but it's a time management struggle between working full-time, sewing, posting and maintaining Etsy, and being present in my personal life. I feel like I'm starting to strike a balance, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'm getting very excited for two upcoming shows where I'll be peddling my goods.

The first is the 3rd annual Eco-Chic Craftacular hosted by Etsy Team Columbus. If you're not familiar with this incredibly creative group, you should be. Their amazing. The show is going to be great - tons of local food and artists. If you have a chance next weekend please stop by. The details can be found here.

The second is Green on the Green hosted by Big Green Head as part of the Worthington Farmer's market on May 21st. There will be a great collection of eco-friendly local merchants set up from 9-2 with all kinds of goodies. Details can be found here.

In the mean time I'm a sewing fool and need to get back to work! No time for planting and gardening...I'm tied to my sewing machine. At least a little sunshine glimmers through the window!

Snowed In.

Here's the view from my office window - the snow just keeps coming and I'm getting the feeling that I'm not going much of anywhere today. My hubby trenched in to the office - he can walk, so it's not so hardly anything stops him from making it in - so I'm on my own to be have a productive house-bound day! I haven't felt inspired to sew the last few days and I know it's because my sewing room is a complete and total mess. I SHOULD organize, I SHOULD load up all my itty bitty scraps and finally throw them away, I SHOULD sort through the ever-growing pile of leather jackets accumulating on the floor, but I don't want to! I know, I know...who ever really wants to clean? And I know, if I do it and clean up my space I'll be inspired, I'll create things, and it'll feel awesome. But I don't want to! I want to curl up on the couch and drink tea and watch trashy movies that I've seen six thousand times. Or watch my tiny dog play in the snow that's taller than he is.
Alright...I'm heading down to my sewing room now. Maybe I'll come out with beautiful works of art. Or maybe I'll bring out 28 bags of trash. Only time will tell.

Welcome 2009!

Well, it's been a good year so far. I've been spending a TON of time working on bags and trying out some new designs and I'm pleased with what I've come up with so far. I've fallen in love with the stripe bag design...It's hard for me to focus to work on other things because it's ALL I want to work on! I've gotten really good feedback on the design in person, but the traffic on Etsy has been slow for this design. Then again, all traffic on Etsy has been slow because the holidays are over! I like it and I'm going to keep plugging away at it!
In other news, I've been invited to put some pieces on consignment at a super cute store in BOSTON! This is a huge deal for me...I'm so excited and trying to make my very best work to send. The store is called Oak - you can check it out here. I'm just sending a few things to start, but hopefully things will be successful! I also have a meeting at Wholly Craft!, a super cute consignment shop that is local in Columbus. My bags are going to be all over the place! Enough with the chit chat, I should probably get to work! I'm so excited about all these opportunities and can't wait to see where things go. Hopefully ALL of 2009 is as good as the first few days have been!

The Front Page!

I am VERY pleased to announce that one of my bags was featured on the Etsy front page! I'm so excited. I just can't say enough about Etsy - it's simply awesome. I love the exposure. The fact that someone in New York or Washington is carrying my bag is amazing and wonderful. I love it.

Alright, back to the drawing board...or the sewing machine...whatever you prefer.

Rivets Rivets Everywhere!

I feel like every day is a new discovery in the world of design. Today's discovery...RIVETS. To be quite honest, I'm not sure how I existed without them for all this time. I can use rivets for everything...straps, closures, key rings, dinner. Okay, probably not dinner, but I tell you the possibilities are endless. They have already saved me countless hours of headache and frustration.
Also, now that I use the rivets I see them everywhere! They're on my belt in the morning, the pocket of my jeans, an old purse I found in the closet. Apparently I am the last one to jump on the rivet train, but I'm glad I made it! I encourage everyone (well probably only people who craft...it would be a little pointless for others to use rivets) to get into the riveting world of rivets. They rock!

Welcome to the world of blogging

Okay...bear with me please, because this is my very first (but hopefully not last) blog! I'm really excited to enter the world of blogging...I hope I remember to keep up with it!

I'm participating in a craft show today! The Etsy Team Columbus Festive Fling! It's the very first ever Etsy Team Columbus show and I'm hoping that it'll be fantastic! If nothing else I'm looking forward to meeting all the creative minds that I've been talking online to for weeks! The show is at Gresso's restaurant in German Village - wish me luck! There will be about 12 other crafters there - from 1 to 5. If you're interested in more details, please check out my website! www.curlgirldesigns.com

I have to scoot and get everything together for the show, so I guess that's all for now. If you're reading this, thanks for checking out my blog! I promise to be more chatty in the future!