find Crystalyn Kae bags at a Seattle boutique near you!

April 2nd, 2011

This week I made the rounds, delivering new spring bags to some of the best stores in Seattle. But of course, I’m a bit biased.  :)  I capped the whirlwind off with a trunk show at Edie’s Shoes in West Seattle.  You may have noticed that I have added quite a few limited-edition bags to my collection this spring, and these Seattle boutiques were smart enough to pick out a few OOAK bags for your shopping pleasure. . . . Yet another great reason to shop local!

 

p.s. Check out our list of stores that carry Crystalyn Kae bags: if your city isn’t listed – drop your local indie boutique a hint and tell them about us!

Andaluz in Columbia City - OOAK Metier

Retail Therapy on Capitol Hill - Recycled leather clutches and Troubadour totes

Sidecar for Pig's Peace - Colorful Medium hobos galore!

Edie's Shoes - Metier Totes for Summer

 

 

five fashion rules worth breaking

April 1st, 2011

We’ve all heard, “Don’t wear white after labor day.” But here are a few other other fashion myths that deserve to be broken:

  1. Never mix prints.
  2. Take one accessory off before leaving the house.
  3. Don’t wear horizontal stripes.
  4. Your bag and shoes should match.
  5. Tweed should only be worn in winter.

I’ve assembled a collection of some of my favorite ways to break the rules:

 

Lightweight and breathable, tweed is the perfect fabric for spring.  And to entice you to try out this classic material that you can dress up or down, I’m offering 20% off all Tweed Bags on my website thru April 30.

 

What are your favorite fashion ‘rules’ to break?  I’d love to hear them in your comments below.

spring fling shopping in West Seattle

March 28th, 2011

 

 

 

This Thursday, March 31st – come check out West Seattle Junction’s Spring Fashion Fling. It’s a full night of shopping and champagne at several junction boutiques including Edie’s Shoes,  where I will be showing off my new spring bags from 7pm – 10 pm. There will be door prizes and great spring fashions – so come support local fashion, and bring a friend!

 

drawing to see more clearly

March 18th, 2011

drawing haystack rock at Cannon Beach, OR

I haven’t been drawing for long. With exception of occasional doodles and simple sketches, I would have emphatically declared, “Hell no, I can’t draw!”  The truth is, I never really tried.  But a strange thing happened. During a bout of serious creative block I stumbled upon the book “Creative License” by Danny Gregory  It was filled with colorful illustrations and oodles of pep talks, and starter ideas to help you get into the habit. As I tried out the exercises, the ‘critic’ part of my brain quieted into a nearly meditative state. I let go of my worries and began to draw.  Sometimes it happens in crummy awkward spurts but every time I dedicate myself to a blank piece of paper, it feels so immensely therapeutic.

Drawing helps me see more clearly.  Now, I take note of little details, patterns and textures like never before. It somehow relaxes the mental road blocks when I’m drafting patterns for  new bags.  I am a happier and more creatively satisfied person when I take the time to draw.

So tell me, what are your favorite ways to calm down, unwind or open yourself to inspiration?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

new colors to accessorize your spring

March 12th, 2011

It has been a busy week in my studio – I’ve begun sewing a batch of brightly colored bags for spring!  I strive to incorporate reclaimed  or recycled materials into my designs, and these clutches are no exception.  In this new collection, you’ll find recycled leather clutches in yellow, orange and red, with more colors like pewter, pearl and bronze to come!  These new clutches also feature some of my favorite vintage fabrics peeking from the pleats: like Maude Marigold, and Seuss in Wonderland.  (Thanks to my facebook fans for helping me come up with the fabric names!)

clutches being sewn in Crystalyn's workshop

california dreaming: coping methods for winter weather

February 24th, 2011

As much as I love living in Seattle, our winters tend to be gloomy, soggy, and drag on for-ev-er.   Today?  It hailed AND snowed. My preferred remedy during the slow season is to escape to a sunny locale. Unfortunately, this year I’ve got so many bags in the works, I can’t pry myself away from my sewing machine anytime soon.

So, I thought I’d share two favorite new methods to cope:

  1. Rock this NPR playlist “ Beyond California Dreaming”
  2. Design a virtual sunny-weather outfit on Polyvore, using their huge library of all sorts of fashionable awesomeness.
  3. However, if you’re one of the lucky bastards people to be in southern California right now – go check out Mixture in North Little Italy in San Diego.  You’ll be immediately smitten by open loft-like space, adorned with modern furniture and accessories.. .and some great handbags.

p.s. What are your winter-weather coping methods? Please share them in the comments section below. (And if you’ve created some outfits with a Crystalyn Kae bag on Polyvore, please post a link!)

why mess with a good thing?

January 26th, 2011

I’ve been making the Metier tote since 2005 – and it has become one of my absolute best-sellers.  It has recieved tons of press, including InStyle Magazine and even featured in a movie. But after 6 years making the same bag, I felt it was time to mix things up a little.  As you may have noticed, I have a big love of  florals and prints – and along the way I’ve collected fabrics with large motifs that would lend themselves to a large expanse of space, instead of being tucked inside a pleat.

So, today I’m introducing my newest collection of Metier totes – with all the amazing functionality of the original, plus more!  Featuring longer straps and additional inner pockets – these little beauties (if i do say so myself) are extremely limited-edition. . .many are only two or three of a kind.  So snag your favorite today. . .and if you’re still smitten by the original tote – don’t worry, they aren’t going anywhere!

I thought you might enjoy some photos Metier totes in progress. . . .and a sneak peek at one of my newest 'helpers'.

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

2010 a recap in words and pictures

January 7th, 2011


Before I plunge in headfirst to this new year, I thought I would share my highs and lows of 2010 – it’s been a doozy!

On the bright side:

  1. I introduced the much-anticipated Mini-Soiree bag in a rainbow of colors.
  2. Traveled to New York City, Maui, and Vegas within a 2 month window. But none of those adventures could top our week-long ‘stay-cation’ here in the Pacific Northwest Coast. It proved to be the most relaxing and inspiring trip in recent memory.
  3. My parents helped us with some serious upgrades to my garage-turned-workshop
  4. We turned a truck-full of rocks into a english cobblestone yard, and got plants into the ground just before the fall rains came.

But not all was daisies and roses. . .I also had 3 significant setbacks that have proven to be learning experiences of sorts:

  1. I slipped off a rock at a difficult snorkeling entry in Maui, seriously dislocating my finger. Not having health insurance, it has been an expensive and slow healing process. I am grateful that I could have been worse.  As for sewing, I’m learning to work around it.
  2. I had to say goodbye to my furry friend Corgan, who passed away after 13 years together. I had no idea that losing a pet would be so hard.
  3. I over-ambitiously took on too many custom projects, and ran out of some of my best-sellers during the holiday season.  I’m going to be playing catch-up for a while, but I will not make this mistake again.

I certainly consider 2010 to be a success.  Perhaps I didn’t accomplish everything that I set out to do: I’ve always been guilty of having great expectations. But nevertheless, these lofty goals are the fuel that keeps me motivated,  looking ahead to 2011.

recession, reschmession: a near mob-scene at Urban Craft Uprising

December 8th, 2010

Wow.  Was this winter’s UCU show nuts!  From the moment the doors opened each morning, my fellow vendors and I were mobbed with record-breaking numbers of shoppers.  It was exhilarating to feel the support and enthusiasm of the Seattle community.

Not only did I sell out of nearly every one of a kind bag I brought, I also met so many fantastic people, including Callista, winner of my UCU interview giveaway and Anna with her original custom gray troubadour.  You have her to thank that I offer it as a core part of my collection today. I also somehow managed to sneak away from my booth to purchase presents for all of my nieces and nephews.  . .and picked up some perfumejewelry and journals just for me!

A big thank you to organizers of UCU and to the fantastic shoppers & customers who attended the show and spread the word!  We love you!!

Winter 2010 Urban Craft Uprising highlights

1. rebecca’s custom soiree, 2. crystalyn kae booth, 3. tako fibers, 4. Coco of Softlife, 5. Anna with her original gray troubadour, 6. crystalyn kae booth, 7. hassenpeffer , 8. beautiful crochet, 9. Crystalyn and Callista, 10. burgundy monarch, 11. hassenpeffer , 12. sweet anthem perfumes, 13. moxie on her scooter, 14. bella sisters jackets, 15. crystalyn kae booth

p.s.For those of you that missed out, if you’re going to be in the Portland area this coming weekend – you could check out Crafty Wonderland at the Oregon Convention Center.  Many of the same vendors will be there too!

two ways to buy affordable local art this weekend

December 2nd, 2010
Forgotten Works Challenge by +Russ, via Flickr

My husband (along with fifty other local artists) recently created 30 paintings in 30 days, as part of the Forgotten Works Challenge.  Tomorrow, Thursday Dec. 2 each of the 1500 paintings will be on sale at the Tashiro-Kaplan gallery for $40 each.  Though the show is mostly marketed by word-of-mouth, it is a much-anticipated show which is celebrating it’s 10th year.  Part of Pioneer Square’s “First Thursday Artwalk”, I plan to be there early to score my favorites.

Tashiro-Kaplan Artist Lofts

115 Prefontaine Place South (Pioneer Square)

Thursday December 2,   5 pm – 9pm

view the event on facebook

Urban Craft Uprising at Seattle Exhibition Hall

And then Saturday and Sunday is Urban Craft Uprising, Seattle’s largest indie craft show – which will be at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.  I will be there with a selection of never-before-seen bags, perfect for holiday giving or receiving. The first 100 customers each morning, will get a swag bag filled with crafty goodness from UCU vendors – some will include a keychain made by yours truly.  :)

Urban Craft Uprising

Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

December 4 & 5  11am – 5 pm

See you there?

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