Helloooo! I'm Crystalyn. My blog is a peek behind the scenes of how I make my handbags, as well as the people and natural elements that influence my design process. I don't own a car, and live by the zoo with a big oaf and two savage kittens.
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!
This fall, I am doing things a little differently. . and I am so excited to tell you about it! Starting in September, I will introduce a small collection of new bags each month. Here’s a sneak preview of a collection of tweed bags I created for Presents of Mind in Portland, OR.
So start making your wish list for an array of new bags coming VERY soon to my website or a store near you!
This weekend, I attended Seattle’s Folk Life Festival with my husband, who was busking to raise funds for Hugo House. It was fun to be on the other side of the scene: I got to relax and wander the crowd while he shared his poetry with the masses. I love that Folk Life is still free, and attracts folks from all over the US (even in the pouring rain.) Plus it always promises some of the best people-watching anywhere!
We are so fortunate to have a thriving music scene in Seattle, with several venues within walking distance of our house. We recently checked out Sneaky Thieves at the Tractor – debuting their newest CD “Brotherly”. I have grown to love their moody tunes infused with 60′s era ‘rock out’. You can give Sneaky Thieves a listen or check out their video medley below:
On our way to the Sneaky Thieves show, we stopped by the BalMar to grab a bite. And lucky us, it was happy hour! I got the Mac ‘n Cheese, and Aaron got the sliders. Delicious!
We just returned home from trip #2 of 3 a few days ago and I have a few posts to add – but I couldn’t resist sharing this April Fool’s day event first. This afternoon we did our post office run early to catch the 11th annual April Fool’s Day Pie Jousting at Sully’s Snowgoose – a saloon a few blocks from our house. We arrived in time to grab a beer and watch the costume-clad contestants sign up for their bracket. There were 30 jousters and nearly 100 revelers – causing a rowdy spectacle at the corner of 62nd and ‘Pie-Eyed Lane‘ (Phinney Ave.). Only in Seattle! (Check out the rest of my pie-jousting pictures here.)
Moxie is a Seattle-based self-taught fiber artist who creates clever sculptures with wool: in her own words, she “likes to make wool do impossible things.” I recently took a private class at her studio to learn needle-felting.
Her organized and quirky workspace was accessorized with metal lunch boxes, doll heads and numerous felting tools that looked a bit dangerous. Moxie enthusiastically demonstrated how repeatedly punching through a bundle of wool roving with a barbed needle, will cause the fiber attach to itself. After a few minutes of ‘stabbing’ it turns from a fluffy blob to a very firm-to-the touch 3D object. It was like magic. No water, no heat, just lots of patience.
Most excitingly, Moxie has an instructional needle-felting book coming out soon! In the meantime you can find her marvelous sculptures in gallery exhibitions, local workshops, and of course Etsy.
Update: 12/2010: The wait is over: Moxie’s book “I Felt Awesome:Tips and Tricks for 35+ Needle-Poked Projects” You can purchase your very own copy on Amazon or in Moxie’s etsy shop.
The weather in Seattle this weekend was a stark contrast to last weekend‘s rainy blusteriness. It has been sunny, mild and glorious for a few days now. My husband was taking a poetry class on Capitol Hill, and I agreed to take the trek with him. You see, Capitol Hill is my absolute favorite place to shop for vintage clothing in Seattle. But it takes patience and dedication to find just the right vintage clothes to add to your wardrobe – and it’s a rare occasion that I have a few free hours to shop for ME! So I took full advantage, stopping first at the always fantastic and helpful Pretty Parlor and continued walking up the hill. By the end of the afternoon, my diligence paid off. I purchased three vintage dresses, a pair of black wedge boots, and a fun pair of rather lady-like navy blue gloves for under $100. Added bonus – I gained bit of a pink glow to my sun-starved Seattle skin.
This weekend, my parents came to town to check out our new digs, and hang out in the ‘big city’. It was a drizzly Saturday in Seattle, but they willingly braved the elements to visit a few of our favorite Seattle attractions. Our first stop was Pike Place Market, where Mom pounced on a fantastic cloche hat, while I found myself unable to resist a bouquet of dried flowers and a vintage silk scarf. After snacking on a couple Monster cookies, we spent over 2 hours shopping the amazing treasures at Pike Place Antiques. Our final stop was a sunset walk thru the Olympic Sculpture Park, which boasts one of the best views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.
I just finished sewing a collection of clutches for Valentine’s Day and Molly and I ventured out around Phinney to take a few photos. This is one of my favs – we had to duck into a neighbor’s driveway to snag this shot – but using this old Volvo as a backdrop was hard to resist! I hope to have all of the photos loaded and clutches available for sale on my site tomorrow! Stay tuned.
Helloooo! I'm Crystalyn. My blog is a peek behind the scenes of how I make my
