Posts Tagged ‘studio’
Wednesday, 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!
Tags: bag, design, one of a kind, purse, seattle, studio, tote, workshop
Posted in design studio, Metier tote |
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
Just thought I’d tease you with a peek at what I’ve been up to in my studio. I am *this close* to completing a new collection of bags with lots of new materials. Early next week I’ll post photos on my facebook page, so you can post suggestions to name the new designs AND enter to win a free bag! Be the first to be in the know – Are you a fan yet?
Tags: bag, design, new, sewing, sneak preview, studio, thread, workshop
Posted in design studio, handbags, Mini-Soiree |
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Just a teaser photo of some new thread colors that I’m using to sew my new Spring bags coming soon! Any guesses?? What would YOU like to see me create?
I’d love to hear. Please post your comments in my blog below or send me an email.
Tags: bag, color, design, handbags, inspiration, rainbow, sewing, spools, studio, thread
Posted in design studio, handbags |
Saturday, January 16th, 2010
I have just added a few new bags in a vintage fabric that I like to call “Tiger Lily“. Featuring turquoise hibiscus, and tiger lilies on a butter yellow background. I discovered this fabric while on a road trip to San Francisco and bought all of it! It is the perfect kick-off to my Spring 2010 palette. Available now on my website!
Tags: design, fabric, flower, handbags, purse, studio, tiger lily
Posted in clutch wristlet, fabrics, Soiree Messenger |
Friday, January 8th, 2010
whoa. 2009 has flown by! I am relieved to start a new year with a fresh start. Once we got my studio set up, I don’t think I’ve come up for air since. This holiday season I felt like I was on a hamster wheel: processing orders, sewing bags, shipping them. Lather, rinse repeat. And now it’s the New Year, and I still haven’t finished my Christmas shopping. (i know, am a bad person.)
But the worst part is, I am so focused on my never-ending ‘to-do’ list, that I rarely slow down enough to appreciate the amazing little things that happen every day. Over the Christmas break I became inspired by Blogging your Passion, which encouraged us to state our ‘mission’ for our blogs. It was intimidating at first, but I kept coming back to my desire to value my everyday experiences – and be able to share them with my customers and friends.
So here are my 2 goals for 2010 to help me appreciate the beauty of everyday:
Photo a Day – every day I will take a photo of a moments that I find special
Creative Friday – this actually a resolution started ages ago, but had fallen to the wayside with house hunting and moving. Creative Friday is the day that I allow myself total creative freedom – usually it is a chance to try out new ideas and experiment with new materials for bags. I really miss making one of a kind handbag designs and Fridays will be dedicated to doing only that!
By doing each of these things, I will hopefully become a better blogger. I would really like my blog to become a ‘community’. . .and I would love to hear from you!
What are ways that YOU appreciate the everyday?
Tags: art, cutting leather handbag, design, lifestyle, new years resolution, photo, purse, studio, workshop
Posted in design studio, fabrics, one of a kind |
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Wow, I have been not so patiently awaiting the completion of my studio. We have been priming and painting for what seems like weeks and last night we finally laid the carpet tiles! It was VERY late when we finished, but I couldn’t resist unwrapping my sewing machine – just to make it official! Although I would love to start decorating and personalizing my space – it will have to wait until the New Year: I am so behind on sewing bags that I am just giddy to hear the hum of my machine again!
Tags: crafts, decor, design, home, moving, remodeling, sewing, studio, workshop
Posted in design studio |
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
Oh man, I will be up for a while! I am working on the most epic batch of flower pins, ever! I have made a goal of making 100 flower pins to add to the goodie bags at Urban Craft Uprising and they’re *almost* done. .I just need to affix the pins and a name label. I’m at 88 and counting, and the pins have taken over every flat surface in my studio. If you’d like to get one of these cuties for free, (and you’ll be in Seattle August 1 & 2) be one of the first 100 attendees to UCU each day, and you’ll get an entire goodie bag filled with treasures from some of these lovely artists.
Tags: design, event, fabric, flower, giveaway, scissors, studio, workshop
Posted in design studio, seattle |
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
This weekend, we took the train south to the tiny town of Crabtree, Oregon (near Salem) to visit my parents. They have recently moved into a lovely old 1910 ‘mansion’ and they were eager to show it off, and to give us a tour of the many historical features the Wilamette Valley has to offer. The highlight of our first day was taking a tour of the
Dentzel American Carousel Musem in Albany, OR – and see the workshop, where they are building, carving and painting Victorian horses and animals, to create their own authentic carousel.
It was fascinating to see the life-size sketches of the animal, and observe how the chunks of wood were laid out and bolted together, before it is carved out. Then they are covered with 3 coats of primer (sanded between each coat) and then 6 coats of paint that is stippled on with coarse brushes, and sealed with a clear coat. Most of the craftspersons were delighted to answer my questions, and weren’t too distracted by my constant photo-taking. If I ever get tired of making purses. . . .maybe I’ll sign up.
(You can see more photos on my flickr page.)
Tags: Albany carousel, artisan, create, historic, studio, travel, vacation, victorian carousel workshop, wood carving horses, woodworking, workshop
Posted in travel |
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
So far, the Seattle autumn has been quite lovely. Whether we are hiking in the mountains, or simply crunching through the leaves on our daily post office run – it has been a blissful season.
These past few weeks have been a bit quieter than usual, but it’s actually been a blessing. It has given me a chance to work on new designs and even take on custom bags that I typically wouldn’t have time for. In fact, I have 3 this week that I’m working on. . .including my very first ‘man bag’! It is truly nice to not be stressed out this time of year. In fact, I am enjoying myself immensely. . .and the view isn’t half-bad either.
Tags: create, design, handbag, purse, studio, workshop
Posted in design studio, seattle |
Friday, October 3rd, 2008
1. brown_orange_flower_field, 2. amethyst_tweed, 3. strawberry_watermelon_dots, 4. Vintage and Rare Fabrics, 5. Vintage and Rare Fabrics, 6. hibiscus_barkcloth, 7. blue_green_yellow_cosmos, 8. gray_tweed, 9. orange_navy_pink_dahlia_sm, 10. yellow_palm_white, 11. pink_orange_fruit_barkcloth, 12. Vintage and Rare Fabrics
I wish I had room to invite you all over to my studio to look at my fabrics, but alas, it’s very very tiny. So I did the next best thing: I scanned all of my lovely fabrics available for custom work and posted them on Flickr. These fabrics are intended to be tucked into pleats of the clutch, and Soiree Plus, any of the plaids are sturdy and waterproof enough to be the outside of any bag too! I’ll do my best to keep these updated, but don’t be afraid to ask me about one, if it tickles your fancy. Also keep in mind that this time of year (Fall & Holiday season) it can take up to 4 weeks for me to make your custom order.
So if you need some instant gratification – Shop by fabric on my website. Your bag will ship the next business day with FREE Priority Shipping to anywhere in the U.S.
Tags: custom bag, design, fabrics, one of a kind, studio, vintage, workshop
Posted in custom handbags, design studio, fabrics |
Helloooo! I'm Crystalyn. My blog is a peek behind the scenes of how I make my
