Crystalyn Kae Blog

When I lived in the East Village, one of my favorite routines would be to wander over to the Lower East side to drop off packages, grab a snack at Baby Cakes, pet the rescue cats at Moo Shoes.  But hands-down the hilight of my day was to peruse the many upholstery shops that littered Ludlow and Orchard street. 

Purse Display Ideas for Boutiques, Craft Shows & Pop-Up Shops

Discover creative, high-impact ways to display handbags in boutiques, craft shows, and pop-up shops—plus our favorite tools and real examples from Crystalyn Kae stockists.

Listed below are ways to practice some self-care and take some steps to improve your mental health and your overall well-being! Each idea suggested explains also how does self-care benefit you. We hope you enjoy our list and take some time to...

With 2021 coming to a close, and 2022 finally here, it is so important to take time to reflect on what success and highs got me to this point and the new year. So let’s get into it!   Expanded my...

Vintage fabrics give every Crystalyn Kae bag its own personality. Here are seven of the places those materials are discovered—from estate sales and textile recycling programs to flea markets abroad.

At a Seattle estate sale, I discovered the home and materials of mid-century designer Howard Blair—known for dressing Seafair princesses and creating bridal gowns for Frederick & Nelson. Among the treasures were remarkable upholstery fabrics and sketches that offer a glimpse into a forgotten chapter of Seattle fashion history.

  Why do we need to invent new fabrics, if we have so much waste? Having more than 20 years of experience in the bag-making industry, I've found myself thinking the following: Why do we need to invent new fabrics,...

*Cue the drumroll...* WEDDINGS ARE BACK! With the world opening back up again, weddings are finally making a COMEBACK! Chances are you or someone you know had to reschedule, rebook, and then reschedule two more times to finally have their...

In the heat of the summer, some festivals are starting to pop up as some are continuing to carry on the show! And you know what that meass: a go-to festival bag is a necessity, especially a chic and stylish...

Crystalyn Kae meets Dave Clark, CEO Worldwide Consumer. It was a normal, average day in the office… (or should I say workshop) until I get an email regarding a visit with Dave Clark of amazon to MY workshop. Mind blown....

From grandma’s couch to a timeless handbag — see how we transformed stacks of midcentury vintage upholstery swatches into one-of-a-kind floral bags. A behind-the-scenes look at our process, from washing the fabrics to cutting them into new life

Memorial Day is around the corner and did you know, that one of the symbols for it is a red poppy flower? Why is poppy a symbol of Memorial day? Red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for...

"Avoid these 10 common mistakes and turn your next craft show into a success! Learn how to prepare, set up your booth, and interact with customers to boost sales. Craft shows are a fantastic way for handmade businesses to connect with customers and make sales. However, navigating the world of craft shows can be tricky, especially for newcomers. This guide explores 10 common mistakes crafters make at shows and offers practical tips to transform your booth into a customer magnet.

Most likely if you've made the transition from commuting to the office, to working at your kitchen table. . .your favorite everyday work bag has been a little neglected.  But take it easy on yourself: we have gathered a few ideas of how to take your bag out for a spin, or at least make strategic use of it to still be the envy of your colleagues. And maybe it will inspire them to treat themselves to a sustainable and ethically-made handbag from us as well!

Up-cycle a Coat into a Purse: FRIDAY, 2:00 - 4:30 PM (PST) SUNDAY, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM (PST) Have a favorite coat or jacket that no longer fits? Let Crystalyn show you how you can deconstruct any jacket into a useful purse! You...

Interact with us on on social media: Write a comment on my Facebook posts, and share my Instagram stories.  Not only is it fun to engage with you there, but your comments and views help my business get seen by a larger audience. (Here's how to make sure you'll...

Living in New York, I learned to create new holiday traditions since I couldn't always celebrate with my family back home on the West Coast. So this year, even though we have left NYC and are much nearer to our families,...

Here's a roundup of our favorite handmade gifts under $50 and supporting small business. Bonus? All of these gifts are handmade in the USA.

Whether you're moving for a new job across the country, or escaping the city during a global pandemic, or clearing the estate of a loved one, it's easy to go into panic mode and spend WAY too much, because of time-constraints. So here is how we moved cross country on a budget (under $10k), using a pod system and independent movers. 

Once relegated as an upholstery fabric until made fashionable by Coco Chanel in the 1950's this textural fabric called Boucle has become a classic staple of French style. Popularized further in the 1960's by Jackie Kennedy, boucle has become a mainstay of today's fashion.

 

While thrift shopping in Seattle, Crystalyn discovered an entire roll of unused boucle fabric that just begged to be made into bags.

 

 

The decision that changed my business, my creativity, and my life. For 8 years, New York was the city that shaped me. I scaled up my handmade bag business there, made lifelong friends, and fell in love with the hustle...