Sunday, 14 October 2012

Custom orders for handmade purses and bags.....busy, busy....

It's been a busy couple of weeks at HbyH HQ and I missed last weeks Handmade Monday.

As if the day job isn't keeping me busy enough, I now have a Saturday job....working for Mr HbyH. My other half sells woodburning stoves for a living so, as you can imagine, now that Autumn is well and truly here things are a bit manic until Christmas. I'm still learning the ropes, but I quite enjoy my role as the Saturday girl!

The upside - we have a lovely, lovely wood burning stove and lots of wood easily available!

 The downside - It just leaves so little time for other stuff, especially sewing.

But, I have managed to finish a few things and have 4 custom orders waiting.

First I was asked to make a black velvet purse with a satin lining. Grrrrrr,  I have discovered i hate working with velvet AND satin! But hopefully she'll be pleased with the result.




The same customer wanted a make-up bag which was slightly smaller than my usual ones. The thing I like about custom orders is that they encourage you to tweak your designs and inspire you with new ideas. So, rather than just making a slightly smaller one I also added a peekaboo pleat and a trigger snap strap so you can clip it to the inside of your handbag and always find it easily.

The third and final part of her order is a matching phone case. I figured, since you need quick access to a phone that a zipper closure just wasn't going to work. So I've ordered some wide flexi frames (like the ones you get on glasses cases). Fortunately my customer is very accommodating, and happy to wait for the frames to arrive.

S'pose I'd better get on with the next order then......

Have a good week and please support other HM folk by dropping by their pages.





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17 comments:

  1. Carolee Crafts14 October 2012 at 18:11

    That fire does look good, something about flames this time of year. Love the bags and congratulations on your orders

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  2. Christmas Pie Crafts14 October 2012 at 18:21

    What a lovely order to receive Helen. Your bags are lovely, and I really do like your choice of lining materials - gorgeous. Hope you have a good week.

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  3. Free Spirit Designs14 October 2012 at 18:22

    that wood burner does look amazing! such a bonus now the days are getting colder...

    both your makes are fabulous - i love your attention to detail, the peekaboo pleat on the make-up bag really turns it from something nice to something very special - i'm sure your customer will be thrilled! x

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  4. CatkinJane14 October 2012 at 18:30

    The purse looks great so the struggle was worth it!

    I envy you with the woodburner - our current house is the first one we've had without one for the last 20 years :(

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  5. Bev Newman14 October 2012 at 19:13

    The purse and make up bag are really lovely and I think the peekaboo pleat works well. I hadn't realised you could order the frames for specs cases separately as I'd like some for an idea I have, so thanks for sharing x

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  6. Blue Forest Jewellery14 October 2012 at 19:52

    Great to be busy! The velvet and satin purse looks so classy - sure you're customer will be very pleased.

    Have a great week and keep cosy by that stove!
    Alison x

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  7. Ali14 October 2012 at 20:18

    I really like the lining in the black bag. The clip on the make up to a great idea. Hope you find time to catch up on your orders this week. Although sitting in front of a woodburner with a lovely cuppa would be tempting. I guess you boss won't let you do that. :) Have a lovely week.
    Ali x

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  8. Anonymous14 October 2012 at 20:42

    Oh, your woodburner has made me so jealous! Ours won't be reinstated until the end of this week, and I'm starting to feel cold now!
    Love the lining on the velvet purse, so vibrant.

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  9. Myth Illogical14 October 2012 at 21:25

    You may hate working with velvet and satin- but you've certainly done a very good job of it! Really lovely.

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  10. Stephen @ Soy of the North14 October 2012 at 23:35

    It's good to be busy. Looks like it was well worth fighting with the velvet and satin.

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  11. Wendy15 October 2012 at 15:55

    I know satin and velvet can be difficult, but you've made yours look very professional and well made.

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  12. Highland Monkey's15 October 2012 at 21:12

    It's a looong time ago since I was a Saturday girl! The log burner looks so warm and cosy. We have never regretted putting our one in. Sewing with velvet, grrr. Did it once, never again! Well done for persevering and making a lovely job of the purse.

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  13. Jan15 October 2012 at 22:20

    I love the blue lining, well done with sticking with it and doing such a lovely job.

    Jan x

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  14. fatmonica16 October 2012 at 18:53

    I love the purse-it looks so luxurious!And I'm so jealous of the wood burner!

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  15. AliceAndFlorence16 October 2012 at 21:43

    The purse you made looks fantastic. I do rather like velvet, but I agree it's not the easiest to sew with.
    You can't beat a log burner, whenever we rent a holiday cottage we make sure it's got a log burner, great to sit there with nibbles and hot drinks, or wine.
    Wendy

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  16. Anonymous16 October 2012 at 22:21

    The satin and velvet purse is really great and like Wendy said, it looks very professional. The blue makes it pop.

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  17. Unknown23 October 2012 at 08:07

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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