Flint Spring Market and Changes

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Originally uploaded by flint handmade

What a blast! Craft shows are even that much better when you have friends nearby. I left yesterday's shows brimming with ideas. Where to start!?!





I can say one thing...changes are a comin'! I can't guarantee they will be super noticeable to you, but they sure will to me.To start the changes...a sale...of course. Why? Because the first change is nixing most of my bags. I am working on the shop rework now :)

Backpacks shall stay.

Clutches shall stay, but will be split in two.

The current bags are going to be made with skinny strap options. The 2nd part of the split is into a more embellished line. There will be ruffles and bows and flowers and doodads galore...but a slow galore. These bags will be upped when it comes to fabric choices. More along the lines of silk and linen. Sound fun?

Messenger bags will stay, but possibly as custom order only.

They are pricey, take many hours to complete - especially when you add in the embroidery- and do not move quickly. But I love them!

Totes will be only in the form of market totes. Bye Bye painted...except custom orders.

Market totes will be made in batches.

I have a futon cover (unslept on) that will make about 10 or so. I took a poll at the show on the finish - hemmed -v- bias tape...hemmed won...by lots! Funny thing - the bias tape bag was the 1st to go at the show. Go figure!

Wristlets, handbags, larger purses...TTFN!

Zip pouches will always be around.

They are too perfect for small and odd shaped fabric remainders. I want to get better about making tiny change sized pouches to go with each bag also.

The next change is an expansion. Monsters and fun creatures will start to take over.

I am going to take my current guys and add on to the family from my sketchbook. They will be named - I will be coordinating with my oldest for this. And each will become a small keychain and small stuffie. Some may get super sized. And in all sorts of colors. I have an idea for their display too...more on that later.

The other expansion is the fabric baskets...which have not made it into the shop just yet. I want to make 3 sizes, not just the one.

There is more, but I have yet to finish the pro/con list for them, so more on that later too. Yes, this part goes back to quilts & such I always talk about but never quite get to...now I hope I will :)
Phew! That's a lot!

Week in Review

I know, I know...it's Monday & the week just started...but I was at a craft show yesterday & was to tuckered out to write a post last night.

Sunday: not much of anything - it was great....plus sewed up the Zombie messenger bag...



Monday: Lots of playing with the dog and swinging....


Tuesday: Bike to the zoo and stroll around for a couple hours...sew up Firefly bag


Wednesday: Off to the zoo - again... iron at night - lots and lots of ironing....


Thursday: Quote of the day from the 4 yo "My juice is evil" I asked why..."It attacked my shirt"
Oldest spent the day at Cedar Point (amusement park) with the Junior National Honor Society - I don't think I would want to see any pics - a bunch of teenagers - no thanks :P
...swinging, basketball, teeball, chalk fun on the driveway......sew up the Buffy B bag...



Friday: played with Mr Potato Head....rode 1.5 miles to the library with the little guy in tow, followed by a quick playground stop...the oldest went to the June Fair - our reaction: "phew! he's old enough that we no longer have to go!" and then did a little dance of joy... sew a bunch of clutches....

...pre-ironed...

Saturday: Quote of the day, from my 4yo...when he saw a teeter toter on tv:
W: "Can you put that on my list?" which is his way of asking for things
Me:"but you need another kid to play on it
W: "So put a little kid in your tummy and when it comes out being born, then put it on my list"
.....got ready for the MICE show at the Ann Arbor Artisan Market on Sunday...and sew up one last messenger bag - the Grr Argh...

Post Office Woes

I have decided to never go back to my local post office. This was not the first time that I have received such abysmal service, but it is the last. And it was almost an exact replica of the previous sucky visit.
I understand that the post office jobs are notorious for being a not so great place to work. But does that mean they need to take it out on the customer? I have worked on the other side of a service desk before, I understand how some days can be with nothing but one rotten tempered customer after another. It starts to get to you. But I never assumed the person approaching me was a jerk, or an idiot or someone not worthy of my assistance. This is how I felt as I got to the front of the line.
I had a package to mail out to Australia. This is something I have only done once before. That visit went great....it was at a different location. The woman asked me what I needed, informed me how to fill out the customs form, inquired as to which level of service I wanted it sent...she treated me like a customer, not like some dolt standing in front of her that should already know exactly what to do.
This visit...not so great. She made eye contact just enough to scowl and grunt to me to come on over. Then she just looked at me. With a very "well, what are you waiting for" look on her face. I was not even sure where to put the package...there was bullet proof glass everywhere & a door that slide up on either side of her. I assumed this is where the package went - but could not tell which side would be hers. She just shot mean eyes and pointed rudely to the door on the right side. As she walked over to the door she rolled her eyes and sighed. The door was, apparently, not all the way down on my side. How did I know this? She was shaking the door on her side and almost growling. Gee, sorry, it looked down from my side. It was actually stuck on something she had placed on top of the midsection.
She continued to weigh it and measure the box to make sure it could be sent in "regular" mail. She asked me if it was the right size. Huh? I don't work there, how should I know. She tsked and sighed again as she calculated the dimensions. I guess it was okay because she proceeded to punch stuff into her machine thingy. She never even asked me how I would want it mailed...express, first class, priority (I may not work there, but I do know there are many levels). She told me the price...it sounded a little higher than I had seen from the calculations on the USPS website. So I asked her how much it weighed. There is no way it was 1lb 15oz...the thing felt like I forgot to even fill it. But at this point - I just wanted out.
You may ask why I didn't ask for a manager or anything. Well, the only other person there seemed to be just as bad as my lady. There was a man there this whole time who was waiting to talk to someone about his PO box. They seemed to have no idea how to help him. How do I know this? Because between scowls and growls, she kept leaving to go talk with the other employee about his request. Oh, and about what she was doing that night. And once about her no good man.
Nice. I thought the employees were the ones that know how everything is supposed to work. And that they are there to assist the customer, who does not work there and therefore not know how things run. I guess nobody told her that. Because she kept treating me like I should know what to do.
So - off to the next city for post office needs next time. Better yet, I'll do it all online with a carrier pick up like I usually do...now that I know I can fill out the customs form online.

Team Wide Holiday Sale!!!!

SALE!!!!!

Black Friday through Cyber Monday ... 11/28 - 12/1

Go to the etsy bloggers team shop to see a list of participating shops
and the deals they will have!

My shop will be a nice & easy, straight forward, 10% off every item! enjoy!

Shop handmade this holiday for unique and lovingly made gifts!