Last weekend was the first time at the craft market that I didn't sell anything. It was humbling for me to leave with as much as I went with. I know it can't always be stellar but usually I sell at least a couple of things each week. So I was a little shocked. And the sucky part, it was the coldest morning yet, and we set up in too much of a shady spot so our booth never got warm, and neither did I. But I made it through, and I know that it happens to everyone...I see it all the time. It was slow.
Today was also a cold morning, but I felt very prepared for that - set up in a sunnier area, better general mood, lots of layers. Well, by 11: 30 I still hadn't sold a thing. I was starting to feel a little cursed...silly, I know. Had a few lookers and questions which hopefully will turn into orders, but that was it. Then along came this nice woman, looking at the girls' clothing for a grandchild, but not finding the size she needed. She started looking at the ladies' clothes and fell in love with a top...the top...the first top that I made when I started GoodKharmaReThreads...the one that I made and was so pleased with and proud of back in October of 2010, then looked around and realized I needed to make a whole lot more clothes, that one top was just not going to be enough!!
Well, she bought it! I could tell that she didn't usually buy things for herself....her husband was encouraging her to get it. It was so sweet and I told her the story of the top and that I was so thrilled that she bought that most special piece. I felt like it was a good omen, too! Still makes me smile...this is that same top, with me modelling back in 2010. I look at it and I feel so blessed and so humbled, yet again....peace to you...
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
How Many Sewing Machines Does It Take to Make a Bag?
I have had to wrestle with this question again....and I hope this time I have purchased the solution. That is a lot of pressure for an inanimate object to have to take on, I realize, but I just want to be able to sit down to make a bag and not have issues with a machine, even one that claims the title "Heavy Duty"! If I were of unlimited means, I could purchase a $1500.00 machine that says it will do the job. The $150.00 one could not perform consistently, even though "heavy duty" is part of its name.
So, once again, I have purchased a new sewing machine, closer in price to the $150.00 than to the $1500.00, made in Japan rather than China, with a wonderful reputation, wonderful reviews, and the exciting inclusion of 'leatherwork' needles...surely it will be heavy duty enough to make bags without coughing up thread all of the time.
And I have to admit, as I was deleting pictures from my camera yesterday (it had hit the full mark), I did realize that I have made and sold a good number of bags, and clothing pieces, that were all created on that lesser "heavy duty" machine. I guess it deserves to get put in the shop and repaired....I worked its mechanical ass off, and pushed it when I should have stopped and gotten a sharper needle, or an unbent needle, or a different gauge needle (needles are much more important and in ways that I didn't consider before making sewing my business). I have definitely learned a great deal from the needles, and I am much more attuned to when I need to change them, and why, and what can happen if I ignore the signs and keep on sewing.....bad things, very bad things, I tell you!
I suppose, given the amount of sewing that I do and the wide, vast variety of fabrics, textures, straps, thick layers, etc. of 'raw materials' that I use for my pieces, it will serve me well to have four machines...two for apparel and two for bags or other "heavy duty" projects. I am looking forward to receiving my new machine this week. I will run back to my studio and plug it in and see what I can do....I am running low on bags and have not been able to make more...I can't afford to risk ruining my apparel machines by asking them to do a task that they are not able to do. It's exciting....I've never invested such an amount of money for a sewing machine...and I'll be expecting a lot in return. I will be sure to post pictures of my sewing machine posse and let you know how the newbie stands up to its reputation, save the longevity thing.
Until then I will make clothes and finish getting the bags I have completed into my online stores. Its not like I could ever run out of things to do....I bid you peace and plenty, love and light....none of which you can get from any machine, not even a "heavy duty" one!
So, once again, I have purchased a new sewing machine, closer in price to the $150.00 than to the $1500.00, made in Japan rather than China, with a wonderful reputation, wonderful reviews, and the exciting inclusion of 'leatherwork' needles...surely it will be heavy duty enough to make bags without coughing up thread all of the time.
And I have to admit, as I was deleting pictures from my camera yesterday (it had hit the full mark), I did realize that I have made and sold a good number of bags, and clothing pieces, that were all created on that lesser "heavy duty" machine. I guess it deserves to get put in the shop and repaired....I worked its mechanical ass off, and pushed it when I should have stopped and gotten a sharper needle, or an unbent needle, or a different gauge needle (needles are much more important and in ways that I didn't consider before making sewing my business). I have definitely learned a great deal from the needles, and I am much more attuned to when I need to change them, and why, and what can happen if I ignore the signs and keep on sewing.....bad things, very bad things, I tell you!
I suppose, given the amount of sewing that I do and the wide, vast variety of fabrics, textures, straps, thick layers, etc. of 'raw materials' that I use for my pieces, it will serve me well to have four machines...two for apparel and two for bags or other "heavy duty" projects. I am looking forward to receiving my new machine this week. I will run back to my studio and plug it in and see what I can do....I am running low on bags and have not been able to make more...I can't afford to risk ruining my apparel machines by asking them to do a task that they are not able to do. It's exciting....I've never invested such an amount of money for a sewing machine...and I'll be expecting a lot in return. I will be sure to post pictures of my sewing machine posse and let you know how the newbie stands up to its reputation, save the longevity thing.
Until then I will make clothes and finish getting the bags I have completed into my online stores. Its not like I could ever run out of things to do....I bid you peace and plenty, love and light....none of which you can get from any machine, not even a "heavy duty" one!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Working, Working, Working....
. I have a couple more tops than those in the pictures...and I intend to make more as the week goes on. I need to make some bags, really, really do. I am running low. I will dedicate a day or two to bags. It seems I'm never caught up. I have put most of the clothing in my etsy shop and need to do the same with the comleted bags. Just need to take some pictures. So...if I just didn't have to sleep, I could get it all done!
I will keep you posted on my progress.
Right now I am making picture frames for a project I am doing with SpecialHorses.org for their upcoming auction. I'll be back later in the week....I am humming with desire to get back to work....keep the peace...peace is awesome!!!
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