Hey blog friends...I know it has been a while since I was last on here, but I wanted to share a few of my most recent creations with you. I'm hoping, that by reviving this blog, maybe it can help generate some sales for me....so, please feel free to pass this link/blog info to anyone and everyone you may know!
This is one of my favorite bags. It is a simple, basic, sturdy tote, made for every-day use. It is reversible, and made from re-purposed fabric.
This is a hand-braided leash, from sturdy poly-cord, in Christmas green. This is just a sample color, many more to choose from when ordering.
This is a cool-collar, which some might know as a cool-scarf for dogs. This scarf is made from a bandana, that has gel crystals inside it, designed to help keep your dog from overheating. Simply soak in cool water, and let your dog enjoy!!
I hope you enjoy this sampling of some of my latest creations. I hope to update this more frequently, promoting more items. If you are interested in looking at other items in stock, please visit me at www.bahandbags.etsy.com.
I have now found some new venues to supplement my Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market, in which I have been a vendor on Saturdays for the better part of 3 years. My spot on the curb across from Crispers has been a good one, but since my products are not meant to be consumable, I decided that it was high time to find some new people at some new venues.
I want to meet some new shoppers during this holiday season. I have made lots of baby blankets and knitted scarves to help you through the coming chillier weather, and lots of other things, as these pictures show.
Baby Blankets
Protect your eyeglasses or sunglasses in style!
I have recently participated in the Bartow 3rd Annual Craft Show and BBQ, Christmas Under the Oaks in Coachman Park in Clearwater, a craft show at the Highland Village Community Center, and the new Farmers Market in Mulberry (3rd Saturday of each month).
Water Bottle Carriers - Get a Hands-Free Device!
Coming up, I will be at the Lakeland Market on Saturday, Nov. 27, 8-2; at a NADAC dog agility trial in Arcadia on Dec. 4th and 5th, all day, located at the Turner Agri-Civic Center just north of Arcadia; another dog agility trial in Zephyrhills on Dec. 11th & 12th; the new Mulberry Market, Saturday, Dec. 18th, 8-2. The Mulberry Market is held in the parking lot near the Badcock Offices, on the NW corner of the main intersection, behind the Shell station.
Christmas is the next Saturday and New Year's Day is the following Saturday, so I actually have two Saturdays to spend with my family! Jessie, Jodi, Becca, Amelia and Dennis!
Well, the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbside Market has been open three weeks now, in the new season, after an August hiatus. I found that I had made so many new items over the summer that I needed more space. There was just not enough room to put everything! Today, I set up three tables and four racks, and barely had enough room. I guess that's a good problem to have. I opted to leave my sewing machine home the last two weeks, and instead, I made ten new braided leashes during that time. I have enough leashes now to split them into categories: Cotton/sewn, 3-braid, 4-braid flat, 4-braid round, 6-braid, nylon webbing, choke, etc. I also have lots of pet scarves and cool collars. They all have been big sellers. People love their pets!
This one went to London, England.
This one, Tampa, FL.
This one went to my sister in Arizona.
This one, to my daughter in NYC.
Here are a few pictures of some of the bags that have gone to various places in the world.
My friend Karen bought a couple of Cool Ties from me two weeks ago. When I saw her again this week, she said that the Cool Ties were just great, and she found that recently, they really came to the rescue for her. Her daughter took sick and spiked a fever. To help comfort her, Karen took off the Cool Tie that she had been wearing and put it on her daughter. She said that the relief on her face was immediate. It helped stabilize her fever and made her more comfortable. Karen let her keep it, and she bought two more this week.
Figuring that if the Cool Ties worked so well on people, Karen also bought a Cool Collar for her dog. That was the whole idea behind the design and creation of the two related lines. I have had a lot of satisfied customers in a short time. One of these happens to be my neighbor, owner of Cooper, who is my Aussie model, shown in previous posts. She hosted a Doggie Birthday Party (her words :-) and needed gifts. What could be better than Cool Collars and Cool Ties? Within a very short time her "shopping" was finished and delivered to her house.
My regular pet scarves are selling like hotcakes. They are the type that the collar goes through - not tied on. The fussy pet will not even know the cute little scarf is there, as long as the collar is always there to begin with.
I have been very excited by the wealth of colors now available to make my poly-cord leashes from. Hot pink, yellow, green, purple, even camo! It's such fun putting together different combinations of colors and weaves, making each one unique!
The Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curbside Market started up again Saturday. It was nice to see lots of my "regulars" as well as lots of new folks. That's a regular Saturday gig for me, although I am considering expanding into both the Dog Event market and the Craft Show Market. I have so much inventory that it barely fits in my car! I got there to set up and realized that I really needed another table! But there's no room in my car for another table! It was pretty crowded, but it turned out OK.
I was asked by a man in Lowes today where I got my Cool Tie. He said he had been trying to find them, but wasn't having any luck. He and his friend, who has a black lab (who overheats easily) may be my next customers at www.bahandbags.etsy.com.
Cooper participated at theNADAC trials this weekend.
The weekend in Arcadia, FL, was really fun! I was a vendor at the NADAC dog trials at the Turner Agri-Civic Center just outside of town. Saturday and Sunday were very long days, but happy faces of the dogs and their humans were all around me. Dogs ran and jumped and tunneled delightedly, and their handlers jumped and cheered and whooped for their canine partners. Each pair competed to "Qualify" - a "Q" - and ribbons were earned by the fastest three dogs in each event. Dogs of all types and sizes showed their stuff. They were a blast to watch!
The most barking happened when the "walking music" was played at the beginning of each event. It seemed that the dogs were all singing along as their humans were out learning the new course. Everybody experienced their share of nervousness and exhaustion, but I must say, overall, it would be tough to find a happier place!
I learned a new way to create a 4-braid leash. My new friend Pam, who makes awesome collars, and leashes that are different from mine, showed me the trick. I made several new leashes, two using the new method - garnering rave reviews! Cool Ties and Cool Collars were hot sellers.
Cooper will be competing in the NADAC trial in Arcadia, FL
I'm ready!!! Let's go!!!
Getting ready for an event takes a lot of effort, and even if you think you are prepared, there is always something that needs to be done. This coming weekend, 8/28-29/2010, I will be a vendor at the NADAC Sanctioned Agility Trial at the Turner Agri-Civic Center in Arcadia, FL. This is an event where dogs are put through their paces on agility equipment and obstacle courses, and dogs and their owners win ribbons, bragging rights and chances to compete in other events. Since this will be my first time at an event like this, I am planning to have lots of dog supplies ready, as well as having some of my regular items available. I have no idea how much inventory I will need, so I have been spending every spare moment weaving leashes and sewing scarves. Boxes need to be packed differently so that I can move them more efficiently, and the organization and display will most likely see some major modification. This event is not near my home, so my car will be packed to the ceiling, and I will need to take all sorts of supplies so that I can be ready for anything. Tomorrow will be checklist day, and I'm hoping for a great weekend! Wish me luck! Come to Arcadia!
Grandchildren come to you when you reach a certain age, it seems. I have two - of the canine variety. Smokey and Bandit live with my daughter and her husband, and they make a beautiful family. These boys are active, but well-behaved, and they never talk back. They are Italian greyhounds, one a little larger than the other, about a year apart. They are very prone to overheating, as are most dogs in the intense heat, so they were each given Cool Collars to help with that situation. Bandit LOVED the modeling session, while Smokey did his best to interfere the best he could. That's why there are two pictures of Bandit and not one of Smokey - he was just moving too fast for my camera. I'll have to look elsewhere to get a Smokey picture. The dogs loved the cooling scarves, which were tied, rather than clipped, since their necks are so slender. They seemed to realize that it felt better with them on! Many colors and patterns are available (see pictures of Cooper in the previous posts). Contact me through www.bahandbags.etsy.com if these interest you. They are selling for $8 (tie) and $10 (clip).
