Back at the Market

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.

Popular Cool Ties and New Uses

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.

It's "Back to School Time" Again

I said in my first post that I sew in my spare time.  That also includes summers, as I am a teacher by profession.  So the "back to school" phrase affects me as well as my kids. 

This is the bag that started it all - see post #1!

I get to sew a LOT during the summer months, and this year was no exception.  I enjoy my time in my sanctuary, and spend many hours there - as much as I can, actually.  With my sewing machine, ironing board, cutting table, lots of fabric and ideas, my CD's of nature sounds and radio with PBS, and my computer, there's a lot to keep me busy.  I always have a dozen or more projects going at the same time, and I'll never run out of ideas or fabrics to create them with.  24 hours is just not enough! 

Same style bag, different fabric!

So now I am back to school, and my sewing room hours will be severely cut.  My kitties will still hang out in here waiting for me to finally get home, but it will be pretty quiet during the days.  They'll get a lot of sleeping done.  I will keep up with posting on my website www.bahandbags.etsy.com and with this blog the best I can...  Ho hum - it's been a long day! 

Dress Up Your Pet

Woven/sewn leash

OK, I'm not really into the pet wardrobe thing, but I do know how to make your pet stylish.  No tutus or tiaras, just really classy (and durable) leashes and cute scarves, both for cooling and just for show.

4-braid poly leash

My leashes are of two types:  (1) cotton/nylon woven belting with sewn trim, or (2) woven/braided polypropylene cord.  The sewn leashes are trimmed with colored ribbons on one or both sides.  Some have reflective tape for added safety.  They are in 4' and 5' lengths, and have clips of various weights.

The poly leashes are in lots of colors.  I have been thrilled to find my basic type of cord in 15 different colors, so far, and I'm always on the lookout for more!  These are very strong, and can even be used to play "tug".  These are fun to make, and I can do them away from my sewing machine (TV time, car trips, etc.).  I can now make good use of my "down time" as well!  A variation on this is a very light-weight leash for little dogs made of heavy-weight yarn with a tiny clip.  These are very soft and have a bit of stretch, for those 4-legged munchkins who are very well-behaved.

Cooper with Cool Collar

The other type of scarf does not tie or clip, like my Cool Collars or a regular bandanna.  These cute scarves have a channel to slide the collar through.  If the collar stays put, the scarf won't come off, since the two are attached!  No chewing and untying - it's relatively unnoticeable to your pet.  Both dogs and cats can be dressed up  in these scarves of many colors.

It's Hot for Dogs, Too.

The summer heat has been nearly unbearable, even for those of us who enjoy the heat.  Recently, I read a very sad newspaper article about a man who went for his daily run with his two dogs, but on this day, the dogs became severely overheated.  One recovered, but the other one died.

Since I had been making Cool Ties for people, this was the motivation I needed to get going on a canine version.  I had been thinking about the needed modifications, and it was time to act on those thoughts.  Bandannas in many colors were re-purposed, pockets stitched in and gel crystals added.  The hydrated cooling gel covers the dog's neck and chest, and is either tied or clipped on top.

Thanks to Cooper (and Heidi) for modeling for me!  (note:  Pictured Cool Collars have not been hydrated.  They were photographed dry.)

It's HOT out there!

Also needs water!

Gel is still dry and flat.  Needs water!

It's been a really HOT summer in more places than Florida!  Because this has been quite an issue this year, I was asked by a friend if I could help him out.  He needed something to keep his lawn /landscaping crew cool in the blazing heat, and suggested a scarf with gel.  I had seen these before, but had never made them.  Of course I said yes (is there any other answer?) and proceeded to hunt for the elusive gel.  (It helps if you know what you're looking for...).  I found small packages of something I thought might work, but the cost would have been prohibitive.  I bought one package to experiment with, and then started looking online.  I finally found and ordered what I needed, and then began the sewing part.

Pretty and practical.

Fully hydrated.

Since each tie takes several steps to complete, and I knew that I needed to work assembly-line style.  This was, and still is, very hard for me.  My pieces are unique, and individual, so these ties were a challenge in that way.  But I managed to make 20 or so that week, and over 100 in the next couple of weeks, and even more since then.  They are in close to 50 different color/patterns, so I might possibly have something for everybody.  (Have you heard that before?)  Anyway, my friend bought 8 of them, and they have become quite a hit.  Barbara Ann's Cool Ties are listed on www.bahandbags.etsy.com.

Re-purposed?

Re-purposed?  What does that mean?  Technically, it means to find a new use for something.  In my case, that's usually fabric.  Most of my change purses and eyeglass cases, for instance, are made from the "pages" in fabric color sample books.  These books need to be torn apart, and each page (piece of fabric) must be processed:  backings removed, edges squared up, threads trimmed, holes and flaws analyzed.  Then, depending on the size and type of fabric, I decide what to do with each piece.  Sometimes they can be paired up to create a good match  (outside and lining).  Other pieces stand on their own and may become unlined change purses.  Some pieces are "fringe-able" by the nature of the weave, so those edges become an exposed, fringed part of the finished piece.

Re-purposed red tablecloth for accent, lining and handles

My upholstery samples also need the same type of processing before they can be ready to use.  These pieces come with the added attraction of two holes where the book's bolts went through.  Imagination is then useful to decide how to either incorporate or camouflage the holes, or cut the strip off.  It is these strips that create the bag posted yesterday, and many others. 

The Green Effect

Stripes from upholstery fabrics

When you enter my sewing room, it is obvious that there is a LOT of fabric around the room.  Cubbies and drawers and shelves and boxes are filled and stacked high with neatly folded pieces.  This virtual rainbow is of all sorts of fabrics, from light cottons to fleece to heavy upholstery.  To some, it seems chaotic, but to me, it's my sanctuary.

12 squares of black and white

What is not as obvious is that much of my stash is "re-purposed" fabric - materials that are samples, remnants, or scraps, which are usually tossed out as being "unusable".  I use 99% of my fabrics, right down to the odd scraps and selvage edges.  Totes and purses take on an interesting stripe, and scrap pincushions are adorable.  It's more work to create your own fabric, but it's very rewarding when it's finished!

Taking suggestions...

Eyeglasses Case

As I have always been one who likes to please others, I began taking suggestions.  Since one of my goals was to have "something for everyone", suggestions seemed the perfect way to begin to accomplish this.  The first one came from a lady who had an old, ratty, well-loved eyeglasses case in her purse.  She pulled it out to show me and asked if I could make her a new one, since she had never been able to find a suitable replacement.  Over the next week, I made six in various color patterns, and she bought two of them.  She was delighted!  My daughter then asked if I could make a larger version for sunglasses.  That became my project for the next week, and I was on my way.

Sunglasses Case

Getting started...

Today is the first day of the rest of this blog.  I am Barbara Ann.  I sew in my spare time and make unique, fun and practical items that include something for everybody.  I will use this space to introduce you to my handmade products and let you know what events I will be participating in.  The name of my business is Barbara Ann Handbags, but it's much more than that!


I learned how to sew when I was quite young.  After many non-sewing years had gone by, I decided that it was time to start sewing again, so a few years ago, I made a couple of tote bags.  My daughter took one to school, and her high school friends loved it.  Several of her friends placed orders for bags in their favorite colors and styles.  As the orders were completed, I also made an extra bag for my "store" for each one ordered.  This slowly built an inventory of bags that I could offer for sale. 

More tomorrow...