Color Crush...

Recently I have found myself drawn to a certain color combination... Turqouise and red. So rich and vibrant, icy yet hot at the same time. I love the mix of these two colors, they are so enticing and pleasing to the eye and they just POP into your field of vision. Something about them, says "hello, I am over here!"   Here's a little bit of eye candy for inspiration :)

 

So what's your color crush???

Cheers,

Jules

a little photo shoot :)

A few weeks ago I ran over the hill to Livingston to see my gal, Jenn and have her take some photos of my bags.  I LOVE how they turned out and now that my big show is over I have some time show them off!  Michaela was a sport about it, the wind was blowing so strong (of course, it's Livingston right?) and it was a little chilly this day.  But she made the best of it and the photos turned out amazing!!  Most of these are of bags that are already in my Etsy shop , but I thought I would share them here as well :)

Don't ya think she did a great job modeling the bags??!!??  I am ever so grateful to Michaela and Jenn :)  Smooches!

Cheers,

Jules

Bozeman Christmas Stroll

Be a part of Downtown Bozeman’s greatest holiday tradition…the Christmas Stroll. On Sat., Dec. 4th at 4:30PM Santa Claus works his way from the Emerson Cultural Center down Main Street, singing Christmas carols and lighting the downtown holiday lights with more than 6,000 people in tow as Bozeman's annual Christmas Stroll gets people into the holiday shopping spirit. Enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa Claus, the gingerbread house display, entertainment, holiday treats and much more! The fun lasts until 7:30PM and I will be right in the middle of it!!

Come and see me at the old Fantasia Tile Co on the corner of Tracy and Main (5 E Main) and check  out in my bags in person :) 

Happy Holidays!

Jules

Handbag vs shoulder bag?

Got a question for ya'll...  I want to branch out just a little from my totes and handbags but I need some opinions first :)

Currently my handbags only come with a smaller handles and unless you are a tiny person (like my model Michaela) you are unable to carry the purse over your shoulder.  I want to start making them with shoulder straps, possibly adjustable ones.  So please chime in and let me know if that option appeals to you more than the smaller handles!

Thanks everyone!

Jules

Custom orders :)

As the holidays approach I thought I would let you all know that I do custom orders.  I recently did a custom totebag for LoriJo at work.  She wanted a LARGE totebag, one that would hold all of ther gym clothes, lunch, wallet, etc.  She loves the fact that it had a pocket on the inside and one on the outside.  She claims the outside one has been a lifesaver as a place to put her keys.  You can see her review of this custom totebag on my Facebook Fan Page .

So if you are thinking that you want a bag with maybe your colors, your jeans or your belt, drop me a line and we can work out the details :)

Cheers,

Jules

Little Green Things...

No I didn't loose my mind and I am not seeing little green things everywhere :)  Little Green Things happens to be the name of a local business owned by Leah Boelman.  She takes old vintage belts and attaches wonderful belt buckles to them.  Each belt buckle is unique and done with vintage pictures from old books and magazines.   Don't ya love the owl! 



She also has a few that have been painted with chalkboard paint so you can have your own message on the belt buckle :)

Her switchplate covers are amazing as well.  She had some at the show this past weekend with a Boy Scout theme, camping, fishing, birds and so much more.  All of her designs are one of a kind, original works.  She takes amazing pride in her work and she is a really neat person to chat with!  She definately helped me get through the craft show when things were a little slow.  Be sure to check out her shop and drop her a line.  As a matter of fact, I think she is running a sale right now!

Cheers, 

Jules



Upcycled, repurposed or recycled???

So one of the questions that came about from the show this weekend was a disagreement on whether or not I was upcycling, repurposing or recycling the jeans that I use in my bags.  Well I have to agree, that is a very good question...  I was not really familiar with the term "upcycling" although I know one of my friends classifies my bags with that term.  I really thought of the three terms, that recycling best fit the bill, but being the google queen that I am, I hit the internet in search of information :)

The following are definitions from Wikipedia :

Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.

Repurpose - To use or convert for use in another format or product:



Recycling involves processing used materials (waste), into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" waste hierarchy.

umbrella skirt  - I can't imagine this would be very comfortable!

So the analytical part of me says that based on this information, the term "repurpose" fits what I do best.   To upcylce I would need to be taking waste materials or useless products and converting them into new, better quality products.  Well most of the jeans and belts that I use are still fairly new and I really wouldn't consider them "waste" products.

wallet from measuring tape, quite inventive really...

I don't think that my bags could be considered recycled as I am not reducing the consumption of fresh raw materials.  I purchase brand new purse handles, purse feet and magnetic clasps for use in my bags.  I also use thread and new fabric for the lining.  Also just like the jeans, the bags will end up in a landfill someday.

handbag from old sweater...  Love the colors!

I am a little bummed that I was thinking I was not only being crafty with my bags, but being earth conscious as well, only to find out that I am really not helping.  At least in this area, I am not helping our planet.  I still recycle my newspapers, I take reusable bags to the grocery store.  We recycle our aluminum and metal cans.  We try not to use plastic water bottles, each of us carries a metal water bottle instead.  I recycle packaging, boxes and any plastic bags that come my way.

So with these thoughts in mind and the overindulgent holiday season upon us...  What are you doing this holiday season to upcycle, repurpose or recylce??  Leave me a comment letting me know how you are doing your part and on December 15th 2010, I will randomly draw a name to win a free "repurposed" checkbook cover :)

Cheers,

Jules