Lei Chic

The day before we left for Volcano, I was contacted by Lei Chic, an online fashion magazine. We talked about my bags and "my story" about how I got started etc. and she told me that they would probably be getting back in touch with me after her editor looked over the info. Well...we left for Volcano, I put my Etsy shop on vacation mode which means people can't even view my items. When I got home yesterday, I had 175 new emails....many were from customers who had seen the feature that took place while we were "unplugged". It took about 2 hours to answer all the emails but I appreciate the fact that so many bothered to contact me.

This week I get another chance because it seems that Lei Chic loves my Divas and my Yoga Mat Bags too with the recycled kimono and obis. So they are planning a special feature. I am not sure what day it will go out, but am definately open for business!

Today I made this new yoga mat bag from a child's kimono. It is so colorful! It has peacocks on it that the fanned feathers look like brightly colored hearts. I wish I was a better photographer, because this bag is stunning. I added a hidden zippered pocket for that smoothie money for after yoga!

Our 8th Anniversary

Earl and I drove over to Volcano for our anniversary this week. I just love it over there. We own a little piece of land over there that we dream of one day building our own little cottage on. The cottage we stayed in this time was very charming. We enjoyed sitting in the hot tub out in the fern forest while it rained down on us.

I kept the woodstove going most of our stay which kept the chill off. It is at the 3000 ft level so it gets quite chilly in the evenings.

We took a 750 piece jigsaw puzzle and totally "unplugged". No sewing machines, no computers and no phone calls. Just US! It was a perfect get-a-way!

Moloka'i Coffee

Here is the new bag I just got from Moloka'i Coffee. I only have 4 of them but made this one into a shoulder bag with a coffee bean lining.

New Coffee Sacks!

Yesterday, Menehune Man and I drove up mauka to replenish my coffee bag supplies. I got a couple of new bags to add to my stash which is always exciting! I have between 70-100 bags all the time from various farms. I made 7 tote bags today and promptly sold 2. I think that the old style Heavenly Hawaiian bag may be a hit with graphic loving customers. It has a coffee cup with a donkey on it loaded down with bags of coffee on his sides. Trudy Bateman, the farm owner, told me that it was the original design for that farm before they bought it. They now have a very attractive coffee logo with a line graphic of an angel with a haku lei on her head.

I also received my bags this week in the mail from "Coffees of Hawaii". I purchased 4 bags that say "100% Molokai Coffee". I am pleased to add these to my stash as well. I don't think they will last very long once the word gets out.

Monday I am flying to Honolulu to see a specialist about my foot. I hope to stop by the Hawaii State Art Museum to see their display of Sasaki Bags and Kimono Keys. I have never been there and am anxious to drop in to meet Alice in person.

In other news....over on Kauai...

Marjorie Desouza at Palm Palm boutique is a Sasaki Bag selling maniac! I designed a huge ole tote bag for her to sell exclusively in her store and they are NOT cheap! But that gal has called me and emailed me twice already to add to her July order! I trick her bags out with a big pocket on one side that is secured with a magnetic snap, a cellphone pocket on the other side, and an attached swivel hook key fob for convenience. I am using bold Hawaiian prints and designer prints from the likes of Amy Butler for the linings. The exteriors are of course...what else??? Coffee bags!

Japanese Evening Bag

I have been wanting to try my hand at making a handbag with the nifty purse frames that are on the market. So I went to the expert, Lisa, over at U-handbags. She really does give great tutorials and also sells the items to make purses. She is, alas, over in the UK...but I did order from her because I have learned many of the techniques I use by reading her blog.

So tonight, the first day of summer, a new Diva was born! I am naming her Natsu, which fittingly means, "Born in Summer".

Natsu is a petite gal. I used an oversized purse frame that extends beyond the bag and doubles as a handle. I did also give Natsu a removable silver-tone chain as well for the girls who like to wear their bags on their shoulder.

I used the silk from two different kimonos to craft Natsu. The exterior is navy blue with silver kanji that says, "wealth and congratulations". Maybe this would be a great gal to take along to Vegas with you!

For the interior, I used a red kimono that has a tone on tone print of floral fans. It is stunning.

There are all sorts of undergarments at work on Natsu, so she will stand on her own.

Being born on July 21, Natsu is a Cancer. She is an intellectual gal but has a big heart. She is the one friends turn to in confidence with their problems because she is both compassionate and realistic. Natsu is a rare find, indeed!

A little Whining...

My favorite "whine" used to be "I want to go to Ha-wa-ii!" *said in a squeaky whiny voice* But for the past 15 years, Hawaii has been my home so I no longer whine about that. Infact, usually there is little I can imagine to whine about...but occasionally we all have pity parties and I am having one so you are all invited!

I have been rolling along for several months enjoying the ride of the success of my bags and all that life has to offer and WHAM! a speed bump! Nobody warned me about the speed bump approaching! It seems I hurt my foot. I went to the doc today and was told that I have Plantar's Fascitis and a possible fracture in my heal that I have to have xrayed tomorrow! Like I have time for that! I have bags to make and orders to fill! My days are planned out in detail so that I can accomplish everything I need to. But I have been ignoring my foot pain for about 3 weeks and it nor the swelling are going away...so I guess speed bumps are there for a reason. Time to slow down for a bit, breathe deep, and let my menehune man cook dinner. Tonight he made spaghetti! Love having a menehune man!

Since this is a pity party....what is YOUR favorite "whine"? Share with me so that I can quit thinking of my silly foot!

I promise to be more positive tomorrow...but for tonight....a little whining...a little wining (cabernet) and watching TV.

G'nite
a hui hou

"What is a Treasury?" you ask!

For those who don't know, Etsy is an online marketplace sort of like a huge mall with thousands of stores inside. That is where I have one of my stores. Everything is supposed to be handmade unless it is listed as a "supply" to make things from such as fabric or purse handles. One of the fun features of Etsy is the treasury. It is a curated area in which other etsy members select 12 items from the millions of items for sale and they feature them in their little treasury. Sometimes it is things that they personally have on their wishlist. Other times they choose items that go together for their colors or themes. It is just an honor because the ones making the treasuries are your peers. Most etsy employees are artists as well, so some treasuries are made by them but most are made by other sellers. There are a limited number of treasuries at any one time and you have to be super quick to snag one. Etsy staff chooses their front pages from the treasuries, so if you are featured in a well done treasury, it gives a wonderful opportunity to gain more exposure for your shop. Hope this explains it a little better.