Christmas Orders

I just wanted to send out a thank you for any and everyone that bought a handbag of mine for the Christmas season! It has been wonderful getting ready for the holiday this year by making bags. Those of you who I got to talk with about the bags and who you were purchasing them for, I feel like I learned some about your family and friends. So thanks for that. An unexpected holiday blessing. Merry Christmas everyone!!!
love,
cassandra

little mice

Well I haven't really ever worked with fur before, and to be honest its not the most enjoyable fabric to work with. Usually results in what seems like eating hair for hours on in. Haha. But it was well worth it! The first two shows are done and the little mice did such a great job. They look just so cute on. So here's to my first big costume design and order.

Two Plaid

By now you guys realize I don't make doubles or copies of any purses. But here is a recent example of two bags I've made that defiantly go together. I found this really great wool plaid on clearance and bought what was left of it. It just would go with anything, brown or black. So the first bag I made was a LapTop Tote, and then used some of the scrapes for a Baby Clutch. Hopefully you like them too.

I can't tell you how much I love these new Mini Totes and Baby Clutches. I can't stop making them. Thankfully on this terrible weathered day I get to stay home and sew! My favorite thing to do on rainy/snowy cold days. I'll post some pictures of them as soon as I get them done!

And just and fyi, I also put up an order form on my website. You can see how I would start a handbag and the different styles that are available. I'll be taking some with me tomorrow as I go to a dentist office for there lunch time entertainment. Food and handbags...it could only get better if it was themed and everyone dressed up. I can't wait.

A Month

So sorry I've been slacking on the post. No excuse, but I've had this really great sickness for about a month. I'm better, just currently can't hear out of the left ear...what the heck. The better news, I've designed and made some new style bags. The Mini Series has started! They are just so cute and small. The second item I'm working to improve is the man bag. I'll keep you guys posted, really this time!! Hope you are getting ready for a great Thanksgiving. I can't wait! A whole day dedicated to eating, someone knew whats a good day was back then. I love it.

new stuff

Hi guys. Its been awhile... I've been trying to post some new stuff on Etsy that I have for sale. The laptop tote I keep improving. It now has an adjustable strap to hold in your computer and then a magnetic snap closes the entire bag. Take a look at it, I love it. And I"m really getting into the fall color stories, prints, and materials. Not only that I'm gearing up for holiday season. I for one love the holiday, but more importantly people are already thinking ahead. I'm working on filling orders as we speak so if you have one let me know! Happy Halloween!!

Joli's Boutique

I'm thinking maybe I should just put up a calender and just fill it in. It seems to be all I write about anymore. I have been making purses like crazy and its been great! But they always make it to a store before I even get to tell you guys about it. So I guess my suggestion is to just come to an event.

Friday October 16th
Meet the Artist at Joli's Boutique in Centerville.
It's from 5pm to 9pm.
I'll be there with some of my bags and taking any orders for Christmas! I would love to see you guys there. I'm not sure what to expect but I had such a great time at the last one I can't wait!

the events keep coming!

I love parties. I'm not sure if a festival is considered a party but I'm making it count. This next weekend I'll be sharing a booth with the lovely Joe and Rachael at the Sauerkraut festival! It is crazy down there for one, but I'm pretty excited. If you love people you should stop by there. But if you love people watching check out the Street Fair. I don't have a booth but I'll be doubling my inventory at Urban Hand Made! Its going to be a busy week. But I encourage you all to stop in, this store is SO neat! Alright last deal is another official party, a meet the artist night! It will be in Centerville again but at a different boutique this time. I hope you guys can all stop by! Have a great weekend, and here's the recap...

Sauerkraut Festival : Waynesville Ohio
Saturday Oct. 10 and Sunday Oct. 11
Booth 435

Street Fair: Yellow Springs Ohio
Saturday Oct. 10
Check out the owners of Urban Hand Made in there Booth out front of the store

Joli's Boutique: Centerville Ohio
Friday Oct. 18
Meet the Artist Night... I'll keep you posted on the rest...

the party

I just had the best weekend!! Friday night was amazing. So thank you all for coming out! I don't find those events the easiest, but after Friday night at Zig Zag's Gallery I feel much better about it. Not to mention I sold some handbags!!! They are still on display and for sale there all week so help yourself. Here are few of the new ones I have for sale either at Cobblestone, or Zig Zags. Plus on my Flikr are some you missed!

Party Day...Upcoming Events

September 18 11:30am-2:30pm
Cobblestone Village and Cafe'
It's the official "Girlfriends Day". There are a number of different things going on, including me being there to just talk some about my handbags. But more importantly its a fundraiser for the National Brest Cancer Foundation. A percentage of everything we sell that day will be donated to the the foundation! I'm so excited, I've even let the pink inspire me in my handbags. Its going to be great.

September 18 4pm-7pm
Zig Zag's Gallery
They are having a Artist night! I'll be there with some other local artist just showing are working, hanging out. Munching on some cheese and wine, really the perfect way to end your week! The best part here is that I'll be leaving a small collection so if you can't make it in Friday no worries. The Cassandra Donovann line will still represent.

A great Sunday.

Yesterday was beautiful. I was out on a lovely bike ride in what seemed to be in the middle of no where with no way of anyone contacting me. So when I get home I have a missed call, a text, and a voicemail. What was amazing is the voicemail... it was from D.J. at Urban Hand Made. I have already sold two bags there!! That totally amazes me, because they just went up for sale Wednesday of this week, so five days in and I've already sold two. I really am on a wild ride! Its amazing.

A New Account

Well I had my first photo shoot today... more specifically my handbags did. I'm really hoping to get more photos of my bags posted on here for you to see. So to encourage me in doing this I now have a flickr account. The link is below and I really hope you check it out. We took a bunch a pictures today, all of the bags on Flickr at the moment are also available to purchase at Urban Hand Made. (Hopefully not long though!) I just dropped them off today and they should be for sale by the weekend I would think. This is such a cute little store, I'm sure you'll find something so I'd encourage anyone to go check it out. It's a total honor to be in the store though, the other merchandise that is sold there is really creative. Hopefully I'll be able to meet up with some of the artist eventually. It's just nice to see the work other people get excited about doing. Okay you guys let me know what you find out if you go down there! Enjoy the pictures.

Urban Hand Made

Well I have some exciting news... my purses will soon, very soon, be up at Urban Hand Made in Yellow Springs! Dj and her husband own this adorable little shop downtown where all the merchandise is made by different artist. I would encourage everyone to check it out. Not to mention that Cassandra Donovann will be representing by the end of this coming week. Get excited!!

Two sets of Cousins

As you might have realized the picking out fabric and decision making as to which material is used were is something I love. I've started to challenge myself by doing a few handbags at a time and incorporating similar material in each of them. So I've made four bags, Two Sets of Cousins. Each bag is still unique, but is still linked to at least one other handbag. For this set red is a reoccurring theme. I think the pictures will better explain this. So here you go. The size is 12" by 8.5"wide.

covering buttons

As you probably noticed I love buttons! I've bought new, found some at thrift stores, and been given some. The thing I'm really getting into is making them! I actually bought some hand made buttons on Etsy and really liked them. So much so that it inspired me to start making more of my own covered buttons. It is kind of tricky to make sure the print is placed correctly since your putting it together upside down, and to have the fabric not pucker on the sides. Anyway here are a few I've made...

Updated Clutch

Over the past few weeks I've gotten some feedback on my clutches. Over all consciences... some people prefer to have a strap. Which would, surprising as it might sound, defeats the purpose of a clutch. So after thinking about how to answer this problem here's what I came up with... A small hidden wristlette (If that makes any sense). This way it can be pulled out but doesn't interrupt the integrity or shape of the purse. Its currently on the market so we'll see what the response is. I'm was happy with it, for it turned out better than I expected.