Custom purse

I was thrilled (and to be honest, a little nervous) when one of Husband's coworkers approached me a couple months ago with a request for a purse for his fiancee. She likes very small purses and once upon a time had the "perfect" purse. Except since it was perfect, she used it until it literally wore out, and then couldn't find another like it. So my commission was to produce a close replica of the original.

I have learned *so much* by making this purse. I've been working on the techniques for this purse for a while now, greatly aided by Lisa Lam's Bag Making Bible. I went through many iterations of the design to make sure I was creating exactly the right purse. Though the purse itself is fairly basic, I created my own pattern-- and it worked!

The purse has a top zipper and an inset zipper pocket in the lining. I love that the lining is polka-dotted!

I think this pattern's a winner... so keep an eye out for similar purses in my shop one of these days!

The story behind the covered button necklaces...

I have always been slightly addicted to reading crafty blogs. I have lists and lists of project ideas inspired by the wonderful scrapbooking, sewing, and craft blogs out there. Every once in a while, though, I come across a project that is so exciting that I feel like I have to make it right now. Do you ever feel like that?

That's the way it was with the covered button necklaces. Last winter I saw one on a blog and thought, "Ooh, I want to try that!" I posted the end result on my personal blog, and I began to wear it everywhere. I love how funky and unique it is.

About a month or so ago, Husband and I were at a restaurant for dinner, and I was wearing my necklace. I was surprised and delighted when two waitresses and the manager (at separate times) came by our table and raved over the necklace. They all asked whether I sold them anywhere. Their compliments were so much more than just nice words! Because of their encouragement, I decided to create more necklaces for my shop...