Open House in Liebsdorf

Had a great day at Catherine's pottery Open House last Sunday:

After my 'Open House Shop'

So, it's over. I had my 'Open House Shop' on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon but I have not cleared everything away yet. I am still expecting some people to come around. However, I am not complaining, up to now I have not done badly, much better than I do with my Etsy shop. On these two afternoons I have sold seven bags and some small items and I have another five commissions for bags as well as one necklace and two pairs of earrings! This will keep me busy this summer as well as having to prepare for the Presents Galore fair in Kelso early October.

On top of all that I have started Pauline 's commission which she ordered about two weeks ago:

Open House

I have set up my shop and am nearly ready for my 'Open House' on Wednesday and Saturday.

Overview

Earrings

Bags

More bags

and  more bags.

Bag inserts and small organisers.

Jewellery

Credit cards purses and foldable bag hooks.

More bags

Open House Invitation

Anybody interested, let me know and I will email the address and instructions on how to get to my Open House in the Alsace, France

Finished another project for my 'Open House'

Despite the sudden heat, I managed to finish another project today. I have now a total of 10 different little coin purses.

I don't know if I have time to finish another project. I would like to make 10 tassle key hangers but as we will be away for a few days next week, I will have to see.

New commission and still sewing for my 'Open House'

I have my next commission waiting. This one falls under the heading 'design your own bag'! Pauline asked me if I could use the fabric of one of her favourite coats, which she no longer longer wears, and make it into a bag. She chose the same pattern as her previous bag and together we chose the fabrics to go with the red, so all I have to do now is make the drawing of the bag with the various fabrics at the right places. I'm looking forward to this but first of all I have to get on with finishing the projects for my 'Open House'.

These are the fabrics for Pauline's next bag: the red coat, light and dark grey faux suede and a beautiful grey thick satin fabric for the lining. 

Here some pictures of the small purses I am making at the moment. This size of purse is handy for all sorts of things like: sewing needles,

some small sewing necessaries,

coins,

shop cards, gift cards, credit cards,

or business cards.

Or a children's purse.

Still sewing for my 'Open House'

I'm still working for my 'Open House' which will be held on Wednesday, June 18th and Saturday 21st as from 14:00 hrs onward. So, anyone wanting to come, let me know and I will send you directions how to get here.

Here are some pictures of my latest 'small project': business card holders. They are also very handy for shop cards, credit cards, etc.

Sewing for my 'Open House'

Except for bags, I also wanted to be able to sell some small things at my 'Open House'. I have the normal size bag organisers, but I did not make these myself. However, I will also put these down and I have ordered some foldable handbag hooks. These are small hooks that you can hook on a table and hang your bag from. These are especially handy when you are in a restaurant as we all know how dangerous it is to hang your bag from the back of your chair and how dirty it gets when you put it on the floor.

To get some small items I have sewn some small bag organisers for which I found this tutorial small bag organiser. Inside there are 6 ziploc sandwich bags. In these little bags you can put all the small bits and pieces that normally get lost in your bag even if you do use a normal size bag organiser. Things like plasters, toothpicks, cotton swabs, tablets, tampons, and lots of other small things. These small bag organisers will also be handy for a weekend away and may also contain some sewing threat and needles, special plasters to cover blisters for a weekend hiking or you can use them for shop vouchers, shop cards, etc. 

I have made four of these from hot pads bought at Ikea and at the moment I have made another three from a very thick fabric that I have used for a bag but which is really too thick for my sewing machine to combine with other fabrics. I made the bias binding myself, put hearts in contrasting colours on the little bags and used vintage buttons for closure and I think they look really great. I still have another few to make and after that there are at least two more projects.

Preparing for 'Open House'

Today I have started pricing all my bags to get ready for my 'Open House' towards the end of June. I keep thinking that I still have stacks of time left, but things seem to happen all the time that I fear I may suddenly run out of time. So, instead of starting a new bag (and my fingers are itching!) I decided that I had to take some time off and get the business part of my little enterprise up to date. I have also put all of my bags on Etsy, so that people can see what I have for sale. Hopefully, there will be a few more bags ready before my 'Open House'. 

However, I have to admit that I have not done much on the jewellery part of my hobby/business. I might do some small things if there is some time left over.

The coat/hat stand was a great purchase but I have to think of a way to show the bags off in a better way. Maybe a chain draped over it and hooks to hang the bags from so that the whole lengths of the stand is used. I was first thinking of painting it white (shabby chic) but I may leave it as it is.

Not yet enough space to hang all the bags up!

I think I may need another rack like this. I may still have one in the attic! We have so much stuff there, that I have forgotten what exactly we have!

Open House 2

The beginning of last week was so hot that I did not even want to go outside until late afternoon. It was nearly 34°. However, this lasted only for 3 days and than the temperature dropped to about 14°. Yesterday morning it was still not very warm but the sun was shining and in the afternoon it was warm enough to sit outside and the people that came to my 'open house' wandered around the garden and kept going back inside to have another look at the bags and jewellery. 

Altogether 12 people came and I sold 5 bags and 4 necklaces as well as having orders for 5 further bags. So the afternoon was really successful and I may do the same again next year.

Open house

Tomorrow I will have my 'coffee afternoon' or 'open house'. I have no clue how many people will be coming but for those who help me there will be a spaghetti meal in the evening whether I sell anything or not.
I'm quite looking forward to it.
Here some pictures of my 'shop'.