Etsy Sale

I love new followers, giveaways, and anything else that encourages others as women and artists.  So, how about a sale in my Etsy Shop?  I will be adding things to my shop later today when my camera is charged.  You know how that goes.  Tomorrow you will be able to use the code "simplemoments" to save 20% on everything in my shop.  There will be many treasures including...

Small Reversible Purses

Upcycled Sweaters for Kids

Mini Album Kits

Hand Drawn Note Cards

Fabric Postcards

More Fun Purses

Simple Moments Stick Giveaway

Many many thanks to Susannah (that's her on the right, obviously) from Simple Moments Stick for including me on her blog and in her Let's Go to the Movies Giveaway.  Bloggers are truly blessed by one another.  Here is a sneak peak of one of my Blue Elephant Bags that I will be sending out to the winner.

Raul Ulloa Baylon: Tarma Muse

"For a while, I thought I might not be able to make my dreams come true, and to provide for my little son. My son is now seven, and it has been seven years since I joined Novica - seven years since I realized that dreams can be more than just dreams. Today I have my own home, and my own workshop. My family is doing well, and I have the energy to continue exploring my creativity because I'm sure that Novica will be there to protect us. When I joined Novica, I lived in a rented house with just one loom, my wife, and our newborn baby. Today, I have three looms and have invited other weavers to help weave my designs. Best of all, I can provide for my son the way I dreamed of doing so when he was born."

Raul grew up in the country near Tarma, Peru which in the central Andes, a region considered the "cradle of flowers." The floral beauty of Tarma inspires his works and his frequent portrayal of flowers and other images of local cultural importance.
 

"Tarma Muse" was originally stylized after the messenger bags used by Inca chasquis (messengers). They are traditionally used to carry post as well as "snacks" for the journey. Woven of wool on a pedal loom, each bag is embroidered by hand in Ayacucho style. It is fully lined with two handy pockets. 

 

"I love to paint and I love to weave. They are both a form of expression and often, after I explore a theme in my weaves, I will repeat them on the canvas.  I inherited my passion for art from my father, who wove beautiful tapestries," Raul says with pride. "I began weaving smaller pieces when I was 12 years old with the techniques from San Pedro de las Cajas. My tapestries have now gone beyond our borders.

Bring some Andean culture to your living room...

No need for an aquarium if you have this...

You know I love birds...I want this one!...

What other international treasures will you find at NOVICA Live?

Purses 101: Love the Fabric

If you love fabric as I do you probably have bushels of scraps ranging from skinny strips only good for use as frayed ribbons on small packages all the way to a 12 yard home decor sized roll of red velvet waiting in the corner of your dining room. (OK, maybe that one is just me)

When it comes to making purses, I have found that the fabric has to match the function of the purse.  Let's start with everyday purses (as opposed to occasional, fancy, or delicate purses).  You will want to find some fabrics that are thicker than your typical quilting cotton but probably not the thickest upholstery fabric you can find if only to save your sewing machine from undo stress.  Most home decor fabrics work great.  Most are a wonderful strong medium weight fabric meant for a little wear and tear.

If you do not want to commit to buying even a whole yard of home decor fabric, which can be quite pricey (remember my couch? $35 per yard!),  I recommend finding some of those sample or swatch books.

Many off them offer fabric pieces up to 18 inches and usually have coordinating patterns and colors.  I find many of mine in Fairport, NY (near Rochester) at a store called Craft Bits and Pieces that sells donated arts and crafts supplies for great prices.  The store and donation center are run by volunteers.  All proceeds support the Elderbus and Volunteer Drivers services and Senior Options for Independence.  These programs offer transportation and counseling services for the senior community.  Although they have an informational website they are unable to list things for sale on the internet because of their high turnover rate.

Here is an example of a trio that you might find together in a
sample book from Waverly, available at Joann Fabrics.

 

How about this combo from Annie Sloan?  

Her fabrics are available online at The Purple Painted Lady.

If you are making an evening bag or something that will only be used on occasion and that will be used gently, then the doors are wide open.  Try velour, try, silk, try vintage embroidered table linens.
Seriously, they work...

Enjoy hunting for the right fabric and let me know what you find.

"Bright Hope and Change" by Neide Ambrosio

Such a simple little thing.

We throw them in the recycling bin.

We throw them in the trash.

We want our 5 cents back when they are empty...

To most of us soda (also known as pop) cans just mean a caffiene kick or an alternate to coffee or tea.  To Neide Ambrosio of São Paolo, Brazil, they mean an outlet for a crocheting hobby and passion to recycle.  

Neide isn't looking for the 5 cent deposit either.  She is looking for the tab on the top of the can.  You know, the ones we used to wear on necklaces in middle school?  

 (image from Nancy's Gone Green)

Neide enjoys her walks on the beach in Rio de Janeiro collecting these treasures while keeping the busy area clean.  "I decided to use soda pops because Brazilian people consume a lot of canned drinks," she says, "and in the beaches all over Brazil you can find many soda pops."

What does she do with all that "trash"?  After learning to crochet from a friend in Rio, she decided to crochet together the soda can tabs into fashion accessories.  This is Neide's colorful wristlet called "Bright Hope and Change."

All of her handbags are fully lined and have a zipper closure.  They are beautifully made.  Upon first receiving mine I had to sit and marvel over the workmanship.  Sometimes I still do.  They are lovely inside and out.  She makes all sizes including cell phone cases...

Shoulder bags...

and even full size purses that measure approximately 10" x 13" x 3"

One of the best things about these bags, other than the obvious environmental impact, is that the aluminum is actually very light weight.  It looks like heavy metal but is very easy to carry an sturdy.

Neide's collection can be found at NOVICA Live! along with other artisans from around the world.  It's like shopping local in a global marketplace.