This new tote bag design is inspired by the Miss Priss Wristlet collection, originally released at the Renegade Craft Fair earlier this year in July.

Miss Priss Wristlets won’t make a reappearance at the Bazaar Bizarre SF Holiday Show, but the Miss Priss Tote will more than take their place! Better suited for the colder months ahead I think, the Miss Priss Tote will be large enough to hold your purse essentials PLUS your winter essentials.

I don’t want to give too much away about Miss Priss Tote’s bells and whistles, especially since she’s still in development, but suffice it to say she’s got some. Oh yes, she’s got some alright. =P

I was really happy to finally deliver this Big Lug - Earthy Faux Patchwork Edition to Connie a few days ago, and even happier to get her note back proclaiming her love for her new bag!

Connie’s Lug had a couple of special add-ons, including a small front zip pocket:

…and a large center divider to separate work from personal items:

I haven’t been doing custom work lately simply because of the extra time involved, but Connie’s been such an awesome, long-time repeat customer now and was willing to wait for as long as it took me to deliver the bag…so I was happy to be able to work it in.

Too bad the photos are a little grainy. I didn’t realize that Jimmy’s D90 was on a high ISO setting and just picked it up and snapped away the whole session entirely clueless. Hmph. I knew I shoulda put the thing on Auto! Live and learn, live and learn.

They’re unisex bags really, but definitely suited for men. Especially considering that they were co-designed by the husband Jimmy, for two very special fellas: our Masters of Wedding Centerpieces Roberto and John, who are seen here politely showing off their new gifts.

This was a really fun project for Jimmy and me because, even though it took us forever to complete, it was a joint handmade venture that we hoped would show our appreciation to John and Roberto just that much more. We made them in different sizes and colors so they wouldn’t be too matchy matchy.

I sketched out the bags on a whiteboard based on Jimmy’s very specific descriptions and requirements (things like “it should hold one of those medium-sized Mead spiral notebooks” and “there has to be a pocket for cell phones and a zipper pocket for wallets” and “nothing too complicated, just simple and functional”). I even had him bust out the measuring tape and give me exact dimensions.

Then, we went shopping in my fabric stash and he chose every element from the selection I gave him, from the sunbrella exterior and cordura nylon lining, to the color and widths of the velcro, straps and bias tape, not to mention the type of hardware (metal vs. plastic)!

Jimmy’s been lobbying for me to make one for him. Hm…maybe after the holidays!

Jimmy noticed a spike in the number of product views and hearts at my Etsy shop yesterday and found that one of my Big Lugs had gotten a spot (3rd row, center) in an article on oversized bags called Gift Ideas: Big Bag, Big Statement! YEA!

We were both totally psyched to have the Big Lug be in the collection of 21 big bags featured in the article, and it definitely gave me an extra energy boost as I was sewing new stuff up yesterday. Many thanks to Etsy blog writer TeenAngster for that!

That’s what I imagine Jimmy will say when he finds out what I just scored. For I just acquired my very. first. MANNEQUIN! I’ve hardly had her for more than an hour and I’ve already put her to work modeling my latest accessory item, the quilted corduroy neck warmer:

First, more about the mannequin. I got this from an amazing local business called Mannequin Madness. I discovered Mannequin Madness while looking for places that would take some huge bricks of packing styrofoam off my hands since that stuff isn’t recyclable in my area. Well, I think someone was trying to tell me to go check this place out, because soon after noting MM down as a styrofoam recycling option, I randomly came across it again on Yelp while searching for something else entirely. And then I came across it again in an email newsletter from Ladies Who Launch, which featured Mannequin Madness and its owner Judi Henderson-Townsend!

Mannequin Madness rents and sells used dressforms, mannequins and mannequin parts and is a business to be commended not only for recycling over 100,000 pounds of mannequins a year, but also for their cool tagline which cracks me up every time I read it:

We work with a bunch of stiffs and dummies and love it!

Now on to the neck warmer! We’re still enjoying mostly sunny days out here in Alameda, California but I can definitely feel the chill creeping into the air. I’ve been wanting to throw some accessories into my current mix of bags and pouches, so I figured a cozy little neck wrap could be just the thing. And with all the soft, fuzzy corduroy in my stash for all the Big and Little Lugs I make, what better material to use to help fight the chill!

The corduroy neck warmer opens and closes with two silver snaps and can be worn in any of the ways shown, folded over in half, or however your heart desires. It looks great underneath a coat, or on its own and since it’s a short wrap as opposed to a full scarf, it’s less bulky, can be stashed away in your bag, AND — one of my favorite benefits — you won’t have to worry about it brushing up against any public toilets when you’re out and about! =P

The neck warmer will be posted to the Etsy shop within a few days. Thanks for looking!

Update: Here’s a better look at my mannequin (who’s in need of a name, hm…). I dressed her to protect her modesty, but you can see that she’s got everything but legs and came with a great stand on wheels. Here she is, modeling The Big Lug - Flower Power Edition.

These turbulent times seem good occasion to release a little Flower Power upon the people, so as Emeril would say…BAM!

And a couple more views of the pleated body and velvety smooth corduroy top.

They’re not there yet now posted, but I think these will be the last of the large bags I post to the shop before Bazaar Bizarre. Wait, I think I said that already last time. Sooo uhhh…just thought I’d share the fruits of my labor today! And now off to get ready for a dinner date with the hubs and some friends. Woohoo I’m leaving the house!

I started listing my new Vinyl Snap Pouches on Etsy this afternoon thanks to Jimmy’s new Nikon D90. I did one photo session with all the pouches together and then solo shots of the Chocolate Brown pouch just to make sure the whole setup turned out okay. Tomorrow I’ll work on shooting the rest of the colors individually.

I’m also excited to have made good progress on a couple of Big Lugs in new prints, too! Hopefully I’ll have those posted by next week, and then I think I’ll start getting ready to close up shop temporarily to get serious on building inventory for the Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco Holiday Show on November 30th. Whee!

There are two big reasons why I love Wednesdays. One is that Design*Sponge, via Lauren & Derek from  supercute SF-based store The Curiosity Shoppe, posts its DIY Wednesdays entries. I look forward to this every week. The other reason, at least through today and sadly not again until next season, is that Project Runway is on! Now that Jerrell is gone, for me it’s a toss-up between Korto (how do you pronounce that anyway?!) and Leanne. I won’t even say anything about Kenley…except: ACK!!

This particular Wednesday, I’m ALSO happy because I finished my first batch of Coupon Cases!

The insides contain a sweet treat of cheery color, too!

There are threads to be cut, a product name to be reconsidered and photos to be shot, but otherwise these are ready to go!

While I’m at it, I thought I’d also share a shot of my favorite new craft supplies storage solution. IKEA’s GRUNDTAL magnetic knife rack + their GRUNDTAL magnetic spice containers = the perfect storage system for my most frequently accessed supplies: fabric scissors, clothing labels, binder clips and elastic!