What Da Heezy?

I don't know if it's the rain or if there is something vicious lurking around inside my computer, but I'm having a time trying to upload pics...I'm TRYING to (re)introduce the GRAND STASH wallet.  Since I can't seem to be able to list it on Etsy at the moment, I'll just show it here:

Here's what it looks like closed.  Hook and loop tape (Velcro) keeps everything together.

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This is an inside view: two large pockets for checkbook, cash, maybe even some coupons and receipts.  There is a pocket for your pen, and three cardholder pockets

that will each hold about 4 to 5 cards.

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This is the back where the zippered pocket for coins is located.  The strap may be worn around the wrist, belt loops, or around the strap of a larger bag to keep it within reach.

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This fabric not your cup of tea? No worries! I am working on other fabric choices, and as always, feel free to find the fabric of your choice online.  I will order it and whip one of these babies up just for you!

Don't want to order through Etsy? Email me! custom@mashulu757.com

Oh...how did I forget?

By the way, I was featured as the Handbag Designer 101.com Designer of the Day Wednesday, November 4th!  It's one of my favorite sites to visit so to have a feature is AWESOME! Check it out:
http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/designer/516/mashulu_by_artina_slaughter_artina

*GASP*

Wow. This has been a decent week, aside from the Recession Monster chasin' me down every five minutes.  I sold FIVE pieces from my Etsy site this week!  Since joining I have never done that much in one week...I'm exited.  I must say that I was pretty aggressive on the online marketing.  Imagine what I could be doing if I beefed up my real-time marketing?

So, I think I will start having a frequent feature type thing...I will call it my Weekly Big Wish. I absolutely LOVE earrings, especially since I recently cut my hair down to it's natural texture.  They really jazz up my look now that I can't hide behind hair tricks.  Here lately mass produced earrings have lost their shine in my eyes so I turn to Etsy when I want pieces that I know will start up a conversation. I came across  Maria Goti Joyas's shop (http://www.mariagotijoyas.etsy.com/) and wow!  I not only fell in love with her FABULUOUS handcrafted earrings but her necklaces as well.  As soon as I get a large chunk of change, I am going to treat myself!

The Waiting Game

Now that I have finally got some new stock in my shop, now what?  Aside from the perk of avoiding face-to-face rejection, selling online is hard!  I've put the word out on MySpace and Facebook and of course my blog...I'm not 100% sure what to do next. Well, I take that back. I know word of mouth and real time self promotion is next...I'm just avoiding it. Not good, I know. I'm working on it though. OH! A giveaway will get me some attention!  More on that later...

In other news, I really need to start producing some work for my Master's program.  I'm so used to having assignments that this independent study thing is giving me a bit of a fit.  I've also been consumed with getting things into my shop so that has given me a bit of a creative block as far as school projects go.  I think that my next move Etsy wise will be to list bags that can be made to order.  Actually, I wish I would have thought of that first!  Then I could have just made one of each style and let customers pick their own fabric. Not re-inventing the wheel with that concept, but you get the idea. 

In case you were wondering, my theme for my body of work is body modification.  I plan to draw inspiration from various forms of modifications like tattoos, scarification, branding, etc.  The thing is I am not sure what I want to make first...a clothing item? A soft sculpture? A wall hanging? See...someone who has trouble making decisions like me should not be left to their own devices!  Well, I should stop whining because I am going for my terminal art degree so it's time I get into my "artist's mindset".  Since I hate posting sans pics, I will leave you with a couple of images I have collected as inspiration towards my school projects...

www.mashulu757.com

*Whew*  I'm finally done with the main site AAAND I have some items in my Etsy shop.  Of course the main site is basically a fancy link to my Etsy shop.  I just didn't want to fool with all the shopping cart stuff.  I am thinking about adding a la carte custom bag designing capabilities at some point.  That way Etsy can be for the items already made and mashulu757.com could be for custom orders. We'll see.  I still have a few things to photograph and list.

After laboring over quicker, cleaner ways to create the handles on my HONEY style bag, I have found a solution! I am pleased that it now takes a lot less time to make them than it did to find the right method! Here's an example of what the original handle looked like:

As you can see, the opening was square and I found the handle to just be overall kind of bulky...hard to sew, too!  I think I used two layers of vinyl, two layers of PELTEX, and two facings...PER HANDLE. Leave it to me to make life more difficult.  Now it looks like this:

It keeps its shape like I want it to (meaning, it doesn't get bent out of shape when you put stuff in the bag) and its a lot less thick looking.  I love the colors in this bag. Of course I'm a day late and a dollar short of Halloween, but for most folk, skulls are in style every day!

Slowly But Surely...

On a personal note, this week has been pretty crappy...I lost my jump drive, my favorite pair of glasses, AND my BlackBerry (grrrr).  After a bit of moping, I'm back at working on newness.  I have a bad habit of changing patterns right after I finish a project, so that's slowing me down.  I really want to have a lot of pieces to show for the re-launch, but I don't want to wait forever. I'm eager to see what response I will get.  I will just continue to add 2 or 3 pieces a week for a while until I beef up my Etsy Shop.

 It's supposed to be kinda warm today, so  I was hoping for some good picture taking sunlight, but alas it is cloudy.  As a sneak peak I would like to introduce my latest clutch bag.   I wasn't sure what to call it, but I think I'm going to go with "the Sugar" clutch because I want to make a wristlet version and call it "the Cupcake" or "the Muffin" or something like that...we'll see. Enjoy!