SALE sale SALE sale

According to Etsy, tomorrow will be six months of Simply Clutch on Etsy! I think that calls for a sale, don't you? Check out all the ready-to-ship clutches and totes that will be lowered in price for one week only!

Lovin' the Teal!

Teal can be rich, bold and deep. It can be an accent or a main color. Now that I think about it, why have I not made a teal clutch! Well, perhaps some of these pieces will inspire me (and you)!

Peacock Invitations by Inviting Moments

Teal Bow Tie by Littlevys

Teal and Gold Garter by You-Nique Garters and Flasks

Tear-drop Earrings by Blue Love Birds

Teal Blue Shoes by Paris XOX

Glass Pearl Necklace by 5 and Under

Teal Fascinator Clip musarra and co

Wood Wedding

There is something romantic about wood... seriously. It has a warm feeling, rich colors, and feels nostalgic. I love the trend of having wood pieces incorporated into wedding schemes. Here are some that I love.

Birch Flowers from Accents and Petals

Wooden Box by My Swedish Farmhouse

Wedding Signs by TRUE CONNECTION

Wooden Wedding Guest Book by Bragging Bags

Birch Bark Log Tea Light Candle Holders by Floral Accents

Love Bird Ring "Pillow" by Little Wee Shop

Destinations and places

I was perusing Martha Stewart Weddings and found this really cute idea. Traveling is so fun and I wish I had the space to create a travel area in my home. I currently have a shelf with some tasteful knickknacks. :) Anyway, these ideas are specific to destination weddings, but I just like them in general, especially the picture frame.

In the process...

I think it's fun seeing projects from the beginning, so a few weeks ago I took some pictures while I was making an order for 4 Ivory Silk Clutches with a Ruffled Flower (and pearls).

Silk cut and ironed on fusible interfacing

Outer and inner pieces are marked and ready to be sewed together

Sew on the purple line... uh oh, which one!

All 4 ready to be sewed!

Sewing outer and inner fabric

Phoenix watching me sew from her dog bed in the corner

Cut silk strips for the flowers

Let's make some flowers

Let's get these flowers on the outsides

All ready for the frames!

All done!

RAW Part II

It has been about three weeks since the RAW showcase I attended. If you missed the post about what RAW is, check it out here. The event itself was so much fun and I really enjoyed talking to everyone that stopped by! I would recommend participating to anyone and check them out to see if there's one near you.

Here are some pics from that night:

That's me!

Get 10% off when you use the code SCFRIEND10

The Art of Framing Shop

About two months ago I received an email from a super sweet person... we'll call her Blythe. She owns a neat framing shop in the San Diego neighborhood of Normal Heights called The Art of Framing. Primarily the shop focuses on, well you guessed it, framing! However, Blythe also has a boutique area with items from local San Diego artists (art, jewelry, leather goods, bags, apparel) in her cozy little shop. She contacted me to see if I would be interested in having some of my clutches in her boutique.

Discount Fabrics

It also *so happens* that her store is two doors down from a discount fabric store (located in an old theater) that I tend to frequent. Needless to say, I was very excited to have some of my items in her store!


Here are some of the clutches that Blythe is carrying from Simply Clutch!

SquareUp or Intuit?

Ah, yes, the age old question - well, maybe 'year old' question - of using SquareUp or Intuit to accept credit card payments. I was recently having this debate myself and I know many others are as well.

In general, this is what SquareUp charges (from their website):

 

Intuit GoPayment  pricing:



Here are a few blogs and sites that have some great information and comparisons on both. Note: There have been changes to the transaction fees since some of these were posted, but have some good things to think about.

Meg's Crochet Jewels
Another blog I found with *detailed* descriptions of both
Business Insider article


Anyway, hope that's helpful to those that are in debate. What did I go with? Intuit GoPayment.

RAW: Natural Born Artists

In April, I was contacted by the event director for the San Diego RAW: Natural Born Artists. At first, I thought it was just another event that I would have to shell out money to attend or be promoted. As I looked into it, I realized it was much different that I expected.

There are RAW events popping up in cities all over, so no matter where you are, check it out!

From the website: www.rawartists.org

RAW:natural born artists is an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists.

Our mission is to provide independent artists of all creative genres, with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity. RAW educates emerging artists through seminars, workshops and insight to further the knowledge of their industry.

RAW connects them with one another so that they might grow together, while providing them with opportunities to give back to their own local youth communities through the arts.

We encourage the creative success of the many visionaries and storytellers of our generation.
(1) GRASSROOTS SHOWCASE EVENTS
RAW hand-picks and spotlights local artistic talent in film, fashion, music, visual art, hair & makeup artistry, and performance art. With artists from all genres in each showcase, RAW events come together to form an amazing circus of creativity.

What can you expect when attending RAW Showcase? We screen an independent film (usually a short, webisode or music video), a fashion show from an up-and-coming local designer, a musical performance, an art gallery featuring several independent visual artists, and performance art (comedy/dance/fire dancers, you name it...). You'll get a little taste of everything. Combine all this creativity with drinks, fun, and good company! To partake in the experience, RSVP ($10/ticket) in the "SHOWCASES" section of our web site!

(2) ONLINE ARTS COMMUNITY
www.RAWartists.org is designed to showcase our RAW artists online. RAW hosts a plethora of online profiles -- exclusive to our hand-picked RAW artists. RAWartists.org is open to the public to view, however, the site profiles and perks are reserved for only selected RAW artists. RAW artists can connect with other RAW artists, sell their work, post videos, music and promote upcoming projects, upcoming events and track their success.

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U-Handbag Tutorials

I'm sure many handbag makers are familiar with Lisa Lam and U-Handbag and her blog. I came across her website a few years ago when I started my bag making adventure. At the time, she posted great tutorials and tips. Now she's the author of "The Bag Making Bible" and is penning a second book.

Anyway, if you've wanted to learn how to make a variety of bags, check out her free tutorials and blog that she still posts on (she also has other tutorials you can purchase). They are really easy to use and very clear! Click here to see!

CRAFT ON TAP - Mingei International Museum

Last week I received an email from the Mingei International Museum (well, a person from the museum) about an event they have called "Craft on Tap." Mingei celebrates "art of the people" and has wonderful exhibits on folk art, craft and design. Here's a little bit from their website:

The word mingei, meaning 'art of the people,' was coined by the revered Japanese scholar Dr. Sōetsu Yanagi by combining the Japanese words for all people (min) and art (gei). Yanagi's teachings awakened people to the essential need to make and use objects that are unfragmented expressions of head, heart and hands.

Established in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, conserves and exhibits these arts of daily use - by anonymous craftsmen of ancient times, from traditional cultures of past and present and by historical and contemporary designers.

This particular event hosts craft food, beer, art and local artisans (me!).

Here are some pictures of my display area (shared by other San Diego Etsy Artists).