In the Feature Gallery: Trinket Bags

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Wow! it's been a busy few days again here in the studio... we've managed to get some decorating done and our miniature tree looks so pretty... the last bit of sewing is winding down for The Commons Christmas Craft Fair... only the hand-stitched embellishments left to do... then on to the dry run for merchandising the show table.

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Our last product for the upcoming market is a Trinket Bag. These bags are wonderful for holding smaller gifts that are so hard to wrap... perfect for those little stocking stuffers or for hanging on the tree...

 

...Limited edition for 2011~ the prints and fabrics we used are the left over pieces of fabric from the gift bags and bread bags 

...Eco-friendly ~ no need for wrapping paper

...Reuseable; sturdy; versatile

...Finished size is approximately 5" wide by 8" tall

      

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

So that ends our showcase of some of the cloth gift bags available at Carla's Victorian Heirlooms for the 2011 Holiday Season... there are so many we possibly couldn't photograph them all! We hope you enjoyed the sneak peek... it certainly has been fun sharing with you!

Make sure the craft market is on your "to-do" list this coming Saturday December 3... all the information can be found under the "Craft Market" tab on the right. Stop by to say "hello" and mention you read our blog... we have a special "Thank You for reading" gift just for you...

Until next time... the countdown is now 25 shopping days left 'til we hang our stockings... keep safe, be happy.

Feature Gallery: Cotton Bread Bags

First an update...

Good evening to all. It was a long day spent behind the desk to catch up on paper work again... finish one file and on to the next. Plans have changed for the weekend... no Vancouver trip to visit the Make It! show... no Parksville visit either. We are instead going to stick closer to home and visit a couple of the small local markets going right here on Gabriola Island... The Feedlot Studios is running a market Friday November 25 (5pm – 9pm) and Saturday November 26 (10am – 4pm)... As well, the 2nd Annual Gabriola Artisan Christmas Fair is taking place Saturday November 26 & Sunday November 27 at the Rollo Seniors’ Centre, 685 North Road.

That’s the news of the day from the studio... now on to our feature of today... 

cotton bread bags! 

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

The bags are ...Reusable and environmentally friendly (no extra plastic in the landfills) ...Made right here in our studio, with 100% cotton fabric (toss them in with regular kitchen laundry instead of washing bulky plastic containers) ...Have a drawstring at the top for easy open and close (no more broken plastic clips or worn twist ties) ...Finished measurements are 8½” wide by 15½” long to fit a loaf of artisan bread nicely ...Add a unique touch to your kitchen decor ...Each bag is completed with a finishing "artisan's touch" of the hand-stitched embroidery “Bread” in a contrasting color to compliment the fabric ...Makes a great bag when you want to take that fresh bread to your next dinner invite!

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Up next in our Feature Gallery will be the small version of a gift bag with a built-in handle... until then...

stay safe, be happy.

Good Morning.

We have had a lot of fun finalizing our Christmas product line. Looking at different ideas, doing trials where we measure costs, time, and market value. It has led to numerous conversations about fabrics, aesthetics, usability, and durability over many cups of tea. We have had some chances to show prototypes to a variety of people and groups, making notes on reactions and listening to the feedback we received.

A couple of points seemed be universal. One was that hand embroidery and the skill it entails still holds value to consumers. Often thought of as a lost art in the face of machine embroidery, time and time again, people noticed those hand made details and commented favorably, often with warm stories of mothers and grandmothers who practiced the art.

Another point was that products must have a function and be durable. It was important that products be useful, not just displayed. People wanted products that replaced the mass-produced ubiquitous items around the home. Not unlike the 100-mile diet, people want to connect with the artisans that make the products in their home. Price was not as important as authenticity, durability, and uniqueness.

To launch our Christmas product line we have chosen a lined wine tote, bread bags, and gift bags. Individualized by myself, using hand-stitched embroidery and embellishments that bring out the warmth of the jewel-toned fabrics. Reusable and of a quality that they may indeed be called heirlooms that people will regift year after year.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be featuring each of these products individually so you can see for yourself. For those who cannot attend our craft shows, send me a private message and we can arrange to have your order shipped in time for Christmas gift giving.

Do not forget to subscribe to this Blog to ensure you see our latest products and keep up with us at the craft fairs. You can “like” us on our Facebook page ~ that works too. Until next time be safe, be happy.

from the Fabric Gallery

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...