The Big Second Birthday Give-away!

Late March marks the second anniversary of Jola V. Designs...
My first bag was made sometime right in the beginning of the Astronomical Spring season. It was an oversized shopping bag, made of paisley printed upholstery fabric, which I still proudly wear today.

Also, that Spring I really fell in love with 70s style Fringe detailing, and wanted a bag with tassels - just for me. In Vancouver, that was the time before Fringe became really popular, so the bag I was looking for was nowhere to be found. And that's when I made it. When I realized that my little tassel bag got a lot of attention from friends and strangers, I made more. And I am still happily making bags to this day....

Today, I would like to give back to all who supported Jola V. Designs, believed in my wee craft, carried the line proudly on their shoulders or shelves....

I am announcing a draw - to win the Silver Grey Sarah Bag from my second, Pre-Fall 2010 Coming Of Age collection.

Give-away prize

Sarah is one of my most popular styles - the ruffled over-the-shoulder bag, with adjustable bridle straps. This particular one has a unique four tier ruffle detail, whilst all other Sarahs have three.

Four ruffle tiers

 To enter the draw: on our Facebook Fan Page  - tell us why you love us! That's right, post, what is it you like about Jola V. Designs bags, belts, other small accessories - and you'll be in...
The draw will start immediately and will continue till April 10th. We will draw the lucky winner on the 11th and send them the purse with all our best wishes and thanks....
Most importantly - we'll have fun!



Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

The Happy Post...

....It has been several weeks since my part timing at the day-job started....

I am still learning new ways of managing my time, building some sort of a routine for my new schedule, teaching myself to take breaks.


Freeing up several days worth of time weekly for my business, was an incredible relief. My tiredness and anxiety are a thing of the past - I do still get tired, but now it feels good... I am also surprised how much I am able to achieve during just a few days, without needing to wait for the weekend to get to my suppliers for parts. And, I noticed, that I also have time for other things - besides production....

Here is a summary of the past few weeks since mid-February:

Have my both Spring shows confirmed and scheduled: Make It Vancouver (April) + EPIC! Expo (May);


Rolled out new stock products:  Emma, QtBeach and Summer Edition TerriAnn bags; One prototype still to go..


Added two new retailers to carry the line: check out PoppyHair Boutique and Blushing Boutique in Vancouver;


Began test shots and outfit styling for the first ever Jola V. Designs LookBook and a Fashion Story - preview above;

Created a surprise product to mark my handbags line's Second anniversary coming up in late March. I will announce updates, giveaways and contests in the next week or so;

And the Bags, and me, will take part in organizing several private shopping events in the Spring alongside my fellow indie artists;

Also - rearranging the studio, learning to work with design software and dabbling in writing too.


Had I not cut back my time at the office, it would have taken me weeks, if not months, to achieve this. But it feels like this small change was the island of solid ground I needed to step onto. I am happy to be where I am.

Focus

Sometimes I still find myself in a situation, where my sewing project is rather running me, as opposed to me being in charge of it.
Machine jams the thread, or a fold goes awry, zipper colour sucks - and no one else is to blame.
A few things stumble at the same time, and  the end result becomes very different from what I expected. Over time, I have been solving the mishaps with varied success by altering, deepening and changing.

Even though some mishaps proved unsolvable, I learned from my mistakes, and how to avoid them in the first place.

In leatherwork, prevention is indeed the best strategy. And it works.

When it is absolutely too late for prevention, every error can be viewed as a creative opportunity to soothe it, make a note of it and prevent it in the future.


Here's to all the mishaps that taught me something good....