Small news

Even though my heart and mind are set on the upcoming trip to my home country, life, however, still goes on. 

Latest updates include me being accepted for so far the biggest art show for me to take place in the end of the year; added a challenging retailer to the family, arranged a trip home - and planning to cut back my time at the day-job this fall, just in time for the busy holidays...
To follow up on my previous post about feeling all guilty overpricing my handmade bags, I have recently been called out on the very opposite - undercharging....

I joined a group of designers, carried by a successful high end retailer. During my meeting with the retailer, I received advise on how to add value to your products - and why you should do it.

For the first time since I started my bag sewing adventures, I feel like I have been challenged by someone and forced to step outside of my comfort zone. Even thugh I am willing to create a range of high end purses, based on the store's feedback and expectations, it all still must co - inside with my own philosophy, original ideas and aesthetics.

With their advise in mind, I started making some changes to how I did things up till now. I have located and ordered additional leatherworking tools, which will save time neede to work on certain styles of bags, and will improve detail finishings. I have worked out some new additional styles, that could be dedicated to the exclusive collection. I have even did some basic tuning on my sewing machine, and now it works like a champ! Most importantly, I did not need to resort to different leather or fabric stock to meet their expectations, which I feared the most and was quite ready to protest earlier - I simply went back to the liquidated materials I loved all along, but ruled out in the past, due to my lack of skills or equipment. Its like I've finally come a full circle!

I am only in the infant stages of this new endeavor for me - but I have learned so far, that challenges can be good to help you see your craft in a different light. Also that's a great time to revisit work methods or sourcing options you have ruled out before. And, challenges like this one will force you to re-evaluate your craftsmanship - and take it to even a higher level.

My limited "high end" collection, featuring several re-worked current styles, and three brand new styles will make its debut between early July to early August.

It will also be available for purchase at my booth at the One Of A Kind Show in Vancouver, Dec 9-12.

Silly Guilt

I have been at it (making my leather bags, that is) for a year. Still, when it comes to putting prices on my work, and calling them out to buyers, I still experience surprisingly weightily discomfort....

I am very critical of what I do and tend to second-guess my time, effort and cost calculations; I also question if my work is actually WORTH the amount I am asking for it.  And, of course, then it all escalates into questioning the appeal of my design work and quality of craftsmanship.

It doesn't take much longer till I am feeling unsure and apologetic about my prices.

Sure, we all have heard customers saying things, like "That's so expensive!", or " I love it, but can't afford it!" Some of us will then step in to "help" these customers by cutting deals, giving discounts and specials for mere appreciation of our work.

But that means we're voluntarily under-estimating ourselves and everything it takes to make our products, let alone diminishing our proceeds - and setting up our fellow crafters for unequal competition.

Nowadays I have been exploring deeper into the emotions, which the changing status of my Design Company brings to me. What once was a tiny free time project, fuelled by compliments, has now grown into an Indie Brand, carried by several retailers and featured in the independent press - just one year later.

Pleased, but surprised, I found myself not quite ready for it. I realize that I am yet to learn to detach from the "tiny free time project" past , and start treating my Brand as a business.

I teach myself to accept the changes:

My craftsmanship has improved - and so have my designs. I am more aware of characteristics of the materials and challenges beyond various styles. I design and make my stuff all on my own. The bag styles, that have received so much response this spring, have all started with me. And they ARE worth everything I am asking for them.

If you, as the person behind your product are sure of yourself, others will believe it....

Vancouver Car Free Day

Several neighbourhoods of Vancouver are joining together for a Car Free Day, this coming Sunday!

June 20, 2010

Main Street, Lower Lonsdale, Denman street, Commercial Drive and over 25 blocks in Kitsilano

will be closed to traffic other than pedestrian between

10 am and 8 pm.

Come out and play -

The lovely Two Of Hearts Boutique on Main street (at 22nd Ave) is going to have an outdoor booth with lots of goodies, including my fabulous Jaki (right), Hollie, Sarah (left), some of the very last Kerrys (bottom), and Katie, the bag!

All info here: Car Free Vancouver

Suppliers or Cottages - dilema of growth and identity

We begin very small. We take our tireless small steps up each hill, and then down and up again, on the way to our 'destinations'. We improve ourselves and our work; and inevitably seek recognition and pay-back for those small steps that got us here - hopefully closer to where we want to be eventually.... Some of us will find that recognition, although not necessarily in the form we were hoping for.




Many of my friends, who are running their small businesses, as well as crafters in the on-line forums frequently discuss cautions and downsides of different growth models, which impact their time, dedicated for work and family, or quality of their product, even identity of their indie brand.

You need to choose carefully which route to take to expand your business and what role to play while doing it. Different products require different skills not only in the making, but researching and selling them too. It is when a third party gets involved in your sales, the dilemma of your role and identity arises…

Craft markets or retail are good ways to introduce your product to the public. Your goods will be displayed, seen, touched and tried by real customers, and those advantages are inevitably lost if shopping on-line. But with that come higher costs, risk of loss and obligation to share your proceeds.

Some believe, that being a true Artisan, or a true Cottage industry, means you must be manufacturing, packaging, promoting and selling your products yourself – be it in your own brick-and-mortar “Cottage” storefront, or a web-page, whilst also seeing your customers at home. Third party involvement is very minimal, as these brands refuse to be just another item on a retailer’s shelf and take great care in keeping their quality superior. The biggest advantage of this model is that you sustain nearly all your proceeds, and while PR and feedback is doing most of the work. This model is great for businesses, that make products, commonly reviewed by gurus of their craft, recommended by web-critics, specializing in that category or lifestyle. Think of organic skin care, natural perfumery, pet products. BUT – the catch is, if there is no established network of industry gurus, web-advise and reviewers, dedicating their attention to Indie artists, this model may not be possible for your category of products.

Some other Indie artists thrive by selling their wares through retail. They are quite happy wholesaling, focused purely on their craft and often not comfortable selling their stuff themselves. This model allows you to limit your efforts to what you like to do best – creating.

But, there are several cracks one can fall into while choosing to work this way. You will have to share your proceeds with retailer, and since they are doing all the selling, you inevitably take the role of a “Supplier” – your retailer will be in charge of what they want to carry in their store, what sells the fastest, what costs the least, and will let you know which products they’re not interested in, which could be subjective in the end. Some of your products may remain under-represented, due to the choice of a buyer; you may exhaust the market for your best –seller item all at once, and you will not be able to meet your customer, instead will have to rely on a third party feedback only.

Wholesale, even though paid upfront gives you the least control as an artist. The person behind the brand is just a supplier, providing quantities of a product, often at the cost of innovation, even quality, in order to meet deadlines and repetitive requests. In consignment, you sustain some of your freedom, as in most cases you will call the shots, as in which items you want to sell with this particular retailer. But that is sustained at cost of taking all the risk of investing in your products upfront, with no obligation from the retailer.


Perhaps, the best way is to do it all. Manufacture, promote, sell, consign and vend at the markets. The identity of your brand is the single most important thing, that will outlast your relationships with retailers, event organizers and even clients.

If you back your identity with continuously improving quality of your product, the relationships will only expand. Ultimately, markets – and retailers – want your business, and there is no need to compromise any part of your overall goal for anything less.

You can extend momentum for you best selling item, by not over-stocking it, and you can ensure your quality by taking caution during faster than usual growth. Be selective. There’s only one of YOU.

Impulses, influences and losses - nose diving into sourcing of materials

I am a leatherworker. Up until now I haven’t been giving myself major grief about my choices while purchasing supplies for my production.


As many starting designers, I have had a few not so successful ones. I have sourced materials that did not prove to meet my expectations of final product appearance, or its appeal to customers. Often, these buys were quite spontaneous, or based largely on impulse, someone else’s opinion and taste, who did not necessarily have a great deal of knowledge of the products I have been trying to develop.

Then styling, fell short in the end, as it did not co-inside with my aesthetics, working equipment or craftsmanship levels. Some of these great raw materials, that ended up being mis-used in some of my work, would have simply been better with someone else. Sadly, even my surplus, liquidation and otherwise found hides and bits do not come cheap...

Luckily, when creations had gone awry, I had my day-job income to back me up. I was quite comfortable having ‘sales’ in my shop, or selling my products ‘at cost’ to friends, simply due to the lack of confidence in my work. And often - taking a loss, just to cover costs of materials I shouldn’t have bought, or styles I shouldn’t have made....

Now, that I am slowly transitioning into self employment, I realize, that this old back-up plan will no longer be viable. Nor should it be. I am writing my old ways off to ‘learning mistakes’ and sticking to my guns this year – curbing the impulses, the influences and other outside signals when it comes to selecting materials or drafting looks.

If you’re like me, and have been taking your ‘mistakes’ to market, you probably noticed how public responds to different creations you’ve made. Some get buyers really hyped up, and some don’t. Same way, some successes are really short lived, and some are quite lasting.

That is the most valuable observation while you’re in the stage of defining your niche. This kind of definition does not come overnight – in fact it may take a while to come up to some sort of shortlist of products that will stick around in your production, and those that will vanish along with some fast trend. Observing your customer is far better than asking friends for opinion on your products (as if they’ll tell the truth anyways) – or browsing store shelves and copying the most popular products in the mall.

Observing your customer will lead to understanding which materials work with your aesthetics and which direction your product development will take. Tuning out the ‘noise’ from the environment will help you focus on proven facts, such as numbers from your sales, customer reaction, feedback and changes as they occur.

Even though it is great to browse and see what other products are out there, it is not a great source of, what I call – Direct Inspiration – or copying. Fashion is Created in the Indie world, and then copied by mainstream, and doing it the other way around, you are hurting your brand.

Also, tune out ideas that are foreign for what would be your niche – or focus - of the moment. Write them down and archive them, for they may be useful ... one day, but not now. Like, if you’re making hard shell wallets with stamp detail and belts, you do not need to pounce into gathered scrunchies, just because someone thought you could make anything in the world perfect. (Remember those unsolvable custom orders, based on requests of the buyer, that got fouled up in the end?)

You will simply end up with a stack of materials that will not work with your original style, and people will end up not liking the products. Observe, and draw from within – if you do it honestly, there’ll be smaller chance you end up making selections people will not like. And you will end up wasting less money or wrong purchases.

Oh - and – do not overstock successful product.... that’s next...

Final Spring show - and KATIE, the bag

It has been a busy Spring season - I am so amazed at how much my little Brand has grown and matured in just a year!..
My first collection in on the fade now, as I am transitioning into new styles for the Pre-Fall.

Currently we are all gearing up for my final Spring show, before I put my efforts towards organizing a trip back to my home country, and the new collection to follow.  Come and visit my booth at the Portobello West market this Sunday, May 30, 12 - 6 pm 


This will be the last chance to purchase most bags of the Intro Spring 2010 collection directly from the designer, before the stock runs out.

Many ever so loved styles - such as Kerry, Jaki tote, Ladette and others will retire from the active production and retreat to the Custom Vault - available for special orders and at some of my retailers while their stock lasts.....

 However, you will still see Jaki shoulder bag (left) and Renata (right) around for fall ...

These two styles are great for any season, really.








As for the newbies - some of you have already 'met' my modernized country saddle bag Terry Ann - and the 'It' Spring bag in Vancouver - Sarah... These can be found at my booth during Portobello West market...

Introducing - Katie

Katie is the third style to represent my Coming Of Age collection. It will debut at the Market this Sunday, and hopefully, then I will be able to share some pictures with you.



Katie is not just a beautiful bag - it will help to raise funds for Adult Education financial aid at the University of British Columbia.



From each sale of Katie, the bag, I will make a CAD 25 (retail sales) or CAD 50 (direct sales)  donation to the Leone and Robert Hammond Bursary within the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Awards (see VANCOUVER SENATE MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 2010, http://www.senate.ubc.ca/)
*** Leone and Robert Hammond Bursary: A $5000 bursary is offered by Robert Hammond in memory of his wife, Leone Hammond (B.A. 1946) to provide financial assistance for a student who demonstrates financial need in Education, Social Work or Music. Recommendation is made by the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Awards. (First award available for the 2009/10 Winter Session)  - from the Senate Minutes Of March, 2010***


** Details on how to make your own personal contributions to this fund will be included with most Katie bags in my retail locations - and this blog in the near future**





In the mean time – come meet Katie for the first time at Portobello West.


see you there & bye for now!

Baby steps lead both ways - back and forth

For the last while I have been thinking about the fate of my current day job... I have been looking into options of going part time – or getting rid of it all together, to open up time for taking my creative business into that next level it is heading towards this year.


At the onset of 2010 I was hoping it would be the ‘turning’ year for Designs, and my plan on how to achieve it seemed to deliver results. I have entered and expanded retail, scheduled quite a few more art shows than last year, first of which already happened, and was successful. Of course, this growth came with its own demands, and more often than not I find myself running out of time, hectically trying to get through the most essential work at the office and home, putting other important long term goals straight onto the back burner.

Like, any upcoming show has turned my evenings, days off and weekends into sweatshop marathons, as I am trying to re-stock the sold items, buy supplies and do what I can to make the next show happen, before I am out of time. Adding new retailers also means more re-stocking work and time needed to accomplish that.

But I only have so much time... Sewing has occupied most of it dedicated for the business, and research, website building and scouting new outlets are simply impossible to fit in. Also, lately I have been cancelling almost every social event, ignoring every invite, if the get together with people takes longer than 1 hour and 20 minutes, as using that amount of time for other things will put even more pressure on my schedules during the week.

I realize, that at this point I should be working on building my own Internet site and create a continuous flow of sales through retailers and on-line. I feel like I could use some coaching on the latter subject... – none of which is achievable unless you put time into it.

The office day-job currently takes some 10 hours out of each of my day. In general, I have never been functioning too well in the 9 to 5 scenario, and never felt like I have found an mainstream occupation, which I would consider fulfilling.

Of course, I would be excited about each new job in its on-set, but once having learned it and overcome challenges and faced with mere routine of it, I lose interest and therefore have been frequently switching jobs in the past years. During my first years in Canada as a new immigrant, I’ve done some of the oddest jobs to survive and stay afloat under various restrictions and limiting permits, so I was even more pumped up to finally find a job, which provided continuous income and recognition.

But as time went by, faced with ongoing staffing and workload issues, also with the 9 to 5 reality, lack of creativity in the nature of work and subsequent interest and motivation loss, I found myself in the middle of my usual ‘over 1 year on the job’ crisis, calling for a change. Apart from taking out a lot of time out of my day, this day job is making me an outright unhappy person.

My urge has always been to work for myself on my own schedules and terms. I am very inspired by the established Indie businesses, that turned to be the primary source of income for the owners. I would like my business to be one of those one day, and I realize that I am on the right track, but it still needs more time and resources to grow. My time away is slowing its growth. Its growth, when happens, is consuming the remainder of my time and takes a toll on my daily life, house maintenance, fitness and even time for my family – both, here and abroad.

I do not have a firm decision about what to do next yet, and I am still very dependent on the income from the day-job. I will keep researching options and pick the best suited one to try to accommodate most aspects of this conundrum come summer... Right now my heart is leaning to cut 2 days of my precious week away from the office starting September.... So I can work on my web-page and the new collection.... And be happier...