A couple of weeks ago, I got my crafty on once again. I had taken a long break after more than a year of sewing a lot of beambags, because my hands pretty much gave out on me. But I was inspired by this fabric I picked up at IKEA.
I really could have bought a lot of fabric at IKEA, but I only got a yard of this on sale for $4 a yard.
With half of the yard, I made the bag. With the other half, I made this wall hanging.
Truthfully, the wall hanging was what I made first. The bag was an afterthought. The frame for the wall hanging was also purchased at IKEA and was Matthew’s idea.
I don’t see myself jumping headfirst into craftiness. I think a few projects at a time are all I can handle. My next project is going to be curtains for the dining room.
I have come to the happy realization that I am obsessed with fabric. Can you blame me?
I just finished my second bark cloth bag (bcb). I have enough fabric to make another one, I think.
I have four other bags in process, some which are on the smaller clutch side of things, like the bcb. I think my next batch will focus on a couple of deeper bags, and ones with solid colors on the outside and a pattern on the inside.
UPDATE! Photo of the super-adorable Drawer Monster added to this post.
So, like I mentioned before, on Friday night I officially started selling bags at Dandie In The Underworld. I’m fantastically nervous and excited at the same time, because also as I mentioned in that previous post, DITU is ridiculously cool. I can’t even believe I get to be a part of it. Here’s some of the stuff I picked up as well as the bags I’m selling over there.
I picked up two dresses from a grab-bag bin. I am inspired to make something out of them. You will see that I am already using two of the buttons for Amy’s bark cloth bag.
More after the jumpity jump.
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Amy commissioned me to make a small bag for her upcoming conference in New York City. I am happy with the results, but not ecstatic. I have enough fabric left to make another one, and plan to give her the best of the two. The fabric is called bark cloth, which I picked up at a booth at the Hadley Flea Market weeks ago.
More photos after the jump.
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This weekend I officially began selling my bags at Dandie In The Underworld, which is located in downtown Northampton. Of course while I was there I could not help but shop. I picked up some items, which I will display here when I get a chance to get them off the camera. It’s ridiculous how awesome that shop is. I instantly fell in love with the mushroom bag, but I did not buy it because I have a lot of bags already. And let’s face it, I’m not cool enough to carry that thing around.
I hope you will go there and consider picking up my bags or other items for that matter. It’s all very reasonably priced, very local and very unique.
Directions from downtown Northampton. Let’s say you’re walking out of Thornes. Take a left and then another left down the steep hill where Herrell’s is. Cross the street and follow the alley to the back of Osaka. You can’t miss it after that! Also, there COULD be sidewalk chalk leading the way. It was when I was there.
Go! Now!
A post with photos will follow sometime during this busy weekend.
- If you are interested in a bag you’ve seen in this blog, please send an email to kristenbeam@gmail.com.
- I also will do bags by commission.
- Serious inquiries only, please.
- Prices have ranged between 20 and 45 dollars, depending on type of fabric and size of bag.
I’ve got some orders to fill.
holyoke, home improvement, sewing | kristen March 15, 2009 | 
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