My precious...

Since I began diving into the concept of making purses to sell, I came up with an idea to make a bag that combined my love for bags, my love for "conversational pieces" type of bags, and my love for Sudoku. When I came up with the idea of a Sudoku bag, the few people that I shared it with thought it was a great idea. Off I went to create the bag but I didn't realize how long of a journey it would be.

I began experimenting with felt, since it was easy and cheap to work with and didn't have raw edges to clean up. The idea worked for a bit... up until I got to the numbers. For those of you that don't know, one Sudoku puzzle consists of 81 numbers. I could not find felted numbers in the size I needed so I attempted to hand cut them. Big mistake. After barely making enough to fill a box within the puzzle grid, I did some research to find a cutting device.

Enter the Cricut machine. I shelled out the most money that I have spent on one item in a long time and began testing it out with felt I purchased for the numbers. After browsing the fabric store for other purse related items, I came across a material better than felt. The fake leather material was even better than what I originally started with and with my new machine, I was able to cut out perfect size numbers.

The grid was easy to make but the task of adhering numbers to the grid and the loose numbers to Velcro was daunting. After trying out glue and glue gun, I found fusible webbing. Now, with my new found missing adhesive, I'm so close to completing an idea two years in the making. It will be my most labor intensive and precious collection to date.

Making new friends in WOC

One of the best things I have enjoyed so far, besides making purses and selling them, is meeting new people in the world of crafting. A key factor in making any business successful is networking and its even more fun with people that have the same interest. I've made some great friends and business associates through various events and activities associated with Trizanh. People in the WOC range from making almost everything one can think of. Of course there are many other purse makers, even more jewelers, and of course photographers but everyone adds their own flare to their work and as the saying goes, "there's something for everyone."

I met Kim of Pepo Park during my first show of the year. It began horribly for me and Kim happen to be my neighbor. Being a WOC veteran for about five years, she was quick to see my newbie mistakes and hardships and she took me under her wing.

Kat of  Kat Miller Photos was a participant in some crafts fairs that I tried to put together. Although the event didn't come through as a success, I was able to make a new friend. Kat and I recently collaborated on a new art project together and I'll be posting pictures soon.

At an etsyRain meet up I met Yolanda, the brilliant mind behind Carlotta Valdes jewelry. She is my soul mate in the World of Crafting, or WOC as I like to call it. Her jewelry is so unique and amazing; we both agreed to do a trade off of our products. I'm still in the process of making her a purse and I think she still working on my bracelet. We were best friends at Seattle Square over the summer and I look forward to the next season of the market!

At another session of the craft fair I put together, I befriended Alix and her Recycled Caps and Memories work. Her work is fun and unique; from hair clips to notebooks. We are planning to get together for art night and her enthusiasm motivates me to do more art.

Of course I can't blog about the amazing people I've met and have inspired me without mentioning Mary from Happy Delusions, the first home of Trizanh! Mary is so amazing that words can't describe it. Her boutique has inspired me in many ways and Mary, herself, is an inspiration.

I can't help but be excited for all the new things to come and all the new people I will meet this year in the World of Crafting.

Fusible webbing

One day, while doing some Christmas shopping, a light bulb turned on for one of my on going projects. I've been in the works for creating a new collection for a couple of years now and I am slowly gather skills, equipment, and ideas to make this new collection come to life. It dawned on me that I needed a material, like a sheet with double sides of adhesive. I called the fabric store and described my request and low and behold, fusible webbing.

I just picked up a yard to play with so let's all hope that it works. Oh, the joys of experimenting!

2011... another year and a beginning of a new decade

New goals for this year:

• Make 50 products by May
• Unveil "Artist" and "Sudoku" collections
• Create a new style within the Checker Collection
• Possibly attend CCE in San Francisco
• Get accepted into the two EtsyRAIN shows

It's going to be another great year; thanks to all the fans that made 2010, launching year for Trizanh, such a success!