Holiday season is upon us

Yet another year is coming to an end as the holiday season is now upon us. Shopping for the perfect gifts, parties at work or with family and friends, and plenty of eggnog to go around. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays because I love the festive decorations and music but most of all I enjoy the gathering of friends and family.

May it be Christmas or Kwanzaa or Hanukkah... or whatever wonderful celebration it is that you celebrate, happy holidays to all. Don't let the pressure of finding the most expensive or perfect gift get in the way of having fun with the ones you love.

President Obama support Small Business Saturday

In 2010, in an effort to support small businesses, American Express promoted the new shopping day as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Since then, more and more publicity has helped support this day and the small businesses in every city. This year, President Obama showed his support while shopping for Christmas gifts. It's good to know that there is such a strong support for small business owners.

Read the full article: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-buys-books-promote-independent-shops-192649796--finance.html

'Tis the Holiday Season

Now that Halloween is over, the next big crafting projects are Christmas related; decorations, gifts, and paper crafts. I'll be selling at the Starbucks Holiday Bazaar the first week of December, at Starbucks headquarters. Unfortunately it's not open to the public but it is open to the 4000 employees in the building. There are other holiday shows happening soon that you can shop at for great gifts AND support local businesses!

EtsyRain hosts an annual Holiday Show at McCaw Hall: http://etsyrain.com/shows/etsyrain-2012-handmade-holiday-show

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

What did I get myself into?!

Upon graduating from college with a Bachelor's, I had every intention of going back to school for my Masters in Teaching and pursue my desire to teach high school students about expressing their feelings through creative writing. I found myself in a state employee job that I was not very happy with and my educational plans for an MIT was put on the back shelf.

I felt like I woke up one morning and decided to create Trizanh after some friends urged my creativity. I felt like I had a new passion for a viable goal for myself. I was going to start my own small business of making purses. I knew it was going to be hard but I was going to do it. My unhappiness at the full time job continued to consume me and I decided it was time to take the plunge into full entrepreneurship. I quit, got a part time job at Starbucks and focused my energy on branding my business. Almost three years later, Trizanh has grown a lot but there is still a lot of work to do and no guarantee that it will be successful enough for me to live comfortably. Also moonlighting as a wedding coordinator (Weddings with Anh), I "accidentally fell" into the idea of becoming a Project Manager. I already enjoy the job and do part of it for both Trizanh and Weddings with Anh so why not go all the way with a Master's degree to make myself more legit?

As a partner of Starbucks, I have wonderful benefits including help with tuition for school. I went for it and applied to the graduate program at City University for my Masters in Project Management. Now that school is in session, I have not given much attention to Trizanh and now I feel like I got myself into more than I can handle.

Already applying my skills to my own life, I have to divide my time between school and business, in hopes that I don't fail at one or the other... or both. Please excuse me if I seem scattered or chaotic in the months to come. Fret not for I shall continue to create one of a kind purses and Trizanh will only grow stronger as a business as I continue to apply my knowledge to building the brand.

Starbucks Farmer's Market

During August and September, in the plaza of Starbucks' head quarters, a weekly Farmer's Market hosted by the famous Seattle based coffee company provides excitement in the SoDo area. Every Friday from 11-2, vendors of all sorts come out to set up shop. Although it is not as big as the surrounding neighborhood Farmer's Markets, the second annual market hosted by Starbucks is a great way for the company to support other small businesses. Flowers, food, and crafts can all be found in front of the Siren's eye.

In addition to hosting a weekly market during the summer, Starbucks is putting on a holiday show in December. Unlike the summer market, vendors do pay a fee to participate in the holiday show but proceeds to to the CUP fund for Starbucks employees. As a partner of the company, the CUP fund is reserved for emergencies that come up for partners in a financial bind when accidents occur.

Come on down on Fridays in September to check out the Farmer's Market and more details to come about the holiday show.

Farewell, Happy Delusions

About four years ago, I was eating dinner at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. The waitress was a very nice  woman that I really liked. It came up that we were both knitters, we both lived in Renton, and we both loved Harry Potter. She introduced herself as Mary and told me that she just opened a small gift boutique around the corner and that I should come by sometime. The area was new to me so I could not locate her shop, Happy Delusions, in my mental GPS. After desserts and a signed credit card slip, we said our goodbyes and we promised each other to meet again at Happy Delusions.

A couple of months go by and I take time out to wonder around Downtown Renton to look for this shop. Sure enough, around the corner from the restaurant sat a fairly large looking store with a big sign that read Happy Delusions. I walked in expecting Mary not to remember me because I can only imagine the number of people she meets at both jobs. She greeted me as I walked up to the register and I quickly remind her of how we met and our love for Harry Potter. Mary chuckled and said that she remembered me and was glad that I came by for a visit.

We chatted about knitting and she knew that I was experimenting in making knitted bags to sell. At the time, I had only made a handful for friends and thought it would be fun to sell some. I looked around at the cute store and saw all the wonderful gifts that were crafted by local artists and businesses. Mary asked for a photo sample of my purses, now called the Checker Collection, and that we would work something out. I rushed home to make some purses and had some photos done. I sent them off to Mary and soon after she asked for me to bring some in. After making a couple more, I came in with a handful to display. She signed me up to rent a wall space to call my own and I was able to decorate it anyway I wanted.

Months go by and in between making more Checker bags, I came up with another line which is now known as the Formal Collection. After my hard work and creative energy flowing, I was happy to have a full wall of two different lines of bags that I designed and created. However, the reality of losing money every month on renting the wall space and not selling bags began to add up. One bag sold here and there but during first six months of selling at Happy Delusions, I was losing a lot of money very quickly. I decided to bite the bullet and end my time at the store but Mary, believing in me and my products took me off that contract and began a consignment contract. During this time, we also became good friends and I occasionally joined her in a knitting session outside on a sunny day.

Three years later the hobby is now a small business in hopes to become a bigger production of unique handbags. Thanks to Mary and Happy Delusions for getting this ball of yarn rollin'. Good luck with your future happy delusions,

Mt. Ties

About a month ago I decided to start shopping on eBay to buy used ties in bulk because I knew of a fellow small business owner/professional crafter that was successful in purchasing bulk ties on eBay. I found a couple of listings within my price range and found a seller that was shipping from Everett. Once I was successful with the bid and my random selection of ties were sent to me, I awaited for my first lot of ties to arrive. Upon opening the box I found a note from the seller offering more ties from their inventory. I contacted the seller and learned that they were in Monroe, about an hour away from Seattle. I found myself in Everett this previous weekend and made an appointment to swing by their place to check out the stock. I figured I could not go wrong when I heard that they have over 1000 ties.

Along a main road in Monroe is a cute lavender house that you cannot miss. The couple, Lisa and George, were very nice and welcoming as we entered their home. Lisa took out bin after bin of ties that she had collected for a quilting project which she gave up on. Each tie was bagged and coded by size and length. I spent about an hour shuffling through ties, with Ryo (my silent business partner) keeping track of how many ties I was picking out. George provided garbage bags to store my ties in for easy transportation. In the end I decided to finish off at 400 for a good number. We excused ourselves as we ran to the ATM to withdraw money since the couple did not have a means of taking credit cards. When we returned, Lisa pointed out that she forgot to show me a stack of ties she did not categorize. In 10 minutes I found 30 more that she was glad to be rid of. On a hot summer evening, we left the lavender house with three bags full of 430 ties for a bargain. Thanks to Lisa and George for helping this crazy purse maker in making more Formal bags.

Coffee with CASH

Special event on Thursday, September 13 from 9-10AM at the Ventures store in Pike Place Market. 

A set of four Formals

First off, I LOVE making custom and personal orders. I like getting to know the person and their interest of my craft. Specifically with the Formal collection, customers can provide me their own ties to make the bag more personal and special. 

A couple of months ago I was approached by a customer about making a personal order from the Formal collection. She explained to me that her father was moving into a care home and while her family was going through his belongings, she found his old ties and wanted a bag made of them.

Upon our first consultation, she explained to me that she wanted an e-reader bag for her Kindle. As we discussed and selected ties from her father's collection, it dawned on her that she wanted to make one for each of her siblings as a keepsake from their father's ties. I sent her on the task to find more ties and to pick out ones for each Kindle bag. Below are four very different Kindle bags made from one man's tie collection for his four children.

The glue that binds it all

Between making purses out of ties and knitting handbags, I've been experimenting to find the right glue for a collection that I've been trying bring to life. I am looking for an adhesive that is thin yet durable AND  I need to glue the rough side of Velcro to a vinyl sheet, THEN be able to cut numbers from it. It's a process, I know... I've been doing this for almost three years. I'm almost there, I can feel it!

Currently, glues that bonds the two mediums together are too thick and creates lumps. The thinner and spreadable glues don'tt seem to bond the two mediums together. I'll keep experimenting with glue and possibly find a different fabric than vinyl but so far that fabric seems the best out of the non-fraying fabrics I have tried.

If it's not one thing, it's another. The search continues to create my Sew-Do-Ku collection. Feel free to send any suggestions my way for adhesives or fabric that might work!

The uphill battle of a small business

As much as I enjoy turning my passion and art into a business, there are times when I hit a wall and I'm forced to walk up it. The climb to a successful business is hard, everyone knows that, but I don't think people who haven't experience know the feeling of failure and lost hope. Like a roller coaster ride, I have my highs of the business.

I enjoy bringing my creations into life and it's thrilling when others share my vision. I yearn for more feedback and custom orders. I thrive on happy customers and blush at compliments. However, when it comes down to it, none of the above bring money. In the end, a business is suppose to bring in money and I'm at a fork in the road on how to do that.

Here comes the long dive down followed by the still air of the unknown. As a struggling artist/business owner, I can't help but wonder if I will succeed and how long I can continue doing this. With the support of my family, friends, and fans I will continue to pursue my passion to create and brand Trizanh. The question looms over my head: What is success and what is failure?

Until I find my own answers, I will continue to create unique handmade bags because a purse is the best accessory a girl can have!

Useful art for technology

The Formal collection is the most popular of the Trizanh purses at the moment. I've had custom orders with personalized ties and custom sizes. I had one request for a tablet cover and many have inquired why I don't make a size for tablets and e-readers. I was a little hesitant because technology moves so fast that I might not be able to keep up with the current changes and demands. However, it is time for me to dip into the technology craze and give my customers what they want. I will be making tablet and e-reader sized covers for the Formal collection. Pictures will be posted soon.

Banking on Dreams dinner

Washington CASH is hosting their 8th annual Banking on Dreams fundraising dinner with a two hour showcase prior to the dinner. I have the honor of being one of the few selected vendors included in the showcase and I am excited and nervous about it. I've done shows in the past but never to such a large group of people that are in attendance to specifically sponsor a program that is helping my business. I hope that my products and business will impress the sponsors and further support the program, which will also support Trizanh.

10% of my sales will be donated back to the Washington CASH program, a way to say "Thanks" for the wonderful year that I have in apart of it. As Trizanh continues to grow, I plan to continue to give back to such an amazing programl

Sew-Do-Ku collection, new name but same idea!

New updates on my experimentation on creating my precious Sudoku bag, now renamed as the Sew-Do-Ku collection. This weekend I'll be playing with four inch wide Velcro (hook side) that I found at Seattle Fabrics. With my previous trials, I hope to adhere the Velcro to a sturdy and non-fraying black fabric that can be used to cut numbers and be made into a bag. Pictures will be posted of this crafty weekend and, hopefully soon, the first Sew-Do-Ku bag shall come to life!

Spring is blooming

Seattle has been in a shower, on and off, for the last couple of days. Many folks are tired of it but so many don't realize what it means once the sky stops leaking: beautiful, colorful flowers and bright green trees. The sounds of birds chirping and blue skies will be all over the city and Seattle's beautiful skyline shall attract many people far and wide.

Trizanh purses have been doing well at Venures and Happy Delusions; thanks to all!

Some more exciting purse making news: I might be selling at an art gallery just outside of Pioneer Square! More to come as this develops.

Shopping local versus made in China

When I first saw this at the store, I thought it was a new trend of selling locally made goods. Upon further inspection, I thought maybe it was handmade in the USA, which would have been sad because there are so many talented artists that make these items locally. When I saw that it was hand made in CHINA, I was speechless.

I went home to see how many I could find on Etsy that were in the local area. A search for "knitted headbands" in Seattle, WA came up with 7,114 results. The prices ranged higher and lower than the $16 price tag listed in the photo but I estimated that an average locally made headband costs around $20. For about $4 more, a purchase of a locally made one supports a Seattle artist and it was made with care. Paying for the $16 handmade headband from China just fuels the market of outsourced goods and all the politics and issues surrounded that.

There are some headbands on the Etsy listing that I saw that were double the price of the one pictured above and for some, it might not be worth spending that much. However, consider what the materials were used for the item and the work. Maybe the yarn used is higher quality wool or an even softer fiber. Maybe the design of the headband is eccentric and time consuming or an original or unique design. Maybe the headband is adorned with beautiful embellishments.

With that said, don't be so quick to assume that anything handmaid is going to be expensive. One might find a beautiful locally made headband for $16 instead of a handmade one from China.

Inspired and motivated

Washington CASH, the non-profit organization that I've been a client of for starting up Trizanh, had the first meeting of the year to kick off a new training program to help small business owners start up, build, and maintain their businesses.

It was a comforting way to start off the new year for Trizanh to see familiar faces that have helped me develop my business over the last year. It was refreshing to start off the new year with change and continuous support from an amazing program that gives so much to the small business owners of Seattle.

Fully inspired and motivated, 2012 will continue to be an adventurous ride for Trizanh-- with more exciting and creative fuel!