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!