The Coolest Christmas Present...

My husband gave me the coolest Christmas present ever! This calendar will provide me oodles of inspiration. I've included the link to purchase it. I just love it!

Here is the description-"Handbag lovers, feast your eyes. Handbags—adapted from Anna Johnson's stylish bestseller—is a gallery of covetable purses, bags, totes, clutches, and pochettes, all gorgeously photographed and ready to display on your desk. A wild leopard-print evening bag from Christian Dior. Elsa Schiaparelli's quilted black satin vase bag. Sheer glamour: Luciano Padovan’s silver handbag, Judith Leiber and Emilio Pucci, Miu Miu, Versace, and distinctive antique bags. Each is more fabulous than the last."

Happy Holidays!

Bag Survey Results

This was pretty interesting. The funniest thing is, the purse I currently carry fits all of the most popular answers. Ha! See what you think...

How many purses do you own?
1-5 38.7%
6-10 29%
11-15 9.7%
Way too many 22.6%

What size is the purse you carry?
Small 3.2%
Medium 61.3%
Large 29%
Oversized 6.5%

What is your favorite purse made of?
Fabric 51.6%
Leather 41.9%
Plastic 6.5%

How many pockets do you like your purses to have?
1-2 12.9%
3-4 83.9%
None 3.2%

How long do you want the strap to be?
Handle length-doesn’t need to fit on the shoulder 0%
Strap that fits over the shoulder 54.8%
Strap that adjusts to fit over the body 32.3%
Doesn’t matter-I’ll carry them all 12.9%

What do you carry in your purse?
Just the essentials-lipstick, comb, car keys, cell phone 33.3%
More than essentials but less than the kitchen sink 60%
The kitchen sink 6.7%

What color is your favorite purse?
Black 41.7%
Brown 33.3%
Multi 25%

How do you want your purse to close?
Snap 20%
Zipper 60%
Flap 16.7%

How many purses have you purchased in the last year?
1-4 80.6%
5-9 16.1%
10-15 3.2%
I’m out of control 0%

Where did you purchase your last purse?
Department Store 44.8%
Specialty Shop 10.3%
Garage Sale/Flea Market 0%
Online 44.8%

We Have a Winner!

Thanks to everyone for filling out my Bag Survey. As promised, today I chose a winner for the free Zippy Pouch. Congratulations ShadySideFarm. I will be posting the results of the survey soon.

Treasuries...Good News/Pleasing Pinks

I was able to snag 2 Treasuries last night. One on Treasury called "Good News" and the other on Treasury West called "Pleasing Pinks". Enjoy! I'm off to brave the mall traffic. Help!

Etsy Seller Spotlight...Space+Moderne

I am always looking for unique items on Etsy~those things that you can't find everywhere in mass production. I think truly successful handcrafters are those who make things that stand out. Space+Moderne is one of those shops. I just love her inspired designs. I especially like the wine pockets. How cool would it be to get a bottle in one of these bags?

Treasury...Zippy Pouches

I almost feel like I'm cheating on my blog lately with all these Treasury photos. But, I've been pretty busy with holiday stuff lately. Enjoy the images. I'll write something with more substance soon.

Treasury...Red and Green

Here are some more awesome Etsy finds.

Lovely Drawers

Junk drawers? There's no such thing. Not these drawers anyway. Don't you just love drawers full of crafting supplies? Nothing makes me happier than to go into my sewing room and dive in. I took these shots to blow up and put on the walls as inspiration. Thought you might enjoy them too. I love all the colors.

Holiday Budgets-Sttrrrreeeeettccchhh that dollar!

I always go into the holidays with a budget and every intention of sticking to it. The frustrating thing about budgets is that you have to remember all the hidden costs...I'm not so good at that. Let's consider the gasoline it takes to travel to and from the mall in terrible traffic; parking garage fees; the paper, ribbon, tissue and cards that make our gifts special; the shipping costs for special orders and online purchases; the surprise occassions requiring a last minute gift; the list goes on. Ugh! I always forget about the extra expenses that ruin my good intentions.

I heard on the news last night that we are "officially in a recession". Duh! If your family is like mine, you've been feeling the pinch of our current economic situation for a while. In light of that, and because I know every little bit helps, I have extended my FREE SHIPPING offer through December 15. And, every purchase comes with FREE HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP. See samples in a previous posting.

Finally, if you take the BAG SURVEY on this blog, let me know by clicking the link to my Etsy shop and sending me a convo. (To "convo" click on "contactbagsandbuds" to the right of the screen while you are on my shop site.) You will be entered into my holiday GIVEAWAY for a FREE ZIPPER POUCH.

I hope these little savings help you to stay within your holiday budget.

Happy Holidays and Buy Handmade!

Etsy Seller Spotlight...Nstitches4u

Here is a Carried Away Etsy team mate from Cincinnati, OH. I am originally from Centerville, OH...Go Buckeyes! Nstitches4u has some really cute items, but my favorite are the car litter bags. Here are just a few. Check it out.

Treasury...Expressorize Yourself

Thanks to allthingsfelt for including my hair bud-dy in a Treasury.

Treasury...Etsy Fest

Treasury...Orange

Thanks to DayOfTheHead for including my bag in a treasury today. Check it out...

New in my Shop~The Curvy Clutch

I really had fun making this bag. Its a pattern that I got on Etsy from Hyperart. I couldn't wait to get home from work today to make it.

Etsy Seller Spotlight...Perry's Art Studio & Handbags by Dsenyo

Wow! That's the first word that comes to mind when I look at Marissa Perry Saint's shop. Marissa is a self-taught painter and fashion accessory designer who hails from Lafayette, Colorado. What fabulous textiles~such bold colors and patterns. Learn more about the artist and her ties to a community in Malawi, Africa by visiting her website - http://www.dsenyo.com.

New in my Shop...Hair Bud-dies

I've been working on some new hair accessories. I think these are just precious. I hope you like them too.

Bags and Buds Holiday You Tube Video

Holiday Give-Away Time

It's time for my first give-away. Over to the right of my blog there is a link to take a Bag Survey. Once you have taken the survey, go to my etsy shop (just click on the yellow flower bud to the right below "My Etsy Shop") and convo (email) me that you've finished the survey. You will be entered into a drawing for a free zippy bag. The winner will be chosen on December 15. Good luck!

Holiday Season Special Gift Wrap

How nice is it to get a present in the mail? I just love it! And, how much more special is it when that gift is beautifully gift wrapped? Fabulous! Well, I'm offering free gift wrap during the holiday season in my Etsy shop. Here are some images of what you can expect.

Holiday Etsyfest Blog

Here is the link to the blog for the Holiday Etsyfest. I am taking you straight to the page for Clothing & Purses/Bags & Totes. There are so many talented people with beautiful products. We are all offering specials for the duration of the sale, so check it out.

Very Productive Day

I'm feeling pretty good about all the items I posted today.  Check out my Etsy shop to see more views.

New in my Shop...A Sack Bag

I just love this bag!  I call it a sack bag because the shape reminds me of a paper grocery bag.  It's roomy and stylish.  Better yet, I can get all my essential items in it with room to spare.  The red fabric lining makes it easier to find things.  I always think a black lined purse makes it too dark and cavernous.  There is a zipper pouch and a trimmed cell phone/sunglass pocket for easy access.  

Holiday EtsyFest...After Thanksgiving Etsy Sale

Time for holiday shopping and what better place to do that than Etsy. Many Etsy shops are having special promotions during the weekend following Thanksgiving. Just search Etsy by using the tag "thanksgiving sale". My shop will be offering free shipping from Friday, November 28 thru Monday, December 1.

Promote a Sister Day...Blackbags

Here is a shout out to Leslie Ann Black of Blackbags on this, our first Sister Thursday.  My very first purchase on Etsy was from her shop.  Check it out.

Fall Fashion Color Trends

Every time I make a new bag, I wonder if I'm using the most popular and best fashion forward colors and patterns. One of the resources I like to use is the Pantone website. I've added the link so you can download their Fashion Color Report for Fall 2008. "Best described as a season of change, fall ’08 is defined by rich, elegant hues that offer a vibrant selection. New York's fashion designers emphasize cooler blues, greens and purples in the top five tones used in their collections, followed by variations of warm red, orange and yellow."

Very Pretty Collection

Thanks to Uniquelynancy of the Etsy Bag Team ~ Carried Away for including my ID Pouch.

Treasury...Christmas Stars

What a Talented Group of Young Actors, Singers and Dancers

Purse Party

It's been a few days since I've posted anything because I've been preparing for my first purse party.  I've made samples of 7 different items.  I have a purse, messenger bag, tote, wallet, zipper pouch, wristlet pouch and key fob.  I've prepared sample fabric cards and order forms.  I figure I'll take orders for purses and deliver them once they are made.  I've also been busy making items that I can sell at the party.  I've also composed a purse questionnaire to help me understand what features women really want in a bag.  Strap length, zippered pockets, key fobs, size, etc.  I'll post the results after the party.  Here are a few of my samples.

Carried Away- The Etsy Bag Makers Team

There are some wonderfully talented people on our team.  What do you think?

Treasury...Rustic

I never tire of these beautiful collections. I am a very visual person and these combinations just inspire me. Hope they do the same for you.

Proud Mom

Please forgive my bragging today, but I must share some very cool pictures.  My daughter Kate is a senior in college studying Musical Theater and she just got her headshots taken for senior showcase.  The college takes a group of seniors to Chicago every year to perform for casting directors and agents.  Keep your fingers crossed for her.