Bag Number 4 - Flower Power

Well, JoAnn Fabrics was having another pattern sale and I picked another Bag Pattern for only $0.99 (well, plus tax). I then wandered over to the discounted remnant fabric section and couldn't pass up this pretty flower design fabric. A quick stop to the Quilting Fabric section for the inside lining (which I used my 40% coupon) and I was out the door.

I decided to make Handbag D which is the green bag on the bottom left with a pair of round bamboo handles I recently purchased from MJTrim. I started cutting out the pattern and fabric today, so I am very excited.

Lonely Shop No More - Updated Shop

I started updating my Bridal Shop, Haute Bridal this week after deciding to try the black river rock background. Still not the greatest photos, but the clearest so far. I have added hair pins for the Bride as well as the Bridal party and some other pretty things of bling.

Sparkling Swarovski Crystal Bracelet

Crystal Daisy Hairpins

Tiny Pearl Chain Cluster Earrings

Round Glass Pearl Daisy Hairpins

Crystal Weave Choker Necklace

Forget Spring, I Am Ready for Summer

I know that it was snowing in NYC as the first day of Spring arrived, however the weather has been quite perfect (almost Spring like) here in South Florida. The crazy rains of last week finally stopped, the sun has been out and the humidity has been low. Ducky, (my pool thermometer) says that the pool's temperature is currently at 73 degrees and that means that in another 5-7 degrees this girl will be lounging pool side and that Summer will have arrived in South Florida.

Speaking of Summer, I finished bag number three: Flip Flop Beach Bag which will find it's way to my Etsy Shop.
Just a few more weeks until Pina Colada time...

Wedding Trends 2009

So Weddings have been on my mind lately, one because I've been thinking about my lonely shop Haute Bridal and the second is that my cousin is getting married in July at a resort in Mexico and three because my sixth year wedding anniversary is approaching and I still haven't done my wedding photos (I know, I know).

As the economy is struggling, I started wondering about Brides-to-be and how does one plan a wedding in this economy. I received an email from IdoBrides, where I have a free listing on their site. Their advertising campaign highlighted that the trends in 2009 will relate to saving money as couples plan their weddings.

• Smaller weddings with fewer guests


• Destination weddings or destination type weddings closer to home


• Accent colors on dresses and cakes with the most popular being greens and blues


• Increased reliance on family and friends to help plan, pay, and provide some of the services


• Increased use of green and echo friendly products and services


• Simplified decorations, centerpieces and wedding invitations


• Increased use of online RSVP's vs. traditional mail-in RSVPs


• Off-peak weddings; Mornings, Afternoons, Fridays, Sundays, October becomes the new June


• Buffet meals, Hors d'oeuvre, and cocktail receptions


• Cheesecakes, cupcakes and miniature cakes


• All-inclusive packages

Lonely Shop - Haute Bridal

My other Etsy Shop has been on my mind lately, what's that you say, yes, I have two Etsy Shops:

• Hmmills - where I sell my everyday jewelry as well as my lamp work beads



• Haute Bridal - which I created to market my Bridal Jewelry and Accessories for the Bride-to-Be and Attendants

I opened Haute Bridal last June, probably a little late in the wedding season, but only listed a few items. Once the items expired, I never updated my shop with new listings and therefore my lonely shops has stood empty since the end of last summer. One reason I stopped adding items was that my photos were terrible, I found it difficult to clearly capture the brilliance of the pearls and crystals. Last night I found a bag of Hair Pins, so I pulled out the camera to experiment with various backgrounds and camera settings. I tried white, blue, pink, orange and finally black with black river rocks...not bad...not great, but the best picture so far...

As this photo give me some hope, I am adding Photography to my list of items to complete this weekend, with any luck by next week, Haute Bridal will be lonely no more...