Deadlines aren't a girls best friend

I spent a good part of a gorgeous Saturday in my windowless studio because I had a custom order bag that I promised would be done by Sunday. I got the order last week and had plenty of time to start working on it, but something else always seemed to come up...working in the yard, getting a haircut, baking cookies. You know, really important stuff. But, I couldn't put it off any longer and finally finished it and it looks good and it feels even better to be done. Lesson learned? Maybe. I do have another custom order that needs to be started...but I'm also craving double chocolate chip cookies. They'd only take a second to whip up...

swimming down memory lane

I was browsing Etsy's vintage section today, when I found this wire basket. This isn't just any ordinary wire basket. This particular basket comes with entire summers of childhood memories. It's the exact type that they used at the Community Center swimming pool when I was little. The front loop held a giant safety pin with a number stamped in it that matched the number on the basket. After piling all your clothes and towel into the basket and attaching the safety pin securely to your swim suit, you then shoved the basket into a cutout hole in the bottom of the door, where inevitably a high school summer hire picked it up and hopefully put it in it's correct slot until you were done swimming. To retrieve your basket, you simply had to slide your safety pin onto the little ledge of the door where you deposited your basket originally, watch your pin disappear and a few minutes later the basket would pop out the hole at the bottom of the door again.

It's funny how one little thing like a wire basket can instantly take you back to a shivering, dripping little girl staring at a hole in the bottom of the door with a crowd of other shivering, dripping girls all waiting to see who's basket would pop out next.

Androck Wire and Metal Locker Basket No. 507 from LisaBRetroStyle2.etsy.com. $28

a winding road

Oh so long ago (think January) I decided to start designing a few new bags for spring/summer. After numerous concept designs, screenprint vs no screenprint, vinyl vs canvas vs both, and a million other little changes, I finally finished one of my bags...I proudly present the Traveler. I love this bag. So much so that I even kept one for myself. It's so nice and roomy and I love the simplicity with little touches like stitching, grommets and the swivel closure. Next on the list is a smaller version for those who don't need/want a gigantic bag, along with new updated versions of my Katrina wristlet and the Addison coin purse. Stay tuned!

New Project

I don't usually make custom orders, but this one sounded fun. I was asked to make handtowels with my lemon lime embroidery and applique on them. (She had seen the design on one of my Stella Tote Bags.) So, I decided to try it. Here's the finished product...I think they turned out pretty well!

It's that time again

It's finally getting warm outside and that means it's time again for me to set up my booth at the Fremont Market in Seattle. I can't believe this is my 4th summer doing this! I love almost everything about it...I love seeing people's reactions to my bags, I love people's interest in what I make and I love just watching people. I don't love the wind, the rain or the blistering heat, but it's all part of the deal and the good days always make up for the bad ones.


Etsy.com makes it easy for me to reach worldwide and sell year round to an audience that understands and appreciates the time and effort it takes to make each item. It's a fantastic web site for getting your name out there, but there's nothing like putting a face to the person buying one of your bags.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop by! The Fremont Market is open year-round from 10-5 every Sunday. I'll be there until the end of July and then it's time to get ready for Bumbershoot!