So, what's for sale?

Glad you asked.  In my last post, I mentioned a sale section to my shop.  Here are the bags you'll find (so far).  

I've also added some of my note takers.  Handy little accessories for lists, notes, cards and receipts.

Here's the inside of one of these cool little things.

Awesome right?  Did I mention that everything you see here is $9.99?  It's true.  

Here's the link to go browsing:  CLICK ME

Until next time,

♥ Ally

Home Based Business Dilemma

Sometimes I envy people who make jewelry for their online shops.  Why?  Because earrings and such don't take up too much space.  I can pack a lot of earrings and bracelets into a rubbermaid tub. Yes, I know the supplies that you have to keep to make the product also takes up room.  I still see a big difference between beads and wires versus say fabric and sewing machines.

My business, of course, is run out of my home.  It's a smallish house.  One of the bedrooms in my crooked lil house has 3 sewing machines, the ironing board, the cutting mat, all the scissors and tools, all my paperwork, mailing supplies and let's not forget the fabric.  

(this isn't my stash, it's far too organized)

Then there's the inventory.  Inventory management is a unique challenge in and of itself.  You can fit far fewer bags into a rubbermaid tub than, say earrings.  My bags are stored in the trusty spare bedroom closet, tucked safely away until they are purchased.  The closet in question is 4 1/2 feet wide by 2 feet deep.  Yep, it's not big.  Thus the dilemma.  I can take stuff out, re-stack it and reorganize it until I'm so storage efficient Martha Stewart couldn't suggest improvements, but that's not the point.  

Inventory is made to be sold!  Purchased by someone who loves what I make.  Someone who can't wait to receive it in the mail and checks the tracking like a mail stalking fool.  As of late, there haven't been enough purchases to keep the outflow of inventory progressing to allow me to make more.

Time for a $9.99 sale!  Yep, that's right.  I gotta clear out some inventory and you get to take advantage of my dilemma.  Go take a look here.  Keep checking back as I'll be adding to the sale rack.  

Until next time,
♥ Ally

Finally Getting to Spring

Being in Florida, we typically see the effects of spring before most of the rest of the country.  This year wasn't really much different.  I know some have had snow in May, which is crazy.  I still remember my junior prom in Illinois.  It was April and it was freezing, but I was determined to wear the cute lightweight shawl with my dress.  I was an idiot and froze my butt off, but anyway...

The week-end was actually quite un-Florida like.  The temps were about 10 degrees cooler than normal, but even with that there are the signs of spring in my little yard.

The gardenias are blooming and smelling quite nice!

The knock-out roses are hanging on and seem to be coming back from the abyss.  It was touch and go, but there's hope yet.

Then there's the star jasmine.  It smells great, but to just look at the plant, it's rather underwhelming.  I like it just the same.

Oh, and these two are enjoying themselves as well.

(no she's not dead)

How is spring where you are?

Until next time,

♥ Ally

This is not a business

I guess it's been a while since I posted here.  Life sometimes takes over and you have to roll with it, ya know?  Recently something has been stuck in my head and it's just kind of buggin' me.  A friend has decided she wants to be a part of a business that sells products in home shows.  I'm not going to name it, because there are so many out there.  You can sell home products, cosmetics, candles, skin products, you name it.  Although those who are a part of them won't agree with this, they are in fact considered multi-level marketing, MLM, schemes.  

If you're not familiar with these businesses, here's basically how it works.  One person recruits multiple people to be on their team.  When someone on their team buys a product, they get a cut of the money the home office makes.  There are other tiers of people above the team leader who also make money because that team leader is actually on their team.  The term pyramid used to be used, but that got so much bad press that it's taboo to call them that anymore.  

Do they work?  For some, yes.  Mostly for the person at the top of the pyramid, i.e. a select few.  Their main job is to provide motivation and a dangling carrot to the new team members on the riches that are available.  Keep in mind that there are only so many who can be at the top of this pyramid and it's on the backs of the lower levels that they make their money.  That's great motivation to push for MOAR TEAM MEMBERS!  

They're slick.  They get people motivated and the reality is that most will fail and lose their investment, in part if not in full.  It's the lower recruits' purchases that feed the top leaders.  The recruits buy products in the hopes to sell it and make a profit and be "self-employed".

I came across an article about this particular company, which I will not name, and I read this reader's comment.  I can't say it any better. (Company and obvious references removed)

I've known many who have tried and not succeeded at MLMs.  As much as I like this person, this is simply not a good thing.

Until next time,

♥ Ally

Patchwork Wristlet

If you have followed my work, you may remember the patchwork hobo bags I made in the past.  Well I used a similar technique to make a wristlet with leather scraps that pile up quickly.  If you know a quilter, you know that a scrap is sacred and can always be used.  Well, the same can be said about leather scraps.  So, I present to you my latest wristlet.

It has leather stripes in white, peach (or coral if you prefer), and green.  All are sewn to a white canvas.  I kept flipping on what to do with the interior and considered a plain solid cotton, but in the end used a bright flowered pattern.

I am quite pleased with how it came out.  I think I will use this technique again.

If you would like to purchase this wristlet, you can do so here.

Until next time,

♥ Ally

Regarding Boston...

Moments like these give me pause to consider the world I live in.  It's not just this horrible and cowardice event, but other events that have come to the front of my mind in recent weeks.  

I have reflected on people who have come into my life.  Those who are good, and those who are not so good.  Those who are good, of course, make me smile and I wouldn't want to ever forget them.  I remember the laughs and great memories of life's events along the way.  I remember seeing and experiencing things with them that make those moments that much better.  

Those who are not so good, well I have no appreciation for them.  There are some that I have cut out of my life completely.  The things they say, the words they use, the intent of their vitriol, it is all meant to inflict harm.  Those who engage in these things are not allowed to be a part of the landscape that is my life.  It is mine and I protect it.

Now, for those cowards who think it is acceptable or provocative to inflict pain and death on others for the purpose of your cause, I have four words for you.  STOP POLLUTING MY WORLD!

My thoughts are prayers are with those effected by the Boston Marathon bombing.
Until next time,
♥ Ally

New Handmade Wristlets

I don't actually have much to say in this post, but I wanted to share my newest wristlets with you.  I'm quite please with how they've turned out.  This is the work I've been doing with leather lately as well as working on a new wristlet pattern.  These are listed on my new Handmade Wristlet site.  The price includes shipping (mainly because I can't figure out how to put shipping options on the listings).  My ignorance is your gain.

Until next time,

♥ Ally