You're the boss of me.

Have you seen my custom bag listings yet?  These are becoming my most popular item.

People love being the boss of me -- designing their own, one-of-a-kind, messenger and laptop bag.

Customer get to pick everything, from the color of the bag to design on the patch.

Check out some of these recent personalized designs.

Cthulhu in custom colors	B9 Robot in custom colors
Torchwood	Sketch for a custom owl design
For a singer (color/layout check)	Sugar Glider (color/layout check)

The Latest and Greatest

Bringing Awesome to Weirdos Everywhere

Robot Messenger Bag by ArtsiBitsi

Recently I was asked to explain why I sell almost exclusively online, through Etsy, rather than through gift shops and bricks-and-mortar stores.  Aren't most people more comfortable shopping in person, where they can pick up and examine an item before deciding to buy it?  What kind of person would buy a backpack or messenger bag online -- solely from pictures?

I can relate.  I would never buy an avocado online.  And fortunately I don't have to, because there are lots of supermarkets that sell avocados.  I can squish as many real avocados as I like before deciding which one I want to buy.  (I don't really squish the avocados -- I'm just saying, I could.)

But suppose I am a weirdo from Smallville, Kansas and I want a sweet skull backpack or cthulhu messenger bag.  My local Walmart doesn't carry them and neither does the mall.  Shopping online is the best solution for a quirky non-conformist like me.

So my online shop is like a beacon and gathering place for fellow nerds, geeks, oddballs and weirdos worldwide.  Through the power of the interwebs, I am able to connect with cool people across the pond and down under.  

Etsy Team Columbus: Punk Rock Challenge

VOTE FOR MEEEE!

One of my teams has started doing a monthly challenge to inspire our creative muses and generate interest in our group. This month's challenge is entitled "Punk Rock". Check it out.

http://etsyteamcolumbus.blogspot.com/2009/04/punk-rock-challenge-team-submissions.html

The ballot is on the right. Vote for your favorite item (which is "Artsi Bitsi's skull IPOD cozy", of course!).

Another Distribution Channel

When I started selling online, I originally stocked my Etsy store with paintings.  Like my purses, my watercolors and oils are popular with friends and family, and I thought that there'd be a good market for originals on Etsy.  (do a search on Etsy for ACEO - Art Card, Editions & Originals - and you'll see what I mean.)

Well, the art world was not exactly taken by storm.  More like, they were taken by apathy.  

On the other hand, there was even less enthusiasm on the home front.  Surprisingly my family was dismayed to see "their" paintings put up for sale in the coarse and crass public marketplace.  Who knew that they felt so proprietary?  It was kind of sweet.

Ultimately, it turned out happily for all concerned.  The coarse and crass public didn't buy my original watercolors after all.  So I was able to give them to my daughter and husband, which made them (relieved and) happy.  My Monster Bags are doing very well on my Etsy store, so I'm happy.  

And just in case someone out there in the interwebs missed the opportunity to acquire an ArtsiBitsi painting, I set up a store on Cafepress to sell reproductions and prints.  Check it out, and if you see something there that you'd like changed a bit (a certain painting on a different t-shirt, for example), just let me know.

Something New from the ArtsiBitsi Monster Lab

Lately I've been wondering if I could make a drawstring bag small enough for personal electronics (particularly an iPhone), and still have enough space for a cute monster face.

Yes.  Yes, I can.  Check 'em out on Etsy.

mwahahahahahah.

Itsy Bitsy ArtsiBitsi Bag

So its been kind of slow around the ArtsiBitsi studio lately, and I decided to try out some ideas that have been rattling around the past few weeks.

First, I love this micro-suede material.  It's got a great finish; it comes in lots of easy-to-coordinate shades of brown and black.  It's also wonderful to sew.  It has a nice stretch to it

 (polyester back), and a medium weight that doesn't require a heavy duty sewing machine, but is still sturdy enough for purses.  I get it for about $7/yard at Walmart.  (I've been trying to stock up, because I heard a rumor that Walmart is going to discontinue fabric sales)

Anyway, I wanted to experiment with piecing together different colors in a patchwork style, like those popular Coach bags.  For this first attempt, I thought that I had better keep all of the patches to the same size.

So I sat down with my sketch book and planned it all out and started cutting little rectangles.  And here's where I messed up.  I didn't allow enough of a seam allowance in my calculations.  After I got all of the little pieces sewn together, I was about 1.5" short of my plan in both the x- and y- direction (width and height).  

In the end, after I squared off the bottom, the purse measured about 9"x7" instead of the 11"x9" that I had hoped for.  And that's why its an Itsy Bitsy ArtsiBitsi Bag.

But the story has a happy ending, because it turns out that all my critical stuff fits it in it just fine.  I probably even still have room for a receipt or post-it note. :-)  

And because I'm pretty itsy-bitsy myself, it looks proportional when I wear it.

Mini Smoochies - SWAK!

Did you (or a loved one) get some fun personal electronics as gifts? Are you wondering how to keep them safe and give them a fun place to hang out? 

SMOOCHIE MINI POUCHES are a new product that I developed for this spring.  I think that they'll be a popular alternative to the MONSTER MINIS (which I'll continue to make -- don't worry!).  And maybe even a fun Valentine's Day gift for your favorite geekette.  

Supplies are limited.  There are only two for sale on each of my online stores: Etsy and also on Artfire.  Go check 'em out.  

...

No SMOOCHIES for 1000markets.  Nyah! :-p

A Product for a Different Price Point

So, the last time I was at the Open Door Art Studio, Ashley told me that they seem to sell more items that are small and lower priced.  Seems like the price of my Monster Bags continues to be an obstacle.  Courtney reassures me that $40 is a reasonable price, but she also says that most of their customers don't want to pay it.
Okay, okay.  I get it.  I need another product that hits a lower price point.  

Introducing MONSTER MINIS. Basically this is a scaled down, Mini Monster bag for just the few items that you absolutely, positively need. 

These little pouches are 3.5" x 5.5" -- just a little bit bigger than your standard phone or coin purse. You can even put a digital camera or PDA in them. Or if you prefer, you could hide a couple (ahem) "sanitary" or other personal items.

There's a skinny pocket on the back for your business cards or ID. But keep it minimal. These mini-purses are strictly for folks who like to travel light and move fast.  

I designed and constructed four of these over the weekend. The assembly line worked a little better and I averaged one hour each. Since the labor and materials are a fraction of the regular bags, I can price them lower. I listed these at $13 each. I have a few corrections to make on the design, but I will probably keep them under $15.  That seems to be the price that others are asking for similar wristlets/pouches.

The good news is that Courtney and Jon both seemed very excited about this design and the price, and want me to make lots for the store and the upcoming shows.

Monster Factory

Well, I learned a lot about art and manufacturing this week.  First and foremost, there are NO economies of scale in the art business.  Making eight Monster Bags all at once takes exactly the same amount of time as making them one at a time in series.

Here are the steps --

1) Select and cut the fabric.  Fleece for the skin and cotton or satin for the lining.  I need one piece for the body (inside and out), a block for the legs and arms, and two very long pieces for the straps.  I really love these bright colors for the skins.  And I get to use some crazy zebra and batik prints that I've been saving up, for the linings.

2) Sew together the straps.  Try not to fall asleep whilst zigzaging 72" long seams.  Reload the bobbin a lot.

3) Feet and arms.  This is slightly more entertaining than the straps since the final product actually resembles something like what its going to be.  This time, I stuff the little legs and arms with some cotton to make them squishier.  Fun.

4) Design and applique the faces.  Because the fleece is so bright, I've decided to put an extra layer of black around the eyes.  I've also experimented with the stitch and people seem to like the zigzag better than the satin.  Lots more bobbins to fill.  This step takes me all weekend to finish.  But just look at those cute faces!

5) Sew up the bodies of the bags.  Gotta make sure that all the arms and legs get completely sewn in place, all the curves lay flat, and all the corners are square. Pin, press, stitch, turn, press. Pin, press, stitch, turn, press. Pin, press, stitch, press again.   Good thing that the sewing machine and the ironing table are so close together.

6) Labels and hardware.  Each bag gets an ArtsiBitsi label.  Monster bags get a set of grommets for the backpack straps.

7) Thread the straps and tie.  I made myself a flexible threading tool for this step and it still takes time and patience.

8) Naming.  Each Monster whispers her name to me and I write it down, along with her story.  It's a very moving ceremony.

9) Graduation.  Yesterday all my little Monsters left home and went to live with Courtney, Ashley and Jonathan at the Open Door Art Studio.  It was a little sad for me, but they looked excited and full of the spirit of adventure.

Birth of a Monster

Would it be interesting to see the process of the creation of a Monster? It might surprise you to learn that it does not involve a dark tower, or stolen body parts nor even a serendipitous thunderstorm.

Here are some photographs of my studio after yesterday's cut-a-thon.   

This is my work table where all the pinning and cutting happens.   It features a most excellent, stainless steel table with an adustable height shelf underneath for my supplies.  It fits a nook between two closets, with set of big windows that look out across the woods. My kitties like to lay on the fleece (back left corner of the shelf) and watch the birds come to the feeder.  The feeder is only a few inches from the window, so both the kitties and I get a good look at the woodpeckers and nuthatches and tufted titmouses.

The other important station in my studio is the sewing and pressing table.   This is not ideal space, as it's a little crowded and underlit.  And there is nothing really to look at but the material that I'm working on.   Maybe I need to put a mural on the wall. Or some mirrors.   ... Or maybe I just need to concentrate on making straight seams.  :-)

BTW, that's just an ordinary Brother i6000 sewing machine.  It has about 60 different stitches, but I probably only use three of them.

So I am basically designing eight monsters at once -- an heroic feat which has not been attempted before.  By me.  

Aren't these fun colors?

Every monster needs a colorful fleece skin, and a coordinating lining.  Most of these will have some sort of funkadelic cotton lining. At this point, I am already starting to think of names and personalities to give to each bag.

In addition to the skin and the lining, I also need to cut the feet and arms and straps.   There is about ten feet of strap for each bag.  Here are all the straps, cut to length, but not finished.  When I set down to sew them, it will be a few hours of ironing and sewing.  And a lot of thread.  I'll probably have to replace the bobbin on my sewing machine three or four times.

Don't the straps look like guts?  Mwah ha ha ha.

We now return you to your program...

Sorry about that.  I don't know how that other political post snuck in here.  Seems like those guys have infected the entire country with their feuding.  Hopefully it will be over soon and we can get back to the important stuff... like sewing!

So, in the last two weeks, I have gotten completely sidetracked by other projects and have not even touched my sewing machine.  It is a deplorable state of affairs.  But I have some good news.

1) This is small and personal in nature, but the bag that I made for my conference worked out very well.  I'm still using it, in fact.  I love the brown/black/red color combination and the more professional feeling of the sueded microfiber and the top stitching.  It's so easy to drop stuff into and the tab with the pin never gets in my way, like the bigger flaps do.  It's a little large for everyday, but at the conference it was a little small.  I could just fit my program and my swag in there.  

2)  On a more professional note, the Open Door Art Studio selected me as one of their featured artists.  (http://www.opendoorartstudio.org/artwork.htm) I am ridiculously pleased about this.  It's so validating, especially when my sales are still not exactly overwhelming.

3) I had a wonderful "mutual admiration society" type conversation with Courtney at the Open Door Art Studio.  It turns out that her application for the Tiny Canary show was accepted. (http://www.tinycanary.com/)

Since I'm new to the crafting business, I didn't appreciate how exclusive this show is.  But several of my fellow etsians over at the Columbus Street Team were pretty bummed about not getting in.  So, I'm thrilled for Courtney, and for the ODAS, who do such great work.  And Courtney let me know that, as a featured artist, my Monster Bags were a critical part of her application.  

It is so helpful to talk to Courtney and get advice and feedback about the Monster Bags.  Etsy can feel pretty isolated.  People buy things (or don't) and often I never hear what they liked (or didn't).  I'm collecting "hearts" and "views" but I don't know why, or how to convert them to sales.

On the other hand, Courtney sees people face to face and watches how they interact with the art.  She says that the Monster Bags are very compelling from a distance -- people come directly to them.  And people like them up close too.  But that the price tag is offputting.  This is a pervasive problem: people want to spend Walmart $$ on handmade goods.  Courtney thinks that the price point is good though and we should stick it out.

Anyway.  Courtney wanted me to know that she needs a lot more Monster Bags for the Tiny Canary show.  And the North Market show.  And the Grandview Gallery Hop.  (whee!)  This is such a great partnership for me.  I get a lot of exposure and it costs me very little.  I like to think that it helps the good people at the Open Door Art Studio too.  So there will definitely be a lot more sewing happening in the ArtsiBitsi Studio over the next few weeks. 

Watch this space.

A Bag for Me

I was out of town for a few days last week, and then classes started back up, so I've been doing less work on my Etsy store lately. Sales are still trickling in though, so I'm okay with that. As soon as I get a chance I'll list some more bags and try to amp up for a "seasonal rush". (fingers crossed) But not just yet. I'm going out of town again this week. 

I found outduring my last trip that the Momma/Baby all-in-one bag is not good fortravel with the laptop. The weight of the computer puts stress on all the wrong points, and it turns out that carrying a laptop backpack style is not as easy as I hoped it would be. So for this trip, I'm going back to my usual laptop bag.

But I can not prepare for travel and/or meeting new people without creating a SOME new purse for the occasion. This trip is for a professional conference, so I wanted a bag that is a little less distracting than my usual. I also wanted something bigger than my usual, so that I can carry a bunch of extra papers and maybe even a water bottle.

So here's what I came up with.  The shape is nothing special (ah well). It's just a basic 12x11 rectangular sleeve. But then it gets more interesting. First, it's reversible. 

One side is black denim, very plain. I'm planning to use this side for 1" buttons and ribbons and other embellishments on-the-fly.

The other side is a patchwork of different colored microsuede --which turned out pretty nice. I love the microsuede to start with, and then topstitching all the seams makes it look even cooler.

The top is open so I can drop things in and take things out easily. The strap is adjustable so that I can wear it over my shoulder or across my chest, as the case may be. I needed some way to keep it from gapping open, so I made a minimal flap (also reversible) and put a pin on it for weight.

I took it to school with me to day for a trial run and it seemed to be fine for ordinary day use. I'll report back on how it survived a field test to the Grace Hopper Conference in Keystone, CO.
(www.gracehopper.org)

:-)

Is a Trade the Same as a Sale?

Last week was a (relatively) busy week for me, -- as I "sold" three purses. 

Well, let me qualify that.  I traded three purses for five pairs of earrings and a wire sculpture jewelry hanger.  All of which are very cool, and I'm really pleased with my "purchases".  

  

It was a fairly painless process.  Generally I'm a bad haggler, but I have to admit, trading with Etsians seems very civilized and respectful.  Each of the trades did require a lot of negotiation and time.  There were several messages with the other person, to agree on a price for the items being transacted.  In one case, I sewed a custom bag in exchange for a custom set of earrings.  This customization step meant even more messages as we compared fabric swatches and pieces of glass.  But it was all very pleasant and inoffensive.

I still have anxiety about customer satisfaction.  I try to take accurate, yet flattering photographs of my bags.  I worry though, that a customer will have a misconception about the style, or the size or the color.  Something that I didn't document well enough.  It's like Christmas morning -- with a roomful of strangers.  I am hoping for an expression of pleasure, and fearing the expression of disappointment.  

It's easier, I think, to sell something in a bricks and mortar store.  At least then the customer gets to touch the fabric, test the seams and feel some security about an item's construction.  Perhaps this is my hang-up anyway.

But at the end of the week, I feel ambivalent.  I don't feel like the trades were real sales, even though I feel like the stuff I got was really purchased.

I think that this is because money is the only objective measure that we have for value anymore.  Hundreds of years ago, a person could feel comfortable trading 24 chickens for one hog, or paying eight cows for a dowry.  Nowadays, though, we only have currency.  How valuable is a doctor's time?  Oh, its worth about $60-$100 an hour.  How valuable is a waitress' time?  Usually between $10 and $15 an hour.  Thus we conclude, a doctors time is ten times more valuable than a waitress'.

But in a barter society, these valuations are not so straightforward.  How much is a purse worth?  Two or three pairs of earrings?  What kind of earrings are those?  When is a bag worth two pair of earrings and when is it worth three?  Does it depend on the bag, or the earrings?  Ugh, I just can't do this math.

In many ways, a trade is the same as a sale.  There is an exchange of good and services.  And I get pleasure from knowing that someone in NJ, or CA, or FL is using and enjoying an ArtsiBitsi bag.  But in some important ways, a sale is better (if only a little) than a trade. 

Got a Brand New Bag?

Just finished a couple new psychedelic new bags with fabric that I got for my birthday (Thanks, Sweetie!)  I love these.  They make me happy just looking at them.

The ironic part is that as I was creating these, I was receiving custom bag requests from two people who wanted something 

"more reserved".

More reserved?!  I don't know how to do 'reserved'.  I am all about the funkadelic and quirky accessories for the eclectic soul.  

SIGH.  Somehow I will persevere.

Purses banned from Indiana High School

An Indiana high school is making a bold move to create a safer environment for students -- they've banned students from carrying bags including purses, during the school day. Female students are upset about the changes. 

http://cbs2chicago.com/northwestindianabureau/bag.ban.school.2.813711.html

Well, I predict that the next big thing at that school will be ankle holsters for tampons.

Hmm. Maybe I should develop that design.  

In a related story, the NowPublic media site included a couple ArtsiBitsi bags in a slideshow to accompany the story.

http://www.nowpublic.com/strange/indiana-high-schools-purse-ban-rankles-students 

Something Old is New Again

Of all my different purses,  the one design that people seem to remember best is this one (left). Even years later, folks will ask me, 'Hey, are you still making those?' So, yes, by popular demand, I am bringing back my remarkable and memorable Secret Postcard Pocket Purse -- now updated for a new market.

So here's the new model.  On one level, this shoulder bag is very sweet. It's a modest 7x9x2" in size, but big enough for your phone, sunglasses, keys, credit cards, pens, small notebook, etc. 

The clear poly panel adds a faux patent leather look which goes easily from a day to evening look. You can definitely wear this with jeans, a suit or dress. 

It has a long (~50") adjustable length strap that you can use to change up the style.

But the coolness of this design often requires closer inspection. Because the 5x7" transparent panel is actually a pocket that allows you to completely change the look and function of the purse, according to your moods. 

Here are just a few of the things I have tucked into the pocket: 

• Photographs of friends, family, pets, etc.
  
• Seasonal Prints (pumpkins, witches, snowflakes, valentines)
  
• Postcards
  
• Artwork (like an ArtsiBitsi watercolor?)
  
• Maps - especially cool when traveling
  
• Ticket stubs and memorabiliia
  
• Passport, airline ticket and photo ID when traveling
  

...
Personally, I like to rock my Girl Geek look with this bag. I downloaded a bunch of circuit boards and cropped and printed them out transparency sheets. Then I get to have fun conversations like this:

Random Person: Excuse me, miss, but what is that quaint illustration on your handbag?

Me:  OMG, u n00b. j00 r t3h sux. Pwnd! LOL. j/k

Artsy Accomplishments - New product, new shop

Accomplishments for today:

1) Talked to Olivera at Wholly Craft and made an appointment to start selling my Monster Bags there.  Yay. 

Another distribution channel.  Plus it will help potential customers get comfortable seeing these bags.  

I remember from my marketing classes that it takes approximately 30 impressions of a new product before a customer feels comfortable enough to buy it.  They have to see it, and remember that they saw it;  like it, and then remember that they liked it -- all before they will buy it.  

2) Figured out how to make covered buttons of my watercolor paintings. Each one is 1 1/8" in diameter. They're like tiny little pieces of art!  And they have so many uses:

Pin them to your jeans
Use a set of them to make a really fun jacket
Wear them like a brooch
Use them as the closure on your purse

Tomorrow I will figure out how to photograph and list them on my Etsy.

I also want to get started on a fresh set of purses to replace the ones that are going to Wholly Craft.