a big step and a seller spotlight...

Well friends-- I made a milestone yesterday. I hired by first employee! EEE!!!

My dear friend Nikki is going to fill the role of part-time studio assistant starting in September. She'll help me cut out fabric and prepare materials for sewin'. My Etsy shop has been crazy lately (mostly with bridesmaids clutches continuing to gain popularity), and I simply can't keep up.

Cause of craziness.

I originally thought I would have Nikki start in October, but after the past couple of days, I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to make it to her September 17th start date! It's wonderful to be so busy, but the help will be super awesome.

Anyhow, I'd like to take a minute to introduce Nikki, and since she's also an Etsy seller, what better way than with a Seller Spotlight?

That's right, I have not forgotten this blog feature of old, the Seller Spotlight. It just went on hiatus for a bit :D Anyhow, Nikki's shop is Velvet Underfoot, where she upcycles t-shirts into awesome kids' clothes. She started out with shirts for boys like this one:

but by popular demand is now venturing into adorable little dresses for girls, like this one:

She made that one for her daughter, Rosemary, who wore it to her first day of kindergarten yesterday. I wish I could be as cool as Rosemary...

Make sure you check out her shop and support this super awesome gal. Don't have kids? You know you need an awesome one of a kind gift to take to that baby shower that's coming up...

Loves and Hugs,
Rachel Elise

get on the giveaway...

Only a couple more days to enter the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can win $50 worth of collection merch! Huzzah!

Scope out the collections here.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

sewing fiends...

I've had Connie, my new industrial sewing machine, at work for a full week now. It's totally amazing. I'm already noticing a huge increase in my productivity, as well as in the prettiness of the stitches. It's kind of magical.

Why didn't I do this a long time ago?

Anyhow, in celebration of my own sewing victories, I put together this treasury of some of my Etsy sewing idols. I hope they inspire you and your day!

Eco friendly Large French to... ikabags $89.00	Beige Thani Hand- stitched t... LittleAtticsho... $40.00	Briefcase in Dark Shadow Gra... jennyndesign $186.00	Phaedra - Leather clutch wit... milloo $78.00
PRE ORDER: The Taplin Purse ... ShelterProtect... $118.00	Totem Wallet - Free-stitch e... CutOutAndColle... $25.00	Kallia - Shoulder bag in str... milloo $75.00	SALE Hobo Bag - Feather Appl... peskycatdesign... $65.00
Personalized Kindle Fire Cov... downstairsDesi... $25.00	Vegan Messenger in Red Suede MilkandHoneyHa... $170.00	Sukan / Birds Linen Pillow c... sukanart $55.50	Clutch Purse Gray and Red wi... JensBags $26.00
Pale Grey Tweed Wool XL Coun... joesbrand $395.00	Wool Log Bolster Roll Pillow hitree $55.00	The Wayfarer Backpack in Gra... sketchbook $285.00	Size 8 - Keyhole Flat in New... HydraHeart $72.50

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

giveaway...

 Hey Friends!

I have a fun little surprise for you!

A Rachel Elise giveaway!

One winner will receive $50 worth of

Rachel Elise Collection Merch!

And yes, you get to choose how you spend your $50! Yay!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!

Get to enterin'! And Happy Friday!

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise 

a new place...

Oops. I lied on Tuesday when I said I would show you my studio on Wednesday. But never fear, it is now Thursday, and here's your peek inside my new home studio! Yay!

I still need to get some things on the walls besides my awesome giraffe-a-month calendar, but I had to get the important stuff put together first!

 My fantastic handmade project table is great for cutting fabric and the built in shelf organizes all my made-to-order bags.

 Made-to-order bags from the collections and bags waiting to be sewn need to find a home instead of sitting around in boxes, but they will in time.

Designated shipping station! No more trying to fit my laptop, scale, orders, envelopes, tags, and cards on the project table at the same time. Woohoo!

Also, fabric. Organized by color. Yum.

Let me know what you think! I'd also love to see photos of YOUR workspace! Hit me up on Facebook.

Loves and Hugs,
Rachel Elise

a new addition...

Well, first of all:

My excuse-ridden abscence this time is actually pretty good: the Boser and I moved! We're out of our slighty old, slightly sad, slightly why-do-none-of-the-kitchen-drawers-work-and-how-am-i-supposed-to-do-laundry-in-a-space-like-this two bedroom apartment and into a lovely little 3 bedroom house in the heart of Denton!

The Boser works in Frisco, Texas, which is about a 40 minute commute, and we had long talked about moving closer to his office once our lease was up. But then we realized that we don't really care for Frisco so much. And we kind of care for Denton a lot. And we could get exactly what we wanted within our budget in our town of choice anyway so.... DENTON! YAY!

The addition of a 3rd bedroom means that the Boser gets to have a "mancave" where he can play guitars and work on his fantasy football team and play ridiculous games with Cat. And IIIIII get a happy little studio all to myself! Not sharing is the best. Sometimes sharing is not caring. Especially when you're sharing workspace with someone you're married to.

My studio is pretty much put together, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the grand reveal. Until then, I'd like for you to meet the newest member of the Rachel Elise team:

This is Connie! She is an industrial sewing machine, which is a piece of equipment I have long needed, but also long feared. Industrial sewing machines operate remarkably similarly to home sewing machines, but are more powerful and able. And also more confusing because they come with instruction manuals that assume you've worked in a sweat shop for ten years and know how to use the thing. Falseness. I do not. But a venture to visit the super knowledgeable Willard of Texas Sewing now has me and Connie getting along like old chums. (Chums? I've been watching too much London Olympics...)

Connie's home sewing machine counterpart, Bernie, has been having some issues due to overuse, but she'll be around a while longer, assisting Connie when needed. Eventually Bernie will be replaced by a new home sewing machine, but my bank account needs to catch its breath for a minute.

Check back tomorrow to see what the new set up looks like! Eep!

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise