vintage roots...

Every now and then, I have a bag in my shop that is made of vintage fabric. These vintage fabrics come from a variety of sources, including antique shops, gifts from friends, and my Mee-Mee's cedar closet. Mee-Mee was a seamstress herself (I come by it honestly, though she is much better at it than I am), and has a stash of old fabric in her closet that I look through every now and again.

I got a purple and pink polka dot cotton circa 1950s from her stash a while back and had used some of it but left some of it in my own stash. I recently found it and made this bag:

See it in the shop.

It's it the cutest? As soon as I put it in the shop, I sent the link to Mee-Mee. And she replied with this photo:

That would be my grandparents. On a date. In the 50s. With my Mee-Mee wearing the dress she had made out of that purple fabric. Way. Too. Adorable.

She said there were four yards of fabric in just the skirt! So crazy.

I love dresses from this era, and she's absolutely beautiful, but I'm so glad I get to run around in tank tops and jersey knit skirts. With no pantyhose. Or petticoats.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

rice chips make my heart smile...

Today I'd like to share with you what is far and away my favorite gluten-free snack.

RICE CHIPS.

Now, I'm sure you're thinking that sounds sad and boring and just about the worst thing ever, but you should not. Because they rule. It's like a thick tortilla chip with whole seeds and grains adding a magical texture and sea salt adding a magical flavor.

Pass the hummus, please.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

inspired entrepreneurship...

I occasionally wander over to the Etsy blog/community pages to see what's the haps in the Etsy world. Usually I end up reading about featured sellers, an outside event/policy/dilemma that is effecting the craft world, or about an Etsy-fueled wedding/home decor project. And while those are all nice and fun and informative, what I read about today was inspiring.

Here's the article I read.

This is sooooo exciting to me! That an art school is actually focusing on business-- amazing! When I was an art student at UNT, I went above and beyond my required class load by sneaking into a few business classes to learn about selling, branding, and writing a business plan. It was one of the smartest things I've ever done. But I graduated with hundreds of other art majors. And of the ones I know, no one else did this. How does a university expect its art alums to be successful persons if they can't sell the work they have been trained to create? Blerg.

I've mentioned before that my friend Shelley and I are the leaders of Etsy Denton and as such, we've hosted two "Business for Beginners" classes, aimed at Etsy sellers in the Denton area who want to make their art/craft/vintage wares their living, or at least a viable contribution to their household income. I love that I get to teach this class. I feel so blessed that I get to do what I do and want everyone to get to do what they want to do, too. In a perfect world...

As great as that class is, I'd love to find a way to do more. My friend Sarah has asked me to speak at a "Fiber Career Day" that she is organizing in April, and I'm really excited about that. Hopefully it will get my creative wheels turning on how to make sharing my experience and business knowledge a more present part of my artistic ventures. :)

I'd love to hear if you have any ideas on how I can better inspire other sellers to expand their businesses and become brave and adventurous entrepreneurs!

Also, check out all the videos from the RISD Mindshare. I watched Vanessa's video during my lunch break and I plan on watching a few more while I sew this afternoon. :)

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

published!...

Exciting news! Rachel Elise is a published writer!

Two of my bags, along with sewing how-tos for each, are featured in the Spring issue of Haute Handbags magazine! Haute Handbags is a specialty issue from the popular Stampington and Company that prints Somerset Studios, Altered Couture, Sew Somerset, and pretty much all crafty craft magazines that I drool over. I'm so honored to be featured!

The issue is full of beautiful bags and talented designers. You can pick up a copy at any Barnes and Noble -- the magazine hits the stands in April.

Hugs and Loves,

Rachel Elise

straaaaaps...

It's been a long time coming for a lot of complicated and convoluted reasons, but...

NEW STRAPS ARE HERE.

 

They will start appearing on bags in the shop next week. Yay!

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

helper...

Sometimes, Cat likes to help me sew. And by help, I mean sit on my sewing desk/back of my chair/lap while I work and make sad eyes until I play with her.

Jerk.

In other news, there's a couple of little headbands now in the shop!

While my accessories are staples at the shows I do, as well as to my wholesale business, I've never had as much luck with them on Etsy. I get impatient with the slower sales and therefore put accessories online and take them off all the time. But I'm determined to make it work this time and to stick with it. If nothing else, it's a free gallery for wholesaling accessories and opportunities therein. So whatevs. :D

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

P.S. Today is the last day to get 25% off everything in the shop! Use the code "SPRINGY" during checkout.

lost and found...

Here's a sneak peek of a new product! This is my prototype, so it's a little rough, but you get the idea :D

Luggage Tags!

I'm planning on making this chevron design, an airplane design, a doily design, and a bow design! Yay! I'll keep you posted when they hit the shop.

New headband designs and a new twist on my bracelets are also in the works ;)

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

P.S. It's official! I made it into the last spring show I was waiting to hear about. You can check out my spring show schedule here.