new things for falltime...

Man, I've been bad at blogging lately.

Etsy Denton Handmade Harvest planning is in full swing-- both for the planning of the event itself, as well as tackling the 100+ bags I counted out today as things I would like to have prepared for the show. Oh my stars.

I've also been busy adjusting to having Nikki here twice a week, assisting me in the studio. She's totally awesome and gets so much amazing work done. It's definitely been a shift from my normal work flow, and I'm still trying to get settled in. But as soon as I get settled into a groove, I'll decide I'm bored and need to change up my routine. Le sigh.

But because of Nikki's super high-powered productivity, I've had plenty of time to catch up with the shop and restock, particularly in the Satchel and Hobo departments.

If you didn't go to the shop over the weekend, you'd better go check it out. Tons of new awesomeness, just in time for Fall.

Loves and Hugs,
Rachel Elise

P.S. I'm waiting on some supplies to come in before I can create and unveil my new clutch-related surprise, but stay tuned :)

fabulooooouuuussss...

Ghetto fabulous is not a phrase I would normally use to describe my work. However, the latest addition to the Rachel Elise Etsy shop has me scratching the ol' noggin a bit.

This fabric is... shall we say... "off the chain".

A combination of two layers-- vinyl and mesh-- make this material awesome and awful and then awesome again. Best or worst fabric ever? I can't decide.

My friend Rachel was with me when I bought this fabric. I was on the awesome/awful fence about it and she said, "I don't know what you would use it for besides an entire clutch", to which I replied, "Me either. But I kind of want one." "Yeah, me too."

Sold.

Loves and Hugs,
-Rachel Elise

redesigned and refined...

As promised, here are the new redesigns of my largest bag, now called the Courier Satchel, and my smallest bag, the much beloved Date Purse.

A few new Date Purses are already in the shop, and the Courier Satchels will make their way in next week.

The Courier Satchel is replacing the long-produced Bunch Bag, so if you just have to have one, there are still a few left :)

Happy Friday!

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

progress...

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about all the epic new plans I have a brewin'. Just thought I'd update you guys on what excitement is happening in Rachel Elise world.

1. Very Jane clutches are all made and shipped out! Woohoo!

 Isn't that picture fun? I was really excited about it. I also took this one:

 That's a hundred clutches. Ahhh the colors. So happy. Ahem. Moving on.


2. I've ordered my first purse frames, and I await their arrival.

 It will take a while for me to perfect the patterns, technique, and order a big batch of frames, but the process is in the works.

 3. The Bunch Bag and Date Purse have been redesigned to be more cohesive with my other bag styles. The Date Purse will debut in the shop later this week, and the Bunch Bag will debut next week. Only it's not the Bunch Bag anymore! It's now the Courier Satchel, which is a name I used on a previous bag style, but I've reassigned to this new Bunch Bag-sized satchel, because... let's be real. It's an awesome name.

4. I've designed my first collection! It was a really fun and exciting process. I started out with fifteen fabrics for the Forgotten Summer Collection, but I edited down to just eight fabrics, from which I made 15 unique designs and 60 individual bags. None of them are sewn up yet, but here's the stack of cut out pieces. Also, cat. Because she's always around.

Look out for those new Date Purses later in the week! And have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

Etsy-versary...

This Sunday, June 24th, marks four years since I first opened my Etsy shop! So insane! When I opened it, I had no idea that Rachel Elise would one day be my career, pay my rent, and make me unbelievably satisfied with my first job out of college.  I feel I'm living proof that God just giggles at us when we talk about "five year plans". Five years ago, I didn't know what Etsy was. Thanks, God. That was a good one.

Just for kicks and giggles, let's take a look back at some of the "awesome" stuff I've created over the years. I'm opening my soul here, so you are welcome to point and laugh, but please still be my friend afterward :D

June 2008
This is the first bag I ever sold on Etsy.

See the Etsy Listing

June 2009

See the Etsy Listing

June 2010

See the Etsy Listing

June 2011

See the Etsy Listing

June 2012 

See the Etsy Listing

Wow/Sorry/You're welcome.

Happy Friday, kids.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

on the move...

So about every six months or so, I start itchin' to come out with something new. Usually it's like... a thing or two. This time...

OH MY STARS I'M OUT OF CONTROL.

Mind you, all these changes will take some time. I'm in the middle of preparing for my next Very Jane feature, which will be this weekend. Which means making 225 clutches on top of regular orders. EEP! But once all of that is behind me, I'm going to start cranking out some new and exciting things.


1. Collections

I've never made a cohesive collection of products before, but that's about to change. I already have the fabrics picked out for two collections that I will be selling exclusively on rachelelise.com via Big Cartel. I'm still trying to figure out Big Cartel/redesign my website to accommodate it, but I'm working on it.

Here's my inspiration board for the "Forgotten Summer" Collection:

Via Pinterest

Soft, vintage, nautical, summer. With some stripes. And lots of seafoam. Lots and lots of seafoam. Also, there will be bows.

My other collection is still nameless. It was going to be "The Denton Collection", but then ended up not being very Dentonie once I picked my fabrics. I may have to leave the naming up to the Facebook world once I get the collection designed. Regardless, here's the inspiration board:

Also via Pinterest

Lots of mustard, brown, and rich rich neutrals. With teeny pops of color. And a little bit of stripe action. And a Moroccan pattern that I will create with cutouts. And an amazing bird print linen. You're welcome.

2. Out with accessories, in with bagccessories.

When I first started doing craft shows, I made little bracelets and headbands to supplement my bag sales at these events. Accessories were a HUGE part of my show income for a long time (and how I got my start in wholesale), but they never did too well on Etsy. And now, almost all of my income at craft shows comes from bags. And the accessories still aren't doing too hot on Etsy.

But a smart business woman always has a range of prices, especially at craft shows. So accessories are going out (except for the luggage tags.. because they actually do well and are bag-related), and I'm going to experiment with coin purses big and small to be my new "low end" item.

I'm hoping to sell them individually, as sets of a large and small bag that are in different fabrics but coordinate, and sets of multiples for bridesmaid gifts. I've never made a purse frame/kisslock bag before, so we'll have to see how that goes. But I'm excited.

Here are some kisslock purses I admire:

1. Cream and Lace // LeelaPurse on Etsy
2. Screen Printed Floral // CuriousDoodles on Etsy
3. Silk Linen Bird Print // FoxburyandCo on Etsy

 

Noms. Also, note that the bird print from my mystery-name collection is very similar to the one on that last bag. Yeah. I know. I told you it was awesome.

3. Cohesiveness in the line.

Last time I got the change-everything-and-redesign bug, I redesigned most of my existing bags and retired a few styles. I also left the Bunch Bag as it was and brought back the Date Purse, but I felt like these two never fit in with the new designs of the other bags. So, those little guys are getting mini makeovers as well. Actually, the Bunch Bag may morph into something else entirely, but we'll see what happens. I'll have to play the pattern-making game for a while, but I have little happy and perfect pictures in my brain. Hopefully it translates.

Aren't you excited now? You should be excited now.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

bridal orders...

So you may or may not have noticed that I've started listing sets of bridesmaids' clutches in my shop. I thought it would take a while for this line to take off, but the frugal bride with a vintage or rustic flair to her wedding has really taken to it. And I have taken to her, because she buys 4-10 bags at a time. Everybody wins.

I made a couple "example sets" and put them in my shop just to get people interested in the idea that I could make clutch sets for them. I've already sold one of those sets as well as several custom sets.

I made this "example set":

 

And it turned out that it was exactly what someone was looking for: right colors, right number of bags. Too easy. While it was in the shop, it inspired this custom order:

which I am totally obsessed with. They're so cute! I hope this bride's wedding is as fun and vintage-inspired as this set of clutches. I might have to make an example set inspired by these. Too much fun.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

foldovers...

Do you miss the Foldover Tote? Lucky for you, a couple more just appeared in the shop.

Recycled Coffee Burlap Foldover Tote

Khaki Canvas and Vintage Lace Foldover Tote

I lent these two bags to Haute Handbags to be photographed for their Spring/Summer issue and just now got them back. This style of bag was a favorite among my customer, but it was a pain to make. And when you're the boss, you can stop making something just because it annoys you. Ha.

If you'd like a Foldover Tote or any other discontinued style at any time, you are always welcome to ask for a custom order. :)

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

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

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

spring cleaning sale...

A sale for springtime! Yippee!

Now through March 22nd, take 25% off your Rachel Elise Etsy order with the coupon code "SPRINGY".

Visit the shop here.

Happy Shopping!

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

yokes and clutches...

Oh hey there.

Go check out the Yoke Totes and the Clutches in the shop! Most of them have been updated to the new styles! Woohoo!

In other news, I designed some killer new Hobos and Satchels today! Hoorays! They'll be in the shop starting Saturday... hopefully :D

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

leap day sale cont...

Wow! Only 8:00am and already five Leap Day Sale bags have sold! So exciting!

Here are the bags that are still around:

And if you missed yesterday's memo,

these bags are all just $29.

But just on Leap Day!

You can check them all out here.

Happy Leap Day! 

Hugs and Loves,

Rachel Elise

leap day sale...

So tomorrow is that special time of year that only comes around every four years: Leap Day.

If you're an avid 30 Rock fan, you might spend Leap Day pretending that nothing counts. Or if you're my parents, you might spend it making jokes about how you went on your first date on Leap Day, so your first date was only eight years ago.

Regardless of how you NORMALLY spend Leap Day, this year, you should spend it on Etsy.

BECAUSE RACHEL ELISE IS HAVING A RIDICULOUS SALE.

That's right, cats and kittens. Making sure you find time amid your Leap Day celebrations to take a gander at my Etsy shop.

Because all of these bags...

will be just $29 each.

Say whaaaaa. Yes. You heard me. I can be loud and dramatic when I want to.

All the bags in the "Discontinued Styles" section of my shop, originally $50 - $75, will be just $29. But it's just for tomorrow. Get to leapin'.

Hugs and Loves,

Rachel Elise

workin' for the weekend...

Sorry for the few days of MIA. I've been a busy bee. But no worries. New bags in the new styles (and in some new fabrics) are hitting the shop Monday. Here's a sneak peak at an adorable new Yoke Tote:

Also, this is going be the best weekend ever.

Tonight: Mr. Frosty's with friends. (If you aren't a Dentonite,  Mr. Frosty's is the cutest burger/soda fountain joint that opened in the 50s or 60s and hasn't changed since. I've never been, but it's been on my "Before I move out of DFW" bucket list for some time.)


Later Tonight: Newly weds Laura and Jose are coming to play in Little D. <That's Denton, for you out-of-towners.

Tomorrow Morning: Making Eggs Benedict and mimosas for the Boser and I.


Tomorrow Night: BB King at Billy Bob's with the Boser. I surprised him with tickets. Because I'm a good wifey. Billy Bob's, aka the world's largest honky tonk, has also been on my "Before I move out of DFW" bucket list, but I was waiting for the right time to go. When one of the Boser's favorite legends is playing? Perfect time.

I hope your weekend is looking just as lovely!

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

the new collection...

Alright, kiddos. As promised, here is the new Rachel Elise collection (as well as a peek at a few spring colors).

First and foremost, everyone's favorite teeny little bag is back with a little bit of an update.

The Date Purse

The Date Purse. $17.00.

 Next, meet a new-comer with a bit of chevron inspiration.

The Hobo

The Hobo. $38.00.

A few favorites are sticking around, but got makeovers.

The Clutch

The Clutch. $27.00.

The Yoke Tote

The Yoke Tote. $32.00

The Satchel

The Satchel. $42.00.

 And one favorite stayed as is, because you love it just the way it came.

The Bunch Bag

The Bunch Bag. $48.00

The Haversack and Courier Satchel have both been retired, so get one while you can! They can be found in the Discontinued Styles section of my shop. Bags styles that were updated can be found in their original style and at their original price for a while longer as they sell off.

Don't you just love the new family?

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

product photos...

The photos I take of my bags to put on my Etsy shop are far from professional, but they give clear description and detail to each product, which I guess in the end is the most important thing. And people buy my stuff daily, so they must agree with me, professional photos or not.

Want to know my photography secret? Here it is:

 

I set up three pieces of foam core next to my office window, which receives a lot of natural, indirect light from about 11 am to 2 pm daily. The base piece of foam core has one edge held up by the window sill and the other edge held up by my desk-side wastebasket, which just happens to be the exact same height as the window sill. Convenient. The background foam core leans against the Boser's guitar amp, which lives by the window. The third piece of foam core is for reflecting light back toward to the product and just leans against the other two for support. Ghetto photo magic at its finest.

Sidenote: Can you find Cat in this picture? She was behaving this particular day by being behind the photo set up to look out the window. Generally, she prefers to wander around on the foam core and block all the light. Thanks, Cat.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

P.S. BIG BLOG POST TOMORROW! Changes are a comin': a couple of bags are being retired, a new bag is being introduced, an old bag is coming back, and three bags got makeovers. OH. SNAP.

new model photos...

After selling on Etsy for a short time, I became aware of a shopper's need to see a photo of each bag that would show it's relative size to a person. Since this discovery, I've had such photos on each listing in my shop, and I update said photos periodically. Today was one of those days.

Photo by Amanda Michael

My friend Amanda took these for me. She's a gem. She also has an Etsy shop. And it's cute. 

Photo by Amanda Michael

I looove this yellow/concrete wall I found in Denton to use as the background. Perfect! However, it was super windy (making my hair a mess) and super sunny (making my eyes a closed), so Amanda cropped my head out of most of the pictures. I took it upon myself to crop my head out of the ones that she did not. K thanks.


In other news, I FINALLY cut out some new bags today. Woohoo! Be on the lookout for them in the shop starting as early as Friday. <3


Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

antique gold...

Are you totally in love with my "Metallic Bronze" vegan leather?

Meet it's blonde sister, Metallic Antique Gold.

See it in the shop.

I loooove this vegan leather clutch. Great for carrying to a wedding, a Valentine's dinner, and perfect all spring and summer long. Plus, I've heard that metallics will be very big this spring. And I know you're into being in.

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise