clutch party...

I've been teasing you for two weeks that I was "about to come out with a clutch-related surprise". Sometimes I get excited and announce things to quickly... oops. But, to reward for your patience, I'm not only giving you ONE clutch related surprise today, I'm giving you TWO. WHAT?! YES.

1. THE TRAVEL CLUTCH

There's a new face in the shop-- the travel clutch! 

This mini-clutch is a great companion to your backpack, diaper bag, briefcase, messenger bag, or carry on - just stick a few essentials in your travel clutch, put it in your bag, and go! Or just carry this little guy solo to add a pop of color and style to your day!

There's a sewn in mirror and a credit card pocket, so it's a wallet-and-purse-essentials catch all that can travel with you wherever you go. Plus, after Etsy Denton (and probably Christmas...), I'm going to make some cute little mix and match bridesmaid sets with these suckers. I'm excited.

2. THE CLUTCH OF THE MONTH CLUB

As the holiday shopping buzz approaches, I've created a clutch of the month club-- great for spoiling yourself or gifting to a friend.

Right now there are only four and six month options available in the shop, but I'll be adding nine and twelve month options soon. Looking for a different quantity to match a certain price point? Let me know and I'll make it happen :)

Loves and Hugs,
Rachel Elise

it's almost time...

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

grab a bag...

Oh hey friends. Have you noticed the grab bags in the shop?

You can get one of these fun mystery bags for $10.00 (three items) or $15.00 (five items). Each bag contains an assortment of accessories, an assortment of slap bracelets, or an assortment of headbands, depending on what you want in your bag.

These are perfect as a fun treat for yourself, a friend, or to give as little gifts. Plus, everyone loves a little bit of mystery.

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

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

they're heeeereee...

Well everyone, after a long wait and much patience on your part, they are finally here.

IT'S LUGGAGE TAG TIME, CHILDREN.

As promised, luggage tags are now available in the Etsy shop for $12.00 each and in a variety of designs. Get. Excited.

Live in the Austin area? You can see them in person this weekend at the Renegade Craft Fair.

It's my first time doing a Renegade show and I am PUMPED. Better get to that sewing machine so I have lots of new shiny things for this weekend :)

Loves and Hugs,

Rachel Elise

P.S. If you live in the Denton area, like me, hold your horsies. The Etsy Denton Summer Bazaar is coming up in a couple of weeks. It's going to be our biggest and best show ever! Plus, be on the lookout for a feature of the Bazaar on the Denton Record Chronicle's "Denton Times" front page on May 24th!

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

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.

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

caturday...

Mmmm.... weekend. Cat is embracing Caturday with a nap in her sock monkey bed, in front of the fire.

I wish I had a Rachel-sized sock monkey bed. Maybe someday...

In other news, I couldn't wait until Monday to add new bags to the shop. I've already listed a couple of clutches, and you should watch for more bags throughout Caturday.

Loves and Hugs,

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

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

mmmm chevron...

As of late, I've had what you might call an obsession with chevron. It started when I bought this fabric:

From which I made these bags:

All of which sold. And then I couldn't find any other fabric that was remotely similar. And I was sad. But, as an artist, I decided it was time to buck up and get creative. So then I made these bags, among others:

and the fun has not stopped since. Which is why I am introducing a new little collection of chevron happiness to my pre-existing Fabric Collage Cuff line on Etsy.

Click here to see them in the Etsy Shop.

Aren't they preeeeetty? You can take one home today for $20.00, if you so please. Either way, here's a little chevron treasury I created to brighten your day and lighten your wallet.

Chevron Cowl Scarf - Or... shoprarebird $44.00	coin purse - chevron - ... cattaylor $12.50	Blue Sky - Modern Pione... prairieoats $28.00
Large Chevron zigzag st... FromKtoZ $65.00	Triple Chevron Necklace mooreaseal $35.00	geometric brass chevron... AdrianaSoto $36.00
Chevron Vinyl Wall Deca... holly $15.00	2 Chevron Zig Zag Pillo... SewGracious $30.00	Geometric Earrings : Ch... curiouscreatur... $25.00
SET Of TWO- 18x18 Desig... simplydivineby... $34.00	Going to the South West... melaniefavreau $70.00	The Kramer. Geometric B... BANJOandBONE $26.00
CHEVRON SPA a pair of ... theBolsterQuee... $55.00	Chevron necklace. Triba... SundayOwl $54.00	Zig Zag - Screenprinted... WestCermak $32.00
SiennasCloset Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Hugs and loves,

Rachel Elise