Bag preview

I've been on a roll with the bag-making since my last post - to date I've completed EIGHT new bags and still have a few more in the pipeline. I aim to finish at least another two over the weekend, but that's a tough target. It really depends on the designs I choose to make and how much time is spent adding extra bits of decoration or embellishments to them. Most of my bags 'evolve' as I make them, so I have no idea in advance how long each one will take, or what they will eventually look like!

The bags I've already completed include four new small silk handbags, using my own hand-painted and hand-dyed silk, backed with toning silk dupion. These bags were popular last year as Christmas presents, so I decided to add a few more this year. The silk colours are beautiful and each bag is unique, perfect as a special gift, but very affordable at just £25 each. They come boxed and beautifully wrapped too.

The other four bags are a new design, a simple clutch bag - so popular this year - with a flap front. Although the design is simple, the fabrics are gorgeous - embroidered silks, shot rayon, chiffon, velvet and vintage kimono silk in a range of colours and patterns. The bags are well-made and beautifully finished with many layers of interlining, padding, stiffening and lining to give a 'luxury' feel to them. Each one takes a full day to make so they are a bit more expensive (from £50) but still exceptional value for an exclusive, individually-designed bag.

The bags will be available to view and buy at the upcoming Crafts at Lancing College, where I'll be selling  over the weekend of 27th/28th October. I won't be listing most them on Folksy until after that weekend, but they can be purchased before then by contacting me directly. Here are some photos of them:

Teal and green shot-silk type outer fabric in a diagonal patchwork design, lined with pale blue silk, small inner pocket, magnetic fastener. £70

Hand-painted silk front, trimmed with buttons, toning copper-red silk dupion back and strap, lined with black satin, button/loop fastening. Sold.

Hand-painted silk front, toning turquoise silk dupion back and strap, lined with gold satin, button/loop fastening. £25

Hand-painted silk front, toning pink silk dupion back and strap, lined with gold satin, button/loop fastening. £25

Deep pink/gold silk and black velvet outer fabric, trimmed with black stitching and two large vintage glass buttons, lined with black satin, small inner pocket, magnetic fastener. £60

Vintage kimono silk crepe outer fabric, lined with royal blue silk-type fabric, small inner pocket, magnetic fastener. £60

Hand-dyed silk front, toning pinky-mauve silk dupion back and strap, lined with black satin, button/loop fastening. £25

Brick-red/gold silk outer fabric with a chiffon drape, lined with dark red satin, two inner pockets, magnetic fastener. £60

Preparing for Crafts at Lancing College 27/28 October

Less than four weeks to go until the Crafts at Lancing College event over the weekend of 27/28 October. I'm really looking forward to it and hoping it will be a bumper turn-out. With just a couple of months until Christmas, I've got my fingers crossed that everyone will be in the mood to buy, but it will be just as nice to meet customers face-to-face and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

I probably have more than enough stock, but I always like to bring out something new and enticing to give customers there the first chance to buy before it hits my online shop. As most things are one-of-a-kind, that means many things never actually make it online.

I've sold a couple of bags in the past week or so, which means I'll be creating some new ones to replace them. That's the part I love most - designing, sourcing fabric, playing with colours, trims, details. Each one is an adventure!

SOLD - 'Beachcomber' bag

SOLD - 'Rouge' clutch bag

Busy, busy, busy.....

Still lots going on in Littlehampton....

• the Music & Arts Festival is winding down now but there are still a few displays up around the town
• the sixth Special Little Things Craft Market is on Saturday (29 Sept) in Evan's Courtyard (always worth a visit) 
• the first Putting Green Cafe craft fair is on Saturday & Sunday (29/30 Sept)
• the Beach Hut will be open for the last time on Saturday (weather permitting)
• Traders Indoor Market now has an arts & crafts area upstairs (open Tues-Sat 10-4).
• Way Out There And Back (in Evan's Courtyard) now stocks artwork by several local artists. Staci and David are also working on a permanent Arts Trail map, showing all the locations in the town where local art can be seen and purchased
• Jan Bennett's studio can still be viewed (by appointment)

...and elsewhere...

• Bosham Arts & Crafts Centre is open all year round, 7 days a week, selling locally produced art and crafts (including some of my textiles and textile art)
• the Lancing College Craft Fair is on October 27/28 this year, and I'll be there selling my textiles on both days

...busy, busy, busy....

Littlehampton Music & Arts Festival

The Littlehampton festival is now in full-flow and attracting a lot of attention. As well as the Beach Hut, you can see art at various venues around the town, including the Look & Sea gallery, Traders Indoor Market, the Polka Dot Heart cafe (which has now changed it's name but is still in the same place!), the Museum gallery, the Windmill studio (this weekend only), Jan Bennett's studio in Norfolk Road, and several windows in the town centre.
I have a few textile pieces on display at the Polka Dot Heart cafe (can't remember the new name!) and some photographic prints at Traders Indoor Market, where I will also be setting up a permanent display of my work this week. Some of my prints will also be available to buy at the Way Out There And Back shop in Evan's Courtyard from this week, so drop in if you're in the area and take a look.

Beach Hut - Day 1

I spent a wonderful day at the Beach Hut today, exhibiting my photos and textiles as part of the Littlehampton Music & Arts Festival. The beach hut, which has been generously lent to us by the owner for the duration of the festival, was decked out with bunting and filled with textile artwork and photos, with more of the same outside. I had many, many people stopping and looking, some curious, some admiring...some even buying!
There will be other artists in residence on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, next weekend and throughout the following week. I'll be back there on Saturday 22nd Sept (weather permitting). Today the weather was very kind, until mid-afternoon when the wind blew up and I had to gather everything inside before it blew away completely!
Photos will be added very soon......

Vintage September Sale on Etsy

I'm offering 20% off all items purchased from my Etsy shop during September. Use Coupon Code SEPT20 to take advantage of this offer and grab a bargain! Vintage linens, patterns, bags and more!

www.cstextiles.etsy.com

September Events Coming Up

The start of the '-er' months usually means the end of summer for me. Although we do sometimes have lovely sunny days in September - and even October - down here on the coast, the days are shorter and the mornings and evenings start to feel chilly.

This year, September marks the start of the first Littlehampton Music & Arts Festival, with lots of events and  activities happening in the town.

Visit Duncan at the Indoor Market to see his studio and a selection of work by other local artists...and pick up a brochure while you're there. The brochures will be available at other venues in the town, including the Museum, the Look & Sea shop and many other outlets.

Drop by the Festival Beach Hut (no.18) on the seafront to catch a variety of artists and artisans exhibiting, selling, making and performing throughout the month.....starting today! I'll be there on Sunday 9th and Saturday 22nd (weather permitting!) exhibiting and selling my photographs and textiles.

The Polka Dot Heart cafe in the town will also be displaying a selection of artworks, as will many other businesses and venues. More details of all these are in the brochure.

September 8th sees the Town Show at Rosemead  - I'll be there on the RNLI stall again this year, so drop by and say hello if you're in the area.

Also on the 8th, there'll be another 'Arts in the Courtyard' event at Evan's Yard in the town centre - well worth a visit to catch the wonderful atmosphere and music.