another month

If I remember correctly, March came in like a lion as far as my sales and orders go and have remained true to that course all month. I finished off today, the last day of March with two Etsy sales. My total bags made this month came to 104. So I am a bit ahead of schedule still. Having "menehune man" has sure helped with production. He has about 40 tote linings all sewn together for me. I cleaned out a dresser and now have them all neatly lined up in there patiently waiting for me to make the bags for them.

My daughter arrives in 11 days. I am so excited. It has been almost two years since I got to hold her and see her face to face. She just turned 28 but she will always be my baby girl! I plan to take some R&R while she is here so that I can just spend time with my kid and her hubby, Kurt. That means that I have to sew up a storm between now and then so that all my accounts are full and I don't have to sew while they are here. I have about 30 bags on order right now and my etsy store only has one shoulder bag left in it....so I plan to work some very long days starting tomorrow.

But for right now...I think it is time to go to bed. April is just two hours away...and I have a full month ahead of me!

a hui hou

Pacific Islands Gallery

This weekend Earl and I drove up mauka to Buddha's Cup farm. Chris Colman was so gracious and welcoming. I picked up some of her coffee bags that will be used in some purses and totes starting this week. I am very excited to start on those!

Then we also stopped into the Pacific Islands Gallery in Holualoa to say hi to Janet Lipps, the owner. She has really worked hard on creating a beautiful and inviting gallery. Some galleries have that "library" feel when you walk in. Not Janet's! She has some upbeat music playing and has painted the walls warm colors that really set off all the art work from the many talented local artists.

Janet has been tireless in promoting Hawaiian artists, including myself. I was nearly speechless when I saw the gorgeous postcards that Janet had made up to promote my bags AND her gallery! Here they are front and back! Literally, I got chicken skin, as we say here in Hawaii!

If you are visiting the Big Island, you must stop in and check out her gallery. Besides beautiful island art, she carries, jewelry, table runners by Joan Blackshear, and of course...Sasaki Bags!

Fraternal Twins

Well, one Bolton-Sasaki Bag just wasn't enough today! So although born a few hours apart...I guess these gals must be fraternal twins. You can see the family resemblance but they are definately individuals! You will need to scroll down to my earlier post to see the first one I made today.

Bolton-Sasaki Shoulder Bag

This bag is another in a series of a collaborative effort between myself and Hawaii artist, Stephanie Bolton. The front pocket is an original acrylic painting of three hula dancers amidst a tropical setting of palm trees, tiki torches, flowers and the ocean under a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.

I used a Hula Daddy Kona Coffee bag for most of the exterior. How could I not!?! One gusset simply says: "HULA" and the back pocket has the address to the Hula Daddy Farm.

I also used a portion of a Country Samurai bag for the gusset that says: 100% Kona Coffee

The two large exterior pockets are 16" X 8". They both have magnetic snap closures.

Inside you will find a vibrant batik lining in shades of green, pink, red, yellow and brown in a "pinwheel" pattern.

There is a divided pocket on one side for your cellphone, or lipstick and pens.

The other side has a large (16" x 8" pocket that is divided in two and has velco closures. This bag is made not only to be beautiful and novel, but practical and organized as well!

Choucho - the Butterfly

The Japanese word for butterfly is Choucho and I am sure you will figure out why I chose this name for her. I used one of my recently purchased obis for her exterior. It is a black silk with gold metallic mums and leaves. But the beauty my eye caught was the butterflies with orange wings and baby blue highlights. This obi even has bits of lime green and purple that I was able to work into the panels that Choucho was made from.

I gave her one exterior pocket. It is lined with a black tone on tone kimono fabric and accented with black piping.

Her handles are black satin gathered over heavy cording and just the right size to hold onto delicately in your hands.

Inside, Choucho is secure with a black magnetic snap closure. Her lining is more of the black kimono fabric. The tone on tone print is truly amazing!

I also gave her two interior pockets and accented them with gold satin piping to make them easy to see when needing to grab that lipstick or wallet!

Being born on March 22, Choucho is an Aries. She is an adventurous, energetic gal who shows confidence in everything she does. She loves to chat and makes friends easily. She loves music and art but is fickle in her tastes. There is never a dull moment when you have Choucho as your girlfriend!

Custom Autograph Bag

One of my return customers ordered an autograph bag to give as a gift at an upcoming bridal shower. I just finished it today and shipped it off. Hope she has fun with it! I'd love to see it once everyone signs it.

Kimono Keys on Kauai

Over the weekend I got 3 vintage Obi from my supplier in Japan. They are beautiful...so me, being me...I promptly cut them to pieces! *sigh* yes, it is hard, but I believe these silks had already lived their lives as Obi and now it is time to let some women from other parts of the globe enjoy their opulence. I just love the key fob concept. I use mine all the time when I run into the grocery store, or walking to my car at night after work. If you are in Kauai, stop by and say "Aloha" to Marjorie at Palm Palm and check out her new stock of Kimono Keys.

Dorothy aka "Dot"

Let me introduce you to "Dorothy". She is my latest Diva born Saturday, March 7th, making her a Pisces.

Dorothy or "Dot" as her friends call her, was crafted using Thai silk that I purchased in Bangkok at the Jim Thompson Silk Factory. She is exquisitely accented with "polka dot" guinea hen feathers overlaid with a silk panel that donns a beautifully embossed gold plated button.

Her backside has one exterior pocket accented with custom piping and lined with black and white polka dot (pin dot) cotton fabric.

Dot's handles are 13" black faux leather with brass hardware.

Her interior is lined with the black and white polka dot fabric and sports one pocket. There is a magnetic snap closure on this gal.

This bag measures 10" tall x 6" wide.
She will be shipped in a storage box to protect and keep her safe.

Dot enjoys spending her days with friends. She can often be seen scouting out finds in art galleries and flea marts. She is a loyal woman with strong values. Dot chooses to focus on the positive side of most situations. She will make a wonderful companion!

Stephanie...your bag is ready!

Stephanie Bolton has an art show in Honolulu this weekend and realized that she didn't even have a Bolton - Sasaki Bag to display or carry with her. So barely under the gun, I finished it this morning. Steph, stop by. I will leave it where you usually leave your paintings for me!

Back to the sweat shop!