Sasaki Bags: Sasaki Bags Productivity

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sasaki Bags Productivity

Aloha one and all! What a week I am having so far. Sasaki Bags has been so productive and it is only Tuesday! I rarely make one bag at a time anymore. I find I can get more done by sewing assembly line style. So one day I may make several linings, cut out straps etc. Another day I may make the exterior of the bags. Then on the third day I see the results. So far this week I have completed 22 bags and 53 linings! I am going back through my customer requests and keeping them in mind as I do all my prep work. Being in Kona, I tend to focus primarily on my coffee bags, but with the beautiful photos in GreenCraft of my potato sack purses, I realize I also need to make some of those. (Suzanne, I have not forgotten your market tote).

My original wholesale account is opening up a new store on Oahu in Waikiki. They have asked me to provide bags for the new store as well, so even though it won't open until summer, I have started designing new bags for that store. I am really excited at the opportunities this new store will bring to me. They are encouraging me to make some "higher end bags". I am anticipating an increase in productivity of about 80 bags a month. To make this happen, I have had to hire a seamstress to assist me. I am already planning for the 2010 holiday season so that hopefully I won't be so far behind this year. Christmas stockings are being prepared NOW! Bags are being cut out. Fabric is on my shelves....It is only February and I feel like I am ready to wrap the year up!

I want to let my readers know that I am planning a "special" coming up soon for items in my Etsy shop. The deal will only be available for my blog readers and Facebook Fans. More info will follow in the next few days on my Sasaki Bags Facebook Fan page. If you are thinking of making a purchase....become a "fan" and wait just a few more days. I will make it worth your while, I promise!

Well, this day has come to a close. Morning will come soon, so I must go catch some ZZZsss.

a hui hou

1 comment:

Suzanne said...: I never, for a single moment, thought you might have forgotten. You are way too organized for that! Whenever you get to it will be soon enough.

It sounds as if you are adjusting well to the increase in volume and knew when to call in the reinforcements.; February 20, 2010 at 7:18 AM

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About me:

Sasaki Bags are made in Hawaii by me, Barb Sasaki. I have been an entrepeneur at heart as long as I can remember. As kids growing up in North Idaho, my sister and I were always figuring out some way to make extra money. At times we collected discarded glass bottles to redeem for cash. We would take our loot and go to the nearest bowling alley. Our money would usually pay for one game of bowling, which we split, and one pair of shoes so we would just keep trading off the shoes for who ever was "on deck". Being the youngest, meant the bowling shoes were usually 2 sizes too big!

I have made Hawaii my home since July of 1994. In 2006, I was injured at work. I had a pretty hard time accepting that I was physically unable to do the work I had done before. I guess I had always correlated my self-worth with my income so when that dwindled, so did my self esteem. While recovering from surgery on the second shoulder, I decided to take my future back into my own hands and find a way to make some money and a little self -worth at the same time. I had come to realize through the extended time away from the workforce, that women sometimes need to buy themselves something just to make them feel good. The 'ole "retail therapy"!

Being a woman whose weight is always up and down, purchasing clothing was merely depressing but buying jewelry or a handbag could cheer me up. I got to thinking that I surely wasn't alone. Other women must enjoy affordable "treats" too!

At first I began making the wristlet which has become my signature bag because I could not carry a shoulder bag following the surgeries. Then I discovered that they held pretty much everything I ever needed to carry. I found joy in creating bags that made me smile. That is why you will see so many novelty bags in my line. When I make a bag that cracks me up, that is a good day! (*see my watermelon bag!)

I also love making the elegant evening bag. (*see Sienna) Adding silk and feathers to a simple design and watching it come to life. That is how my Diva collection was born. Some bags just ask to be given a name and a proper birthday. I don't name "my girls" until they are completely finished. Some of them I labor long and hard on. Some come a little easier...but they are all a part of me.

I hope you enjoy Sasaki Bags. I am always seeking inspiration in everyday life. If you have a hobby or profession you would like to show off to the world...let me know about it and perhaps I can translate it into a one of a kind bag...just for you.

Aloha,
Barb Sasaki

Sasaki Bags

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sasaki Bags Productivity

1 comment:

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