Little Miss Kona Coffee Pageant

So, yesterday I was finally able to buckle down and get some serious sewing done. Atleast, that was the plan because I have 82 bags on order right now with Kauai Coffee, the Coffee Festival and Xmas orders. Plus I am trying to keep some bags in the Kona Mountain Coffee Store here too! I started my morning by prepping several bag parts. I don't have a serger so I zigzag around each burlap piece before I sew it into some of my bags. That is kind of nice "no brainer" work but it is time consuming. I love it when I don't have to think too hard! But while I was doing that, the director of the Little Miss Kona Coffee Pageant called. She had seen my bags down at Kona Mountain and wondered if I would be willing to donate to the girls this year. They have 5 different age group categories. So I made 5 different bags that hopefully the girls will like. I even made a little bag for the 4-6 year old age group! Thank you to Mary at Kona Mountain Coffee for letting me use their coffee bags to make the Sasaki Bags out of!

The Coffee Festival is just around the corner. In fact, it is only 3 weeks from tomorrow! Yikes!

I am trying so hard to get everything done so that I can be organized with my booth. I still have to sew some table covers and embroider a new sign for "Sasaki Bags". I have Hypertufa instructions to print (see hypertufaArtistry.blogspot.com)
Business cards to make...oh my other job is busy right now so I also have to punch a time clock and do some physical labor! I really need a 36 hour day...can anybody help me out???

Ironman 30th Anniversary

Can we talk for a moment about what inspires you? No, wait...let's talk about what inspires ME! This is MY Blog after all! I started watching the Ironman triathalon competition back in 1982. I was sitting in my mom's living room watching TV on a Sunday afternoon and caught Jim McKay's Wide World of Sports report on the Ironman broadcast from Hawaii! I watched as Julie Moss who had been in the lead at the end, crumble into a pile of knees and elbows. I saw that she had indeed "hit the wall" and that even her bowels had given up but the strength of her will and mind kicked in even when her body was failing. I felt tears as she was crawling the last few feet of the race and another runner came up from behind and passed her. Funny, the name of that gal escapes me....but I remember Julie Moss! Now some people saw this same event and spout off about how foolish it is to put your body through such an ordeal. Only crazies would try it! But me....I was inspired. It was memories of that race that later inspired me to sign up for and run the Honolulu Marathon. That is a whole other story, for another day, but today I just want to share some of the memories of yesterday's Ironman.

I worked the night before so didn't wake up as early as I had wanted to. But I got up and hit the sewing machine to start on my Ironman Finisher's Autograph Bag. I chose some athletic themed fabrics for the lining. One has bicyclists, the other for the large pocket and gusset is runners and wheelchair racers, and the third is a print with "26.2", running shoes, and stop watches" on it. The exterior is of course the blank canvas and I accented it with red piping and a red strap. I signed it in red sharpie ink and made sure that I didn't take a red pen with me for the athletes to use! So even with all the signatures/autographs, SASAKI stands out!

I went to town just about the time the finisher was coming into town. The press helicopters were hovering just over head as I made my way to Alii Drive. The town was "a-buzz". I chatted with a sweet gal named Pam for a bit as we cheered on the sidelines.

The eventual winner had a nice lead as he passed me by. I could tell you who the winners were, but you could read that on any sports page, and besides, for me, this race isn't about "the winners". It is about anyone who finishes. It isn't about time....just finish the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run in 17 hours! Piece of cake? Hardly! Infact last night the crowds were cheering the last 14 runners with only 30 minutes to go until cut off. All but one made it. The last one was a 60-something year old named Ida. She was cheered in 3 minutes after the cut off....Sorry Ida, no t-shirt! But you still are an I-R-O-N-M-A-N! And you inspire me.

But I am not talking about being inspired to "DO" Ironman. I don't think I ever will do that. These people inspire me to push myself further, to know that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Last night I saw a 77 year old man RUN across the finish line even before the 18 year old girl who had the energy to SPRINT across at the end!

Ironman is also about the great people I meet. It is my chance to share a little ALOHA with these visitors. I love to pick a spot on the race course that has few volunteers to cheer the racers on. Tell them how strong they look, how they are almost there and to welcome them back into Kona after a long day. I remember those words of encouragement that I received when running in Honolulu....the faces I don't remember, but the words gave me the strength that I hope I passed on last night.

I took my "signature/autograph" bag to town with me and got hundreds of signatures. There were finishers who signed my bag who were from Monaco, Switzerland, Phillipines, Slovania, Australia, Austria, Korea, Japan, Belgium, South Africa, Canada, France, Northern Ireland, and of course USA! No one denied my request. And most seemed pleased and a bit surprised to be asked for their autograph. Several had their friends take their photo while they were "autographing" my bag!

Shortly after I had arrived near the bike to run transition area, I saw a small group with "Team Turner" or something similar on their shirts. Being a "Turner" (my maiden name)I had to go say "hi" and find out who they were rooting for. A proud father was watching for his son, Hart Turner to come down Palani. Also on Team Turner was Dorothy, a beautiful girl who I wish I could have chatted longer with.

Dorothy, if you read this, keep looking forward, girl. Believe that everything happens for a reason and don't try to second guess your choices. Trust yourself!
I was happy that on my way home last night I ran into Team Turner and was able to have Hart Turner sign the finisher's bag too!

So much of what we accomplish in life is because someone inspired us. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be someone's inspiration? You just may be and you don't even know it! Hey, Julie Moss, have you ever heard of Barb Sasaki? I would love to make you a handbag someday!

Aloha

Potato Bags

I just finished and mailed off my first big order to Idaho. One of the potato companies I contacted regarding my "Haute Potato" bag ordered 16 bags to take to their trade show coming up later this month in Florida. I made 11 shoulder bags and 5 grocery totes. I have now made over 500 bags for the year! Somedays I feel like I could actually sew in my sleep! At times I almost do. For this order I was so worried that I wouldn't finish it in time to account for the occassional Postal delays so I would get up at 4 or 5 am some mornings to sew a few hours before Earl would awake. And of course sew until bedtime.

You can't tell from the photo but I used some great fabrics for the linings of the shoulder bags. I mixed polka dots of different sizes and introduced some bright prints that kept in line with the companies "red, black and gold" theme.

I had some other bags arrive today. Angela D., I can start on your bag soon! I have started taking orders already for the holidays. Looking forward to a busy season. Sew, Sew, Sew!

A New Signature Bag

I have a customer who is a travel agent. Her secretary is leaving so she ordered one of my signature bags to have all the girls in the office sign as a memorable send off. Had I had more time, I could have special ordered some fun themed fabrics, but I couldn't risk ordering something from the mainland and missing my deadline. So I decided on this beautiful Amy Butler print to line the bag with.

I added to the whole "travel agency" idea by making her a tissue tote out of a Rand McNally map. And to go one step further, I got a map of the location of the travel agency, laminated it and sewed it to a key fob. A heart shaped split ring was attached and I hung it from the decorative swivel hook along with the sharpies for signing! I thought it would be a fun little addition and it will remind this gal that she can always find her way back "home".

I am a busy girl these days with no let up in sight! But I am loving it and doing what I enjoy. What more can a girl ask for?

More Signature Bag Photos

Here is what the "Signature Bag" looks like before YOU embellish it!

Shhh! Its a Surprise!

Okay, I have told my sister NOT to look at my blog for awhile because I am posting photos of my "Signature Bag". You see, every designer must have a "signature bag" but me...with my warped sense of humor decided to make it a play on words. I actually sign my signature bag and invite everyone else to as well by including a set of mini sharpies!

My sis is taking a "trip of her lifetime" soon for a "significant" birthday. I have made this bag especially for her so that she can take along the well wishes of her friends and family to Greece with her. And while there, I hope she collects signatures of all the amazing people she will undoubtedly attract. Adore your cab driver? Ask him to sign the bag. Love your cruise director? "oh please, may I have your autograph?" Was your waiter charming? You get the idea! I have started my sis off by writing some of her favorite quotes along the gusset of this bag. Then I shipped it off and had several family members sign it as well. For her bag I lined it with a Scorpion fabric because she is a Scorpio. For your bag, let me pick a fabric lining that will tell the world a little about you. Are you a secretary? Maybe the "post it note" fabric would be fun! Love to travel? Have a unique hobby? I love a challenge!

Who else would love this bag? It could be a "Birthday Bag", a "Bon Voyage Bag", a bag for a woman going through chemo or a divorce....guaranteed to bring a smile to her face everytime she reads the positive affirmations you will write on it. This bag makes a wonderful going away gift...why not have everyone in the office sign it?! Know a graduate? Forget the yearbook signing! Have your friends sign your handbag that you can carry with you for years!

This bag is also a blank canvas for the artists amongst us. It can be your very own "doodle bag" to show off your own works of art.

I just love this bag because it is fun and will start conversations with people. I hope you do too!

Sun Glo Potatoes

Betty from Sun Glo Potatoes mailed me a box of potato sacks to work with. I got it yesterday and finished a couple of bags to send off to her. I really like the lining. Betty, I hope you do too!

Kauai Coffee Order...ready to ship!

This morning I finished the last of 30 bags to ship out to Kauai. Business is booming on the Garden Isle! I love working with their bags. They have such a variety and they are very colorful. Here is a sample of what I am shipping out to them on Monday!

A new market tote

This bag will be your answer to "paper or plastic?"! It is a large tote designed to conveniently carry your groceries home in. It measures 10" x 12" and is 8 " tall. Much like the size of the hand-carry baskets available in most grocery stores.

The handles are brown cotton webbing and are approximately 22" long.

The exterior is a recycled burlap lentil bag.
The front says, "Easy Cooking Lentils.
The back says, "Rumba brand"
On the bottom it says, "(S)pokane Seed Com(pany)

The interior is an Amy Butler cotton print. It has vibrant colors including orange, fushia, chartreuse, blues and brown. It nicely compliments the red and orange print on the outside of the bag.

There is a 10" x 12" removable board on the bottom of the bag for support to carry your heaviest groceries.

This bag folds flat for storage.

Seed Sack

I am out of Potato Bags for the time being so I rounded up some "seed sacks" to make more bags out of. This one is from Spokane, Washington, near my old stomping grounds!

The print on the sack says:
(back) "Spokane Seed Company, Spokane Valley, WA 99212, 100 pounds, 45.36 kilos net"
(Sides)"Lentils, Rumba"
(front)"Easy Cooking Lentils"

This bag is 16" wide, and approx. 13" from the tallest point on the burlap to the bottom of the bag. The shoulder strap is a total of approx 20" long counting the nickle O-rings.

I love these recycled burlap bags. They are ultra strong to use everyday but add a little whimsy as well.

Tissue Totes

I haven't felt like doing much while recovering from getting my tooth pulled...but I have been sewing. Today I finished 5 coffee bags and decided I needed a little break so I whipped up about 30 tissue totes that I had cut out awhile back. Here is a sampling of what I made today!

"1 Potato, 2 Potato...."

With the success of my first Haute Potato Bag, here comes another Haute Potato from the Sasaki Sweat Shop!

Both exterior pockets are accented with a bright red cotton piping and lined with a vibrant red with black polka dot print.

On the inside of the bag, on one side you will find a cell phone pocket and a small divided pocket to fit two pens.

The other side has two pockets 7.5" x 7.5" that are secured with velcro closures.

This bag has a magnetic closure to keep all your items secure.

The strap on this bag is attached to two 2" O-rings. It is a black cotton webbing.

The print on the potato sack says:
(back) "To open pull rip cord across bag"
(Sides)US NO. 1, Potatoes
(front)"Potatoes, packed in Idaho, Western Potato, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, net WT 50lbs (22.68 k), Produce of..." and there is a portion of the Idaho Potato Commission Logo in the front left hand corner.

This bag is 16" wide, and approx. 13" from the tallest point on the burlap to the bottom of the bag. The shoulder strap is a total of approx 20" long counting the nickle O-rings.

Just like pulling teeth...

So I leave in about an hour to go get my wisdom tooth extracted! It has been bothering me for awhile and I was finally able to get an appointment with the oral surgeon. So it looks like warm jello and strained soup for a few days. I wonder if I will feel good enough to sew or atleast cut out fabric....stay tuned!

Sasaki Bags Now Available on Kauai!

Friday I finished and shipped off a variety of coffee bags for Kauai Coffee Company. I wish them much success and hope that we have a long relationship! They are now carrying the Kukio beach bag style, the Kealakekua shoulder bag style, the Omiyage, small tote, and Xmas stockings both with and without cuffs. Kauai Coffee is also carrying my Coffee Bean Earrings made from Czech glass beads and either sterling silver or 14kt gold filled wires, as well as my Koffee Keys. If you visit their store, drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Shopping Bag

I have been selling this bag at Kona Mountain Coffee for several months now. I originally created it just for customers to use in the retail store so that they wouldn't have to lug around so many bags of coffee. Soon I had to put special tags on them saying that they were just a convenience for the customer and not for sale...but people still kept trying to purchase them! So I made a couple of improvements and this is the bag that you can buy to take home and use in the grocery store instead of "paper or plastic". It is approximately 12" x 10" and 8" tall. It has a hard-board bottom that is removeable.

Tattoos and Denim

This bag is a wristlet. It measures 10" x 6" not including the 13" faux-leather, plum-colored handles.

The exterior of this bag is an embossed heavy-weight denim. There are two exterior pockets that are accented with custom piping made from the lining fabric. Thre is a removable hot-pink, faux-leather, heart shaped pin attached on the front of the bag.

The interior is 100% cotton with a funky print that features pretty girls with tattoos. There are hip looking girls with elaborate tattoos covering their arms, legs, and back. There are also elements of butterflies, rainbows, and hearts on this brightly colored fabric.

There are two interior pockets that are accented with custom piping.

This bag closes with a magnetic snap closure.

Kimono Keys on Kauai

While on Kauai I met a great gal named Marjorie Desouza. She has a wonderful store in Kapaa's Coconut Marketplace called Palm Palm. I have decided have my Kimono Keys available on Kauai, exclusively at Palm Palm because it is such a unique shop.

What? You've never heard of "Kimono Keys"? They are my take on the popular key fob. I have imported georgeous kimono from Kanazawa, Japan and make beautiful key fobs out of the vintage silk. They come with a little romance card as shown that invites women to make up their own story about the history of the kimono that they carry a piece of. They are so handy when just running into a store so there is no more digging to the bottom of your purse upon your return to find the keys! Also, when walking the dog, just slip a kimono key on your wrist.

When on the island of Kauai, be sure to check out Marjorie's shop, Palm Palm. Tell her Barb Sasaki sent you and that you are dying to see her supply of Kimono Keys!

August looks like a busy month!

While on Kauai, I was asked to create some sample bags for Kauai Coffee Company. These bags were made for them. It is my hope to expand Sasaki Bags to the island of Kauai.