New bags and the craft market

So at long last my new bags are in the shop and I must say I am very happy with them. They took a little longer than I thought to make, but I believe in doing things well and not just rushing them. There are 5 bags in total, each one is different and only one of each design. I like to buy my materials in small quantities and only make small amounts of each item, keeping everything as unique as possible. I know it takes a little longer to make everything this way, its harder to get a production line going, but it keeps the work interesting and fresh I think. I’ve also made some purses but they sold so well at the craft fair on the weekend that I only have one left, its also in the shop. The flower brooches were also popular so I only have a few of them left.

So on to the craft market, I had an absolutely lovely weekend at the Manchester craft mafia Christmas market, met lots of wonderful people and sold some work, so a great weekend. It was also great to meet people that I have chatted with online but never before, like Sue, please check out her blog her work is absolutely gorgeous. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll tell you about some of the other stall holders and add links to there sites. I would also like to say thank you to Lorenza and Antonia for their lovely comments and thank you for visiting the market. I had so many really nice comments of people throughout the weekend it made me realise I am doing the right thing and want to continue making pretty and colourful items. Sometimes when you are working away in isolation it is difficult to gage if you are doing the right thing and does anyone actually want to buy what you make. The only down side to the weekend was knowing that on Tuesday I have to back to my boring job that pays the bills for 4 days, I look forward to my 3 days a week when I can get in the studio and just make and come up with new ideas.

Now I have sold some work I can go shopping for lovely new fabrics to make more bags and purses, can’t wait I already have a small list.

busy, busy, busy

Sorry its been a while since my last post, I’ve been very busy making the new bags and purses for the market next weekend. everything is taking much longer than I anticipated so unfortunately my blog as been a little neglected. I’ve taken a few pics to give you an idea what I’ve been up to and a glimpse of the new work.

This the half way stage. I am beginning to think I’ve set myself an almost impossible task for the amount of time I have. The bags and purses all have hand stitched flowers applied to them, this takes as long as constructing the bags. secondly, I have never made these bags before and decided to design my own pattern, I wanted something different and quite unique, this equals a lot more time. So their as been lots of reworking of patterns and much unpicking and starting again. I am pleased to say I know have the hang of it and am very pleased with the final result, just disappointed I haven’t made more. So below are some more pics of work in progress and one bag that is almost finished.

bags in progress

purses in progress

and vola the almost finished bag

inside the bag with the new labels

A few weeks ago I came up with the very ambitious idea of doing two collections of bags and purses. The first would be the one above and called FOLK by Ness Donnelly. The idea was to still be able to use the name folk to create a bright, fun and folk inspired collection. The second collection was simply to be called Ness Donnelly and use the natural linens and pretty florals cottons combined with silks and velvets, give a more grown up and luxurious bag. I still intend to go ahead with the two projects but sadly not in time for the Christmas market. So my plan is to make more FOLK products and develop the Ness Donnelly range for the new year. I’ve decided not to put any of the new products in my shop until after the craft market, I’m starting to panic that I don’t have enough work but at the same time think maybe an uncluttered stall is not such a bad thing.