Western Roots

Three days a week I have a lovely studio assistant, and usually on Saturdays I’m flying solo, working on new patterns, new pieces, new ideas.  During the week I’m energized and I feel productive – on Saturdays, work slows down, and by the end of the day, I’m totally exhausted.

Creating new pieces is exciting and fulfilling, but it truthfully wears me out.  I have to think long and hard about every step along the way.  I need to be sure I draw and cut the pattern correctly, that the holes align, then I have to cut the leather and choose the pattern, think about the colors, choose the hardware color and style.  At some point, though, I reach the end of the line, and I have a finished piece.

This bag went back a bit to the western roots that I often visit in shape, but a traditional “Western” style (the tooled version) would be a much thicker leather, and the sides would be laced.  I chose to make it out of a thinner leather to cut down on the weight, and also to let it soften up and even become a little slouchy when you start using it.  The bag won’t lose it’s shape, but it will get that wonderful worn-in leather look that is oh-so-satisfying.  I also chose the stitching over the lacing for a cleaner, more modern look.  The stitching shows off the pattern, and a hand-stitched handbag is (in my opinion) the most durable construction. 

The Belle Western Handbag is available through www.MOXIEandOLIVER.com and we’re sure (my lovely studio assistant and stitching helper who wanted to steal it from inventory) that you’ll love it as much as we do!

xo

c

Taking the weekend off

I have to say I'm feeling a little more relaxed this weekend than I normally do - not that I am refraining from working on orders and new work, but more that I'm not stressed about it.

See, this is the first weekend in several years that I don't have a "Monday morning" to look forward to. Friday was my last official day of work in the real world.

But I was out all last week with a broken foot.

That said, I'm feeling relaxed, and my mind is clearing a little, letting new work, sunshine, flowers, and thoughts of things to come in. Today while my husband has been reading comics (after so graciously mowing the lawn and picking up the dog poop - maybe the broken foot isn't so bad??) I've been working on some letters for the baby's room.

Everyone seems to do it these days, and I looked and looked at letters but couldn't bring myself to buy them, so I made a set. Hopefully when she's older, she'll appreciate that I made these just for her, and with any luck they'll grow with her, rather than being something she sees as a "baby" thing.

So here's a sneak-peak, in progress:



The colors are a little hard to see (the overhead lights in my studio are out at the moment... hard to work but I'm making do), but I'm really happy with the way these are turning out so far. When I can convince my husband to take me to the hardware store, I'll get some plywood to mount these on so they have nice little frames.

And yes, I'll be adding letters to the shop. How could I not?

Back to work, whatever it is I'm doing...

Moxie

Spring Cleaning SALE & New Growth

Over the last few weeks I've been working on new pieces - in batches. Two weeks ago I made 16 new lace style cuffs. Of all of them, I tend to think the Nelly Lace is my favorite, with the flower centered on the wrist and the skulls off to either side, but it's a really tough choice. I posted all of them to my Flickr page, and will slowly be adding them to my Etsy shop as time permits.



This weekend I'm hoping to get some work done on a new line of wrap watches. I think I have some really good ideas for them, though it's always tough to say how good the ideas are until I'm able to test one or two out, and see how they fit and function. I'm really excited to see how they turn out, though. This is, of course, assuming I don't get too distracted by painting the nursery, or planting the garden... *sigh* it's supposed to be beautiful here tomorrow.

Of course, in order to make all these pieces, I'm going to have to do a little spring cleaning, so starting tomorrow, I'll be putting pieces on SALE. Each one will be on sale for 24 hours only - they're all one of a kind, and the sale on each will end either 24 hours after it started (9am PST the following day) or when it sells. I know it's a little unconventional, but check back daily starting April 25th for the sale item of the day. I know I have at least two weeks worth of pieces to put on sale, so if you see on you like don't hesitate. It's the only one, and the sale won't last!

Happy weekend!

Moxie

My Favorite Necklace

About six or so years I found a little antique locket at a mall antique store. Not my usual haunt for unique jewelry, but it was too beautiful to resist. It was a glass locket that twisted open, so I could add a photo or two and they would be visible when I was wearing it. It didn't look much like a locket - more like a pendant where the image was trapped inside glass. My boyfriend bought the necklace for me, and I added a rose from the rose incense on one side, and a picture of my kitty on the other side. I strung it on a multi-strand sterling chain that had been sitting in my jewelry chest for years, but I rarely wore. They were the perfect combination. I wore the necklace every day.

I have recently been thinking about trying my hand in jewelry - I am really interested by the prospect of combining silver and leather. My friend Andes sent some catalogs to me so I could find some silver pieces to inlay leather into. What I found I couldn't have been more pleased with - little glass lockets, just like the one that I still have (and love). They also had a multi-strand sterling chain, similar to the one that I put my locket on. I immediately knew what to do - I had to make some leather pieces for the lockets. Thinking of Valentines day, I started with a sacred heart, and three others. Here is the Charger pattern piece:

This is another one - in the Jasmine pattern with a tiny hummingbird:

I will have more listed in my Etsy shop this week -- there is a round sugar skull necklace and a round one with an owl. I'm presently working on the square lockets, but need to give my eyes a break from all of the tiny work! There are a few other inlay pieces coming, including rings and a bracelet, that I'm quite excited to share!

Best,

Caitlin