Introducing Special by SimJaTa

Well I have started it!! The new shop is now on Folksy, and has a total of one item currently listed, but the intention is to list one per day at least for the first week and see how it goes. You can find the new shop on my link at the side or here
http://www.folksy.com/users/SimJaTa2.

Still of course got a way to go, a great deal of promoting needed as yet - but I'm afraid as a result of yesterday's vet visit things are going a bit slower. Thank you to those who asked and sent well wishes for Alfie, the diagosis is not good it seems our poor young boy has hip displaysia so will have to take things a tiny bit easier. Although after a very long chat with my wonderful vet last night, we have decided that Alfie will still enjoy to live life to the full while he can with careful supervison, good diet, a few meds, and a bit less weight.

The slowness is due to Alfie still getting over his GA so being very clingy and very noisy, he still hasnt stopped whining, and I have the worlds worst headache as a result of both the stress and the lack of sleep due to said whining dog.

Hopefully though in a day or so things will return to relative normality and I can start some promotion for both shops and get some Christmas shoppers in. (sorry for C word, but it is that time for all us sellers).

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

New Shop on hold?

Day started full of creativity and excitement for new Folksy Shop. Foolishly on the same day Alfie was going to the vet for xrays, just as a precaution mind as he has had a few lame incidents after exessive exercise. So first 5 hours of day spent waiting to collect him, too worried to do anything else. We collected him, along with a big bag of meds, and dont know what is wrong yet - been a very long day waiting for the vet to call, who was not available at the time. Also have a very distressed Alfie recovering from GA, very noisily so concentraton shot.

Good news at weekend, both cars passed their MOT!!! Hurray. Inlaw visit went well, with bags of fabric in tow, so that was even better.

I have managed to register my new shop on Folksy today, its called "Special by SimJaTa" but thats as far as its got, so no links anywhere and no big announcements as yet.

Please keep your fingers crossed for the verdict on Alfie, he is only 2 years old and not been with us a year as yet.

Artwork by Nutty, Goat Tote Bag

Yes, another blog post... it really is all or nothing with me. Here is the promised Goat tote bag, with the wonderful artwork by Nutty, www.nuttyart.co.uk. Now on sale in the Folksy shop from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa.

Been busy today with items for the new shop, some of my ordered supplies finally turned up - so still hoping for launch day next week, and getting very nervous. Just put out a few pics to friends so see what they think. I seem to have fallen foul of yet another ebayer, with a non delivery and no replies to emails - hope its not another dispute by next week, really could do with the items, but a refund would suffice so I can re order, having said that a reply would be good too, why are people not curtious these days?

Day off tomorrow, not had one of those for a very long time. Both our cars are in for MOT in the morning, so rather nerve wracking, OH has taken the week of to fix them when they fail (going to be a long week). Then got my dogs to walk, and one other, which has to be local park with the footballers due to no car, that will be fun. Then, oh lord... I can barely say it... the inlaws are coming for the day, so already spent a couple of hours reminding myself what that horrid word 'housework' was, will be finding out again tomorrow morning before garage opens when I have the entire downstairs to blitz, floors to clean etc. The evening will be spent recovering with the odd bottle of wine, so tomorrow is well written off.

Have a nice weekend all, and dont forget to dig out those woollies think we might be needing them.


~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Molly Diva star's on Tote Bag

Here is Molly, transformed into a very pink tote bag, just listed today in my Folksy shop. I am hoping Molly will illustrate my custom tote bags.
I have also conquered the billy goat one, which I hope to list tomorrow.

Still busy at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa HQ, preparing for new project, keeping up with shop orders and trying to promote too. Very excited about new shop, which will 'hopefully' open next week all being well.

New Custom Designs to come?

Whoops, long time no blog. Here at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, I have been a busy bee. Working on a new shop hoping to launch in October, if I can get it all together by then, every time I move forward I think of something else - must remember Rome was not built in a day, neither is a new shop with new products, at this rate it might even be November.
Meanwhile, my dear friend and artist Nutty has donated a couple of pictures to me, one as you see is her Staffie Molly, this picture made me smile, so Nutty suggested I use it on a tote bag - great idea, but the image prints are fighting back. Today I printed out the one of Molly, the adorable Goat and one other, printed out great but failed the wash test big time, so back to drawing board. I have Molly printed out and ready for another wash test, then onto a bag design (hopefully).

Nutty Art, is a fabulous artist who does the most amazing pet art - you can find her here http://www.nuttyart.co.uk/. I have 2 of her works of my dogs, one of my Labrador Tess who you can see on her website, and the other of my late Greyhound Zola, who is proudly displayed above the TV watching over us.

Thats all for today, dont forget shopping season is upon us - and Bags of Swank by SimJaTa is still open with lots of choice for original gifts.

Custom Messenger Bag with Schnauzers

Good Morning Bloggers.
For today I thought I would show off my latest Custom Handbag. The customer wanted a handbag like my 'Pug' one in darker colours with her dogs doing agility. As you see her dogs are Schnauzers, and I was lucky enough to find some extra cartoon style fabric schnauzers too, which was a bit of a gamble I just hoped she liked them too.

This lovely lady shares her home with many of these dogs, is also a top breeder and successfully shows her dogs. She can be found on her website here www.beanara.co.uk.

Luckily for me upon collection last night Jo is a happy customer, and is more than happy for me to show off her Custom Made Messenger Bag in public.

So, here it is - latest Custom made handbag featuring schnauzers by Bags of Swank by SimJaTa.

Lavender Farm Order for Phytobotanica

I thought you might like to see some of the next lot of stock for the Lavender Farm. Cant believe its well over a month since our last visit! I took some tote bags, wheat bags and sachets and the boss lady requested something with actual Lavender on. So, I sought out some fabric and got to work. Sad thing is I cannot locate anymore of this lovely fabric, so this is the first and last lot, but during my search I did find some other wonderful lavender fabric which I am currently awaiting Mr Postman to bring me.
Just waiting for a convenient appointment now to meet up and take the order over, or at least send my driver (long suffering OH)as I am still flat out with other orders, I picked up a few custom ones at the country fair, so really must make a start on them, whilst keeping up the stock levels on the Folksy shop.
Also the new tote bags will be off to Mere Sands this weekend, so might have a few more of those to make up if they approve.

Bags of Swank by SimJaTa is being kept nice and busy, though its tough going as the weather has gone a bit warmer, lovely outdoors but getting a bit on the warm side for working at the machine with enough rather warm lighting.

Have a good weekend Blog people, dont work too hard.