SimJaTa ~ Market Research

Bags of Swank by SimJaTa has spent the last month conducting some Market Research. I started out asking around what people collected and what they would perhaps like to see on a SimJaTa bag. As you can imagine, fabric hunting takes up a lot of very enjoyable time, but I wanted to be sure I have covered as many angles as possible, in my attempt to cater for most tastes.
To my surprise, it turned out not to be so much the theme of the bag that interested the majority but the construction... The most requests I have received is for organisation, pockets and somewhere to put those elusive keys or identification card, not to mention a more sturdy bag.

Therefore this weekend Bags of Swank by SimJaTa has set to work to achieve these goals. The new bags (which will be available from the second week in February) are to have lots of pockets, including a small pen slot (never find a pen, was one request)and sewn into the lining a key fob with lobster clasp in which to attach ones keys. Also some of the new designs will have a very strong interlining, as you see from one of the photographs shown, so strong the bag can stand up by itself. Not all the bags will be like this, as some customers still prefer the fold up style that can fit into a handbag.

SimJaTa are still interested in chosen themes, so anything you have in mind dear blog reader please do add in the comments box. There will be a large fabric order at the end of the week, still some space for new ideas.

I have a very busy week ahead with one thing and another, not forgetting the arrival of two house guests for a couple of weeks in the form of Labradors to keep my three company, so with the other 2 I walk I will be responsible for 7 dogs this week, might not have as much time as I would like shut away in the craft room at least until they all get used to each other. They do say a change is as good as a rest, might be a long couple of weeks though..
So I have been busy creating some new designs for Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, and sorting through beads and photographing for the destash shop, so hopefully if nothing else I will get a chance to add some new listings to Folksy.

Have a good week everyone, and if I dont get a chance to blog again I will see you again for Folksy Friday.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Teddy Bears Picnic

If you go down in the woods today you better go in disguise
If you go down in the woods today you better hide your eyes
For todays the day Folksy Teddy Bears have their picnic

On the other hand, please keep your eyes very WIDE open and take a look at this weeks FOLKSY FRIDAY. Folksy Friday is our opportunity to showcase our fellow talented crafters on Folksy. This week is Teddy Bears, simply click on the photo's to be taken to the shops selling these lovely Teddy Bear items, and lots of other fabulous crafts.

First arrival on the picnic blanket is this wonderful teddy card from Nithria Cards, highly recommended cards (I know as I have purchased cards from Nithria)



Next arrival is from Crafty Mushroom, this bear looks a little embarrassed to be here, maybe he is shy?



From Boy in the Park, is this Photographic Art Print, of small boy alongside his teddy bear



I think we will need more sandwiches and cake, if Pud Bears and friends fetches all her bears to the picnic, here is one pretty girl teddy, lots more pretties in her shop



Aunty Joan has joined us with these lovely plaques in her shop, also available in pink




Artisan Silver, features this wonderful Teddy Vintage Bronze Locket Pendant Watch



Bee Bears Scruff, might also bring along a few more bears, think we might need a larger blanket




Gold Star Bear is getting all romantic ready for Valentines Day




Clairz Cardz are bringing yet more romance along to the picnic



humble greetings fetches along another cutie to join all the fun



Finally, Bags of Swank by SimJaTa has a picnic bag ready to clear away any left overs ready for supper




I hope you have enjoyed this weeks Folksy Friday and our Teddy Bears picnic, the bears will enjoy your comments, and of course better still to go with you after their perfect day.

Have a great weekend.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

SimJaTa and the Arts

Well, not really SimJaTa and Arts, but cats and the arts. I discovered this fabulous fabric featuring the cats at the art gallery and thought it was wonderful. Sneak preview here as I havent got around the listing the "Gallery Cats" bag as yet, or the "Fairy Garden" one, just thought I would show off my latest makes here. I also made up a custom design with pets this week, but as its a gift for the mother of one of my blog followers I better not show that one off just yet.
Delivery of new fabric is always such and exciting time for Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, hours are spent choosing fabrics that hopefully are not the ones seen every day, and certainly not seen upon the shoulders of others.

One of my new 'brights' has arrived in the shop this week, I think of this as a spring bag, certainly a cheery design as we finish off these darker months of winter, you can find this in my shop by clicking the picture here...



The new destash shopping is doing well, last night I listed some new beads and they were sold in minutes, think my prices must be good. Certainly takes up a lot of time sorting out beads, counting and photographing, hats off to suppliers on Folksy its not something I would like to do full time, an awful lot of work. Not for much longer for me though, I can almost see the bottom of one of my craft crates now, so I would say the jewellery making destash should be done by February (as long as I can keep up the pace, LOL).

Thats all for today, I will be listing more beads each day and next tote bag listing should be Thursday - unless someone invents the 36 hour day for me.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Under the Sea - The Sequel

Under the sea
Under the sea
Darling it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'
Under the sea

Still singing I hope! Once I have done Part II, I am going to banish this song from my head at last. So, here it is the second part of the showcase of talent from my fellow crafters on Folksy, as its not Friday I cant call it Folksy Friday now, so please just welcome from the rest of the list of volunteers to show off their wondeful works with the sea theme. As last time, simply 'click' on the photo which will take you to the shops of wonders for sale from the talented, hard working Folksiers.

First from bluedaisy glass, is the turtle - a fabulous fused glass pendant



I think maybe we should be afraid now, here is a shark! From Molly Moo designs, can be personalised with any name or age



Artwork by Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics features this Cermaic ACEO of the Oceon itself



TheCraftyBridge, shows off this wonderful sea inspired crochet scarf. Here is a seller I already have the pleasure of owning both a hat and a scarf from, well recommended.



Blue Forest jewellery, shows off this stunning Faraway seas Amazonite and freshwater pearl necklace



From Raddington, is this very attractive Seaglass fish pendant



Silent Theatre has this fabulous Seaside Mixed Media Canvas Art



Lastly, a fabulous charm bracelet from Putting on the Charms, that contains some wondeful sea themes, Mermaid, Seahorse and Starfish




Hope you enjoyed today's selection, Bags of Swank by SimJaTa will be deep in thought all week trying to come up with a new idea for next weeks Folksy Friday. Have a Great Week.

Folksy Friday - Under the Sea

"All together now" First start singing the song

Under the sea
Under the sea
Darling it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'
Under the sea

Welcome to this weeks Folksy Friday, for today we are going to visit under the sea. I asked my fellow talented crafters on Folksy to join in the theme of 'Under the Sea' I had a large response. So this is actually part I, Under the sea sequal will be on Sunday. Here are some fabulous items, which you can purchase by simply clicking the picture which will take you to the shop, dont forget to take a look at the rest of the fabulous items in each shop while you are there!

First in the sea we find a turtle from Wellydoggallery, very artistic piece of work an ACEO




At Leopard Print Bee, these fabulous Penguin Earrings




From Boy in Park, a Limited Edition print of the British Seaside



From Shoogly Beads, Teal purple Nautilus - most attractive bracelet



From Craft Star, this rock pool cushion - showing the seaweed from the sea,



A Deegan, would like to show off this Exclusive Sea Urchin print



At Hannah's handknits, she wanted to show off this child eating fish hat? Well, the desciption does say child's hat, gives the 'impression' of fish eating child!



Awwwwwwww, a Puffin. From Mosiac Garden, this Puffin Coaster



For the fish fan child, Cheerymishmash has this lovely t-shirt



This one has me singing again, well in the sea is this super print of Sharks swimming in the sea from tonart photography



Still singing, Coral and Obsidian bracelet from Ivy Dean Designs




Lasty for this time from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa is this tote bag featuring the dolphins and whales, which is were all this singing and the topic was inspired from



I hope you have enjoyed today's folksy Friday, there will be another trip under the sea in a day or so as was too many for me to include them all today.

thank you for your visit, hope there is no seasickness


~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Happy Tuesday From SimJaTa

Hope you are all having a happy Tuesday, weather is kind to us here, a bit cooler but dry and bright. Bit dismal yesterday, which forced me to search for new happy bright fabrics for some Spring Time bags from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa.
My new destash shop is storming ahead, great bargains and happy customers, at the same time slowly clearing my boxes to make way for new fabric, hurray!
Glad you all enjoyed Folksy Fridays trip to Safari land, busy trying to think of a new theme for this week, which this time I will try to announce a bit earlier, and sort out the blog in the afternoon in order to give each item the time it deserves.

I have managed to create 3 new tote bags for this week to list on Folksy, the first one is my vintage Teddy Bear shown above. Rest of the week I am trying to build up a bit of stock for my Mere Sands Nature shop, due a visit. Whilst awaiting new fabric for a possible new venture in town, fingers crossed.

Have a happy rest of Tuesday, and a super successful week.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Friday - Folksy on Safari

Welcome to my new Folksy Friday slot. Today we are going on safari with Folksy, which is to showcase the superb talented Folksy Crafters with Safari theme items in their shops, simply 'click' on the photograph to be taken to the shop of the seller, were you can also view the rest of their fabulous items available to purchase.

So, hats on and come aboard the Landy were we have our first stop at this tiger by the lovely Natalie at NofkantsCurious



Wait!! Here's another one, this one from Leopard Print Bee



Oh noooooooooo, Lilac Elephant seems to be surrounded by animals here



"Over here" says Dash Crafts, she has found the Giraffes,



Millie and Milliebeads warns us all to take care not to step on the Lizards




Looks like Bee Bears has found the bears..



Careford Creations has found another Giraffe, but back at her shop she also has an Elephant, Snake and Lion to keep him company



Looks like the Giraffe may have shedded, back at My Excess Stock, here are some beads that look just like it



Here at Lisa-Maries handmade jewellery, she has managed to find a Gecko



Dab and a dash, has found a very sunny looking lion



As our surroundings become more tropical, we might need the shade of a palm tree, I think Gimme that thing may have found one for us to shelter




Whilst still in the tropical oasis, beneath the bushes are hiding some butterflies found by LouLousLuxuries



..and then SimJaTa found the Gorilla's, hiding amoungst the bags at Bags of Swank



As everyone on Safari was wilting from the heat, right there in the tropics was suddenly found very cool waters, and in them were Penguins from Wellydog gallery




I hope you have enjoyed this selection of super talent, and there are not too many to choose from. Thank you for reading this far, and thank you to the wonderful Folksy Crafters for taking part in today's Safari.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~