Sneak Preview for Valentines Week by SimJaTa

Hope you all have a lovely Valentines Day tomorrow. "Himself" and I are both working, so will be a quick exchange of cards and gifts in the morning, its our 7th Wedding Anniversay too. Speaking of which I must go write said cards and wrap gift soon.
Here are some of the new designs of Tote Bags I have been working on this week, a few more not yet photographed. These are all in the new design of extra organiser pockets, pen slot and cord with key clip. I think maybe I am becoming a bit too bright again, its this dreary weather that does it.
The new Daffodil designs are ready for Mothers Day and Easter, although I had it pointed out to me the Daffodil bag I am working on is acutally Narcissus so that will be an interesting listing.
I have new themes on route, so hopefully I will be reaching a wider audience soon - still not enough hours in the day. But having been self employed for a year now I most certainly do not regret it, and jump for joy that tomorrow is Monday and the start of a new week - didnt do that for a good few years in the past.

Must dash, almost time for Top Gear! Have a great week, and those of you who can have a lovely romantic Valentines day.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Friday - Mobile Phone Cases

Thank Folksy its Friday, step nearer to weekend and the chance to show off some of my fellow talented crafters. I chose a theme I thought would be more popular, as new mobiles we often like to cherish with a cover to keep them nice, so for today here are 2 from each seller. Dont forget you just 'click' the picture to be taken to the item, whilst you are there why not have a look at the rest of the wonderful items in the shops.

First is Creative Knits with her designs







BaggieAggieToo has these lovelies in her shop to show off





And lastly from here at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa





These phone pouches are large enough for an ordinary mobile phone, or an Android.

Hope you have enjoyed todays Folksy Friday by Bags of Swank by SimJaTa.

Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~ New Design

Sometimes I think I get just a little over excited by my work. Today is a very exciting day as Bags of Swank by SimJaTa listed the very first in the new design of bags, complete with lots of pockets, pen slot and key fob, just what every organised lady needs for daily life. Put this together with the fabulous fabrics and what more could a girl wish for?
Also today I finally received the delivery of some new bright fabrics, you know how much I like BRIGHT.
Modifications are being made each time, for instance the tote bag I have 'almost' finished has fasteners on the pockets as suggested by a blog reader, and longer handles as suggested by one of my Customers and facebook follower. I'm still working on ink protection for the pen slot, sure the inspiration will hit eventually.

The only downside of my day was having family to visit meaning I couldnt get to work, which is very naught of me I know - but I am always at my happiest in the craft room, well.. that and out in the fresh air (when its not pouring with rain like today) thought the North West Coastal walk was very bracing today.

Here's hoping my future customers will be as happy with the new design as I am, I even made myself a new tote bag with extra pockets, heavier weight and key fob, this can be seen on my facebook page.

Thats all for now, tomorrow is Sunday and a full day ahead of working without interruption, hurray!!

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Frog Chorus

Its Folksy Friday again, for today I thought we would have a little frog chorus - sure there are plenty of frog collectors out there? I know my best friend at school collected Frogs.

First in the collection is from Minxtures Clothing and Accessories, a lovley applique frog on drawstring bag, dont forget the pictures take you to the Folksy shops so you can look around at all the other superb crafts in these shops



juju cards has a great hoppy birthday card



A unique photographic print from Careford Creations, of Freddy the Frog



Lastly from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, Loving Courting Frogs on Tote Bag




The frogs have enjoyed singing their chorus to you this week.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

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~