Trunk show success

Celebrate! Happy dance!! The trunk show was a success in my opinion. More people showed up than I expected and they weren't just friends and relatives. I sold more items than I ever had at a show, so that is cause to celebrate right there I think. So I may not give up on vending at markets after all. I have added a new item, business/credit card wallet. Makes a great stocking stuffer.
I love this retro swirl fabric right now. :-) Here is another example, my Mini Clutch design in the retro swirl.

Time is Flying!

What happen to all the time I had to make some cool new things for the upcoming holiday shows? Gone, I tell you, the time is gone!
December 2nd I am vending at the 17th Street Farmers' Market and a very short week later...tada!! The first official Richmond Craft Mafia Holiday Trunk Show!!!

I am stoked!! I've got to get busy and get to some sewing.

dog day afternoon

My sewing room company, winter foot warmer and lil' homie is turning 4 years old today.

I try not to be one of those crazy dog people. But I admit, he is a bit spoiled.

Falling into Autumn!

My favorite time of the year is here. I love fall.

I've been out and about at a couple of craft markets. My first 2 to be exact. Great learning experience and fun. I'm now gearing up to be at the Irvington Farmers' Market, November 5th. So, I'm working on a couple of more items to add to the mix of designs I have already.

Richmond Craft Mafia is holding steady at 11 members. Its a snazzy, cool bunch of ladies and we plan to take over Richmond's craft scene. Big thangs are in the works, a holiday trunk show in December and strong whisperings of a spring craft show. Stay posted with RCM by checking out the official website: http://www.richmondcraftmafia.com And while you are there, check out what the other RCM businesses have to offer.

Among some of the other things I've been doing is to get my newsletter up and consistent. So far it's been a every other month newsletter. Unless something is Big News, I'm keeping that schedule. I'm not a big fan of getting hoards of email without it having something pertinent to say. I try to have something new and interesting to announce. I'm thinking of doing a holiday contest for November. I haven't quite figured out the particulars but its a idea that's bubbling. So don't hesitate to sign up. :-)

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

Hey Everyone!
Crafters United is doing great. So far over $14,000 in donations and sales to benefit Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund.

Here is a picture of the tote bag I donated,

Please visit http://www.craftrevolution.etsy.com to see this and other great items listed for the cause. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund, which is providing hot meals to victims and rescue workers, as well as providing other much needed assistance such as shelter, medical needs and even therapy for victims.

Crafters United

The Indie community is making a difference! Many indie designers and craft business owners (me too) have come together to donate items for Hurricane Katrina relief. All proceeds go to the American Red Cross. To learn more about this great effort please visit: http://craftrevolution.com/craftersunited.htm for more information and to help the efforts please visit http://www.craftrevolution.etsy.com.

such a trip!

Buster today

I've been TAGGED!

I've been Tagged by Leila. The past...Ohh, its all so blurry! ;-P

10 years ago today: August 28, 1995
I was in Los Angeles, gearing up for a new semester of college. This was the semester I switched majors from theater/undecided to fashion design. Finally!!!!!!! Going for it!!

5 years ago today: August 28, 2000
In Virginia now. I've been back in VA for about a year + . Still in college, I got hoodwinked into having to do another year due to non-transfering credits and screwey department class schedual for B.S. degree. I think that was B.S. Started the year pissed, and stayed that way for the duration. But I did take a pottery class during this time. Loved it and the professor was cute too! :-P
My mother moved back to Virginia this time too.

1 year ago today: August 28, 2004
Finally making my business official and pursuing full time 100%, 24/7.

Yesterday: August 27, 2005
Organizing and taking pictures of fabric for next site update. Sewing a bit and working on computer updating Soleil Rouge website. Plotting on how my Style Conspiracy site will look.

Tomorrow: August 29, 2005
Plotting, sewing, maybe a trip to the fabric store. Still on the quest of organization.

5 snacks:
Popcorn
pepperoni
cheese
cashews
dried pineapples
5 Bands I know most of the lyrics to:
Bee-Gees ( yes!, I said the Bee-Gees)
Duran Duran ( ditto and I'm putting a date on myself!)
The Temptations
Barry White
Gladys Knight and the Pips
5 things I'd do with a million bucks:
Buy a house near the beach and have a well organized studio for my business.
Invest in Soleil Rouge like I'd like to.
Donate some to favorite charities (Hale House, St. Jude,...)
Travel a bit, first stop NYC!
Shop, shop, shop
5 places I'd run away to:
Burmuda
Hawaii
Thailand
South of France
Figi
5 Bad Habits:
self doubt
Procrastination
biting one nail on each hand, right now its my pinkies. (weird)
stress snacking
not excersing to counter act the stress eating
5 things I like doing:
Teaching my dog new tricks
reading and writing
designing
Watching movies
SHOPPING
taking trips
5 things I wouldn't wear:
mini skirts
5 inch heels
thongs (but I won't say never)
horizontal stripes
Bows!
5 Tv shows:
CSI (all three)
24
Law and Order and L&R: SVU
Medium
Rescue Me
5 Movies:
LOTR ( all three)
Elizabeth
Hopscotch
Bad Boys 1 and 2
Bond, James Bond
5 people I'd like to meet:
Oprah
Maya Angleou
Elizabeth Taylor
Jimmy Carter
Robert Deniro
5 biggest joys at the moments:
finding a sale
selling a design
my dog, Buster
Fresh Diet Dr Pepper
a piece of Coconut cake
5 favorite toys:
Digital camera
new laptop
serger
Paint shop pro
MP3 player
5 people to tag:
leslie (Sparkle and Shine)
May (Whimsical Lily Boutique
Joleen(love, joleen)
Mandy (Hi-Heeled Designs)
Jena ( Curio J)

Look whats new!

RCM (Richmond Craft Mafia) is alive and kicking with 5 members strong and 3 pending. Too Cool!!!
I've been keeping busy. Working on new Fall items for Soleil Rouge, new items and styles for the upcoming opening of my other site Style Conspiracy and... finished and sent my Sampler items.

Caution! sneak peaks ahead!! I just have to show off alittle. :-)


I couldn't decide what style to submit, so I did a bit of variety. The mini clutch style will be available on Soleil Rouge in the next site update.

TTFN
Back to sewing!!!

New look

There is a new look brewing at Soleil Rouge. I know, I know, those that know me are thinking what else is new. But I promise no more twiking to my site unless there is something wrong or to add more designs for a looong time. It will probably launch today. I'm taking my site in a new direction, focusing on special occasion and bridal accessories.

Still a busy bee, changing the focus on Soleil Rouge and... drum roll please... starting another site, Style Conspiracy. Thats what I've been working on. Style Conspiracy will be my outlet for my fun and funky everyday designs and not just handbags and totes. I'm adding my other craft interests of home decor items and jewelry. Am I doing too much? Probably. :-) But hey, going with the flow. I'll keep ya posted.

Busy bee!

I've been busy. Cutting fabric and ironing interface. Urgh! I always hated cutting fabric.
I have a slight addiction to fabric shopping. I can spend hours looking at all the textures and colors, thinking and plotting designs I could do. So I always have to fight a minor hesitation to cut.
But I did get one of the new designs finished to jump start my new direction of Soleil Rouge. Heres a sneak peak:









It's a done deal. Four independent designers in Richmond, VA (including lil ole me) have joined force for a Richmond Craft Mafia. I'm pretty jazzed about that. Finally people who understand why it is important to spend a 10 mins feeling interfacing to pick the right one for a project. :-) Too cool!

Eureka!!

Well, a fairly uneventful weekend productivity wise. I finished a new pattern and started on the proto type but thats about it. Lazy lazy weekend. But I did have a revelation! A total eureka moment. Its all in the planning stage. But the jest of it is, Soleil Rouge is going to be more focused on special occasion purses and accessories and I'm creating another outlet for my funkier everyday bags, home decor, and other accessory items I want to design. It means for me, no more lazy weekends for me and LOTS more sewing and a whole grunch of crafting! Stay tuned!

The first post!

Oh so new to blogging, so I'll start with a little about myself. I am the owner/designer of Soleil Rouge. Soleil Rouge offers a unique collection of handmade fashion accessories. I plan to use this venue to post updates on what is happening with Soleil Rouge, things that catch my eye, favorite things and other ramblings.
Currently, I am busy sewing new designs for Soleil Rouge. More fabric shopping! :) In the near future, I will be adding a line of wedding accessories. So stay tuned. Once I figure out how to post pictures I'll give a sneak preview.