Fake Furs in my Inventory

Check out my new, updated faux fur photos.  I put together some really great combinations of faux fur and micro suedes, etc.!  http://caroljoyfashions.blogspot.com/2012/11/an-embarrassment-of-riches.html

How to Clean Faux Fur

The great thing about contemporary faux furs is that they are hand washable.

BEFORE:
I hand-washed this fur purse in water and shampoo

Considering that this purse looked like a drowned rat (above), it dried out great and looks fantastic!

  I always err on the side of caution, however, and if I am unsure at all about how a faux fur, I always clean a small portion of the fur first.  Here are some general guidelines:

1)  I like to use gentle baby shampoo and wash the fur in the sink.  Remember, be very gentle with faux fur, do not scrub or rub the fur.  However, I've had success by running my fingers down the fur in the direction the fur goes naturally.

2)  Do not wring the fur out even if it's very wet.  You can take it outside and shake a lot of the water out. 

3)  In order to prevent water stains when drying, I like to lay the fur side up over a pole.  You can also pin up to dry.

4) Don't dry in direct sunlight.

5)  I hesitate to say this because I want you to be extremely cautious about is one--you can FLUFF your fake fur by putting it in the dryer on fluff, but NO HEAT. If you're not sure where this cycle is on your dryer, DON'T EVEN TRY THIS.  I have totally damaged fake furs in the dryer. 

6)  Sometimes the care tag on fake fur indicate 'dry clean only'....but I've had a lot of success with the above water method even so.  Remember, if you are unsure, test a small piece first. 

7)  Last, like real fur, your fake fur needs to breath when you are storing it. So don't store it in a closed plastic bag or bin but use a breathable cotton.

8)  If your fur is really dirty you may consider a dry cleaner as your only resort. Go to one that specializes in cleaning fake fur.

I washed the fake fur in this purse and it came out great:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64741793/cozy-bag-sea-wolf

Fake Fur Fiasco

It happened innocently enough.

I made a big, fluffy long-haired, dark brown fake fur coat for me three years ago. I'd never washed it, and I was nervous about taking it to the dry cleaners (you know, saving the environment and all). So, I closed my eyes and put it in the washer on gentle (did I mention I also put the matching hat in the washer?)

After the wash, I took it out and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was all in one piece (plus the hat).

Then, guess what I did? I put it in the DRYER!!! Yes, not on high heat, but still in the dryer. For about 20 minutes.

When I took the coat and hat out, they looked and smelled wonderful. The fur looked beautiful. And I was thinking well, well well well well.

I have lots of fake fur, some very beautiful that I've paid a lot for. So I had a lovely long-haired grey with purple fur that was a little matted in spots. I spritzed some water on the fur and put it in the dryer. For about 10 minutes.

I took it out and NOOOOOOOOOOOO. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

The long hairs were all crinkled. I tried to brush them out and they looked worse. I gently washed the fur and put cream rinse on it. Isn't that was you do for frizzy hair?

No, no and no. So now, I officially have 2 yards of fake fur that looks like fur from an animal that died of old age. I'm not going to throw it out because I never throw failed projects out. I'll use it for something.

What a powerful lesson this was!

New Plush Cozy Bag!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64601945/cozy-bag-lucky-wolf

This is my second cozy bag, I love the emerald accents at the base of the long haired fur. The end of the fur is grey and black, what a dramatic combo.

I love the metal button I have down the center too, it's such a pretty color.

I just picked up the black vinyl on the front strap and handle. It'll be durable but it's soft too. Check this out on Etsy.

I also made a striped kitty purse and put it on Etsy too. The fur is not as plush as this one, but it's awful pretty...Meow! Check this one out on Etsy too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64603282/cozy-bag-striped-kitty

Lovely Fluffy, Furry Bag

I am so excited how this purse came out. Normally, I like all my purses small, but this bag is so pretty, I'm making an exception. I'm going to make a ruby red fur purse this week, the fur is so gorgeous! I just put this one on Etsy.

Make sure you stay tuned to my blog and Etsy so I can show you all the fur choices if you'd like to order one of these bags.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63795384/20-off-sale-cozy-bag-in-plush-grey-and

And guess what, it's 20% off!

Keep warm!

Pre Black Friday Sale

Check out my Pre Black Friday Sale

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolJoyFashions?section_id=7160735

Lots of purse styles and selections for the holidays!

The Dog Pound!

I love pictures of ornament groups. Here's a picture of my dogs on Etsy. They have a lot of personality, don't they. And don't ask me why one dog is named Cyril, I'm not sure where that came from.

I love working with embroidery floss on felt too. The bright colors are so pretty!

By the way, I had done a bunch of cat ornaments and bags...I didn't want the dogs to feel left out..I love them too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61965221/the-dog-pound-ornaments

My Large Gingerbread Man Purse

I just completed the larger version of my miniature gingerbread man purse. It is so, so adorable! I've never used felt to make a large purse before, and I love the way it feels and looks. It has a wintry and holiday look to it. The felt is thick and sturdy and it's easy to add bling when you're dealing with a neutral color like gray.

Look for more felt type bags from me!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61969348/gingerbread-man-purse

I'm a Mouse Not a Rat!

Hi, I'm Aunt Vivvie, and I'm pleased to meet you.

Yes, this is a pretty dress isn't it? I love the ruffle and matching neck ribbon. I think I look good in this color, don't you?

Between you and me, I don't think most mice look good in this burgundy color, but I'm not most mice...I have a little bit of rat in me...don't tell anyone...I think it enhances my natural beauty...

If you tell anyone, I'll deny it!

***********************************************

Check out Aunt Viv on CarolJoyFashions shop on Etsy this week.

Gingerbread Boy Purse

Tommorrow, I am going to be in the Bags and Purses Showcase in Etsy so I thought I would think outside of the box. To the left is my first purse that I will show...This purse doubles as a doll purse or christmas ornament for your tree because the purse body is only 3" tall! What do you think? Were your fooled, did you think this was a big purse?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59354907/gingerbreadman-doll-or-ornament-purse

New Cone Gift Bags!

I just love these cone gift bags. They're as fun to make as they are to decorate with--a nice alternative to a Christmas stocking and of course I added bling around the top.

The black fluffy ring around the olive green flocked fabric is adorable--a nice touch. See this sapphire blue,  olive green flocked and green velour with beads  in Etsy in the next couple of days!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

These are pictures from a Halloween pumpkin decorating contest I entered. See the matching orange purse I made? I named this pumpkin baby: Pampered Pumpkin Princess. Even her auburn hair, orange binky and brown shoes match with the whole ensemble. What a lucky baby!

20% Halloween Sale

All halloween items in my website are 20% through and including October 31, 2010!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/caroljoyfashions

Planet - Solar System Fabric and what I made!

I picked up this cool fabric the other day, and I have all kinds of ideas about using it for ornaments (hey, why not) and purse linings...and even on some cute hip purses.

The fabric has shimmery glitter throughout it and the colors are beautiful! I'll let you know when I start posting stuff I use with it on my etsy website.

Update:  Here's what I made with the fabric:

Planet Shoulder bag in my Gypsy Girl Fashions Shop

Planet Change Purse in my Gypsy Girl Fashions Shop

Red and Blue Stockings

These are two stockings I just finished, they are to be matching with a green stocking with the same elfen shape. They all have gold beads hand sewn around the top, and all have coordinating ribbons on the top. Pretty, pretty!

New Purse for the Upcoming Display

I made this purse yesterday for my upcoming display. I'm calling it Diamonds...diamonds something, or something diamonds. See, the fabric on the bottom has a diamond pattern.

I was thinking a bride could wear this too, or it can be worn as an elegant evening purse. I love the fluffy trim, it has little braided loops in it and a little bit of sparliness to it too.

I hand sewed a string of beads on either side of the handle. Very pretty and feminine, I think.

My New Display!

I'm busily getting ready for my new monthly display at the Green Valley Library, in Henderson Nevada.

Here's one of the ornaments I'm making, sort of an antiquely, victorian style, frou-frou purse. I love beaded, frilly, flashy things...and that's what I'm making right now for the holidays.

I'll be making stockings and regular evening purses as well.

If you happen to see the display, drop me a line, I'd love to know what you think of it. The display runs October 1 - October 31, 2010.

The Onyx Flowers Petit Bag

 

I love my new purse, Onyx Flowers purse, so named for the black flower trim on the purse and change purse.

Isn't the matching change purse cute?

a BIG thank you to moonangelnay for including my ROYAL JESTER CHRISTMAS STOCKING in her Wednesday Gratitude blog feature for this week! Check it out at
http://moonangelnay.blogspot.com/2010/08/golden.html

Thanks to the curators who put me in these treasury lists--check them out!

MIDNIGHT SECRETS PURSE
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c6eb25b05938eeff8329738/wings-and-feathers#4c6eba9305938eefd85c938

AFRICAN QUEEN PURSE
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c6eb4ed05938eef3fdc9738/whimsy-but-hot

KALEIDESCOPE CLOWN HOLLOWEEN COSTUME
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c68a78112378eef447fd819/clowning-around#4c6a248bc7c26d919d4fd14f

LOVE CHILD PURSE
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c32c0e80a006d9122d38b6f/tied-and-dyed#4c64a5cbed3e8eef2de3ad7c

ROYAL OHM PURSE
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c4ee7f2b20e6d919394e96d/at-one-with-etsy?index=21

VICTORIAN BELLE PURSE
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c65e08af0d86d919346b896/blue-is-everwhere

My New Line of Purses

I have a new line of purses I just started and here's the front picture of my first one. Yep, red hot chili peppers!

If you want to look at additional pictures, click on the below link to my Etsy account.

I will be making more of these types of purses, look for them in the future!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53644432/hot-hot-hot-chili-pepper-purse-reserved

I'm Smokin'!

Aren't these two contrasting fabrics pretty? I'm starting a new line of purses called Big, Beautiful and Washable...and that's exactly what they are. I am quilting the fabric to the right, and it looks really cool.

That's right, red hot chili peppers! I'll let you know when this one is done!

I finished it!

I am modelling my newly created very brightly colored dress, with the Purple Madness purse: http://www.etsy.com/listing/33657915/purple-madness-2-purse

The cotton-poly fabric has stretch to it, so it's cool and comfortable. I have enough fabric left for a sleeveless dress or short skirt, so email me if you're interested in a price quote.

By the way, I LOVE this dress!

Is this bright, or what?

I'm making a Summer dress with this fabric--I love the retro 60's feel of this fabric. The fabric has some stretch to it too, so it would be comfortable as a close fitting skirt or dress.

Of course, a matching purse with the purse or dress would be the finishing touch...the lining of the purse could be an intense pink or dramatic black.

Maybe use round handles on the purse? Black or bamboo? I'll let you know when it's complete!

One Fish, Two Fish, Big Fish, Little Fish....

This is my next project--the fish is on a cotton fabric and I've outlined his body with black braid and sewed on a black swarovski crystal for his eye. Pretty beachy, eh? You'll see him shortly in my Etsy shop, just click on the emerald, as they say....

The Snazzy, Jazzy Hippy Purse...for me!

I decided to needed a purse for myself and I made one this past weekend.

This purse is reminiscent of a romantic little hippy purse--I sewed a vintage doily on the front flap and decorated it with wooden and natural looking beads. Long rows of beads swing from the bottom and I sewed a small, silver button to hold the flap closed.

I outlined the purse with ecru braid. My green portfolio wallet matches the cotton lining and I made a pocket that fits my business cards.

Perfect Beach Vacation Purse: Gentle Sunrise

I just finished this spirtual purse this weekend, called Gentle Sunrise.

 All the colors are earthy, as well as the stones. I like the different, long shapes of the coral shells. The eyelash trim that's on the upper part of the purse is also sewed at the top of the pocket inside.

I even added a matching change purse!  Very cute and different.

I can't make a decision!

I starting making the purse on the right for a client's friend, it will be an envelope purse and made of gem colored floral brocades with gold trim. I was also thinking of the fabrics on the picture below, also very bright colors, gorgeous silky fabrics and I was going to make an arm handbag. Both will be pretty and feminine, but I'm having a hard time deciding.

My New Display at Henderson Library in Las Vegas NV

I took a picture of my purses in the display case before we took them to the library. I was so pleased. There's a lot of nice variety. They will be on display for a month, exciting!

The Kiss

I made this purse with gorgeous ruby red brocade fabric in the middle, and faux leather on the top, bottom and handles.

I love the matching red beads that add just the right amount of bling. I've additionally reinforced the sewn on beading with fabric glue, so the beads aren't going anywhere.

This purse is so pretty and feminine...and reminds me of a passionate kiss. I love the button too, I think it looks exotic.

Stay tuned for my Three Moon Goddesses purse now in production!

New Events

I'm really excited to be displaying my brocade purses at the Green Valley Library for a month staring 02/09/10.

Brocade fabric is woven into beautiful, intense colors and patterns. I have about 20 different kinds of brocades and especially love the black backgrounds with flowers. I am framing the brocade body with sturdy leather like fabrics. I can't wait for you to see them!

I love this purse

African Queen Handbag

Yes, I do say that about every purse, but this is my favorite so far (until I make another purse). I absolutely love the bright colors and the unusual color combination of pink and green. I love the gold accents and I love the African queen symbols.

The fabrics used are cotton and the semi-precious stones are onyx and aventurine with a bit of

Swarovski crystals mixed in. I love the stone groupings on the front over the leaves in the gold square.

You will feel like a queen wearing this purse.