Sunday, December 25, 2011

Hearts, hearts, hearts!!!

I'm a romantic at heart, and it's something I probably would not have admitted as a teenager, but I feel very comfortable admitting it now. I love the soft pink of a valentines day heart, enhanced with beads, jewels, and cotton rose fabric lining.
And wouldn't that be nice if the heart had an opening so you could put a piece of jewelry inside or a love note?

White Fur Heart for Weddings

Check out the soft lilac pastel faux fur that I make hearts keepsake purses with.

Lilac Keepsake Heart

Here's other romantic purses to share with your loved one.  

Thursday, December 1, 2011

And the winner is....

Congratulations to Denise of KKL Primitives who is the winner of the purple faux fur bag: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84860386/purple-madness-purse-etsy-free-shipping


Be the first to find out my next creations and it's easy to follow my blog: http://caroljoyfashions.blogspot.com/



Happy holidays!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Reminder of free drawing on December 1, 2011 for a faux fur bag!

Remember that December 1, 2011 is the day I choose a random follower on my blog to receive this FREE purple, faux fur bag from my fur shop.

 Purple Madness Purse in my Faux Fur Frenzy Shop


It's easy to follow my blog: http://caroljoyfashions.blogspot.com/and plug your email address on the right side of the page and follow the directions. Voila, you are entered into the raffle!

Good luck to everyone!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sale Sale Sale 30% off!

From now through Cyber Monday, 30% off any item in my store, just type "CyberMonday" for the coupon code!

Remember to "follow" my blog: http://caroljoyfashions.blogspot.com/

(look to the right side of my blog page for "FOLLOW BY EMAIL" and you can easily enter your email address) and you are entered to win a lavender faux fur bag(click below). Great for a Christmas gift too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84860386/purple-madness-purse-etsy-free-shipping

I will be randomly selecting a name on December 1, 2011.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

What I Am Thankful For

I have so many things to be thankful for.

Of course, I want to mention my supportive 'significant other'. He takes care things so I can spend my time sewing. I feel so lucky.

And I am thankful that I am able to do what I love to do, making things. I feel so warm inside when I finish something and I love how it looks. And I appreciate the wonderful feedback that people give me.

We're not rich, but I feel so rich inside. I wouldn't trade my life for the world!

Thank you!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Free Raffle for Purple Fur Bag!

Fur is just so IN this year, isn't it?

Well, follow me on my blog: http://caroljoyfashions.blogspot.com/

and you are entered into a free raffle for the Purple Madness Bag (click below)! The fur is extremely soft, long piled, very thick and the color is so pretty!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84860386/purple-madness-purse-etsy-free-shipping

I will be randomly selecting a name on December 1, 2011.

Good luck to everyone!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Have you ever seen a 7" bird charm?

I took this bird off a necklace that I bought at an estate sale. I looked all over the internet to find another huge bird like this. I only found one and they called it a runway piece. Hmmmm?

Anyway, take a look, this is pretty cool. I love how the ruby red eyes match the vintage upholstery fabric of the bag.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100766603/the-ultimate-chick-bag-circle-burgundy

Friday, November 4, 2011

Upcoming Shows in Las Vegas

Here's a list of my upcoming shows--if you mention that you saw this on my blog, let me know, you get 10% off your purchase!

1) Lakes Lutheran Craft Show
The Lakes Lutheran Church 8200 W. Sahara, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 363-2515
Friday, November 11, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, November 12, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

2) Lummis Elementary School
9000 Hillpoint, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 799-4380
Saturday, November 19 8:00 AM - 12 Noon

3) Bilbray Elementary School
9370 Brent Ln, Las Vegas
(702) 799-4646
Saturday, December 3

Hope to see you!

Monday, October 31, 2011

It Reminds Me of Ketchup and Mustard

I love colors, and I think this bag is really cute, I especially love that red button that I think goes perfectly with black and mustard yellow. And the handles are a wonderful faux leather!

I especially love the lining, how perfectly it goes with the colors of the purse--andy khaki goes with almost anything!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84979813/khaki-flowers-bag-purse-cotton-yellow

Office Gift Ideas?

Here's a help as to what to buy your fellow office workers, the boss, maybe the newspaper boy:



http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ3Nzk0NDh8OTk4MzMzMDY5/office-gift-ideas?index=0

Saturday, October 22, 2011

What's better than a cozy bag?

What's better than a cozy bag?

A bigger cozy bag! One thing that's pretty apparent, the female persuade want big, big, big bags!

I increased the size 4 inches across, and still the all around pockets, that seems pretty popular.

These are two cozy bags to compare. The one on the top is a medium size, and the bottom picture is a large bag.


http://www.etsy.com/listing/65072825/medium-cozy-bag-brown-bunny?ref=pr_shop



http://www.etsy.com/listing/84434679/large-cozy-bag-brown-bunny-ready-to-ship?ref=pr_shop

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sunday, October 2, 2011

For the Tea Lovers on Your List

I think this fabric is so pretty--I made it into a nice, sturdy, largish tote with a zipper on the top and pockets inside.

Plus, I love faux leather!

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/83453958

Pouch Pairs












Well, these groupings are more than just a pair, but I like how Pouch Pairs sound!

Anyway, I've been finding some really cool fabrics and making a group of things out of the same fabric. These group pictures look awesome! Check out these closeups:

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/83453938?transaction_id=83453938

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/76175827?transaction_id=76175827

Sunday, September 25, 2011

This Fabric Reminds Me of a Romance Novel

She knew he was trouble as soon as she met his dark, angry eyes. Such pretty eyes too, why did men always get the thick eyelashes?

She wasn't some namby, pamby push around kind of girl either. She was a solid 40 year old woman, darn it all, and had been married before, and was well versed at this relationship business.

She'd told herself to calm down when he made an obvious move to talk to her, and he'd commented on the avocado she'd forgotten she was holding.

"Press down on the end, see if it gives any." He'd said,and then sort of ducked his head, like a bashful boy realizing he'd spoken out of turn.

Well that did it. That did it. little boy cute yes, but oh, so yummy, in a grown up sort of way.


http://www.etsy.com/listing/75803656/shot-through-the-heart-ornament

Faux/Fake Fur is still Fabulous!

I've seen lots of buzz on the internet and the stores about fake fur for the coming season. Well, good, because I have lots of fake fur too. :)

The jist of what I'm reading is that fake fur has been improved over the years...it's more luxurious, more real looking, easier to take care of.

I'll vouch for that. Except for my obvious fake furs (the red, green and aqua ones) I can't believe how plush my bambi/bunny furs are. And the grey long haired is always a showstopper.

Some of the Faux Fur that I use to create my purses

I love the combination of fur and shiny fabrics like sequin. Or with colorful beads and buttons.
 
Fur and Sequins Bag
Faux fur jewelry coming soon!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Bambi Looking Bag & Asking Where to Get Great Fake Fur

I went to Florida and all I got was this fake fur!  I think this hobo style is the perfect bag for this type of fur.

Well, that's not entirely accurate...I also bought earings and incense and a pair of sandals...

We traveled to the Tampa Bay area in February to scope out areas for a business, but we also looked at fabric and bead stores, which is where I bought this great fur!

I still have sticker shock, though. I can't believe how expensive fake fur is compared to a couple of years ago. And there's not as much variety either.

Anyone have suggestions about where to buy cool, unusual fake fur?

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Can You See the Faces In This Bag?

This is so cool, can you see the faces in this bag?  Do you see the man's and woman's face in the orange part of this bag?  He has a beard and appears to be wearing some type of hat, he looks like a famous painter to me.  She is in the upper right hand part of the bag--and she seems to be wear a long gown and has a crown on her head. 

Or am I plum crazy?!

 Orange Crush or Hidden Faces Bag, neon, orange, tangerine, gold, black, leather, sparkles, silver, glitter, sun, button, Carol Joy Fashions

Monday, March 14, 2011

What's Black & white & read all over?

This bag!

This retro themed romantic cartoon fabric is so cool...I've made two bags with it so far. For some reason, I can show a woman a really dressy bag and one with this fabric, and this one wins hands down.

Check it out if you have time:


http://www.etsy.com/listing/69901975/freak-out-bag?ref=v1_other_2

Monday, March 7, 2011

Doing What You Love

I just read a great article on Etsy written by a woman who makes pottery. She was torn--in order to make great sales, she needed to make what was popular, and she did not feel fulfilled making those types of items.

The article talked about artists needing to make a living v wanting to make what was in their heart.

I think we can all understand this dilemma.

They had great suggestions though. They talked about making sure you had a real creative outlet, like joining artists groups or if you're able to, making what is in your heart, it doesn't matter if it sells.

It was a nice article.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Most Beautiful Button in the World (to me)

The most beautiful button in the world to me (as you must expect) is flashy, bright, noticeable, ostentatious, colorful and big.

Not surprising, uhmmm?

Well, I had this lovely, large button for a while and I kept trying to match it up. It's funny, but you can choose a piece of fabric this is the exact colors of a button, and it can look horrible together.

I can't explain it, but I get a kind of !ping! in my head when a combination looks right. The other night, I finally matched up a humdinger of a combo and I wanted to share it with you.

Thanks for paying attention to my blather. I've had fun. :)


http://www.etsy.com/listing/66389117/cozy-bag-bohemian-rainbow

Saturday, January 1, 2011

The Saga Continues - How to Take Care of Fake Fur

I wanted to show you before and after pictures of fake fur that I washed and what the fur looks like after it's made it into a purse.

The first picture is a little frightening, because it looks like a drown rat! And this is very thick fur, too, so the drying time was about 36 hours. I dried this fur in my condo, not outside and it was sprinkling outside, which extends the drying time.

So, I guess my message is, be patient, be careful, and go slowly when cleaning fake fur.

You can check The Brown Bunny Cozy Purse out on my website:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65072825/cozy-bag-brown-bunny