Sequin Fabrics in my Stash

Here's an updated list of sequin fabrics in my stash (I love shiny fabrics with faux fur)--I just added the light green fabric (S19).

Large Faux Fur Zipper Tote in my Faux Fur Frenzy Shop

Metallics & Microsuede Fabrics In My Stash

Updated 10/11/14:  I just added MS 14 - Brown Alligator (faux, of course!)

I think metallic and micro-suede fabrics add that little extra to fabrics such as furs (not to mention the cool animal and snake prints)....and here's what I have in my stash:

Check out this PORANGE fur purse I made with the Python Gitter (M12 above) and orange faux fur!

Orange and Purple faux fur purse in my Faux Fur shop

It's Good to Be The Boss

I think the best thing about being the "boss" is sampling your wares...in my case, when I make a new product line, guess who always gets first dibs?

I really love the feel of this cute bag--I used tons of interfacing to cushion and give shape to this bag.  Plus, I personalized it--I hand embroidered my initial on the front.  At first, I did an inventory of the most popular girl's names in the last 10 years so I could get an idea of the initial I should put on the front of this first bag.  And then I thought, who am I kidding, the first bag is mine!

To the left of the bag is a clip on 'rat tail'--I just designed it, it's a 'tail' made from really soft brown yarn and I sewed tons of embellishments on it.  It looks cute with this bag.

I'll be posting this purse to my Faux Fur Frenzy Shop in the next few days.  One question though--do you ever look for personalized items at Christmas?

So, What Have I Been Doing?

I've been sewing, sewing, sewing, sewing! I'm getting ready for a least two shows and have been steadily developing new purse and accessories lines. These are some small fur clutches that I just added to my Faux Fur Frenzy Etsy Shop.  By the way, free shipping on these pouches until the January 1, 2014 on USA orders.

I just love browns!

And they hold a lot of stuff!

Aqua Faux Fur and Beads

Well, I wish I was aqua until another color catches my eye.

Drumroll, please...I finished my aqua fur project.   Take a gander:

l

Remember my recent post about the faux aqua fur and sequins?   

Isn't she pretty?  I decided to show off her fur lenth by using this pattern, see how the length of the fur shows up at the bottom?  Also, although this aqua is pretty, I decided I needed to break it up with a color that would tone the aqua down: brown or brass.  See the spotted brown handles?  I think they are a good match. Plus, I absolutely love the little coin beads.  They click a little when the purse moves. 

I put the beads in very securely, and I decided to make this a wristlet purse, so it can be worn on the wrist, like a bracelet. 

This fur was very thick so I ended up having to do a lot of hand sewing.  I find that if the fabric is too thick, the seam doesn't set straight by sewing over pins with the sewing machine.  Hand sewing is slow but I can check each stitch as I sew and then I can machine sew the handstiched seam. 

I decided that while the sequin fabric was pretty, it was too much for this fur project.  I think I will make a little heart with it though, and put it around one of the handles for a little bling.

Lovely Aqua

I love this combination of shiny and flat, smooth and fluffy.  And the color?  Forgetaboutit!  I love this, I can't wait to finish my project and I'm not even exactly sure what it will be yet!

I'm Resisting, I Can Feel It

I like Fall and Winter because I can finally wear all the great cold weather clothes I've accumulated over the years.  (some I have to get rid of because of a few extra pounds, but that's a conversation for another time)

So here I am enjoying my beautiful, full length, grey wool coat (I even made a matching hat) and here are some women that are all wearing spring stuff.  No fair.

It's not 90's degrees yet!  Please, let me enjoy my winter duds.  Do you know how ridiculous it looks for me in my winter stuff, sweating a little because it's really not that cold in Las Vegas, and you breezing along in the cute spring frock?



How To Make a Fur Purse (Your first considerations)

I've come up with a list that I think about when I am making a fur purse.  You may be able to come up with more considerations, and feel free to post them in the comments.

1) Where will the fur pieces be sewn on the purse?  If there is an area that will get a lot of wear, I use a coordinating fabric in that location.  This additional fabric can also add interest to your finished piece.  The below photo shows the bottom piece of my bag.

2) Will you be using zipper?  If the fur is going to be near the zipper, I sew an additional non-fur piece above the fur.  In the photo below, I have animal print on either side of the zipper, above the fur.

3) Will the purse be held against the body, like in a cross body bag or shoulder bag? If so, I may use a non-fur piece in the back or the part that will be against the body.  In the case of the bag above, I decided to use fur on the front and back.  This bag hangs low on my hips and I felt this bag style wouldn't look right without fur on both sides.

4) I like interfacing on my bags and even though this bag is a slouch bag, it can stand up because of the interfacing.  Always sew the interfacing on the fur piece, NEVER iron it on as many furs will be damaged from heat.  After you sew it on, cut the interfacing to the seam to reduce bulk.

5)  Especially with medium to long pile fabrics, make sure you cut the fur in the seam allowance as this will reduce bulk.  After you are done with a seam, you can use a needle to pull out any fur that is trapped in the seam.

5)  Zippers can sometimes get lost in all that fur, especially if the fur is a long pile like this is.  I like to use a decorative zipper pull for easy access (see the string of beads on the right).  And it's so pretty!

6)  Here's the finished furry beast!  I love my bag!  Here's a black one I made too.

Thanks Again!

After an hour of yucky photos,  my husband took this purse group photo...isn't it pretty?  It's funny how a simple thing like putting the handles down on purses makes a big difference.  Also, I had a bag hanging above the other bags...it appeared to be floating and it looked ridiculous!  I can't wait to do another one of these closer to Christmas, lots of lace, ornaments, beads, sparklies!

Tell Me Why When You're so Blue

SKY

Tell me why when you're so blue,
You're most tranquil (In a good mood)?

Like blue ink spilled you're smooth and wet.

Your enormity scares me,
Comforts me,
Spares me,

From emcompassing doom
When in grey gloom you sometimes cry.

I wrote that poem when I was about 17 for a writing class. I remember I was outside on a spring day...feeling the vastness of the sky, the air was a little cool (it was a Florida day in the morning) and birds were active all around me.

It's not spring yet, but people are anxious for it. Here's a few treasuries with spring time blue in them (and my Sea Wolf bag).

Sea Wolf Bag in my Faux Fur Shop

Sometimes I feel blue...
by Mariam-Kankou from Kankou
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzk1MjM0OHwyMzU5MDYyNTI1/sometimes-i-feel-blue?index=0

For that wedding by the sea....
by FlowDesigns from FlowDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTUyOTI0MnwyMzIyNzI3MzI2/for-that-wedding-by-the-sea?index=6

Retro touch
by Milleta from milleta
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI3NjQwOTd8MjMxNDMyNTc3Ng/retro-touch?index=5

Let it be a normal day!!
by valeria from valeriatelier
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODUwMTI3NHwyMjg3NDIzMjMx/let-it-be-a-normal-day?index=9

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.

Pink Beaded Faux Fur Heart

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.  

Romantic Grey Faux Fur Items

These are three more treasuries that have romantic, soft grey items in them:

Charcoal Grey by Shayna Norwood: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzUzMjI1NXwxMjU1OTE1OTI5/charcoal-grey?index=1

In the land of the Wolf by Elena: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAyMjkzNjZ8MTI0MDM0MzUxMg/in-the-land-of-the-wolf?index=3

These Cold Gray Skies by Karen Rudd: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTcyMTUwNjN8MTIzODk5MzEwMg/these-cold-gray-skies?index=4

These also feature my Grey Wolf Cozy Bag! http://www.etsy.com/listing/85450448/large-cozy-bag-grey-wolf-ready-to-ship?ref=tre-1214934566-2

Thank you!

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

Breast Cancer Pin

I'm really pleased at how these pins came out--they are so pretty and feminine.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83688179/fur-ribbon-pin-breast-association-fake

I salute you, breast cancer survivors, and all the woman who have battled before you!

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!

I Love You With All My Heart!

I just started a new line of delicate purses and keepsake holders--I made them from plush fur and they are fully lined...great as bridesmaids gifts, too!

http://http://www.etsy.com/listing/72344252/i-love-you-with-all-my-heart-small-purse

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72340871/i-love-you-with-all-my-heart-purse-in?ref=v1_other_2

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72339323/i-love-you-with-all-my-heart-purse-in?ref=v1_other_2

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

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

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!

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!