I Heart Audiobooks

This is something I've been meaning to blog for a while, so I thought I'd just do it, instead of procrastinating it any further.

One thing that has been such a joy to me is listening to audiobooks while I sew. For one thing, I LOVE to multi-task. And sitting and sewing in the garage for hours can get a bit lonely at times. But listening to audiobooks allows my mind to stretched, entertained, and engaged, while my fingers guide the fabric and my foot presses the sewing machine pedal.

Lately, I purchased a good pair of wireless headphones. They recharge automatically when I'm not using them, which is awesome, so I don't have to keep recharging AAA batteries. Headphones are crucial when sewing, because it's hard to hear over the racket made by the sewing machine. Wireless is great, since I'm constantly moving from the sewing machine to the iron to the cutting table. Sure, these are all inches from each other in my tiny little sewing area--but still, it's nice to not be impeded or obstructed by wires.

I used to pay a lot of money for audiobooks. I had a membership on Audible.com, and I also bought a lot of used audiobook CDs from eBay. BUT NOW...(drum roll)....you can download audiobooks from the library website for FREE!!! Can I tell you how happy this makes me? Yes, it makes me super happy. It's cheap, and it's just about inexhaustible because more and more books are being recorded all the time.

My last listen was The Sex Lives of Cannibals, which I recommend highly. It's funny, it's true, and it's educational. I had never heard of Kiribati before, and the author's description of life on this tiny island is hilarious, and also sad at the same time. What a crazy world we live in.

I am giving my listens a star rating system, in case anyone wants to know what all the asterisks are after the titles. I like being able to keep track of the ones I've listened to here on my blog. Even my blog likes to multi-task!

Read more...

Arts & Crafts Fair Successful!

I just finished selling at a 2-day event on Sonoma Plaza. Although I'm exhausted, the show was successful, and I realize how far I've come in the past year. I remember how scared I was at my first event, wondering whether ANYBODY would be interested in my bags, much less buy any from me. I imagined myself standing there, alone, while everyone passed by my table. I worried that I would feel stupid and embarrassed.

Now, after 4 events under my belt, at least I'm past the fear. My bags are always well-received. Though not everyone buys, the ones that stop to browse are very complimentary, saying that my workmanship is terrific, they love my fabric choices and styles. They say my prices are good (an area I'm still working to get a better grip upon), and that I have a wide range of price points for all types of shoppers.

Even though the economy is crappy and the gas prices get higher by the second, I feel like my little Sheekoo biz is doing quite well. If only I could make more items! I always have way more ideas than the time to bring them to fruition.

I had a lot of friends come out to keep me company--which is SUCH a big help. Thanks to Lisa, Teresa, Karen, and all the Knuths!! And my husband and daughters also came and helped me. And thanks to Theresa Rhodes for all her talking me up to all her mommy friends!

Read more...

Almost 1 Year

Hard to believe it has been about a year since I started Sheekoo. I remember starting to work on the 300 fashion show bags about this time last year. I was so worried and skeptical then. I'm STILL worried and skeptical--but a little less so, I guess.

I am so fortunate to have been able to make a slow transition from my day job to my making it on my own business. My husband has been awesomely supportive, saying that we are okay financially for me to bring in less money for a while. And it has worked out great with my bosses, Rob and Bonnie, since they have been slowly transitioning and phasing out their business, allowing me to work fewer and fewer hours. I was working every day until the beginning of this year. Then, in about February, I cut back to 3 days a week. Starting this week, I will further cut back to 2 days a week--and probably over the summer, I will only work on an as-needed basis. Hopefully, I will only be needed a few hours a month.

This has provided me with a steady (although diminishing) income, since I'm putting everything I make with Sheekoo back into the business. Right now, my checking account is extremely paltry because I have paid for booths at a couple of upcoming shows. I have also made some big investments in bag hardware (big to me, although it's only about $200-300). I have another idea that might catapult my business--but it also requires a fairly large outlay of money for the supplies. But I think it's definitely worth pursuing.

I have a show at The Sonoma Plaza this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. So I spent all of Memorial Day Weekend sewing, sewing, sewing. But I enjoy it. And I consider myself so extremely fortunate to be doing something I enjoy. Last night, after 3 days of sewing with only stops for making dinner and a bit of yardwork, I did feel sort of tired of sewing--but then, I have the luxury of stopping. Today, I am ready to get back to the sewing machine.

Read more...

April in Carneros - Windy but Successful!

So, I guess I can't even count to 3 or 4, because I've lost count of how many events I've done now. I think April in Carneros was my 3rd. Woo hoo! Can you imagine my excitement when I get to counting fingers on a second hand?! The weather was EXTREMELY cold and windy. It felt more like January than April. But I sold a lot of bags, met some wonderful fellow vendors, drank some absolutely delicious wine, and had fabulous helpers (my older daughter the first day, my younger daughter the second day).

The event was all day Saturday and all day Sunday. On Saturday, I sold a lot of purses, so I went home that evening and whipped out 4 more purses, so I'd have a good selection for the next day. I was extremely tired and bleary-eyed--being in the wind had chapped my skin and lips, and I felt like I had spent the entire day at the ocean or something. Of course, I wasn't at the ocean, but I was at the event for 7+ hours, setting up, selling, tearing down, driving back home...but when I got home, I pushed myself to make those bags. Of course, the next day, people only bought my accessories--wristlets, coin purses, etc., and I only sold 2 purses, neither of which were the ones I had forced myself to make the night before. Ain't that just the way??? Murphy--I kinda hate you.

Read more...

New Home Page Photo

"Loujy"--that's what my mother would call me when I was irresponsible as a kid. It was her pronunciation of "lousy". Well, I see that I am definitely a loujy blogger. I'm so inconsistent!

But I did manage to stop sewing long enough to take some photos of my new bags--the PoongSung Purse. I love these bags--the gathering gives them that slouchy, hip look, but they're also big enough to hold a lot of stuff. I have to handsew the handles, which makes the process a bit more cumbersome--but I love to handsew, and I think the result is definitely worth it.

This weekend, I'll be selling my bags at the Carneros in April event at Cline Cellars in Sonoma. I'll be there both Saturday and Sunday. I'm having each of my daughters help me one of the days. I'll pay them for their time, of course. And it will give me some company during the long days, as well as allow for bathroom breaks and the like.

I am also working on some large overnight and garment bags. I made one out of Amy Butler's pattern, but I wasn't so happy with the result. It LOOKS pretty, but the functionality and the stability of the lining are questionable. I'll be developing my own version soon.

I also bought some ADORABLE metal purse frames for small coin purses. Look for pics of those soon, too. I'm so excited about them. They are so cute!

Read more...

Taking the Next Step

I'm slowly making the transition from day job to Sheekoo. It has been a struggle to continue working at my day job, and still finding time to sew and work on Sheekoo. With the weather getting warmer and farmers' markets and fairs coming around the corner, I hoped to be able to get more time to sew and sell my bags. This past week, I asked my boss if I could go to 3 days a week, and he said yes. Woo hoo! I think the smaller paychecks will be a little daunting--but hopefully, it will push me to get my butt in gear on Sheekoo.

Some recent developments for me and Sheekoo: I have 3 local stores carrying my line, plus a store in Germany! I was asked to participate in another winery event in April. Only a few unique vendors are asked to participate, so I feel very honored. And now, with cutting back on my day job, I hope to take Sheekoo to the next level, whatever that may be.

In the meantime, here's a few new items I just listed on the site this morning.

Read more...

Style Questionnaire

Wow, I haven't blogged since November?!? You blink, and 2 months go by. Ever feel that way?

I came across these interview questions on www.trustyourstyle.com, so I thought I'd answer them for myself. As sort of a snapshot of my thoughts right now. I didn't answer the first 3 questions because I couldn't come up with any answers. That's why the interview starts with letter D.

D) FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE:
1 assembling electronic radio parts
2 selling men's shoes at Nordstrom
3 bookkeeper/office manger/production assistant
4 small business owner

E) FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER (AND DO)
1 Music & Lyrics (Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore)
2 Sense & Sensibility
3 Lost (this isn't a movie, but I have the first 3 seasons on DVD)
4 Meet Me in St. Louis

F) FOUR PLACES WHERE I HAVE LIVED:
1 Seoul, Korea
2 Washington, DC
3 Rockville, MD
4 Northern California

G) FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH:
1 Lost
2 Survivor
3 American Idol
4 America's Next Top Model

H) FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS:
1 Los Angeles, CA
2 Baxter, TN
3 Germantown, WI
4 New Orleans, LA

I) FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY (Or at least Weekly):
1 ebay.com
2 printandpattern.com
3 flickr.com
4 craigslist.org

J) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:
1 Thai summer rolls
2 be-beem bap (spicy Korean rice & vegetable dish)
3 lasagne
4 green beans

K) FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1 on the beach in Maui
2 shopping in Japan
3 exploring Australia
4 sewing in my garage

Read more...