Shop transition
Dear loyal, wonderful Etsy and non-Etsy customers,
It is with great excitement and joy that I announce upcoming changes to my life and business.
Backstory:
I started my company in 2001 because I knew that re-entering the job market (after staying at home to have and raise babies) would be challenging at best. And having had 3 kids in less than 4 years, one of whom is special needs, a full-time job was out of the question for my family. So having been out of the workforce and looking for a part-time job became impossible when the economy took a nosedive in 2008.
I started with the jewelry business which is the last industry to recover in the recession. I had success with handmade clutches as well. It gave me flexibility to work at home and carve time to take my kids to school, activities, and therapies as needed. After reading scam after scam for stay-at-home moms (selling vitamins, stuffing envelopes, beading … you name it), I was appalled by the vultures out there targeting women who needed to make some side income via a home-based job. Feeling so blessed, I started to teach other women to learn this skill and provide the best supplies needed to start their own businesses with a very low start-up cost.
My business grew exponentially when I opened that business up to the world of Etsy. Here is a market of craftspeople who were entrepreneurial, artistic, visionary, and hard-working! With the growth on the Esty venue, I really focused my efforts in helping my handbag makers hone their skills, improve their marketing and sales venues, and I really strove to earn and keep their business. The customer service aspect of my shop is 90% of the job. Filling the orders really did not take my time: answering convos, emails, and blogging took away the bulk of my time. I do a lot of research and with my experience, I know a lot about the clutch handbag business. I continue to pass this knowledge on (e.g trends with frames with loops and chains) and blog about it.
But I wouldn’t have had this success and start if it hadn’t been for my sister, Y (pronounced EE), who told me and introduced me to Etsy a couple of years ago. She told me about this amazing venue and it was through her that I first heard about it.
Now:
My husband just got promoted to do marketing for his company in another country and we are excited to be moving our family for his new assignment. We will be moving to Viet Nam and live there for 3 years. It’ll be a cultural shock for him and the kids, I’m sure, and I’ll have my hands full moving our entire household.
That said, Y flew up here from Florida this week and has been working with me to fill your orders and learn about the business. She will be in charge of the order fulfillment, packaging, shipping and all customer service questions related with your orders.
Moving forward:
I will handle all marketing and sales as it relates to the business.
Y will handle all operational aspects (shipping out orders).
How this will effect you:
It really shouldn’t at all.
You place an order, you receive your order, and your frames are still the same fine metal purse frames that has a 30-day FULL REFUND guarantee.
You will continue to convo me via Etsy or at my company’s email address that appears with every order.
The ONLY difference that you might see are:
*Any questions as related to the orders (e.g. did my order go through? when did you ship it? will I get my refund?) will be answered by Y as it should since she is the one getting the orders and shipping them out.
*Any custom listing for new orders will also be done by Y as it should since, again, she is in charge of shipping out the orders.
What’s the same:
* The 90% of the business that I have been providing: all the blogging, marketing of your business, sales and market place trends … everything that I spend so much time doing.
I will continue to be on Etsy daily. I will continue to be the voice, driver, and owner of WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com, WhileBabyNaps.com, and Khuong LLC. The voice you hear will be mine.
Effective date:
*Starting Feb. 1 all orders will be shipped from Y’s home studio in Florida. You will see the return address coming from FL so all orders with a ship-to address of FL and NJ will be taxed accordingly.
Other changes:
*My other shop OhClutchMe.Etsy.com which had been featuring Y’s clutches has been put on vacation mode since her arrival here this week. (Anyone notice that she was no longer listed as a seller on the Sellers page?) She will no longer sell her clutches on Etsy as her style is really targeted for her local area and shops.
*The OhClutchMe.Etsy.com will become my demo shop. What this means is I will use that shop to showcase clutches that can be made from my frames. One of my top questions is “what does this frame make?” “what will the finished clutch look like?” So I will be making clutches and listing it on that shop only as demo products. Note that this is not yet set in stone, as there’s lots to do before I even get to there and there are only 24 hours in a day! 🙂
My business slogan has always been “Putting Women in Business” and based on my own history that you now know, that’s what I will continue to strive to do. All of my life’s work will be in helping other women, regardless of their personal circumstances, learn a skill that they can make money and is flexible enough for them to raise kids, perhaps work another job, or have other familial obligations.
I know that it takes money to make money. And if you are short on cash to start with, how are you ever going to make money? That’s why learning to make clutches with its low start-up cost is a do-able business. Entry fees for craft shows are often under $100. There are often no fees for church or school fundraisers.
I will keep you abreast on any and all developments as I have done in the past. While in Viet Nam, my plan is to source unique fabrics (e.g embroidered silks) that can only be found in Viet Nam for my customers here on Etsy to make unique, beautiful clutches.
Please email or convo me with your comments or concerns. Until the next blog or convo, I want to thank you all for your wonderful, loyal, and supportive business. I hope to keep earning your business.
And introducing … my sister, Y!
My sister Y
Warmly,
Winn
Etsy shop redesign
Good morning and what a great way to start a New Year here from New Jersey: the sun is out and has been melting what’s left (still a whole bunch) from the blizzard. I’m sure you’ve all heard about our Governor Christie vacationing with his family at Disney World while NJ was hit with its biggest blizzard in decades!
So I’ve been housebound and having been sick as well, I’ve willingly handed the parenting duties over to my hubby who took care of all 3 kids and walked the dog!
With all this ‘free’ time, I’ve finally gotten around to redesigning my shop. What a major undertaking. Please check it out:
New categories on the left!
Thank you all for your comments on how to improve my shop. I took it into consideration and so far, this is the result from your many feedback. I feel privileged that you will tell me what you need! I hope this helps you all find the inventory much better.
At any time, you can convo me for a custom listing. I don’t mind doing the legwork and I can combine the shipping upfront and you don’t have to wait for the refund.
Some changes to the shop:
1. New categories on the left: I’ve grouped all the 8×3 frames together, but differentiated them by the quantities. There are no sections for special finishes as they are all grouped in the 8x3s!
2. Standardized the contents in the pics. This is good for visually-oriented learners who learn more quickly by seeing than by reading or hearing. For example, all Skinny Bride(TM) frames have a distinct wording and look to their pics. (All other 8×3 frames are in Perfect Fit 6(TM) u-channels.)
Skinny Bride(TM) with EleganceLock(TM)
Skinny Bride(TM) kisslock with loops
3. Standardized the Product Titles to be more clear. I’ve shortened the titles quite a bit.
4. Noted the volume discount up front in all the bulk listings. This will help those who ask what is the volume discount for a set of X, for instance. Every frame listing also gives the volume discount in great detail.
5. Redirect back to the shop home page in each frame listing to help you get back quickly to find what you are looking for.
As always, keep your comments coming and email me any time!
December Orders and SHIPPING
My, my, my are you all as busy as me making clutches for gifts or for holiday sales?? I think the economy is coming back because the holiday orders are looking good (*knocking loudly on wood*). I’ve also heard from several of you that you have had great sales for holiday gift-giving.
Bridesmaid clutch with floral hair clip!
WAY TO GO! Pat yourselves on the back for the great planning.
On that note, please keep in mind Christmas holiday orders. You still have plenty of time to make your clutches for your customers but do not delay. A clutch in hand will get a quick sale!
So please plan well and get your supplies to make your clutches. Please note that I will be shipping 6 days a week via Priority Mail (for all orders consisting of 5 or more frames) or First Class Mail (for PDF hard copies and less than 5 frames for beginners).
So why the nudge on orders? Because Priority Mail is not guaranteed to get there in 2-3 days! Here’s the policy of USPS:
Estimated Delivery Time
o If a Priority Mail package is going to a major city, or is traveling less than 600 miles, it should arrive in two (2) days. Otherwise, it should arrive in three (3) days.
This is not a guaranteed service.
o Date of delivery is not guaranteed. Delivery by a specific date at a specific time is not available.
o Estimated delivery time begins on the date postmarked.
… And this is outside of the consideration of the higher volume from the holidays. With the holiday volume of packages, USPS is going to be slower than normal … I can guarantee that!
So if you absolutely need it by a certain date, please email me or convo me via my Etsy shop for a custom listing with Express Mail, which is guaranteed (but is also CRAZZZZZY expensive). You don’t even want to know about UPS or FedEx. Their stocks have done very well for a reason … 😉
International Customers: Please take advantage of the medium flat rate Priority Mail International box. Anything more than (5) 8×3 frames has to go in the medium box. (It’s a testament to my origami skills that I can even fit all 5 in those teeny boxes!) I can fit about (40) 8×3 frames for the same amount – $43.00 – as (10) frames, so plan your purchase and spread your cost of shipping over more frames thereby lowering your cost per clutch/unit.
New 8×3 nickel-free purse frame(TM) with kisslock & loops in Perfect Fit 6(TM)
Hot off the press: I’ve got the new 8×3 kisslock with loops in Perfect Fit 6(TM).
Check them out! They will be listed later on today (hopefully). (*Click on the photos to view a larger version.)
8x3 nickel-free purse frame(TM) kisslock with LOOPS!
Please note the differences between this in the Perfect Fit 6(TM) U-channel and the Skinny Bride(TM) brand. Again, the Perfect Fit 6(TM) was designed wider to fit thicker fabric and interface. The Skinny Bride(TM) was designed for finer, thinner fabrics for the bridal market (!) where you use a lot of satins, taffeta, and silks. All my frames are designed so there’s no need to crimp.
Side-by-side comparison.
It may not look like a drastic departure from this vantage point, but these hundredths of millimeters make a huge difference. As an aside, my frames are made or iron, which is malleable, so they can be crimped. However, I don’t recommend crimping them as I feel that it’s an added cost to get the tool, and added time to your production, which as we know “time is money”. But mainly though, call me crazy (my kids do… 🙂 ) but crimping these beautiful frames is just beside the point of designing them as such. That’s why I designed 2 different U-channel widths.
Pricing on these will be the same for both with same volume discounts. Thanks for your patience so that I can list them at my Etsy shop and at my webstore (which takes longer since I am also the head IT person … who knew 😛 ?).
Thanks! ~Winn
New size 6×3 nickel-free purse frame(TM)!
Just a heads-up: I’ve got the new 6×3 nickel-free purse frame(TM) in kisslock coming out tonight or tomorrow! (It depends when I will get to it based on my kids’ homework load …)
I should have it listed at both the webstore WhileBabyNaps.com and at my Etsy shop WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com some time this evening or tomorrow.
It is the same design as the current 6×3 with optional double inside loops as far as the channel width. I used the same Perfect Fit 6(TM) U-channel design for this. (The Perfect Fit 6(TM) design has been a complete hit with everyone so I expect this 6×3 size to do well in the bridal market and those gearing up for fall and winter craft shows.)
Here’s a quick look:
Shiny! White-silver in appearance like sterling silver but without the tarnish of sterling silver!
Please remember to plan ahead for the holiday gift crowd. Plan your purchases and get the volume discounts, combined shipping and save! The price for these will be similar to the 6×3 with loops, but will be a little less. (Frames with loops always cost more due to the labor involved with the attachment of the loops.)
As always, thanks for your continued support of my home-based business!
Winn
On the current state of US manufacturing
On a subject that is of great interest to me, and one that will affect you, is manufacturing.
As a manufactured product, my metal purse frames, are subjected to the whims of the marketplace: global and US manufacturing, daily market price fluctuations in metal prices, shipping costs … Thank goodness I have very long, and good relationships with my various manufacturers. The Production Managers and Owners work well with me to make my trademarked metal purse frames.
Here’s a sample of the recent headlines:
Slowing growth rate of US manufacturing ... hey, at least it's no longer shrinking!
One of the manufacturers that I work with is in the Midwest. (For competitive and proprietary reasons, I will not reveal the location or name.) Last year, he had a staff of 100 employees working for him. And this year? 35!
This is typical of what I hear. So I’ve been working hard with US manufacturers who have existing tooling, people, technology and capabilities to make my metal purse frames. Unlike China, which subsidizes their manufacturing, the US does not. So it’s prohibitively expensive to manufacture things here when the retail price can be 3-5 times what foreign imports from China are selling it for. That’s why I use companies that only need to make minimal investments in order to work with me.
It’s been a classic “Catch-22” in regard to US manufacturing.
*The US can make metal purse frames, but not for the cheap prices that China is selling them for.
*Sellers go to China and import them in.
*US manufacturers do not have the tooling (machines needed to make the purse frames) needed to make it.
*They would have to invest in making the tooling, which they recoup by charging higher for the purse frames.
*The end price is often 3-5 times higher than what China will sell them for.
*Sellers go back to China and import them in.
So how do you as consumers respond? Are you willing to pay more?
Well, I know I’m preaching to the choir because all of you have paid more for my metal purse frames. (I am the most expensive when you buy them one at a time, but I compete very well with the importers when you buy in larger quantities of 5 and up.)
Does buying from US-made products matter? I know full well, and support, global manufacturing. (What I don’t support is cheaply made, and cheap imports coming in and sold under the US banner, when I know they’re imports.)
And if I hadn’t said it often enough: THANK YOU for trusting your handiwork, your sewing, your artistry, to my metal purse frames.
While I think my metal purse frames are great (and they are! 🙂 ) , they are simply that — frames. They frame your artwork, and for you to entrust your artwork to my frames, means a great deal to me!
PDF Tutorial has been updated!
Etsy customers take note: if you purchased my PDF tutorials, please use your password to get your updated version.
I made minor changes in 2 steps to better explain what you are seeing. I also included some tips for gluing.
While the changes are minor, the clarity will help most users.
These changes were made based on the feedback from hundreds of users.
**Please keep your password. I will endeavor to put up new templates this week, free of charge, to those who have purchased my PDF and Make Your Own Kits.**
PDF Tutorial "How to Make a Pretty Clutch"
NEW design 8×3 nickel-free purse frame(TM) with EleganceLock(TM) and LOOPS!!
Just newly listed!!
What this means for you:
*My nickel-free purse frame(TM) coating is finished with a 2-coat process that is hardy, long-lasting, and allows you to wipe off fingerprints with ease, unlike other frames that use only 1 coat.
*My trademarked Perfect Fit 6(TM) to fit a variety of fabrics and interface. It will fit like those hallowed size 6 jeans (that my *ss still cannot get into but then I need to put down the donut…) without the need to squeeze or add a cord (no!).
*The EleganceLock(TM) was redesigned to be smaller and sleeker with better ergonomics = better grip.
Better grip!
“I like the feel of these clasps, easier to open for older folks too.” That’s exactly what I had in mind when I designed it! Clutches as gifts for mothers-in-law and grandmothers!
*With optional loops, this means that the loops will lay flat on the inside of the clutch on top of the inner fabric.
You can add a chain or the buyer can add a leather cord or ribbon when in use. The attached cord/ribbon will simply be inside the clutch when the user wants to “clutch” the clutch OR she can carry it with the chain.
My trademarked nickel-free purse frames(TM) are also white silver in appearance unlike other ‘nickel’ or ‘silver’ purse frames which appear, well, like nickel. Nickel has a more gray tone to it. My nickel-free frames are white-silver, like sterling silver in color and appearance but will not tarnish like sterling silver.
Lastly, thank you for honoring my trademarks by ordering your nickel-free purse frames from me and not from other sellers who appeared virtually overnight selling knock-offs of my designs. If they are a new shop suddenly carrying nickel-free frames, they are selling cheap imports. THANK YOU for trusting your craftsmanship of your sewn fabrics and clutches to my frames, backed by my 30-day full refund. No other seller offers that.
Shipping notice for 9/23
As posted on my shop announcement (but you all know it gets lost in there …), I’m heading to OKC for my annual David Day trip.
Please place your order by midnight EST Weds. 9/22 if you want it shipped out before my trip. Shipping will resume Monday 9/27.
And here’s a pic of my friend David (with Lance Armstrong – his hero!), who passed from cancer 3 years ago. I miss him dearly. And I go to OKC to visit my dear friend Lisa, his mom, a wonderful middle-school principal.
I love, love, love, my work … but sometimes the spirit needs a rechargin’ on what’s important. Blessings ~ Winn. 🙂
My dear David and his hero Lance.
New 10 x 3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with Perfect Fit 6(TM) and loops.
I’m happy to announce the addition of a new size: 10 inch x 3 inch nickel-free purse frame(TM) designed with the Perfect Fit(6) and loops!
Keeping the same high standard, this beautiful, shiny frame made with my 2-coat nickel-free process is a great addition to your line of clutches. I made it with a loop because clutches of this size can really benefit from having a chain.
It’s also timely with the fall and winter clutches coming out! So check them out at my etsy store whilebabynaps.etsy.com. (Not yet available at my webstore since it’s quicker to put them up for sale at the Etsy venue than it is to write code for a webstore… but I should have it up there by Weds. You can email me for bulk quantities 100 and over.)
10 x 3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with Perfect Fit 6(TM) with loops!
10 x 3 shown with my nickel-free purse chain(TM) with lobster claws
(TM) Trademark of WhileBabyNaps and Khuong LLC 2010
About
I am the #1 US seller of purse frames and I’ve been incorporated since 2001. This blog is mainly aimed at my audience of clutch handbag makers. I have a very small niche that is comprised of 99.9% women. I am loyal and promote handbag makers who are loyal to me by using my fine purse frames. When they are successful, then I am successful.
The two businesses that I own are:
*purse supplies, Gutermann glue, and DIY clutch kits at whilebabynaps.etsy.com, whilebabynaps.com
*up-cycled purse supplies PurseFramesOutlet.etsy.com
To find clutches made using my fine metal purse frames, LOOK to see “Trademarks of WhileBabyNaps.com and H&D LLC” and you’ll know the clutches are made using the finest metal purse frames that are tested for lead and that have a protective coating to lengthen the life of the clutch. You can go to any of the sellers on the Sellers page.
****NOTE: If you want someone to make a clutch for you, please contact any of my sellers and inquire. They will gladly make custom orders!****
Interested in reaching my audience? Advertise. Contact me here.
Thank you for stopping by for a look.
Warmly,
Thy Khuong
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