Clutch-Me.Com

2 more for your product line offering: Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM) and Goldenlock(TM)

Hi everyone-

I’ve just introduced my 2 newest finishes in the 8×3 frames: Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM) and Goldenlock(TM).  I’ve been working on several formulations of the coats to achieve the look that I wanted.

The Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM) is comprised of multi-layers with many color of hints of iridescent purples and greens resulting in a deep twilight gray.  It’s a really rich deep gray, not shallow like other gunmetals you’ll see on the market.  Of course, it’s very shiny!  Check out the pics.  (*Please click on the photos to view a larger photo.*):

Deep, rich Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM)

Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM)

The Goldenlock(TM) took a little bit longer to formulate since I was very particular about the tone of the gold.  Gold can be hard to achieve in metals that are not made using real gold:  it can come off looking cheap if you don’t have an eye for it.  This Goldenlock(TM) is not too brassy or too garish.  The Goldenlock(TM) purse frame has a tone that is warmer than 10K gold, but less so than 18K gold. It nearly resembles the most popular gold — 14K gold.

I’ve taken a pic of my jewelry to show you the relative tone of it.

The relative tones of gold.

Goldenlock(TM) purse frame with Perfect Fit 6(TM)

Buy it at my Etsy store whilebabynaps.etsy.com.  (It was my son’s 6th birthday yesterday – 9/18 – so I haven’t had time to program it on my webstore, whilebabynaps.com.  But it should be up for Monday to order in bulk over 100+ as well.)

(TM) Trademarks of WhileBabyNaps and Khuong LLC 2010. All rights reserved.

September 19, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 3 Comments

Shipping alert for 8×3 Antique Brass

The antique brass is coming a week earlier than expected. *Yippee*  (UPS really does a great job with ground shipping!)

… And they will have the Perfect Fit 6(TM) U-channels.  If you haven’t heard about it, be sure to check out my post on that:

https://clutchme.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/the-perfect-fit-6tm-u-channel-in-my-metal-purse-frames/

I am expecting them Tues. 9/21 or Weds. 9/22.  All orders with antique brass in the order will ship immediately once I receive the antique brass.  Of course, they will be individually inspected by me and backed by my 30-day FULL refund guarantee.

Thank you!

(TM) Trademarks of WhileBabyNaps and Khuong LLC  2010. All rights reserved.

September 18, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 1 Comment

“You’ve got balls!” kisslock closure — NEW for Fall and Winter 2010.

“That’s what she said.”  🙂

Another announcement and you’re the first to know.  I’ve redesigned the kisslock closures with bigger balls.  When the 8×3 nickel-free purse frame(TM) was redesigned this summer (and I just put it up for sale last night), the old balls were off on scale since I designed the Perfect Fit 6(TM) channel.  So I needed to have bigger spheres so that they were in better proportion to the frame.

Think of the ideal hourglass figure!  You need a little on top to get that hourglass.  Or in my case, you get your ‘spheres’ via Victoria’s Secret push-up bras!  Spanx helps with the bottom portion –and now you know my secrets…  but I digress.

Here are the pics:

As shown in my 8x3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with kisslock closure

My 6×3 also got them too!

6x3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM)

I will have the same size kisslock closure in my other finishes:  Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM) and GoldenLocks(TM)

(TM) Trademarks of WhileBabyNaps and Khuong LLC 2009 and 2010. All rights reserved.

September 18, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 1 Comment

The Perfect Fit 6(TM) U-channel in my metal purse frames

Special announcement:  I have introduced a new U-channel width that I’ve trademarked as the Perfect Fit 6(TM).  Just like those size 6 jeans that I’m almost going to get into, the Perfect Fit 6(TM) is really the ideal size to get into.  (Ladies who are blessed with junk in the trunk, take heart, ‘cuz my flat *ss is jealous!)  🙂

Shown in 8x3 Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM)

I’ve been working really hard engineering this product testing many fabrics and interface.  With the fall and winter collections coming out, this will be a staple in my line of products.  (Well, if I’ve spent money trademarking it and all… hehehe.) It is designed to fit a wide combo of fabrics and interface without the need for the use of cords or crimping.  *Just say no to crimping.*

Side view shown in my most popular style 8x3 nickel free purse frame(TM) with kisslock closure

It’s not as narrow as my summer line of frames made to fit the higher-end silks and satins, yet no so wide like you’re trying to land a 757 in the Grand Canyon!  It will reduce your use of glue in the channel.  Just apply a ‘rope’ of glue in the channel (no need to apply it on your fabric as well) and insert your pre-pressed fabric.  It should have a nice snug fit without having to ‘stuff’ the channel.  Hint:  for thicker fabrics like cords, tweeds, and velvet, use a butter knife to insert your materials in.  That Gutermann will hold it like no other.

Here are some pics.  You can find this Perfect Fit 6(TM) in all the 8×3 and 10×3 frames for fall and winter.  Buy it at whilebabynaps.Etsy.com or for orders of 100+, buy it at whilebabynaps.com.

Shown in the 6x3 nickel-free purse frame(TM)

(TM) Trademarks of WhileBabyNaps and Khuong LLC 2009 and 2010. All rights reserved.

September 18, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 1 Comment

All frames are in!

A big thanks to UPS who delivered my metal purse frames.  *happy dance*

I will be up drinking coffee and packaging your orders this afternoon, evening, and night.  Every order will ship tomorrow, Saturday!

Thank you, to all of you, for your continued support.  It means the world to me that you will wait to get my frames while you have options to buy from others.  That said, as my business has grown, I’ve been able to get on the manufacturer’s production schedule with higher priority.  And, I’m getting this engineering thing down pretty good too!

Here’s a quick pic of my new 8×3 gold frame!  It’s so shiny spankin’ new and pretty!!!  *swoon*

It's golden!

September 17, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | Leave a comment

New designs and THANK YOU Etsy ladies … and one guy!

Thanks to all who confirmed to get email updates for my posts.  This will keep you updated quickly on what’s new in my store, and in the business of making clutches.  I’m having a hard time keeping everyone in-the-know via the Shop Announcement on Etsy … does anyone even read it much? Also, I’m starting with monthly sales specials in October: I will only alert via my blog posts.  And only to keep things straight, I will require a code in the “note to seller” so that you get the appropriate discount.  I have over 1000 loyal customers from my webstore http://whilebabynaps.com and from Etsy http://whilebabynaps.etsy.com so I am starting these specials to thank you for your loyalty.

NEW DESIGNS coming within 10 days:

*3 x 1.5 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with kisslock closure

*4.5×3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with kisslock closure

*6 x 3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with kisslock closure with LOOPS

*8 x 3 gunmetal finish with kisslock closure

*8 x 3 gold tone with kisslock closure

*8 x 3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with kisslock closure (**My most popular size and style.**)

*8 x 3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with mickey mouse closure with LOOPS

*10 x 3 nickel-free metal purse frame(TM) with kisslock closure with LOOPS

I should have them all in and up for sale around Sept. 20th.  As per my shop announcement, any orders placed in the last 2 weeks will be shipped out at this time on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some Q&As from you:

*Why haven’t you had any 3×1.5 available?

A:  These require special tooling to make due to their small size.  When I switched manufacturers, I had to invest in the new tooling so that took a bit more time.  Then production was delayed for 3 weeks … argggggg.    BUT, I got a bunch produced so cross my fingers, I won’t run out again.  That said, these have much smaller variances for defects (especially the kisslock closure) since they are small, so the defect rate is higher.  The higher the defect rate for me, the more money it costs me.  So … the profits is very small on these.  But I make them because I like them and like to have them in my own product line of clutches.

*Wassup with all the (TM) trademarks that’s all over your stuff?

A: Ahem, I’ve had other sellers lie about the nickel-free plating process, and then go out and get cheap imports using the same technique that I originated and start selling similar “nickel-free” frames.  So, while it was copyrighted and trademarked in 2009, it was not honored.  So I’m splashing my trademark all over the place — on everything — so that you, the buyer, will know and will hopefully honor the trademarks and buy from me and not from imitators.  Yes, my lawyer knows about this but really … is it worth pursuing?  I’m not sure at this point.  But we are keeping records of EVERYTHING.  So out of my own experience, if you own your business, then you need to incorporate, collect taxes, pay taxes, and get patents, copyrights and trademarks if you’re in it seriously.  I got a lawyer and incorporated in 2001 at the get-go!

*Why did you start offering nickel-free metal purse frames(TM)?  (I mean I never knew that there was a need for that …)

A:  Because I cannot wear nickel earrings.  Then I read into nickel allergies and voila!  Why NOT offer something that will help others with the same allergy? Ok, I’m totally biased, but my son suffers from a severe food allergy, and if manufacturers can make food products without that ingredient, why not offer it?  I applied the same concept to my metal purse frames.  In the same vein, I test my metal purse frames for lead as well.  Sure, it’s an added cost, but why not?

September 13, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 2 Comments

“You get what you pay for”

Busy with 3 kids, a new puppy, and working on new designs for my metal purse frames, I had neglected to check out the competition on ETSY.  Much to my dismay, I found a new seller who had outright DISTORTIONS and FALSEHOODS on her shop announcement — all points pertaining to my shop since she even copied my original “NICKEL-FREE” metal purse frames.  This is NOT why I started selling to novices and hobbyists on ETSY and teaching women (99%) to learn a new trade and start their own businesses.

So, many thanks to one of my loyal Etsy customers, Erin, who lifted my up with her comments, which follows in its entirety:

“Thanks so much! And a special thanks for teaching me how to make these. I’ve actually started having some interest in my shop using your design. I was soooo frustrated with etsy before I bought your PDF and supplies. I feel like now I actually have a small chance at the huge world of etsy (and I’m having a lot of fun doing it). :O)”

And when I thanked her for boosting my spirits and conveyed the current mean-spirited business dealings on Etsy (of all places!), she wrote those wonderful words … “you get what you pay for”.

So I stand by my metal purse frames with a 30-day money back guarantee … and no one, not one, had offered this prior to me, since me, and except for me.

Just for the record, I hate business like this.  Isn’t that why we all get out of the rat race and work for ourselves???  To get away from this and doing things that we love?  I asked that seller to retract the portion about nickel-free frames not costing any more than nickel frames, and she has refused.  That is completely false, as it is MUCH CHEAPER for me to get it plated in nickel or silver.  I get two special coatings that make my frames whiter and easier for fingerprints to wipe off.  This costs me more money.

But I understand the desire to try a new seller offering cheap frames.  I just hope that Etsy customers would rather do business with someone who is honest, trustworthy and kind with unparalleled customer service rather than a new seller who’s in it to bad-mouth to sell cheap frames.

I’m not in it to sell you cheap frames.  I am proud to say that I’ve taught women and help put many into business from teaching them how to make clutches, supplying the frames, Gutermann glue, and a 30-day money back guarantee.

Thanks for your kindness Erin!

~Best,

Winn

August 7, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 1 Comment

Behind the Scenes: See Mommy Work!

I feel very lucky to have wonderful customers and my business has grown exponentially through lots of hard work.  I get questions and comments regarding my business a lot so here’s a look at my work and my thoughts about it all.

Q:  How do you find the time to do it all?

A:  I work around my kids’ schedules.  That means nothing happens until after 9am when they are at school.  Between 9-3 pm, I manage to clean the house, grocery shop, run errands, go to school for activities and conferences, take them to doctors’ appointments and fulfill my orders.  Then the 3 pm -8 pm is filled with school pickups, homework, making dinner, pleading with them to eat their fruit and veggies, showers, and bedtime.  I work again from 8pm until needed — and for the last week, it meant staying up til 2 am!   I. love. my. work!

Q:  How did you start your business?

A:  I had a near-impossible time sourcing high quality metal purse frames for my clutches.  They were shipped from overseas which took 2-3 weeks, and would come scratched, or they would open/close properly … a complete hassle!  It was not a reliable way to do business as a serious and professional handbag maker.  So I did 8+ months of research and contacted lots and lots of manufacturers.  After many samples and false starts, my husband and I took the plunge and made an investment in becoming a wholesaler.  I have my own manufacturer that I work with though I am looking to add another manufacturer to spread out the production as my business has grown.  It’s a BIG investment.  There’s a high barrier to entry.  One just doesn’t start producing these things.  You have to have engineering done, CAD drawings, specs done, samples done, source your raw materials, forecast inventory so you can have a productions schedule … it’s a lot of work.  I am a WHOLESALER.  I am not a retailer who buys from other wholesalers, mark up the price to make money and sell it at retail.  You are buying my frames, made from my designs, using my own molds, with my own specifications on size, width, closures, raw materials, etc…  And I don’t sell to resellers either.  I sell directly to the end-user, the ladies (and some gents) who make their own clutches whether they are a professional (500+), a hobbyist (1-20) or anyone in between growing their business.

Q:  How do you have such high quality metal purse frames?

A:  I hand inspect everything myself, each single frame, before I fulfill a customer’s order.  So, at nights when I’m watching LOST or The Office, I’ve got a box of frames to go through.  Did you know that there are always defects in a batch of goods?  U.S. manufacturers typically make 10% more of the order to accommodate the expected defects.  So yes, even with laser-eyes to assist in quality control, nothing beats my pair of hands to open and close the closures to get the *click* that I’m looking for.  Since I have a 100% refund guarantee, I do NOT want any returns due to defects.  That costs me money.  That costs my customers valuable time! So I have ZERO defects.  ZERO.  It’s more expensive to get a new customer than it is to keep one.  So I do all that I can to get and keep all my customers, and the main way is to ensure that I have the best quality product.

Q:  Will you carry more sizes/styles/finishes?

A:  To start carrying a new size, style, or finish is an expensive up-front cost and time-consuming.  It’s easy if I know the market is in need of it and there’s enough demand.  But first I have to do a market analysis.  Is there a need?  What is the potential demand in terms of quantity?  How much would customers pay for it?  How much will it cost per unit for me to produce it?  Since I have an established relationship with my manufacturer, I have reduced the time it takes to get the product to market but the process is still the same … CAD drawings, samples, raw materials resourcing  (prices of metals fluctuate in the marketplace), quality control…  I do have an advantage that I can start with a relatively smaller batch than most so if I have a couple of customers who want and will take 300-500 of a size, I can go ahead and make that new size knowing that the surplus will probably be sold to the general hobbyists market.

Q:  What does your studio look like?

A:  I have 2 offices.  One is for the creative aspect and one is for production.  I’m not going to show you the production room, since it is just filled with metal purse frames, tissue paper, tape, lots of boxes in many sizes, postage scale, etc….  The creative office is a mess right now, but I’ll show you a clean corner.  I’m in the midst of re-organizing it but I’ve come to realize that I need the creative separate from the production.  So in my creative office, I have lots of fabric, and inspirational things.  I also have my beautiful fine jewelry business in there and a photography station to take jewelry photos.  It’s all about creating in that office.   Here’s a pic.

The clean side!

May 8, 2010 Posted by Thy K | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | Leave a comment