New Antique Brass purse chain!
Well, I’m officially back at work and my deck is full of to-do’s. Love it! 🙂
I wanted to alert you all about the new 45″ antique brass purse chain. We designed a bigger lobster claw and we think you are going to like it. It looks good, ladies. Check these out.
She’s a beauty!
They are up for sale at the shop! I hope you like them!
Winn 🙂
New purse frame coming out!
Hi everyone! My family and I just got back from our spectacular trip to China. We got home at 2 a.m. last night, so we are all just lolly-gagging about today. School is back tomorrow and we will slowly, but surely, be back to the grind! I will be sure to post some photos soon. But before that happens, I just wanted to share a quick update to all my dear blog readers and customers: there is a new antique brass coming out this week in 4.5×3! Take a look.
New 4.5×3 antique brass coming this week!
These will be listed this week. We had a lot of demand for this, but due to the difficult antique brass finish, it took some time to make sure this was a permanent addition we wanted to add. Thank you to all who asked for it and have been so patient. As you can see above, this is made in the same design as my nickel-free 4.5×3 size. There’s something to be said for consistency! I can see this frames used with all kinds of fabrics. This is just another option in your product line.
Vacation Notice: Please get your orders in!
Well, it’s Spring Break time of the year and it’s also a much-needed pull-the-plug from work and plugging into the kids! Both shops, the Etsy shop and the online store, will be closed March 23, 2013 for 10 days. This Saturday will be the last day for shipping so please get your order in by Thursday. Shipping will resume Tuesday, April 2nd!
During the shop closing, Thy will have internet access and will be taking Custom Orders. So while you may still be able to order, no shipping will occur until April 2, 2013.
Thy is taking some time off with her 2 boys, and I will be headed to China(!) with my 3 kids. The Great Wall has been on The Bucket List and I’m finally getting to cross it off! We are also looking forward to being in cooler weather. How we miss the cold and snow of New Jersey! I know it’s been a cold and snowy and tough winter season for many of you above the Mason-Dixon line, but hang in there! Spring is just around the corner. 🙂
Photo courtesy of Over50feeling40.
Warmly yours,
Winn
New Printing Intructions for the Classic Day Clutch!
I was recently contacted by two kind customers who had problems with printing out the Classic Day Clutch(TM) template. It did not print out true to size and scale than what was on the PDF file that they saw on the screen. It printed out on a smaller scale thereby making the pattern too small for the 8×3 frame, although it fit perfectly for a 7 x 2.5 size frame. It took me a while through several tech blogs and such but I figured out why it printed out on a smaller scale in some rare cases. I went ahead and made the change for everyone just in case this happens to someone else.
Let me explain what happened in these two cases: Adobe did not process it correctly during printing and shrunk it to fit the page. My original file as seen on the screen when downloaded is the correct size and scale: however, when it goes to print it, it sometimes shrinks it. Funnily enough, Adobe does NOT do this for any of the other 6 templates — only for the Classic Day Clutch in these 2 instances! And furthermore, my own printer setting was on “Print as Image” so it did not shrink it for me. It always prints true when I print it on my printer so I did not “catch” it every time I printed this template out to sew and make my clutches. So all my clutches using the Classic Day Clutch template came out exact.
How do you prevent printing a scaled-down version? (It is hard to tell that it was shrunken.) Printing a PDF file as an image bypasses that processing by sending the printer a simple image of the document instead. To ensure the correct scale that is printed, please print the Classic Day Clutch(TM) via the following these steps:
With the PDF file open in Acrobat Reader or Acrobat, from the File menu, click Print.
In the Print window that appears:
>Windows: Click to check the Print as Image check box.
>Macintosh: Click the Advanced button, and click to check the Print as Image check box in the Advanced Print Setup window.
Click Print.
You can do this method to print out any PDF file if you want to ensure that it prints true to what you see on the screen. I want to thank the two ladies for contacting me with this issue. By making these new printing steps for everyone, it will ensure that no one else will run into this problem. I am not sure why others, like myself, did not encounter this problem prior as it has never happened before. (?) I am not sure if the different Adobe versions or the different Mac vs. Windows platforms make a difference. However, I do know that I feel VERY lucky that they contacted me!
I sell a lot of these kits because it’s a good clutch, but also due to the photo. It’s a good angle and shows off the clutch well.
Thanks
Winn 🙂
Helping Women – getting inspiration back ten-fold
I am honored to get asked to sponsor different kinds of seminars, sewing circles, blog hops, and sewing retreats. I have found that I often get inspired by the wonderful work that the women come up with. Recently, Elaine of Dashasel Sews and Emily of Mommy’s Nap Time (LOVE the name! Why didn’t I think of that?) hosted their first pouch hop called the Happy Little Pouch Hop. I’ve been very impressed by the creativity and variety of pouches that the participants have come up with. Here’s a sample of a few. Click on it to get to the Flickr blog hop photos.
Look at the variety and the fabrics! Love that little fish pouch!!!
And here are some clutches made by some crafty and artistic women.
This clutch is made by Elaine. A little bee brooch would be brillant!
This coin clutch is made by Darci Bee
I absolutely LOVE this little coin clutch. Diane did a superb design!
Diane’s second creation – a colorful mosaic!
This is one of Diane’s newer clutch designs.
Elaine’s colorful clutch! Would be great with color-block A-line dress!
Elaine’s Oh Deer Pouch #1.
I absolutely love Elaine’s Oh Deer pouch #2. How darling is this??
So hop over to Elaine’s blog and check out her amazing work. You can also see Emily’s finished quilts at her blog, too. Both amazing women. I hope you get inspired by all these fabrics and designs!
~Winn
Why I’ve muddied up my photos…
Thank you to the few who have kindly contacted me alerting me of stolen photos of my shop. You’ve got my back and I surely appreciate it! In today’s digital age, a screen snapshot is all that is needed to steal someone’s intellectual property. There are even reports about a rising number of ID theft of Facebook identities. It makes me think twice about having an FB account. I will surely monitor my kids’ social media when they are of age and are asking to have their own accounts.
So apparently some countries and their countrymen do not honor International Trademarks and Copyrights. Unlawful, stolen photos of my very distinct frames and photos have popped up on various non-US-based websites wrongfully giving potential buyers the impression that they will be getting the frames (my trademarked and copyrighted frames and photos) as seen in the pictures. There is no doubt that when buyers receive their orders (if they receive anything at all), they will be sorry to get poor quality, damaged, and untested frames. I have resisted putting watermarks on my photos for 3 years. I reasoned that given the very distinct branding of my shop and photos of the frames, surely no one would copy/paste the very same photos. That would be like stealing from my kids! Well, they’ve done just that. They’ve “borrowed” my photos to set up their virtual shops promising unsuspecting buyers the very same frames when that is not possible. They’ve stolen all my hard work and stolen from my kids and nephews. My sister and I do this while we raise our kids. We are not a big company. It’s me and her and 5 kids between us.
This has left me with many sleepless nights cursing at humanity. And, truth be told, I’ve had a few more than my share of wine! So what to do?
I’ve had to muddy up all my photos with watermarks.
No, this will not prevent future photo theft or misrepresentation from others. To you, the buyer, I can only say clearly that: All these frames and tutorials are proprietary, copyrighted and trademarked to Khuong LLC (c) 2013 & only sold at WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com and WhileBabyNaps.com.
*I do not resell these to anybody. I design them based on my research and specifications and it comes from me to you directly: no intermediaries.
*There is no one representing me, my frames, or my shop. My designs are proprietary and copyrighted and trademarked. My trade secrets are just that: trade secrets that no one knows, just like Colonel Sander’s chicken recipe.
*Anyone is possession of my photos, whether in the US or otherwise, are in violation of intellectual property. This is fraudulent.
*Whether or not the photos were watermarked before is immaterial to the violation of use. All rights are reserved on my copyrights and trademarks and that includes the photos.
*Anyone who represents themselves with my photos alleging that they can produce the same product in the photos is misrepresenting themselves.
*Anyone who represents themselves as making these frames for me are also misrepresenting themselves. I have binding contracts with my business partners and they’ve been my trusted and valued business partners for years.
I design these frames based on years of research. I have been and continue the #1 US seller of purse frames because I value my customers, provide them with a skill and business opportunities, and I make fine frames. I stand by the quality of my frames and will make it right for you if anything escapes on my watch. I am in it for the long haul. And while I may miss a few sales from unsuspecting customers who fall prey to these fraudulent hucksters, I would hope that my good deeds will be my karma.
That is the hope.
~Warmly,
Winn
2013 Shipping Rates
USPS raises rates yearly and 2013 rates will be effective January 27, 2013. (All photos courtesy of USPS.com) The international rates have increased substantially: however, it is still unbelievably much cheaper than rates from all other carriers in the US so it’s still your cheapest option.
Before you buy from us, please note the following: All orders are shipped using USPS Flat rate Priority Mail service that comes with free Delivery Confirmation, which provides you with a tracking number.
*If your package is delayed or lost? Please use this tracking number with your local USPS office to try to locate your package.
*If you want to ensure that your package will not get lost? Please contact us for the same service plus SIGNATURE confirmation for an additional $2.55.
*If you need your package there quickly? Please contact us for Guaranteed Express Delivery (prices vary depend on region).
*What if you used either service of Signature Confirmation or Guaranteed Express Delivery and your package is late or was never delivered? Per USPS, the shippers are not able to file a claim: only the recipient (you) can file a claim. But to put your mind at ease, since 2009, only 3 packages have been lost so this rarely happens. The risk of shipping mishaps (e.g. damaged and lost packages) is borne on you, the customer, so I advise getting insurance for your package. I have not had one customer with a damaged package. 🙂 YAY!
*What if you want to insure the package in case it’s lost of damaged? Please contact us for this additional service. This charge depends on the value of the contents of the package. The following are approximate costs to insure based from USPS.
USPS Insurance rates:
Package contents value $1-50 = $1.85 to insure
Package contents value $51-100 = $2.35 to insure
Package contents value $101-200 = $2.90 to insure
Package contents value $201-300 = $4.85 to insure
Package contents value $301-400 = $5.95 to insure
Package contents value $401-500 = $7.05 to insure
Package contents value $501-600 = $8.15 to insure
*Is there combined shipping? Yes! If you order several items from me, I will try to fit everything in as few boxes as I can to give you the most economical shipping. You will be refunded any excess shipping fee that was charged to you in Etsy’s cart over $1. Please note that you are never charged for packaging (boxes, tissues, poly-bags) or for handling (it takes about 10 minutes per order for a set of 5 frames).
*Why does the shipping cost in my Etsy cart so expensive? The shipping program within Etsy makes it very difficult to get the correct shipping rates for the various items in my shop. Shipping metal purse frames that are heavy and that come in many sizes is most economical via a flat rate Priority Mail box. Shipping Gutermann glue, while extremely light, but takes up precious space when added in with the frames makes this task even harder for Etsy to have the correct shipping rates applied. Below are the boxes used along with rates and dimensions.
1st tier – small flat rate Priority Mail
US: $5.80
Canada: $19.95
All other countries: $23.95
2nd tier – medium flat rate Priority Mail – **Best bang for your buck for ALL customers (domestic US or INTERNATIONAL)**
US: $12.35
Canada: $40.95
All other countries: $59.95
3rd tier – large flat rate Priority Mail
US: $16.85
Canada: $53.95
All other countries: $77.95
The key is: whatever I can fit in the smallest box, I will try to fit.
My recommendation: plan your purchases and save on shipping!
Getting our home and ourselves in the holiday spirit. Happy Holidays to you all! This is what Christmas at our home in Ho Chi Minh City looks like this year.
Who knew Vietnamese elves smoke? Ok, I should’ve known that since the whole nation of Vietnamese boys and men light up like Mad Men. Well, I’ve gone and done it. After receiving a little shock last year from a defective cheap strand of Christmas lights, I had to hire professionals to install lights. A little bit about these cheap Christmas lights here: these are the only options available, they are cheaply made, and you cannot connect them beginning-to-end to extend a long string of lights. They all have the same female/male connector at the same end so that if you connect them, it fans outward from one spot. Not so great if you are trying to string a long line of lights!
So these five elves showed up on their motorbikes. It took them 7 hours, not including the requisite one hour lunch and siesta. It was much less expensive…
View original post 165 more words
The videos show my gray!
Well, the videos are taking quite a bit longer than I thought. I have more on the blooper reel than I do actual videos! I’ve never had media training and I get so nervous on camera. I talk super-fast and have had to force myself to slow down. My kids think I wear too much make-up. They are just used to me in my yoga pants, pony tail, no make-up on, getting ready to go to Pilates.
At least I’m getting a lot of work done. Speaking of which, I just got to doing the About page on the Etsy shop website. Check it out!
You all know about me by now. But in case you didn’t know how I came up with the name … 🙂
I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween. I sure miss Autumn. I’ll be back with some Halloween photos! My daughter insisted that she is going as a baby butterfly, and that I go as a Mommy butterfly. How sweet! Are you dressing up? What’s your costume? Send me a pic!
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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