Back in stock!
Alert for all those who have been asking and waiting so patiently …
Thank you, thank you, thank you … for all your support. In the first 3 months of this year, I sold as many frames as I did 1/2 of last year! From small sales of 5 frames at a time to hundreds … I’ve grown my business a lot. I have reinvested all this back into the business – save for a lunch out here or there! 🙂
Many of the big handbag makers ordered even more privately. The feedback that I keep getting is “I’ve tried many frames, and yours is simply the best.” “My clutches look so much better with your frames.” So even these large handbag makers see the value in having consistently high quality frames that they can depend on. They know that they can save time by having dependable high-end, high-quality frames for their clutches and handbags. They have also switched to using Gutermann glue after seeing how much time they saved using a quick-setting glue, how tight it bonds the fabric to the frame, and how quickly I can ship it out to them.
What’s back in stock: These sold out much more quickly than my forecast. Thanks for being patient!!! In addition, with my inventory criss-crossing the country in the back of a FedEx truck … that didn’t help either. I will try my best to not be in a SOLD OUT position.
*8×3 EleganceLock(TM) with loops nickel-free
*8×3 Duskcoat gunmetal(TM)
*6×3 nickel-free purse frame(TM)
What’s new that’s coming later on this week:
*10×3 nickel-free no loops – picture to come …
*8×3 DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass – I will post this separately in a new blog later today …
NEW! Hand-finished by custom order! DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass!!! It *sparkles* in the light!!!
What’s coming in 2 weeks or so:
*12×3.5 nickel-free no loops (for those wanting to make bigger bags with your own handles) – picture to come!
4.5x3s are back in!
Hi y’all! (That’s from my livin’ in Oklahoma City.)
Just quick note to let all who asked about the 4.5x3s … they’re back!!
I do want to alert my long-time users of this size that the u-channel is smaller by a smidge. For those with a really accurate caliper … less than .05mm. It falls within the variance but it’s not exact as I would like. There should not be any difference in the usage and functionality with that small of a variance. You will not need to switch up your fabrics or interface.
But the finish is better so I went with these. Every batch is different but the new plating company for nickel-free that I’ve been working with has just really done a splendid job with the finish!
Old batch on left. New batch on right.
LOVE these. They are … well, they are real and they are spectacular! (Name that show!)
Aren’t they so much shinier and brilliant???
Oh, swoon … 🙂
New frames – limited
As I’ve been doing a verrrryy sloooooooowww transition of my shop, the inventory has been kinda haywire. It has been criss-crossing the country. I must be FedEx’s favorite customer! 🙂
Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your loyalty. Thank you for your kind words.
I’ll be listing these tonight … but here are 3 new frames sizes. Right now, they are in limited quantity. Depending on the feedback that I get, I may have them as permanent fixtures on my shop and will get more produced.
I have more back in stock this week: 8×3 EleganceLock with loops, 8×3 Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM), and 4.5×3.
All are made with the same size kisslock balls as before, and with my trademarked Perfect Fit 6(TM) u-channel!
9×3 nickel-free purse frame(TM) with loops:
9x3 nickel-free purse frame kisslock with Perfect Fit 6(TM)
9×3 GoldenLock(TM) purse frame with loops:
9x3 GoldenLock(TM) purse frame kisslock LOOPS with Perfect Fit 6(TM)
10×3 Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM):
10x3 Duskcoat Gunmetal(TM) purse frame kisslock with Perfect Fit 6(TM)
I have coordinating Goldenlock(TM) purse chains but no pictures yet. Those will be on sale later on this week as well.
On the antique br*ss frames (!#@!*^$:P) — I’m still plugging away at them. Very frustrated. I just cannot find a consistent high quality finish. I refuse to sell anything subpar and until I can get a good production that has that high quality finish that I like, I will have to continue to encourage you to get it from other sellers. I know, and I appreciate the sentiments about the quality of my antique br*ss frames. I really appreciate it. It’s because of your convos and emails that I will continue to work on them.
I will have all new longer shoulder-length antique brass chains with lobster claw. Those turned out great!
And my sister Thy (T) will be doing the shipping of the orders as she is joining the business. She’s a stay-at-home mom of 2 of the cutest nephews that I have. My kids and her kids are the best of buds. 🙂 I’ll have a pic of her home office up soon as well!
Thanks and all my best, always. ~Winn
Etsy founder Kalin
Grab this. On newstands only. It’s not yet online but well worth your reading!
The mercurial founder of Etsy. Brilliant, and looks like someone's kid brother, no?
Key points for me:
*In 2010, Etsy shops sold M$314 in merchandise.
*400,000 accounts on Etsy (not broken down between various selling and buying accounts).
*Fewer than 1000 sellers on Etsy make $30,000 or more.
*When Etsy expanded internationally, complaints about low-cost knock-offs increased.
*A top seller who at one point sold $96,000 one year went “back to the craft show circuit”.
*Etsy is great to get your business off the ground.
We all have different reasons and goals for our businesses and shops. We all have different family and work and life constraints. But I know we all want to do what we love and make money doing it.
…. After reading this insightful, though not entirely or thoroughly specific with its data, it just reinforces what I’ve advised you in my many previous posts:
*Sell your clutches off-line at craftshows, in-home hostess parties of your own, school functions, church fundraisers, arts festivals, local shop, and bridal boutiques.
*Be original and never copy. Have a distinct style that is yours.
*Do not compete on price since you are selling a handmade good that is truly one-of-a-kind. Do not under-value and under-price the worth of your goods ie. don’t give it away!
*Increase your chances of making a sale by taking advantage of the consumer behavior of “taste uncertainty” and band together with other clutch sellers.
Grab this issue. Oh, if you’re in it and have a small business, you should subscribe to this magazine too! (No, I don’t get paid to say that. Wish I did…) 🙂
New SPRING clutches photo album on Facebook
Just posted an album featuring clutches made by my sellers that has a spring feel and flavor. All made using my fine purse frames. Here’s a screen shot. Go check it out!
Album found at http://www.facebook.com/WhileBabyNaps
With spring craftshows and arts festivals happening now and into April and May, be sure to have some that will bring Spring into mind! It’s not too early to start promoting for Mother’s Day clutches.
Also, I just listed some more sellers on the the Sellers page of my blog. I’ve had a couple of requests about having a clutch custom-made using my fine frames, so I’ve added a note on the Sellers Page to let them know to contact you sellers directly to inquire about custom orders.
Thank you for your feedback about increased views and sales! Keep working at your end, and I’ll keep working on my end to promote your clutches and pass on my referrals.
~Winn
Getting back on track …
Thank you, to all of you who sent me messages of concern. I really appreciate your heartfelt thoughts. It’s been quite a challenge this week. And, amazingly, no one canceled their orders.
Just wanted to let you all know that all orders that came in this week have been shipped. I got back on track working nights to get them all out.
In the next couple of weeks, I will be:
1. introducing several new purse frame sizes
2. launching PurseFramesOutlet.Etsy.com
3. introducing a new trademarked finish (if that all works out…) 🙂
So thank you for your enduring support.
BTW, HUGE sale at Joann’s. March 25-27. Go stock up!
Have a great weekend! ~ Winn
Joanns 25% on Your Total In-Store Purchase + Free Shipping Online!
Medical emergency
Hi guys – I don’t have a lot of time right now, but I wanted to let you know that I am tied up due to a family medical emergency.
All orders will be delayed in shipping. I will resume shipping Friday and Sat, and all incoming orders will be out no later than Monday 3/28. If this delay is unsatisfactory to you, I apologize and I am happy to fully refund any orders for those who purchased today 3/23. Just convo me.
While I cannot discuss the medical emergency, my kids and husband are fine (thank God).
Thank you for understanding!
Glue bundling update…
I’ve had many requests about the glue bundled with frames. Just a review, it was my intention to sell the glue ONLY bundled with my frames due to the hassles, expense, and time importing the glue.
However, I’ve been dragging my foot for 2 reasons and I’ve decided against it. Here’s why:
1. My goal has been to put women in business by teaching them a skill. My PDF tutorials do NOT limit clutch-making to just my frames. Never has. You can buy any u-channel purse frame from any seller and make your own clutch. With my bonus tutorial, you can learn how to make a template for any purse frame too. The basic skill needed to make a clutch is what I wanted to teach women. I could have done it in a way to restrict it to only my frames, but I wanted to democratize it so the tutorials have always have women how to make a clutch using any frames.
2. If I sold the glue by bundling it with my frames, that would negate this ideal because that would bar other clutch-makers who buy frames from other sellers but need glue. I take pride in providing everything to my customers to enable their success. I’ve thought “why should I sell my glue that I have so much trouble importing to those who will buy frames from someone else?”. And that’s a struggle since I love (and am admittedly biased towards) my frames. But if I sold glue only bundled with my frames, it goes against my mission of democratizing it and to teach women a skill that won’t limit them to just my goods.
It is because of this that I hope you understand why I’ve changed my mind about bundling the glue with frames. I am very open about my policies and thoughts, and sometimes, it requires deeper thought before affecting a change. I know many of you would like the lower cost of the bundled products. In the next couple of months, I still may offer bundled frames+glue in addition to glue alone. But I will not restricting the Gutermann glue only to those who buy my frames. (I wish you would buy from me exclusively, but …. the choice has always been yours to make and will remain so.)
Thoughts? Comments? Contact me at any time.
~Winn
Shop alert: “For the times they are a-changin’…”
During the shop transition that we’ve been undertaking, I’ve kept you all in the loop in the past 2 months. My goal has been to make it as seamless as possible for you.
But as Bob Dylan has said “For the times they are a-changin'” …
There have been a lot going on behind the scenes. The business has grown exponentially and we’ve gotten a lot of good exposure for all the handbag makers and artisans. Many of my handbag makers are now in crafts fairs and other selling venues and have been doing very well! 🙂 I’m so happy to see the success that many of you are having. Thanks for letting me know about your success and for the kudos that I get from you. It means a lot to me.
That said, there is a change in the business that is happening that I would like to let you know: my other sister, Thy (pronounced “T”), has joined the business. 🙂 (Ummm, there are 5 of us girls, so yes, you see why I’m so “pro-women”!) 🙂
I felt this change needed to happen because the business has gotten so large that it needed more hands to handle your orders. And it continues to grow. I’ve been blessed with the Etsy business and that continues to be my preferred selling venue; however, my big orders continue to rise in my webstore which I had before I opened the Etsy shop.
So here’s where it stands.
*I will do the main parts of the business until the foreseeable future: answering emails and convos, marketing my handbag makers on multiple platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and my blog), product research, product design, product development, business relations, forecasting, and blogging on technical, sales, and marketing tips.
*Thy will be inspecting, packaging, and shipping out all orders from whilebabynaps.etsy.com and whilebabynap.com.
*Y (pronounce “E”) will be running the new business venture for upcycling my frames via my new shop that is to come: PurseFramesOutlet.etsy.com.
In the meantime, both whilebabynaps shops will be operating at a minimum for 2 weeks. On Etsy, I’ve de-activated many listings and will be only sending out what I’m able to send out timely. I do not want to make promises I cannot keep, so I’ve only listed those frames that I have available to ship on time as per usual. I’ve got all kinds of inventory trucking and in transit all over the country!
I’ve got a lot to do in the next 2 weeks, and your patience is not taken for granted. Your support is truly appreciated.
In the growth of companies, no matter how small, bumps are likely to occur. It is my hope that by restructuring it in this manner, it will allow me to keep the highest level of customer service to you.
Please convo me if you have specific frames that you need for custom orders. I can put those custom orders together for you and let you know when they will be shipped. I will be very transparent with you, as I’ve always been.
I am truly excited for the new business that I will launch: PurseFramesOutlet.etsy.com. This is a truly phenomenal product to add to your line of clutches and one that will enable you to get frames at a greatly discounted price and enables me to meet my company’s goal of up-cycling my frames. It is an extension of my outreach to help other women who do not have the means to start their business. I really think you all will be adding this to your line of products on your table, your booth, your online shop, or your local boutique. The reviews on this product has exceeded my expectations: it’s easier to make and cheaper in material costs. 🙂
Sneek Peak: the banner!
Talk soon~
Winn
Testimonials wanted…
Thank you very much for all your emails and convos about my shop!
Because I spend 2-3 hours a day on emails and convos, and 4-6 hours a week researching and blogging, 5-6 hours a week marketing and promoting your shops, I really strive to help you succeed in your business. I’ve gotten really heartfelt and tremendous feedback that the advice and tips given has really helped.
I have asked many of you “may I use your comment as a testimonial?” to which 100% of you said “Absolutely!” “Sure!”
Since my webstore is private, my pro’s go in and order and leave without a whisper. However, with my Etsy shop, the number one way I get business to stay in business is via feedback. So I appreciate those of you who have left me private feedback about the products and/or customer service.
And here’s where I’m asking for your input and help: I get questions daily about shipping and other aspects of my shop. Many of these are new to Etsy and have not worked with me yet, let alone any sellers on Etsy, and so I’ve not earned their trust. However, through working with me, you all know I refund any Etsy shipping overcharge that over $1. I back up my frames 100%. I answer all your convos promptly. I ship promptly. We package your orders professionally. I wouldn’t have the repeat customers that I do if it wasn’t for:
1) having the finest, highest quality frames that you can trust on the market
2) having the best, most transparent, consistent, and honest customer service
…. So, if you have would like to help me out, please submit your quick testimonial via the Convo/Contact feature at my Etsy shop. (I used to put my company’s email on here, and then those ‘bots’ started spamming my mailbox … *groan*). If you’ve ordered from me, then you already have my company’s email, so you can send it there as well.
I would like to have a page of testimonials that I can refer those who have a doubt about whether or not I will refund their shipping Etsy overcharge, whether the PDF tutorial is easy to download, whether the frames are really the bee’s knees…
Find out how this phrase came about at http://lsned.com/facts/bees-knees/
Thank you to those of you who will spend the 5 minutes to send in your testimonials. Your loyalty, your support, and your business, is truly appreciated!
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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My Etsy shop
#1 US Seller of Purse Frames
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Wholesale purse frames for clutches
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