Clutch-Me.Com

Learn. Make. Sell. All about clutches.

Last 2 days for 20% OFF sale!

Thank you, thank you, thank you … for all your heartfelt and kind notes in the “Note to Seller” giving me congrats on my 1 yr. anniversary on Etsy.  It is very much appreciated and I feel very welcomed in the Etsy community of fine craftsmen and craftswomen!

Just a quick note to let you all know that due to the large volume of sales from the 1 yr. anniversary sale for 20% OFF any one item of frames, I am running about 1-2 days behind on fulfilling your orders.

I will have it again next year on 11/11/11!!!!   (My mind is crazy with excitement for my fortuitous number of “11”.  I’m going to play every lottery on that day, for sure!!!)

There are only 2 more days left on this sale.  (You can read the details on this post here:  https://clutchme.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/one-year-anniversary-sale/)

So please plan your purchase and place your order any which way of the 3 methods.  All orders will be shipped out before or by Weds. 11/17!  Shipping will begin again on 11/29 after my vacation and Thanksgiving holiday.

Thank you!

~Winn

November 13, 2010 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | Leave a comment

YAY! 1 yr. on Etsy today!!!

What an exciting year!!!  Just wanted to thank all you wonderful ladies (and a few gents) for supporting my business!!!
I am currently doing quite a few happy dances — in that uncoordinated, awkward way for a grown woman who hasn’t been to a dance in 2 decades +!  🙂  I’m breakin’ out the Electric Slide~, the White Girl dance (pls don’t be offended :))~ the Water Sprinkler …

And thanks to all who have put in your orders for the 1-yr. anniversary special discount of 20% off.  Sale ends Sunday so put yours in today.  I’m on “vacation” 11/17 and due to the Thanksgiving holiday, shipping will not resume until Nove. 29th!!!

So, thank you, thank you, and muchas gracias!

And a thanks to our Vets on this Veteran’s Day, especially to my niece Sonja who served in Kosovo and Iraq!  Thank you for all your work and dedication to our country!!!!!

November 11, 2010 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | 1 Comment

One-year Anniversary SALE!

To celebrate my 1-year anniversary on Etsy, I’m offering a SALE to all to commemorate, celebrate, and to thank you for your tremendous support!  (Those who buy from my webstore and do not have an Etsy account, no worries.  It only takes a minute to sign up a free account to buy.  You can also continue to buy privately at my webstore and I’ll refund the sale in the same manner via Paypal.)

Here are the milestones with my purse frames supplies Etsy shop:

* My 1 year anniversary is on 11/11!  Yay! (Would you believe it:  When I was 8, I decided that my favorite number was 11 and it has been ’til this day. My first child Ethan was born on May 11 at 11:11am.  And I did NOT plan it or realize it until months later that I had opened my Esty shop on 11/11!!!  What???  That is crazy!)  I truly believe things happen for a reason and I’ve only been privileged to have met wonderful, kind-hearted, hard-working women on Etsy.  There’s not a bad apple in the bunch.

* I just received my 1000th feedback!  My frames are the best [Geez, Winn, are you a little biased?  Well, yes, yes I am.  🙂 ] but I feel my customer service is really what drives my business and brings you all back.

So it’s time to get out the bubbly and *clink* (even though it’s 10 in the morning)!

I am happy to offer this sale to celebrate.

Starts 11/8 - Ends 11/14 midnight EST.

Details, schmetails …:

*Offer effective when it hits your mailbox with this announcement (or 9EST-ish on 11/8/10) until Sunday 11/14/10 midnight EST.

*20% off any one item of frames in the store or webstore.  It can be a set of 5 frames or a set of 500 frames.  No limit.  This 20% off any one item of frames is in addition to the listed price that has the volume discount pricing but no other discounts applies. So when you check out, you will get an additional 20% off any the highest priced item of frames in your cart.  One sale redemption per customer.

*To redeem:

#1. you can “convo” (Etsy’s internal email system) me for a custom listing and I can take the 20% right off the bat with combined shipping.  No need to wait for the refund.  OR

#2. just order a la carte as you normally do at my Etsy shop and note “Anniversary sale” in note to seller.  I’ll refund the 17% via Paypal after your order has been shipped.  The reason it’s 17% instead of 20% is because of Etsy commissions which I do not get back for any refunds that I give to customers.  Of course, I will combine ship as well so any excesss shipping costs paid will be refunded to you as well.

#3. just order at my webstore and I’ll refund the 20% off via Paypal after your order has been shipped.

Legal terms:

*Good until inventory runs out!  First in, first out.  If I run out, you will be contacted and you can keep your order with the raincheck until a new production is done, or you can cancel the order.  Your anniversary sale discount will be honored at the current price at which you bought it regardless of price fluctuations in the raw metal prices.

*This sale is not retroactive on any previous sales or for any pending sales.

*Only applies to frames.  All other items or supplies (such as, but not limited to, Gutermann glue, PDFs or kits) are not included.

*If you don’t see a quantity or size listed, it means someone has ordered it and it has not yet been relisted.  You can wait until it gets re-listed, order it at my webstore or convo me and I can make custom listing for you.

VACATION NOTICE:

*We are taking the kids to Florida to visit family for the holidays.  Another state to treasure! (It’s our goal to take them to visit all 50 states!  I’ve been to 35 and my hubby has been to all 50 and we LOVE it!)

>>>>>>>>>So my vacation is 11/18-11/25 and then it’s Thanksgiving weekend so shipping resumes 11/29!  Yikes!<<<<<<<<<<<<

Take advantage of my anniversary sale and get it in before I take off to the Sunshine State!

November 8, 2010 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | 2 Comments

“Sellers” section is the 3rd most visited item on the blog

One day after changing my blog in a new design, the 3rd most visited item on my blog is the “Sellers” page!  So thank you all for your interest.

I am still working on adding sellers and helping some of you to add the wording on your product listings.  Based on the questions I’m getting, the interest is in the nickel-free frames.  Here’s some things to help:

*(Insert name) clutch is made using the finest nickel-free metal purse frame(TM).

*The nickel-free frame has a 2-coat protective coating that allows fingerprints to wipe off with ease unlike those with a 1-coat finish.
*It is tested for lead and meets the US’s Environmental Protection guidelines.

***Trademark of WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com and Khuong LLC.

Feel free to use your own words, but do point out the benefits of the finest frame and fabric that you’ve used for your customers.  The only thing I ask is that you note that the frame is a trademark of my company.  This will help protect me from cheap knock-offs as well as allow buyers who are interested in buying clutches made from my frames to know where to go and which ones to buy.

You can read the entire post here.

https://clutchme.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/4-things-that-can-help-your-clutch-handbag-business/

November 5, 2010 Posted by | Helpful Tips | Leave a comment

Blog completely redesigned to add SELLERS!

Take a look guys!  I redesigned the blog and hope you all like the cleaner look.  Now if only I can get to cleaning my office …  argggg.

Please click on it for a larger view!

As per my earlier post https://clutchme.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/4-things-that-can-help-your-clutch-handbag-business/, I have begun adding the new section called “Sellers”.  I get more and more hits on my blog daily with people asking where to buy clutches made specifically from my metal purse frames.  Since I do not have time to make and sell them  these days (only locally and privately), I wanted to let potential customers know where to buy.  Please read the earlier post about the trademark requirement and how to easily submit your store.

I know everyone is busy will fall arts and crafts shows.  But don’t wait to get your shop listed.  The holiday shopping season has begun!!!  It will not take you a lot of time and the upside is they will go from this blog to your store!

Best wishes as always!

~Winn

November 4, 2010 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | Leave a comment

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

November 3, 2010 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 1 Comment

4 things that can help your clutch handbag business …

ONE:

Ever noticed how car dealerships are always placed next door to each other?  In each of your towns, car dealerships can often be found on a strip right next to one another. What about clothing stores like The Limited, The Gap, Ann Taylor, and all others all in the same shopping mall or shopping center?

Doesn’t this hurt their business … to be next to their competitor?  Isn’t it counter-intuitive?

Do they know something that you don’t?

There’s actual research that explains the reasons why car dealerships and retail stores have benefited from having their businesses right next door to their direct competitors.  You can read the research in its entirety by clicking wp447, or I can sum up a great advantage that you and all handbag makers can take advantage of.

The gist of it is “taste uncertainty” by the consumer, where the buyer is not really sure of her tastes.  So when a few businesses selling similar items are concentrated in a geographical area, the buyer has a higher probability of finding what she likes.  That also increases the sellers chance of selling something.  With this concentration of stores, the buyers also perceives that there is “price cutting” due to competition so they are more likely to shop there.

Now this is true of brick-and-mortar stores, but what about online shops?

This is the same reason why aggregators like Amazon.com and Overstock.com and Buy.com have continued to experience major growth on the net:  they provide that concentration — a one-stop shop — for buyers.

How does this apply to you?

So to those of you selling your clutches on venues such as arts and crafts shows, Saturday markets, and Etsy, take note:  your fellow handbag makers are not necessarily your competitors.  In fact, they may even help you and your business grow.

You are really competing for the eyes of the ones who go on Etsy (as I do) not knowing what they’re looking for but stumbling upon something that catches their eye through a recent listing, a treasury find, or through the time machine.  You are really competing against other sellers selling products to your potential customer such as jewelry, home goods, and other accessories.  I have gone on Etsy looking for a pillow or some other household good and ended up with a bird ring — something that didn’t even enter my mind.  I have been on Amazon looking for a book and ended up with a Backyardigans DVD.  How does that happen?  Taste uncertainty wins out again!  I will always spend my money at an Etsy store or with an Amazon seller.  So those sellers have increased their probability of getting a sale by being with other sellers rather than going it alone.

BUT your products are hand-made goods, and buyers have come to expect high quality, uniqueness, and personal customer service.  You don’t have to compete on price, because what you’re selling are not commodities.  They are one-of-a-kind creations and Etsy buyers are looking for that.  What you do is entirely unique and cannot be found anywhere else.  And there is a certain cache to that.

So some tips for those who sell at venues with other handmade artisans whether at a craft show or Etsy:

*Don’t compete on price. Offer a fair price for your work and sell, sell, sell on the craftsmanship and creativity that your two hands created!

*Offer something unique that stands out from others. Conversely, please honor and respect copyrights, designs, and trademarks by not making the same things that other sellers have.  No, the market is not flooded with clutches though you may think it is.  It’s still in its infancy.  But DON’T worry:  how many pairs of black shoes, jeans, or handbags do you have in your closet?  There are still untold creative ways to design your clutch to fulfill someone’s wish.  I’ve yet to find a black dress to suit me but I know it’s out there!

*Have your table next to, or near, other handbag sellers. At a crafts show where there are rows upon rows of tables and booths of goods, take advantage of this consumer phenomena and be near others in your category.  I often know right where the concentration of jewelers are and head right to them.  The one outlier that’s in the opposite side lost down a row will not be visited again.

TWO:

And to tie this altogether, one of the frequent questions I am asked is “Where can I buy your clutches?” “Who sells clutches made from your frames?”  or “Where can I buy clutches made from your frames?”

My seemingly esoteric blog about clutch-making has had over 8200 hits and continues to increase daily as my search engine ranking has gone up.  I would like to start offering a page that has links to websites and Etsy shops whose sellers make their clutches from my metal purse frames.  (As you all know, I have an Etsy shop for finished clutches that has been mainly for show since I sell mainly off of Etsy, though my sister has recently listed her clutches in my shop as well.)  I simply do not have the time to make enough clutches to sell on Etsy since what I do make, I sell locally and regionally.  I only have enough time for private orders.  Brag time, I just made clutches for a bridal party of 6.  Check them out!

Bridesmaid clutches using my antique brass with loops and matching purse chains!

So I would like to offer any of you the opportunity, to be linked to my blog and vice versa.  People can go directly from my blog to your store to find clutches that are for sale made using my metal purse frames.  This will take some time as I will need to set up a new page but this will be a “Sellers” page.   This will be another place of concentration of sellers where you can increase your probability of getting a clutch sold by being with others who sell similar things.  And it’s free for you to be listed and linked on my blog.  My blog gets hits and I spend about 3 hours daily answering inquiries.  I need to direct them to where they can buy them, so why not list your shop?

And I know several of you who keep it on the “down low” between your buying and selling accounts, but I want to dispel that myth — that your buyers are better off not knowing where you buy your supplies from and how much the materials cost.  Any quick look on Etsy, Amazon, or Google will reveal how much metal purse frames cost, especially those imported from China.  In fact, I’ve gone on Etsy Forums to defend the pricing of clutches charged by handbag makers because the argument was essentially “who in their right mind can charge $100 for a clutch when we know full well a frame doesn’t cost that much”!  My counter-argument is that buyers are not paying for the frame, the glue, and the fabric:  they are paying for the value of handbag maker’s creativity, artwork, and labor.

On top of that, as loyal buyers, I know you are paying more for my metal purse frames.  I know you see the value in buying the highest quality purse frames that you know are tested for lead, that passes the US Environmental Protection Guidelines, that is backed by a 30-day full refund guarantee, and that are trademarked with a special coating that render them beautiful, bright and shiny.  These are NOT the cheap metal purse frames sold elsewhere by others.  So why not emphasize that?  Your clutches are not made using cheap, knock-off, generic “silver” purse frames!  Point that out to your buyers and inform them of the quality that you spend on your fabrics, frames, packaging, and craftsmanship.

THREE:

To that end, I have been asked by several handbag makers about what they can say about the frames that they have bought that would not violate my trademarks and copyrights.  Here’s what you all can say but you may only state the following for clutches made with my purse frames.  I do NOT want to see this with a clutch made with a certain “tear-drop” shaped closure.  Honors system please or legal action will indeed commence!  🙂  *muah*

You can use any of the following for nickel-free purse frames (TM) but you must include the last *** item:

*The metal purse frame is made of iron with a nickel-free finish.
*It is good for people with nickel sensitivity:  it’s hypoallergenic, itch and rash resistant.
*It has a 2-coat protective coating that allows fingerprints to wipe off with ease unlike those with a 1-coat finish.
*It is tested for lead and meets the US’s Environmental Protection guidelines.
*The nickel-free finish is white-silver in appearance and is best described as looking like sterling silver.
***It is trademarked to WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com and Khuong LLC.

For antique brass:

*It has a 2-coat protective coating that allows fingerprints to wipe off with ease unlike those with a 1-coat finish.
*It is tested for lead and meets the US’s Environmental Protection guidelines.
***It is trademarked to WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com and Khuong LLC.

For Duskcoat Gunmetal:

*The finish is made with 2 coats that are layered to give a richer texture in color.
*You will see iridescent colors of green, purple and pink under different bulbs/lights (natural, florescent, full-spectrum, etc…) but an eye-level view will reveal a deep gray tone.
*It is tested for lead and meets the US’s Environmental Protection guidelines.
***It is trademarked to WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com and Khuong LLC.

And for GoldenLock:

*GoldenLock was designed to be warmer than 10K and not as warm as 18K and closely resembles the gold-tone of 14K jewelry.
*It is tested for lead and meets the US’s Environmental Protection guidelines.
***It is trademarked to WhileBabyNaps.Etsy.com and Khuong LLC.

You can also add flourishes to it such as “I use only the best metal purse frames on the market” or “I do not use cheap imitation frames”.

FOUR:

So … big breath … email me directly at inquiries@whilebabynaps.com if you would like a link exchange to my blog to be listed as a seller who makes clutches using my metal purse frames.
What I need:

1. A link to the product listing of your clutch or shop announcement stating any of the above purse frame descriptors above.

2. URL of the shop or blog that you want linked to.

3. Name and short description of your store or goods or target market.

4. A jpg of one of your clutches or a shop banner or logo.  Please keep it under 1 MB.

Any comments and questions??  Please feel free to post them here or email me directly at inquiries@whilebabynaps.com.  Thanks and Happy Halloween!  BOO!

October 31, 2010 Posted by | Helpful Tips | 20 Comments

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

October 28, 2010 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 2 Comments

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!

October 23, 2010 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 3 Comments

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"

 

October 12, 2010 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 2 Comments

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