Clutch-Me.Com

Learn. Make. Sell. All about clutches.

Debuting NEW 3×1.5 antique brass purse frame!

I added a new finish to my “Little Guy” – a term I use for my cute 3×1.5 purse frame.

Just in:  3×1.5 antique brass purse frame.

How cute is this little one?

3x1.5 antique brass purse frame.

It has the same u-channel width and kisslock ball dimensions as the 3×1.5 nickel-free purse frame.

I got your back!

These will be listed for sale at my Etsy shop tomorrow.  I am wayyyyyy behind on my webstore listings.  Thanks for being patient!  Continue to email Thy or convo her for custom listings if you cannot find what you are looking for … cuz our store has over 200 items!

As always, we combine ship.  Why pay more for shipping when you don’t have to????  🙂

Have a great day!

~Winn

May 19, 2011 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , | 2 Comments

Debuting 12×3.5 inch Nickel-free purse frame!

This is all new guys!  I’ve got a new design for you clutch mavens to expand your line.  While some are expanding to the smaller wallets and coin purses (smart move) to capture the smaller cash sales, some are starting to move the other direction!

Think bigger, roomier bags.

Think leather, pleather, vinyl, burlap, upholstery weight, oil cloth, suede, outdoor fabric and a whole host of other fabulous fabrics!

Think about the big bolts of fabric that is in Joann’s upholstery section in those big rods!

I’ve made some design changes just for this size:

*Wider u-channel to accommodate thicker fabrics and heavyweight interface and batting.

*Wider walls of the u-channel to accommodate a bigger seam allowance for all these materials.

*Bigger kisslock balls:  15mm!

Why doesn’t it come with loops?  Because with bags this size, you will want to make your own straps out of coordinating fabrics!  Although it’s made of iron and is heavy and very sturdy, a bag full of contents will need sturdy straps instead of a chain, since that will dig into your shoulders.  Straps pulling on the frame may warp it over time, so heavy duty, wide straps will hold the bag up and provide comfort for your users.

Not to mention, it will make it very chic!

Check it out:

12x3.5 nickel-free purse frame

12x3.5 nickel-free purse frame

Comparison with 8x3 and 10x3 purse frames.

I like the bigger balls! (That's what she said.) 🙂

The big kahuna!

I will list these up for sale tomorrow or Thursday!

Start dreaming of your new clutch bag designs now!  🙂

~Winn

May 17, 2011 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , | Leave a comment

Purse frame inventory status: ANTIQUE BRASS 8×3 – BOTH styles are in!!!

At last, they are here.  And they are FABULOUS!  They are so great that I’m starting a new production because I am going to stock up as many of these as I can!!!!

I’m going to be a hoarder of these frames!  Don’t turn me in!

The 8×3 antique brass are in.  I have them in with loops and no loops.

Check them out!

8x3 antique brass purse frame. AT LAST!!! The right tone - a beautiful finish!!!

They will be inspected starting tonight at 9pm!! Ready to ship tomorrow!

For those who have been patiently waiting …. THANK YOU!  These are FABULOUS!  It took me 5 different plating companies to get it right, but …  how fabulous are these??

No scratches, no nothing.

Not too dark.

Not spotty.

Not too brassy.

Not too orangy.

Not too golden.

Not too antique so that it just looks, well, old.

Just pure gleam!

*Swoon*

I am sorry that I cursed you Antique Br*ss,

As you are no longer my pain in the *ss.

*exhale*

🙂

April 26, 2011 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Debuting NEW Antique brass chains – shoulder length!

Thank you for your kind messages during my bout of allergies and bronchitis!  I really appreciate your thoughts.  My first official illness in 2 years … thank goodness Thy took over all the packaging and shipping for me!

I wanted to let you all know of my new antique brass chains coming out later today or tomorrow.  It’s 45 inches long from tip to tip of the lobster claw.  These are made with the new bigger jump rings and bigger lobster claws.  These will coordinate with the antique brass purse frames that I will have back in stock within 2 weeks, as well as the new DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass!

Speaking of which, the new DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass will be listed by this week and will be ready to ship.  Due to my sickness, it got tabled until I recovered.  But I did get to working with it and will have a tip sheet that goes with every order.  I plan to include:  how to take pictures (to maximize the sparkles), how to remove Gutermann glue from the frame (got a solution that will take it off 100%!), and how it differs from all other frames on the market (oils from your fingers are desireable – it adds to its luster!).

Here’s a sneak peek of the shoulder length antique brass chain.

Longer shoulder length antique brass chain for your antique brass purse frames!

These will be up for sale later today or tomorrow at my Etsy shop.  (Haven’t had time to write code for the webstore yet … as always, email me if you need a special order and it’s not yet listed.)

April 20, 2011 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , | Leave a comment

DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass purse frame – tips and pictures

Thank you all for your excitement and interest with my new trademarked finish – DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass.  I’ve been working with it and have some pictures and tips that I want to share with you.

First of all, as it is a completely custom hand-finished product, I’m currently building up inventory before I list them.  This will ensure that I will have enough on hand to fulfill orders within the 72-hour purchase window that I’m striving for.  As opposed to all other orders where we ship it same day or within 24 hours 95% of the time (bigger orders take longer for inspections), these DiamondCut(TM) antique brass are hand-finished per your order.

For those who have asked about how it compares to my traditional antique brass frames (yes, I’m still working on those, too!), take a look at this series of pictures.

Depending on the angle, it can go from a subtle difference… to dramatic.  The new DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass is shown on the right.

Under "studio" lighting. Tungsten lights used. A little subtle ...

**Note the soaps — the most thoughtful gesture from a customer I’ve ever gotten.  Ming, from Ourblueiguana got me these soaps and a balm that I’ve been using every night on my gnarly feet!  (Yes, I said it.)  🙂

I’m lucky and blessed to have many wonderful and supportive customers … but this one tops the cake!  My jaw literally dropped when I got a package!  (“I didn’t order anything…”)  And to get her sweet note, well, I’m still floating in the air – just with nicer, smoother feet!  :0  Thanks, Ming!

Back to the program … *ahem*

Notice the texturized surface on the right of the DiamondCut(TM).

At this angle, you can see a little more of the sheen of the regular antique brass. Notice that it is uniformly shiny vs. the DiamondCut(TM) which has more sparkles.

Under high hat lights. At this angle, the traditional antique brass appears more matte.

With high hats overhead at this angle, the difference is quite a bit more dramatic.

With incandescent lights shown above. The DiamondCut(TM) really sparkles while the regular antique brass appears solid and matte.

Tips to use and key points:

*DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass can be subtle in appearance or more dramatic in appearance depending on the angle and lighting.  It changes … just like the weather.  🙂

*It is a highly texturized surface and will feel rougher (not sharp) to the touch than the regular antique brass.

*Although it has a top coat to seal it, Gutermann glue will not easily come off the surface due to the texture.  If you are not an experienced clutch-maker and to prevent this mishap from happening, you can do the good old tricks of the trade:

1.  Do not overfill your u-channel to cause spillage of the glue.  A little goes a long way with Gutermann …

2.  You can tape the frame where necessary.  Any “extra” glue will spill onto the tape.  After you are done gluing, simply pull the tape off!

3.  As per the package directions, you can try removing the glue with acetone.  (Note:  I’ve never had to do this but Gutermann has tested this.  Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area before attempting.  Be careful with your fabric.)

I will have these listed and ready to ship this weekend.  I just don’t want to over-promise, so that’s why they have not been listed.  As you all can tell by the new sizes and styles at the shop, we’ve had a lot of activity in the last month!  Both Thy and I are literally burning the midnight oil these days.

As always, your support is tremendously appreciated!

~Winn (and Thy)

April 12, 2011 Posted by | Helpful Tips, WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , | 2 Comments

Shipping from Columbus, Ohio!

Hi all!  It’s with great excitement that I let you all know that we are just about done with our transition of the business.  Thy (“T”), my older sister, who lives Powell, Ohio right outside of Columbus is taking over all the shipping for my businesses as I get my kids ready for our own move abroad.

Other than some loose ends, most of the inventory that has been in transit is at her house and being organized.  Speaking of organization, take a look at her office!

Recognize the green and brown? Same office system!

So all orders will ship from her house from now on.

All marketing, sales, and promotions will continue to be done by me, yours truly.  In fact, unless it has to do with a custom listing or shipment of an order, it’ll all be me who you’ll hear from.

Convo us as you would normally and one or both of us will answer you depending on your needs.

Shipping costs are the same prices and time since we use Priority Mail flat rate ensuring that you’ll get what you need in the quickest, most cost-effective manner.

What’s on my docket this week and beyond:

1.  Taxes!!!!  *ughhhhh*  I don’t serve in the military (my niece does) … so I think that paying my taxes is the most patriotic thing that I can do!  I just hate the paperwork involved …

2.  List new purse chains and frames that have been designed and produced!  New 9×3 and 10×3 frames at my Etsy shop are up.

***Oh, check out the new 10×3 nickel-free frames.  Same Perfect Fit 6(TM) u-channel and kisslock balls.  I am SOLD OUT of the 10×3 nickel-free kisslock with loops and will have them back in production in 3-4 weeks, but these are the same without the loops.  They are also priced lower as it costs less to make them!  (The  frames with loops require the welding of the loops and that raises my labor costs in addition to the cost of metal.)

Same frame as before, but no loops.

3.  Getting the DiamondCut(TM) brushed antique brass ready for sale.  As these are custom and hand-finished, it takes longer than to just post them.  I need to build up the stock so that orders will be shipped out quickly!

4.  Finally get to launching the PurseFramesOutlet business.  As my main business is WhileBabyNaps, I cannot start on this new exciting venture until I’m fully transitioned off of the shipping and my own office is organized.

Thank you for your support and excitement with all the new frame sizes and styles!   These are great offerings to have in your line of clutches as you get ready for the Spring arts and craft shows.  🙂

April 10, 2011 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , | Leave a comment

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