Clutch-Me.Com

Learn. Make. Sell. All about clutches.

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.

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 🙂

February 18, 2013 Posted by | Helpful Tips, WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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!!!

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 clutch is made by Elaine. A little bee brooch would be brillant!

This coin clutch is made by Darci Bee

This coin clutch is made by Darci Bee

I absolutely LOVE this little coin clutch.  Diane did a superb design!

I absolutely LOVE this little coin clutch. Diane did a superb design!

Diane's second creation - a colorful mosaic!

Diane’s second creation – a colorful mosaic!

This is one of Diane's newer clutch designs.

This is one of Diane’s newer clutch designs.

Elaine's colorful clutch!  Would be great with color-block a-line dress!

Elaine’s colorful clutch! Would be great with color-block A-line dress!

Elaine's Oh Deer Pouch #1.

Elaine’s Oh Deer Pouch #1.

I absolutely love Elaine's Oh Deer pouch #2.  How darling is this??

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

February 1, 2013 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Elegant Clutches

I’ve been reading stories about brides getting married on 12/12/12, and my dear friend Yvonne is one them!  And that reminded me of the elegant clutches made by Cynthia at Belle Jou Jou.  Her massive collection is just chockful of clutches made with sumptuous materials like lace, satin, silk and brocade.

Gorgeous bride with her equally gorgeous clutch by Cynthia!

Gorgeous bride with her equally gorgeous clutch by Cynthia!

But it’s just not bridal clutches.  Belle Jou Jou has over 7 pages of clutches at the shop so the selection is quite good for the picking.

This hand-crated floral piece on this clutch really takes the clutch from classic to divine!

This hand-crated floral piece on this clutch really takes the clutch from classic to divine!

This delicate lace clutch would be ideal with your LBD at the holiday party!

This delicate lace clutch would be ideal with your LBD at the holiday party!

All of Cynthia's clutches are made with beautiful inner material such as this beauty, here.

All of Cynthia’s clutches are made with beautiful inner material such as this beauty, here.

Go check Cynthia’s clutches out!  I hope you find that perfect gift for the loved one on your list!

December 12, 2012 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Luxurious clutches

Got someone on your holiday list that you really want to WOW them?  I would like to highlight two amazing craftswomen who make clutches and bags from scratch by hand, much in the tradition of Hermes.  Randi of HoldFasthandbags, and Laurel of DalleMieMani work with materials that are beautiful, long-lasting, and that takes a lot of skill to work with.   Their craftsmanship just puts me to shame, and I’m not at all embarrassed to admit that!  🙂

When I first saw Randi’s post and picture of her workstation, the way she crafts her eponymous bags at HoldFasthandbags brought to mind the workshops of Hermes.  Artisans there also make one bag from start to finish.  Much like Hermes, Randi doesn’t have a production line.  She designs them, sources her materials, and makes each one by herself start to finish.  You might not have the budget for the Hermes bag — I personally don’t know of anyone who does, and Oprah does not count as a personal connection — but you might have a budget for a HoldFasthandbag bag or a Laurel Dasso Leathers clutch.

Randi’s workshop:

Parts of a bag by Randi of HoldFasthandbags.

Parts and pieces of a bag from Hermes. Photo by John Dascoulias.

Retro Rockabilly clutch handbag.

Perfect clutch for winter! Pair with your best brown riding boots to amp up your outfit.

Another example of great craftsmanship. The lining is perfectly well-crafted. Not a wrinkled stitch in sight!

The second craftswoman that you should check out is Laurel over at her DalleMieMani shop.  As the sole person behind Laurel Dasso Leathers, Laurel’s work with this material is exemplary.  Laurel’s exquisite leathers remind me of the leathers of the Hermes bags, too.  She has quite the pick of the lot as she sources the leather herself and works with the best ones!  Laurel also has a sale until Thanksgiving Day (November 22nd).  To receive 15% off your order, use the coupon code HAPPYTHANKSGIVING at checkout.

Check on this picture to see more behind the scenes at Hermes and their leather artisans.

This luscious black leather clutch handbag is an instant classic.

This is made from tan cognac brown calfskin.  Scarf not included!

And the piece de resistance is this gorgeous, gorgeous one of a kind clutch handbag with a long shoulder strap.

Didn’t I tell you all the best women use my fine frames?  🙂  Just kidding, but I am so honored that these artisans continue to work with me for their purse frame and glue needs.  Please check out their shops for these clutches and many other wallets and bags.  You will love shopping there!

November 22, 2012 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Clutch handbag collection in Reds and Greys

Who wouldn’t want this collection of beautiful clutches?  Well, to get it, you’d have to shop at all five stores from these great women!  Click on the photos to go directly to their shops.

This first clutch is made by Malaika over at HMDDesigns.  Just like Jenn, Malaika has a new opportunity that is a blessing for her and her family.  After home-schooling her kids for 8 years, Malaika has found a new career that gives her and her family much-needed healthcare benefits!  I am very excited for Malaika in her new job, but I will miss her designs.  In addition to making clutches, Malaika’s shop also has these brilliant mustache wallets.  Just in time for Movember!

Red wool plaid clutch handbag. Perfect for the season!

This second clutch is handmade by Nancy at NancyEllenStudios.  Nancy and her sewing machine can crank out some amazing and varied arts and crafts.  Check out her other clutches and bags, but also browse for the snowman soft cuddly toy!  Really good work!

Red and white chevron clutch. Love the embellishment!

Another well done handmade clutch is the gray chevron clutch made by Sarah at BobLovesEleanor.  Sarah has lots of other cluches, bags, and totes.  Check out her bright Spring Street reversible Bin Bucket!

Gray chevron clutch in the most popular size – 8 inches.

How cute is this Eiffel tower clutch in white and dark shades of gray?  I love its roominess.  Made by Stacey at BagsByStacey, there are also many other clutches, bags, and wristlets for your Christmas list.

Gray and white Eiffel Tower wallet clutch.

Speaking of Eiffel Tower, a place that my daughter has wanted to go since she was three years old, here’s another clutch featuring it.  For you Francophiles, this is a perfect holiday gift!  It’s made by Mona at Mona’s Box & Bags.  She also has some chevron makeup clutches and lots of other bags at her shop.  Mona will have a sale from Nov. 23 – 30th for 20% OFF.  Use the code BLACKFRIDAY2012 at her shop.

The French Vacation clutch featuring the Eiffel Tower. No need to spend a bundle when you can have this!

I will be curating and promoting some more clutches, shops and the amazing women who make these by hand.  No robots are used in the production of them ;).  I hope you will peruse these shops and find that perfect gift for some lucky person on our list!

November 19, 2012 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

20% OFF total purchase – It’s on!

Thank you everyone, for your congratulations.  This is a gentle reminder that our sale has just begun for our once-a-year biggest sale as a thank you to our customers.  The sale ends on Nov. 11 , 2012 at midnight EST so please plan your purchases well.   Get your needs now during this sale to make your clutches for Christmas(!) offerings.  OMG, I heard Christmas music one week after Halloween at a DVD shop in Ho Chi Minh City!  Many Western traditions and culture have permeated the far reaches of the Earth.  I just can’t believe they had Christmas music before Thanksgiving already – in Viet Nam, no less!

http://whilebabynaps.etsy.com

http://purseframesoutlet.etsy.com

http://whilebabynaps.com   **Thy will refund 20% OFF total purchase + any excess shipping at time of shipping at my online shop.**
Our other sister is in town to help Thy out with the orders and so far, all orders have gone out within 24 hours!  Thank you for all the emails and notes that you’ve written in Note to Seller.  I think I’ve replied and thanked each one who wrote personally, but I didn’t want to go without saying thanks, again, here as well.  If I missed you, things are a little cray-cray around here — in a WONDERFUL and BLESSED way — but we are doing everything to get all orders out timely so you can get to the business of sewing and making!

Y is here helping with your orders …

Not helping with your orders? These 2! But they sure look cute! 🙂

 

 

 

 

November 8, 2012 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

11/11/12 – 3 year Anniversary Sale

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been on Etsy for 3 years (and that I’ve been in business since 2001!).  It’s really amazing that I still have many of the same customers that I’ve had since I opened on Etsy in 2009!  You have included me by sharing about marriages, birthdays, loss of jobs, new opportunities, illnesses, deaths of loved ones, and new babies.  You share with me your joys and sorrows as much as I share!  Let’s have some cake!

Can you believe that this is a cake? They don’t make them like this anymore …

I cannot have an anniversary to celebrate if I didn’t have customers … so as a thank you for your business, support, encouragement and loyalty, I am offering my annual sale of 20% OFF ALL items in the store.  20% OFF your total purchase.  This includes frames, kits, PDFs, and Gutermann glue.

How perfect are these cake pops??? Lots of other cake pops at the blog. Click on the picture for more.

Here are the Legal terms:

*Sale valid from November 8, 2012 – November 11, 2012 midnight EST.

*No extensions of this yearly sale will be made for payments/orders received after the closing deadline of November 11, 2012 midnight EST.  Get your orders in!

*Good until inventory runs out!  First in, first out.  If I run out prior to the end of the sale, you will be contacted and you can keep your order with the rain-check (see below) until a new production is done, or you can cancel the order.  Your anniversary sale discount will be honored at the SALE 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 orders.

*You must enter code “3rdsale” at check out during November 8, 2012 – November 11, 2012 midnight EST and you will get 20% OFF your total purchase immediately.

*Due to the anticipated high number of orders in, please allow for up to 5 business days for your items to be packaged and shipped.  We normally ship 99% of items within 24 hours, but due to historical high demand during the sale, please allow us time to do final inspections, package, and ship your order.  If for some reason that it takes longer than that, we will let you know, but this window will give us time.  All orders will have the 30-days money back, full refund (minus shipping both ways) for any reason extended from the date of shipment of your order.

*For Custom Listings, just contact me at the shop and a custom listing will be done for you with 20% OFF and the correct shipping applied.  Please know that we only charge the true and correct shipping for all orders at all times of the year.

Two ways to contact on the Shop home page.

*If you don’t see a quantity or size listed, it means someone has just ordered it and it has not yet been re-listed.  You can wait until it gets re-listed, order it at my webstore or contact us through the shop home page or through any item and Thy can make custom listing for you.

Contact button available on every item’s listing.

*Sale applicable to frames out of stock but under production as rain-check items (see below).

Raincheck items:

*I just started another new production of frames in various sizes and finishes.  The list is quite big, but if the frames that you want are not in stock but is currently in production, we will extend the 20% sale price if you pay in full by the deadline of November 11, 2012 midnight EST.

*Rain checks will be shipped when your entire order comes in unless you contact us otherwise.  (Items can be shipped as they come in but you will charged shipping each time.)

*Due to the back-n-forth nature of conversations (emails through my Etsy shop), contacts requesting custom listings must be sent in before the sale deadline of November 11, 2012 midnight EST.  If we have your contact with a request for a custom listing with items needed and quantity in before that deadline, you qualify for the 20% OFF total purchase.  ALL payments for custom listings must be paid within 48 hours of the Custom Listing going up on Etsy.

Made in New Jersey!!! 🙂

We thank you, again, for your loyalty and support.  Work is never “work” when you are getting this much joy from servicing and interacting with your customers.  🙂

~Winn (and Thy)

November 5, 2012 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Quick update!

I hope this finds you all well!  It’s been a crazy September and I cannot believe Halloween is right around the corner.  My kids have a week-long fall break coming up and we’re heading to Seam Riep, Cambodia for a 5-day trip to visit Angkor Wat and other temples.  I’ve been working on some videos and it’s been a hit or miss.  After seeing myself on camera, I’ve realized that I am officially middle-aged.  🙂

You have also been kind enough to ask about my grandmother and have sent wishes for her good health.  I’m happy to say that we still have her and she has more good days than bad days.  Her mind is still quite keen but her body is just worn out after being on Earth for almost a century.  Her muscles have long atrophied and she spends her day seeing the world from the vantage point of her bed, though she does get wheeled out to the front yard to see the world go by for 30 minutes a day.  It’s still the highlight of my week to visit with her and tease her.  She is very opinionated and can give the nursemaid and her grand kids quite a bit of grief like any cantankerous old lady, but amazingly, I’m the only one who gets away with ribbing her.  I will do just about anything to get her to laugh.
Here are some pics of our visit with her 2 weeks ago.  With so many kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids around, she got confused and asked if we were getting together because she was dying.  Hahahaha.  I told her “No, Gram.  It’s just lunch.”  🙂

My middle son also loves his Great-Gram, but is quite enamored with his DSI.

My 2 youngest ones: Hayley cuddling up with Pax.

Once Term 2 of school begins, it will a little quieter allowing me to get some more work done.  The electricity goes off and on about 4 times a day, a real pain when you are in the midst of working on the computer!  My internet connection speed is so abysmal that I do not get much done with my videos.   I just got an amazing blue miniskirt that I am wayyyyy too old to wear as a skirt;  however I got it because it was on clearance and for the beautiful fabric of overlapping sequins of various tones of blue.  That will be my next bag!  I think I’ll go with a cross-body.

Here’s a look at the beautiful sequins.  What do you think?

This will become my cross-body clutch to wear with my white pants, espadrilles, navy or red top.

I will be back soon with news about our annual Etsy anniversary sale.

October 11, 2012 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reblogged – Skull Ring Clutches

Check out these high-end clutches. I see these a lot in Asia.

Oh, Laurel (who commented below) made these for a customer who was vegan.   It was for her bridal party and they were admired by all!  Click on the pic to get to Laurel’s amazing shop.  She specializes in all kinds of sumptuous leather!

The Peachy Onion's avatarglitzgirlzglamourguide

Excited for my shipment to arrive! What’s an outfit without accessories?? Alexander McQueen really set the bar high with his line of skull ring clutches and since then there have been several designers to imitate the look. I ordered the orange skull ring clutch because a pop of color with the right outfit always stands out! It’s a cool and fun fashion accessory for an evening out and a definite conversation piece. 🙂 Thanks Berlue Boutique in Boca Raton, Florida (http://www.berlueboutique.com/)! Check out their site (great prices) and SUPER friendly girls! You can join their facebook page to keep track of the latest arrivals and they will ship!



View original post

August 24, 2012 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Starbucks follows Small Biz Owners with Square

Another huge company is following where small business owners have gone by offering Square at their locations!  Starbucks is the biggest company yet to offer mobile payments.  As you may recall, JcPenney‘s has just joined previously.
Read the entire article here:

Fall Arts and Crafts Fairs are right around the corner.  This would be a great opportunity for you to have this as an option for your customers to pay via their preferred credit card without any upfront fee since it’s free.  That’s a big help for  crafters, hobbyists, and small business owners.  To read more facts – such as how the average transaction is higher when using mobile devices, read my blog post here.
Have you tried it?  Have you found it helpful?

August 16, 2012 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment