Clutch-Me.Com

Learn. Make. Sell. All about clutches.

Purse Frame Inventory Status: 10×3 nickel free kisslock with LOOPS back in!

10×3 nickel-free kisslock with loops are back in stock.  THANK YOU for your patience everyone!  I just re-listed them at my Etsy shop.

Sorry about the webstore … I’ve been working on other aspects of the business and haven’t gotten to doing the coding for that!  But, you all know to email me for private orders as needed!

Of course, as always you can convo me for a custom listing as well.  Thy has been doing several custom listings every day – so she’s happy to put together whatever you need!  🙂

10x3 nickel free purse frame(TM) with loops are BACK IN!!!

The make-your-own kits which includes PDF tutorials, pre-cut Pellon fusible interface, pre-cut inner and outer fabric, Gutermann glue, frame, and chain are up too!

"Complete Kit" -comes with everything including PDF tutorials and 6 templates.

A kit for those who already know how to make a clutch ...

Go get yours!  🙂

May 2, 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

In praise of the neutral rectangular purse frame

I am known for my plain ‘ol rectangular frame.  Nothin’ fancy to look at folks.

But there’s a reason to my madness after all:  it was designed to be neutral so that your art, your creativity, your fabrics and your embellishments can stand out — and not my frames.

I’ve often said that while I think my frames are the best there is, they are designed to be just that – to frame your work.  I do not want to detract from the true part of the clutch and that is the part where your artistry comes in.

I recently did a photo album of red clutches to promote my handbag makers for Valentine’s Day on the Facebook fan page.  All used my fine frames, but look at the variety!

The neutral frame allows your work to stand out!

Just a note on FB’s redesign of fan pages:  it does not allow the wall posts to be listed chronologically.  It’s nonsensical and I hope it will be changed.

But never fear!  Please know that every wall post of a clutch gets hundreds of post views.  It shows up on search engines and a lot of people stumble upon it.  I am happy to have noticed that there have been clutches that have appeared on the wall that have been sold.  Several have been sold many times over.

So keep posting your clutches on the wall at your pleasure.  And I’ll do my best to keep promoting your work!

March 2, 2011 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | , , , , , | 2 Comments

The importance of the bottom seam!

Do it right the first time:  make your clutch with a bottom seam.

I am following up on my previous post about squaring off your corners.

For non-directional fabric, it’s easy enough to make your clutch without a seam on the bottom.  How?  Trace your pattern as normal.  Then double up the pattern (the 2 trapezoids) with the bottom edge abutting each other.  (*”Hey Beavis, she said “aBUTTing”  – hehe*”)  🙂

Your new pattern will look like a hexagon.  I’ll make a quick drawing of what I mean:

You are essentially making one big piece of fabric that is hexagonal in shape and revising step #7 and not sewing the bottom seam.

You would then square off your corners just the same as before.
This is a nice shortcut if you have non-directional fabric – those patterns that do not have an upright direction.  Please refer to my previous post to see examples.

However, and it’s a big however, I am a believer in doing things right the first time.  All my clutches are made as per the PDF tutorial:  they are all made with a bottom seam.

Why?

1. structural stability:  it will not roll over and flop over.  The bottom seam anchors the clutch.

2. structural integrity is not compromised by having a bottom seam.  Every handbag makers double stitches or even triple stitches the seams.  These are handbags that you use daily to get your goodies in and out all day.  You sit your clutch on the table while eating lunch, in the passenger seat as you drive, on your closet shelf in a dustbag… you are not using these as punching bags so having a seam does not and will not degrade its structure over time.

You all know I am a believer in taking shortcuts when you can, but I cannot stress enough about the structural function that the bottom seam plays in clutches.

Look at all the top sellers on Etsy.

Janine King Designs is the #1 seller in the Bags & Purses category.  I have one of her bags and her work is top notch.  Even her bags that carry heavy items have a bottom seam.

These sturdy cross-body bags made in cotton are wonderful for leaving you hands-free!

Let’s look at a well-known and well-respected clutch handbag maker, one who is known for her peacock clutches and one-of-a-kind silk clutches.  Red Ruby Rose commands top price for her clutches and you can tell in the craftsmanship, the original silk fabrics, and the loyalty that she has with her customers.

All directional fabrics are made with a bottom seam! These clutches will stand the test of time.

All her clutches are handmade using a wide variety of finishes such as sumptuous cotton velvets!

So, make your shortcuts where needed.  You can now do my shortcut with no seam, but please do not worry about the bottom seam for the integrity of your clutch!

February 17, 2011 Posted by | Helpful Tips | , , , , | 3 Comments

Be on top of latest market trend – purse frames with loops and chains!

As mentioned briefly on my last blog post, the latest market trend that is just starting to hit the market is purse frames with loops to attach chains.

To help you be on top of this market trend, I’m offering new lower pricing on my nickel-free purse frames(TM) with EleganceLock(TM) with loops:

8x3 nickel-free EleganceLock(TM) with loops

Why it helps you:

*Expands your product line of clutches.

*Gives you a 2-in-1 look from one frame:  2 pics to show in your product listing, 2 unique looks to carry, 2 selling points to your customers

*Gives your customers 2 fashionable looks to choose from depending on her outfit!

The customer will feel like she is getting a deal with your clutch made from these frames.  Two looks for one price!

Unlike other frames with loops attached to the outside edge of the frame,  my internal optional loops lay down nicely on top of the inner fabric when not in use.  When the clutch is closed, it looks like the regular clutch with no-loop frame.

Internal loops

When the customer is using the coordinating chain that is attached to the loops, she now has a new function and look to her clutch!  My loops also give the customer the option to attach a ribbon or leather cord for a completely different look.

And the EleganceLock(TM) closure is a great closure that was designed to retain the neutrality of the frame (to keep the focus on your fabrics and not the frame) yet present a modern, sleeker look.  In addition, its ergonomic design is great for those who benefit from it’s flattened surface providing a better grip.  (Grandmas LOVE these frames!)

So check out the new lower prices on this frame and get on top of the latest market trend!

January 15, 2011 Posted by | SALES and PROMOTIONS | , , | 1 Comment

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