A quickie with Madame Nightshade (review)

Not much time lately to make new things... although i did find this totally awesome embroidery design. So here is a quickie.

Paris
Madame Nightshade's Beauty Emporium
Purveyor of extra fine beauty tonics & lotions
Est. 1889

This design can probably be considered the advertising shopping bag in the style of of late 19th century apothecaries - quite gothic.

This is an 'in-the-hoop' design which seems to mean that the embroidery design incorporates the 'sewing' together part of the item, and in this case, this becomes a drawstring pouch.
It absolutely made no sense to me at all o_O?
i even read the tutorial related to this particular design something like 10 times... and it still made no sense.

i resigned myself to just using the design without the 'in-the-hoop' part.
i stitched out the design and manually put the bag together... oh my, what a rebel =P

Voila!

Re-using ribbon taken off packaging (too much online shopping... and would be such a waste to just throw out)

Back - not much of a view here...

After putting this together manually, i re-visited the tutorial.
Now it makes total sense!
The method taught in putting the bag together was unusual. The way the drawstring is threaded in and tied was, in my opinion, completely unco!
It wasn't a 'real' drawstring pouch. Their ribbon effectively only drew together the front of the pouch (the back is still open) and would not stay cinched unless you tied the ends.
That is a terrible closure.
 Proper drawstring pouches allow you to pull two string outwards and cinches both the front and back of the pouch and will stay securely cinched.

I guess the manual sewing was required after all.

Average 45 Matches - Rebooted

Where there is a will, there is a way!

Previously i was not pleased with how the Sharpie Stained markers bled as it touched the fabric which kinda spoiled the look of the detailed image of my vintage match box design.

Well what the heck, might as well make use of my expensive toy - the embroidery machine.
After much time in front of the screen re-producing my design in photoshop and getting it digitized, im much more pleased with the (now costly) design on fabric =D

This time around, silver hardware with removable chain handle - so it can be used as a clutch without any strap, a hand held with a short chain strap, a shoulder bag or cross body with a longer strap.

Squeeeee!

Slidey, slidey, like a proper match

Push, don't pull...

Available at my etsy shop.
Since i'm still new to this, i'm open to feedback on my listings. Anything, let me know!

Now Open: the Art of Jemology

Its been a long time coming.
I have finally mustered up and opened up my very own Esty shop - Art of Jemology.
Yep, Jemology, that's the name of my label. Check it out!

The craft is starting to take over and as much as i enjoy making these box clutches, there just isn't enough room (real estate is at a premium here in Sydders :P donchaknow?) to keep all of them.
So why not share the love and offer them up to some happy campers.

The shop is a little bare right now, but no doubt i will be adding more.

First up is the Jemology 'Today is a Gift' large box clutch.
How cute is this japanese print!

not a real mirror makes for wobbly reflections :P

Ribbon goes all the way around!

My very own Box of Joe

Its been a long hiatus.. isn't it annoying when a day job gets in the way?
Even more annoying when the day job becomes a night job as well ☹
All the pain but none of the glory *sigh*


Getting back to it.
The last few project were sewing projects so its past due for some boxy fun!


The latest creation is based on the humble milk carton (stumpy version).
Presenting Caffe Latte in a carton.
My very own box of joe (although i do not drink coffee at all) =P

The chain strap/handle is removable; in fact, i pinched this off my Moschino Cheap & Chic bag.
Currently its cross body, but can be replaced with a shorter hand held chain strap.
Its spacious enough to hold the essentials and more.


just a thought, why is it that people order a 'latte', but they obviously don't mean (just) milk, but milk/white coffee?

Vintage style caffe latte graphic

Front and side.

 

Front & other side

Open wide!

When life gives you lemons...

... put them aside and get some grapefruits!

Getting into the small clutch trend, i put my cartonnage skills to the test and decided to make a citrus box clutch. Not a whole citrus, just one slice :-)
The major problem i faced with this project was how to do the closure/clasp.
I have seen alot of other solutions crafters have used to make a closure - such as a ribbon or elastic loop over a button, or ribbon ties; but that didnt take my fancy as i didnt want straingy bits or protuding bits.
As a two bit crafter, i had no access to custom clasps that you see on commercially produced box clutches. I put the brain to work to come up with a solution with ready made components.

The project took alot longer than anticipated as i had to wait for extra thin magnetic snaps to fly over (from Etsy), as the selection of available craft components seriously sucks here in Sydney stores. Sad.

Very proud of this box clutch. Very happy with how it turned out, although there were minor issues.
This little grapefruit is ready for breakfast!

Marquise crystal beads as seeds.

Hand stitched name in metallic silver thread on the backside.

stitched sides

Mirror, mirror in the clutch, is this all abit too much?

Surprise contrasting 'Balloon Tots' lining - all facing in all different directions ^.^;

Crazy Cartonnage #2

I enjoyed making the first cartonnage box muchly.. although my hand needed a good rest from all the thick card cutting o_O;
I jumped right back in with a second project.

This time i wanted to make a flower pot bag.

I didnt have anything to follow off so i made up my own pattern. totally crazy!
I didnt have a giant compass either so my round bits were sorta free handed. even more crazy!
...lol yes, thats how confident i was >.<;

without further ado, presenting project #2

(excuse the background, just boxes of my other ♥ - designer shoes!)

I used the left over 'retro umbrella girls' fabric to line the interior. They are so cute!

Group shot!