Author: Andrea

First Sale

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I am very excited today.

I was informed of my first sale at Hometown Talents and Treasures.
 This is the item that sold, how wonderful. It was a 12″ x 11″ flex frame purse with a nice length shoulder strap. The interior was fully lined with two good size pockets on one side and credit card pockets on the other.
 I will be making more in this style in different colors.

As I think back to the last two years I have sold two grey, one navy, a green and now the cranberry. It has been one of my better sellers.

A 12″ flex frame gives a great balanced size purse. It is not too large to carry and it can hold quite a bit inside. Another great feature is the secure closure. It gives the purse a great structure to hang from. It stays open for as long as you need it to be and with a gentle push in, the purse is closed and the contents stay in tact.

I will definitely be adding 5 more to the collection in 5 different colors.

Hopefully more updates soon, until then,

Be creative!

What To Do Next

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This weekend I will start a remake on an older project with a new twist. That is to say re size my macrame tote with a longer strap, wider sides and bigger flap.
This is to fill a need for someone I know. They are a young couple, expecting their first child. I will attempt a diaper bag that a man would carry and use.

My friend has requested it in Milwaukee Brewers colors, I can do that. It will have a messenger bag look to it with a longer over-the-head, on-the-shoulder strap. I will need to design the inside and its compartments. The sides and dividers should have body and stand alone without falling over.
Because this will out last the use of a diaper bag, it will not look like a diaper bag. This way it will be used to go to Miller Park and be the “game bag” in the future.

Here is the above mentioned diaper/day tote. I think that it turned out pretty well.

It measures 15″ x 13″ x 6″ with a strap height of 25″. The strap is easily lifted over your head onto the opposite shoulder.

On the inside, I encased plastic corrugated sheets in the black liner in one continuous U-shape that fits from one side to another including the bottom. It snaps in for added structure. The tote becomes more of a soft sided bag without it. There are two large pockets on the back and also on the front. The inset piece has a pocket on each end for a total of 6.

As a children’s day bag, it will accommodate toys, changes of clothing, snacks or any items you may need for a day away from home.

Our friends were thrilled with the way the tote turned out also. Now we are all waiting for the baby to arrive.

Be creative!

Setting Up Shop

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In the community of West Bend, Wisconsin, the historic downtown area is our cultural meeting place. The library and art museum rest here.
At one time the main highway ran right through here and on most summer Friday nights, traffic was backed up for quite a ways. Now it has been set aside for people and not so much cars, trailers and recreational vehicles.
Many historic pictures from the turn of the twentieth century fill the walls of many small businesses showing these very buildings and street at that time.
This is where the Farmer’s Market sets up during the spring-fall months every Saturday morning. People from all over the surrounding area coming for produce, flowers, coffee, breakfast and social interaction; to see and be seen.
The original movie theater with marquee resides here among the quaint restaurants, boutiques, and various shops.
One of these businesses is a craft shop called Hometown Talents & Treasures; a multi business store. It was established in July of 2011 and has asked SideCapers to join them.


In the last two years SideCapers has gone from its own web site, traveled to various area outdoor craft venues in all kinds of weather, joining Etsy, creating a page on Facebook and this blog site on WordPress.
With the invitation to Hometown, SideCapers has entered yet another new avenue, the craft shop. There is something slow and easy about this; almost peaceful. Personally, I hope to rest here a while.
Until the next time,
Be Creative.

All Finished

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Here they are, all lined and ready for delivery. Each one is very different and unique. Here is an aerial view showing the liners inside.

The large black tote has 4 smaller pockets and 2 larger, one on each side. The silver market bag and forest green frame purse have 1 pocket on each side. All three have their liner hand sewn in place.

As I Promised Myself

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Here is the finished 8″ frame purse. I like the color combination of forest green, silver and plum. The finished size in 8″frame opening at the top, down to 9″ across the bottom. The length is 8″ from frame top to bottom. The strap is 20″ from shoulder to opening.

This is the best size purse to carry a small wallet, keys, phone and glasses. There will be one in the future made a little glitzier; something to take on a special night out. Here is a close up of the color blend.

I hope to show the interiors on all three purses tomorrow or Thursday for sure.
My goal is to have them completed before Friday. I have decided to join a small multi-business craft store in our area. It is called Hometown Talents & Treasures. You can find a link on the right for more information. Friday will be my moving-in day. As soon as things are settled, I will upload some photos of my little shop space.
Until then,
Be creative!

Large Tote

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Here is a very cool design for a 12.5″ x 13″ x 5″ tote. There is quite a bit of room inside; especially with the five inch sides. The uses for it can be endless.
I will be fully lining it; not sure about the pockets yet. Each corner has a definite solid line downward, accenting a square edge.

About a year ago, I made a shorter one. The purchaser is using it to hold mail. She is folding in the front handle and hanging the back handle on the wall.
When I make the next one, I would like to consider the interior lining and pocket set up for a diaper bag. The liner would outline the perimeter but need a divider for other pockets for one side. The second side would just be open space for larger items.

Again I realize that I am suppose to be working on something else, but I could not resist doing this first. I promise to finish the 8 inch flex frame purse before the end of this week.

Hopefully Thursday night I will be able to show you this tote, the 8 inch flex frame and the silver market bag fully finished with linings.

Until then,
Be creative!

Something New

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I know that I said that I was working on an eight inch frame purse. Well I am, but I am not finished with it yet. I started and finished this first. The funny thing is that when I first saw the picture of this purse, the color was not appealing; but the design was.
This purse is very sturdy. I would consider this a macrame market bag.

You rest it on your arm to carry your items comfortably.
It measures 11″ across and 12″ high, just before the handle.

The design in the middle bumps out and is on both sides. The colors are silver with forest green in lay.

Tomorrow I will line it and add a pocket or two.

Until the next time,
Be creative!

Better Late Than Never

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Here they are; all four are now finished. These are great coin and currency holders. Their measurements are roughly 4.25 inches by 5 inches.

The color themes shown are:
1. Green with a black, yellow, blue, red, green multicolored edges
2. Tan with brown edge
3. Velvet brown with dark brown edge
4. Teal, tan, beige with black edges.

Simply pinch the sides toward each other and the flex frame bows out. When you let go the sides close together and holds the contents securely.

I did not think that they would take as long as they did, but things just kept coming up.
I am now working on another purse which has an eight inch flex frame opening. I have put a good length of shoulder strap on it for the convenience of hands free shopping.
Check back and see how long this one takes me to complete.
Thanks for looking and remember to Be Creative!

Guess What These Will Become

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Here is a little guessing game. What will these become? You will have to wait and see.

This is a great project for using up smaller amounts of 4mm cord. It is a little taxing to put together at first, but after this stage, it goes pretty smooth and easy.
It is a useful item. They help contain small objects of value. It can fit in a pocket, purse, backpack or lunchbox.
Well that’s enough hints. Hopefully I can show them to you in their finished state tomorrow. Let me know what you think they will become.
Until they are complete,
Be creative!

Ready to Go

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Here is the finished product. I did decide on the tan liner. It has two nice size pockets, one on each side. I think the tan peeking through is a nice touch with a little more balance than just one color.

Now I can move to other projects for the year. I have one ready to start in the morning; an eight inch flex frame shoulder purse. It is just the right size for a smart phone, keys, a small wallet and sunglasses.
I’ll be working on that along with a few other items.

Until next time,
Be creative!