Jenna Lou Loves You

Crowded Sums It Up - No Coast 2009

No Coast was AMAZING this year. So MANY shoppers. I was just amazed. In the past two years that I've done this show there was always lulls in the crowds providing five minuets here or two there to get a drink or grab some lunch and just generally take a breather, but this year was nonstop crowds from before the show officially began until after it was closed. I'd say if one word could sum up this show it would be crowded. And that's a GOOD thing.

 

John was kind enough to be my camera man this year and managed to capture the scene perfectly. 

As you can see I started out with a booth overflowing with goodies. We were so hungry and tired at the end of day two that we forgot to take afters, but it was quite a dramatic difference. Thanks to all the shoppers who came out to support handmade and also to the people at Crafters Local 612 who put on this amazing show each year. 

Stop in tomorrow to hear about my favorite finds this year and a GIVEAWAY too.

Meet Me Here

If you in my neck of the woods this weekend please consider stopping by at Sun Moon Studios in Mankato for their annual Holiday Boutique.

It will be a fun afternoon of shopping and treats. I will be showcasing my latest designs along side a handful of other local designers and crafters from 11:30 to 3:30. 

If you mention this blog post you'll get a 10% discount on your purchase from me. Hope to see you there!!

2 for $10 - PDF Pattern Sale

I'm having a pattern sale to promote handmade giving this Holiday season. All PDF patterns are 2 for $10.

Click here to shop.

Give something handmade, give something memorable!

Sale ends 11.15.09

20 Sale DASH

The 20 Sale DASH has ended! WOW people that was fast. Thanks so much to everyone to took advantage of the dash and sorry to those of you who didn't have the fasted clicker finger. It was so much fun that I think I'll be doing this sale again in the future. Not telling when though so check back right here from time to time if your hoping to catch the next DASH.

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This morning I woke up and started my normal things. Breakfast, email, checking the shop when I glanced at my sale counter on Etsy.com. I was astonished to see it sitting at 2880!! I remember the days years ago when I would stop by my own site and be fixated with that number. I loved seeing it cross new barriers like 100 sales... then 500 and oh boy was 1000 a big day for me!! Since then it has become much less frequent that I get excited about that number, I still love each and every sale and am proud of all of them, but the obsession of checking has subsided.

Then this morning while I was checking up on my shop I had an idea. I love numbers so when I realized that I'm only 20 sales away from 100 away from 3000 (don't you love my math!!) I got a little excited and came up with an idea.

And so here are the details of The 20 Sale DASH.

The next 20 sales get 20% OFF just because I get a kick out of it.

This applies to ALL items even reduced prices. Shipping will also be reduced by 20% and like always I ship worldwide. If your order is for more than one item and you break the 2900 mark you will still get 20% OFF on your total order.

How to receive the discount: Checkout via my etsy shop and wait to make payment until I send you a revised invoice with the new total OR if you would rather just go ahead and make the payment right away I'll send you a refund for the 20% OFF within 24 hrs. No special code needed.

Sale will end when my counter crosses 2900 sales.

Any questions let me know!!

Handmade Nation Screening and Craft Show - Minneapolis MN

Big News!

There is going to be two screenings of the documentary Handmade Nation on August 8th with a mini craft show squeezed in between. I found out just two weeks ago that there was an opportunity for me to be a part of the craft show and since have been working overtime so my booth will be full of goodies (like this stack of Mabel Messengers brilliantly disguised as a cute dog photo) for all the shoppers. I'm totally honored to be a part of this and hope I can squeeze in to see a screening too.

The showings will be Saturday August 8th at the Soap Factory. Viewings at 12pm and 7pm with a mini craft fair from 2-6pm. Faythe will be on hand to sign copies of her book and give a Q&A after each screening. Tickets are available at Crafty Planet for $12 each - cash only- through Friday then available at Soap Factory day of if there are any left. Each screening is limited to 100 people. Check out HandMadeNationMovie for more info. The craft fair is free so even if you can't stay for a showing you can stop by to check out the latest in handmade goods.

Hope to see you there!! OH and here is a better look at those Mabels.

Custom Design Fabric Updated

It had been months since my online fabric database has been updated, but I had a little extra time last week so I uploaded over 80 new prints that are available for custom orders. I thought I had been doing good about not buying fabric and squashing my addiction, but I guess I might have been wrong. I was astonished that I had over 80 prints, but maybe it's just been longer than I thought since it's been updated.

Anyways I just wanted to share that I'm once again open for custom work. Summer months are slower so it's fun to take the extra time to work with customers on their special requests and custom fabric selections. If you've been waiting to place an order or just didn't see the fabric you wanted feel free to check again. I have to warn you though.... it may be hard to decide with so many amazing prints out there now days!

Click here to view the full fabric list.

Finally HERE - Mabel Messenger PDF Sewing Pattern by Jenna Lou Designs

You know how sometimes you start a project.... but then you get distracted and the longer it is since you've last worked on it the harder it is to pick it up again?? Well that's what happened to the Mabel Messenger. I started the pattern for her months ago, but got busy getting ready for summer shows and before I knew it I had completely moved on.

Well I'm happy to say that last week I got the bug to finish it. And I cannot believe how easy it was. All the hard work was already done months ago. Research, writing, photography, pattern drawing... all done. The only thing left was for me to finish putting it all together in a pretty little package.

So now Mabel Messenger has been added to the collection of patterns available in my shop. If you've been waiting for ever for this one: my apologies.... but I promise the wait was worth it!

New Item - The Credit Card Cruncher (card organizing wallet)

Just released a new item in the shop. I call it the Card Cruncher - your card organizing wallet. In the day of speedy soccer moms and online bill pay the checkbook is nearing extinction and every store has a loyalty card for you to hold onto. This wallet is perfect for stashing/crunching all your cards in one place. It small enough for your back pocket or that glam evening bag that's way too small, but oh so sexy.

The Card Cruncher is available in many designer fabrics and the plastic card holding insert is removable so you can throw it right in the wash. With a price of only $15 I'm hoping these little gems will be accessible to everyone.

To purchase, read more, or see other fabrics feel free to stop by the shop.

And don't forget to enter into the giveaway for a Best-Ever Icing Kit by Bake It Pretty. Giveaway closes on the 24th.

If you are in the Southern MN area feel free to stop by the Mankato Farmers Market on Saturday. I'll be there from 8-Noon.

One Of A Kind Handmade Patchwork Bags

This weekend I had lots of fun digging through my scrap bin and cutting little 2x2 squares. I'm one of those people who save every last scrap just knowing that eventually I'll find the perfect project for it, so I had lots of old forgotten prints to drool over and choose from. These totes sure did a great job a cleaning up the bin... I think I emptied about 1/3rd of it which was great because it was completely overflowing.

They where really fun to put together because as each patch was added it changed the mood and overall look of the bag. I highly recommend doing some patchwork if you need some inspiration or crafty encouragement. It's hard to go wrong with patchwork.

Each bag is truly one of a kind. To give them even more of the 'gotta have it' vibe I added some leather handles. The black handles on the yellow bag are faux leather style N50... you can find them here. The brown handles are real leather and where custom made by yours truly especially for these bags. They are really beautiful in person and the rivets add a great touch too.

So what do you think? Does anyone care to see this bag made into a pattern? I have a few other patterns on the tabel right now, but I can always add it to the list. Also was thinking about doing a free tutorial on using rivets... anyone interested?

These bags will be available in my shop. They are all One Of A Kind so if your heart is set on one do stop by right away. xoxo-

New Woven Labels For Sewn Goods

I've been using the same labels for probably two years... so when the supply was looking a little low a couple weeks ago I decided it was time for a change. The new labels arrived in the mail this week and I'm really pleased with how they turned out. They are professional quality woven and super darling. I can't wait to sew up loads of new stuff just so I can stick my new labels on them. Talk about motivation!