Jenna Lou Loves You

Weddings are Bliss

Wedding season is just around the corner and so I've had my hands full with orders for custom clutch sets. When I opened my email to find that my clutches had been professionally, and beautifully I might add, photogrphed I was speachless. Anna Page photographed this stunning wedding in Wisconsin and graciously agreed to allow me to share it with you. I love everything about this.... especially those amazing shoes the girls were rocking.

Custom orders are streaming in so if you are interested in a set for yourself consider planning to order early.

Are there anyother brides out there with wedding photos featuring Jenna Lou Designs clutches?? If so I would LOVE to see them!

To view more photos from this wedding you can see it featured on the Style Me Pretty Blog.

 

Events in Edina and Minneapolis

Getting back into the swing of things after last week has been a little hard. I spent the previous Saturday and Sunday in Edina at the Fall Into the Arts Festival. We enjoyed the most stunning weather and a really fun crowd. Every time I do something in Edina I just come home with such good vibes.

(  psst... he is hiding from the camera, but I like this angle better anyway )

Then we repacked the vehicle on Wednesday to head up to The Creative Connection. This was our first time setting up the new booth display, but considering that it still went up pretty fast. I do have some really great help, so that may explain why things went so smoothly.

We rearranged the cubes so there would be more room behind the table for all our things and chair. Normally we feel so cramped for space back there, but this new floor plan really did the trick. And our space was only 8x10 so a 10x10 spot that is usually standard is going to feel amazing.

Thanks to everyone who came out to see me. I met some blog readers (and lurkers :D) and had a really fabulous time connecting with other vendors at the shows and count those relationships as priceless. 

And now that it's all over I'm so glad to be home again. Hotels are fun, but nothing beats your own bed, a nice home cooked meal and time to slow down and breathe again.

The Creative Connection Event

I hope you will be able to join in the fun this week in Minneapolis where loads of crafty folks are meeting up for a fabulous event called The Creative Connections. There are going to be classes, speakers like Amy Butler and Ree Drummond - The Pioneer Woman, lunches, book signings, and a handmade market over order 100 exhibitors from around the US.

And I'll be one of them!! The handmade market is open Wednesday - Saturday the 18th and promises to be great fun. 

For more info please visit the site and have a look around.

Hope to see you soon!

Hello Gwen

{Closure pieces}

Wow... I've had the best week ever.

I got SO much work done and the job of restocking my shop and inventory after the spring line-up of shows is well on its way. I'm adding a bunch of new Gwen bags to the shop and thought I'd share a few of the "during" photos as well as the "finished" ones too.

I like to work in a factory style making 10-20 bags at a time. I usually do 2 in each fabric so although I don't make too many one of a kind.... they are always VERY few of a kind.

 

{linings with zippered pocket installed}

 

{Gwen in Kelly Giraffe}

{Gwen in Chocolate Butterfly}

{Gwen in Mocha}

{Gwen in Rust Tiles}

{A look at the inside}

HOPE YOU ENJOYED!!

Introductions

I would like to introduce to you my new assistant. Her name is Claire. She's not much help around the office, but in the photography studio she really holds her weight. And with a one time salary of only $35, she was quite the find. 

Deciding on the work uniform was a bit of a challenge. I wanted her to be fashionable, but ageless. I still don't know if I really accomplished that, but I thought she looked pretty good, so for now it works.

 

 

Along with my new assistant I also am finally (almost a year in the making) having my online debut of upscale bags. You will see some old favorites like the Mabel Messenger newly adorned with a really nice faux leather and a new bag that I'm still swooning over that was inspired from years of feedback from customers and shopper requests called Gwen. Gwen has great storage inside with a zippered pocket, slip pocket, pen holder, and a clip for your keys. The four inch gusset is composed of luxurious faux leather that has an amazing feel and makes this bag really roomy.

 

 

More bags will be added to my shop in the coming days. And if you don't see a print that just sings your name I am happy to take custom orders with the fabric of your choice.

Spring Shows

I'm loving Minnesota today. I got Stella my scooter out of the garage for the first time today. Road her around, gassed her up, it was liberating to feel that breeze in my hair again... that one you only get while cruising around on two wheels. It was a nice half hour break from my sewing room. I'm still working away as the spring shows draw nearer and nearer.

In case anyone is in the area and would like to stop by and see me in action here is a list of my upcoming shows.

April 16th - 18th : Spring Festival
Canterbury Park - Shakopee MN
Over 500 artists from 30 States. I'll be in booth number 228 in the upper level by the escalators.
View Site

May 1st : Craftstravaganza
9 AM - 5 PM
MN State Fairgrounds - Fine Arts bldg - free admission!
Find me in the same spot as last year ( right inside the doors to the left!! )
View Site

June 4th - 6th : Edina Art Fair
Edina, MN over 375 Artist
View Site

I always try to post to let locals know about shows before hand, but I also added a "Shows and Shops" section to my website where you can always go to see whats on my calendar. If you make it out be sure to stop by and say hello.

NEW Sewing Pattern - The Frame Clutch

 

I cannot believe how long it's been since I put out a sewing pattern. 2009 was really dry in that field of work... but not by choice. I was so busy with craft shows, and room remodels, and life that the ideas just built up, but there was no time to release them.

Now that I've got things in the shop under control with my new method of only listing what is pre-made, I've found the time to finish this pattern that was started last year. The Frame Clutch is a really great pattern for beginners and is so quick you'll find yourself whipping these up for those last minute gift needs.

As always the pattern includes step by step instructions in everyday sewing lingo (none of that super technical talk here) and color photos and diagrams to illustrate your way through.

The Frame Clutch pattern CAN be used to create items to sell both online and in boutiques. This is still new to me and only applies to a few of my patterns, but if it continues to go well then I may extend it to future and past patterns. Please just give credit to me (Jenna Lou Designs) in your written descriptions of the items.

Enjoy!

You can purchase The Frame Clutch Pattern and Hardware in my Online Shop.

20 Sale Dash

One of my business goals this year was to only sell pre-sewn goods. For the past 4 years I've often found myself re-listing an item which I have the materials to make, but just haven't done so yet, and at busy times it can be a downward slope into stress and frustration. So I promised myself that this year would be different and so far it's been bliss. It allows me to ship orders within 24 hours, and to focus my days on new inventory and new ideas rather than trying to play catch-up. It's so much more peaceful.

Today the shop sits at 142 items all of which are MADE!! I cannot believe I'd see that day, but hard work and my new listing policy have proven fruitful.

To celebrate and to push my sales on etsy.com over 3500 today I'm doing another 20 SALE DASH. If you remember last time the 20 sales went really fast!

Here are the details:

The next 20 sales get 20% OFF

This applies to ALL SEWN GOODS AND SEWING PATTERNS, even reduced prices. HARDWARE IS NOT INCLUDED. Shipping will be reduced by 20% and like always I ship worldwide. If your order is for more than one item and you break the 3500 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 3500 sales.

Any questions let me know!!

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!!