tiny tiny.

I made this tiny custom case for a customer today.  I took a video for him and figured I'd share.  I don't have time to do custom designs very often but this was an interesting little project so I took it as an opportunity to work out a few ideas.  He wanted a small wool/leather case that holds 10-15 mini moo cards and attached to a key ring.  I'm really liking the tiny seam allowance on this little case.  I think I should incorporate it into the simple ipad (and soon macbook air) sleeves.  Anyway, thought I'd share.. have a great weekend!  (p.s.  The wool looks blue but it just the late afternoon Minnesota light through my north-facing studio wall.  It's actually the same grey as the laptop sleeves)

 

Comments

[PAWLING print studio]

It's so cute! Love the details as always =)

[Lisa Golightly]

what a great idea, love it!

[Hans Mouritzen]

Dear Angie, I am in the process of starting up a little side business where I sell high quality greeting cards with my own photos. Part of that process include designing a web site, and I thought I would let you know that yours is among the best I have seen in a long time. It is clean and crisp and yet, not over designed. It gives me all the information I need, is easy to navigate, your text is down to earth without being plain. In short, I would love to buy from you - but I don't have (or want) any of the gadgets to put in your fine products. I do wonder how in the world you find the time to maintain this site as well as you do - and find time to sew? You must have endless energy!
I also wonder, is there a chance you would reveal who designed your website? I assume you didn't have time for that as well !?
Thanks a bunch. -Hans Mouritzen, Saint Paul

[Angie Davis - Byrd & Belle]

Hello Hans!

Thanks for your note. I did set up my own online shop. My online shop is a hosted solution called 'Big Cartel' and I've customized my shop to suit my clean aesthetic. I've written about it here (there are notes at the bottom about Big Cartel): http://byrdandbelle.typepad.com/byrd_belle/2010/01/the-business-of-being-small-get-your-things-online.html

There are some features that I wish Big Cartel had but for the price, it is in my opinion, a great way to get started. I'll soon be stepping up to a platform that has some of those missing features but that's the way it works: start small and easy than move on to bigger and better.

It does take a lot of time but I enjoy the work. I typically sew during the day and research, answer emails and work on my online shops/blog at night and on the weekend. The good thing about running your own business is that you control how much you put into it. I'm lucky to have the time to be able to focus on this as much as I do.

The only advice I can give is don't wait for something to be perfect in order to launch it. It will never be perfect; just get it going. You'll learn as you go. The only thing you have to do from the start is offer great customer service.

Thanks again for your note. Angie