I've been collecting seashells for as long as I can remember. From east to west, coast to coast, and shore to shore, I always find a treasure to keep, and adore.

Friday, September 7, 2012

All Packed Up and Ready to GO and a Little Bag Tutorial

The excitement is building! I'm all packed up and ready to GO!

I still need to run to the store for some quick, easy, delicious foods to munch on during the day on Saturday. I read that you should take things you LOVE to eat. Foods that make you happy. Things you will want, things you crave. I think this is so you, or I, WILL EAT the food you (I) bring.

I'm planning on taking some hard boiled eggs, and blueberry muffins. They will go great with the coffee I'm taking in a thermos. I need some boiled peanuts. I want, must have, some fruit. Grapes are one of my faves. Clif Bars....Peanut Butter Crunch, and White Chocolate Macadamia. Energy food.
And I might not get a chance to EAT the other food, but can scarf down one of these in a quick hurry. (and no I'm not being paid or compensated to endorse the product) They are just dang good!

I don't think I'll have time, or need any more food, but would love some fried chicken breast chunks/strips. Homemade. That should do it. Along with some water, sweet tea, and maybe a Pepsi or Mountain Dew White Out.

I mentioned the other day that "you have to see my bags!"
And that was when I had only made a couple. And I changed them.

I looked everywhere for a cute, cheap, paper bag with handles. Cheap was not available.
So, I made my own!

I hand stamped a seashell onto some plain white lunch sacks I picked up for $1.49 for 50 of them. I bought 2 packages. I only stamped one package.


I cut the tops off of them, you know, so they don't LOOK like lunch sacks.


Then I folded the top down into the bag.


And punched holes in them with a hole punch. Which was seeming to be way far more difficult than it should. So I got out another hole punch.


Which one do you think made the job easier? The one made in the good ole' USA of course!


Then I threaded jute through them for handles, and tied knots to secure them. I stuck a piece of teal tissue paper in the bags so they are ready to go. Packaging will be so much easier. Just fluff up the tissue, and pop it back in the bag!


I have some ring boxes, and a few jewelry boxes, but I'm taking some of my pillow boxes, too. The jewelry needs to go into some kind of box before going into this bag with the tissue. I wouldn't want the tissue to somehow get wet (rain) and bleed the color onto a shell and stain it. That would be a catastrophe.

This bag production took quite a lot of my time, but in the long run I think it was time well spent. I'd so much rather be prepared, and be organized!

I got the cute bag tip somewhere in all the stuff I've read about doing craft shows. Someone said a cute bag can lead to sales if someone asks a buyer where they got the cute bag from. I totally designed them myself though. That person didn't show their cute bags.

I really like them, and hope everyone else does, too. I hope they are an eye catcher!

Have a great weekend everyone!

9 comments:

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

Good luck with your show! I'll be thinking about you for sure! Your bags are cute and definitely eye catching. Love that you made them yourself! And it's true about the bags...I have asked people many times "Where did you get that bag?" because then I think I may have missed a cute booth or shop! You are a smart girl!

julie cavender said...

Clever lady! I used to order my bags from uline in blue and green. I still use them(since I have so many)when I have my studio sales. Good luck to you. Be sure to take a hat and sunglasses and put your smile on! Your face will tired at the end of the day from all the smiling. At least, mine always was. ;)

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Adorable bags and people will probably keep them to use again. Are you including a business card with each purchase?

Don't forget aspirin and gum or throat lozenges.

You are well prepared. Good luck, have fun and I can't wait to hear all about it. What is the weather supposed to be like tomorrow?

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Wow! They are fantastic! I can't believe you got tissue paper that perfectly matches your stamp! I love that you modified these inexpensive bags...and gave them some style! Shell style! You are a genius and everyone will love your style!

Cheryl K said...

Where do you get the energy for all this *and* a blog post about it? I think you are Wonder Woman in disguise!

Completely Coastal said...

I adore the bags!!!

Donna said...

Hi Del! Your bags are beautiful! Your creative bags reflect your creativity with the shells & jewelry. I hope you come home empty handed and a wad of cash in your pocket. :)

Roxanne Reinhart said...

Good luck Della. You have definitely thought of everything!! Kim had a good idea about the business cards in the bags. And Cheryl K musta read my mind cause I was thinking the same thing!! Wonder Woman indeed!!

Sheryl Hastings said...

Love the bags! They look so professional, like something you'd get from a fancy boutique. Good luck!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...