Thursday, February 17, 2011

Sold!


Guess what!

I'm opening an Etsy store. I'm going to sell bags.

I will be sure to let you know when I have my grand opening but I will be selling this design (pictured above) and another one. Both patterns are designed by Rae Hoekstra over at Made by Rae. (I bought the rights to sell, so it's all on the up and up.)

I need to build up my inventory a bit more. And take really awesome pictures of all my bags. And figure out how to set up an Etsy store (Our stake is having a class on the very subject at an Arts fair next month. How convenient is that?) I know it's probably not super complicated, but I want to do this right.

But here is what I do know:

My company will be called Story. Because every bag has a story. The stories will all be available for view on Etsy with each bag's description and each bag's story will be printed on the high quality paper tag, suitable for framing or taping into your journal or scrapbook.

I took my current stash of nine bags over to a friend's house today to show them off. Not a lot of praise and adoration here at the house of boys, so I needed some girl feedback. Not only did she give me my needed feedback, she also purchased two bags. (pictured above) Which was the best feedback of all, if I do say so.

I made my first sale!

Also, some nice words in an e-mail about my middle grade work in progress allowed me to let out a nice sigh of reliefness. Which feels very good indeed. Very good. It confirmed to me that you have to do what you love and what feels right and not what other people tell you to do. Not that other people don't sometimes have spot-on suggestions and advice--but one needs to stay true to oneself. Yes, one does.

14 comments:

Sandy C. said...

Congratulations Afton! Each of your handmade bag is priceless! so excited for you :)

shiguy4076 said...

Those are great bags I can't wait to order one!

Keira said...

I cannot begin to tell you how clever I think your idea to attach a story to your darling bags is. You are kind of the wind beneath my wings...

A. Hunter said...

Love the purses! I want some. Let me know when and where to buy!

Erika said...

Me too, me too! So cute.

Allyson said...

Got another compliment on one of your handmade bags today! Every where I go, people notice how cool and unique it looks.

Myles said...

I love, love, love the idea of the stories.

Myles said...

Whoops, this is Marah, not Myles.

Senia said...

It's about time! Haha, just kidding. Hooray!!! This is SO exciting! Once you get the company up and running you should definitely make little business cards and I will proudly pass them out to all the people that Ooh and Aah over my bag(s). Like Allyson said, I get compliments ALL the time!

I-Shüan said...

Awesome! I didn't know you were selling them already! No wonder you were button shopping today! Nice job and I love the tags too, you graphic designer, you!

Kimmy said...

What a great name for your company and bags! Love it! You are so creative! Your bags are fabulous too.

Julie said...

Afton! that is so great! You will have to let me know when you open your etsy shop and we can be in eachother's circle! :) Yay!!!

Betty Grace said...

So you're saying I could have just had you send me a bag instead of the pattern? :) What are you selling them for?

Afton said...

I can't sell purses from that pattern Betsy because it's for personal use only. I bought the rights to sell this purse and one other, but the Margaret Sling Bag didn't have that option. Not that I would have made that bag to sell.