Byhand.me

It's hard for me to navigate the many social-networking sites that feature artisans. I want to spend as much free time possible actually CREATING rather than talking, clicking, or typing about creating, so I need to get the biggest bang for my tiny amount of free time!

Lately I have been spending quite a bit of time at byhand.me which is one of the best sites!

• One of my favorite features about byhand.me is the Spotlight. It's similar to an Etsy treasury but you don't have to compete to get one. You can make as many as you like for other users to see and make comments. Here's my spotlight.
  

• Byhand.me is great because it doesn't involve selling -- you get to advertise all of your venues in one place -- so prospective customers and prospective friends can get to know the whole you!

• Speaking of prospective friends...byhand.me has great features like forums and clubhouses where you can get and give advice and support.
  

So, what should you do now? Maybe you should go take a look!

My free time is being sucked away but this has been a fun break! I'm going to go MAKE something now!

Sweater Surgery - Owl Inspiration

I've been playing around with a book I recently bought called Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters. It has the cutest OWL project but of course I'm always altering the pattern in my mind even before I begin.

I posted on the Etsy forums asking for some inspiration from other Etsians and I wanted to share with you...

SleepDreamPlay shared two amazing Owl Brooches inspired by photographs and illustrations.

LittlePancakes shared this super-sparkly vintage brooch.

EverImprovingMe shared this tote with an owl's piercing stare.

PhotoTeresa shared this amazing print -- my husband is dying to know how she could get so close!

WHIMSYlove shared not one but TWO cheery springy owls!

SHAMBEEandJAK showed us two great owl keepsake boxes. I totally dig the pink and black - that's the kind of girl I am!

I would like to thank all of the Etsians who shared their fab creativity with me! I'm bursting with inspiration, it's Sunday morning, it's sunny, and I can't wait to get crafty!

Recipe for a Tote Bag

I've been down and out with the flu or food poisoning, not sure which. Finally feeling somewhat human again, thought I would share this little tidbit with you...

One of the questions I get asked most frequently about Apiary is, “How long does it take to make a _________.” Usually it’s about a tote bag, since that’s one of our most popular items.

I never know what to say since we make them in batches, not one at a time. This Saturday, while I was working on our latest batch of springy tote bags I started thinking about how many steps are actually involved. Here’s what you need to do to build a tote:

Prepare the fabric - cut out the tote exterior, tote lining, and pocket material. Iron fusible interfacing onto the wrong side of the tote exterior to stiffen the fabric and give it body.

Prepare the pocket - Iron the Apiary Designs logo onto the top of the pocket, topstitch the top of the pocket, serge the bottom of the pocket, press up the seam allowance.

Apply the pocket to the lining – Measure for correct placement, pin in place. Sew across the bottom of the pocket and then up the pocket to divide in two.

Sew the body of the tote – Serge the sides of the lining. Then serge the sides of the exterior.

Make a tote “sandwich” – Press the top of the lining and exterior down 1”. Nest the lining in the exterior. Line up seams and pin.

Make the straps – Cut webbing to the desired length. Measure and pin in place.

Finish – Topstitch the top of the tote with two rows of stitching setting the straps in place and triple stitching at stress points.

Voila – now you’ve got a tote! See why you should buy one from us instead of making your own??

Hi there!

I'm glad you've found the new home of Apiary Designs. While we love our workroom we need to take a little time to get out in the world and meet some new people.

So who are we? My name is Megan, and I started Apiary Designs with my business partner (and my mother!) Nancy last year. Our goal is to create practical and attractive accessories and household items. We use a variety of materials including both new and vintage fabrics.

You can look at photos of our products at www.flickr.com/photos/apiarydesigns

If you're in the mood to shop, go to www.apiarydesigns.etsy.com

I'm looking forward to posting more soon...