Fall is here!
I love the cool breeze, the colors, the smells, everything...LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall.
Not to mention the occurance of my favorite and only holiday that matters in my mind...HALLOWEEN!!!
No, it's not too early to be thinking about a costume.
The point is, now that I'm done sweating my ass off and have motivation to do other things that don't include submerging my entire body into ice cold water, I'M EXCITED (in case you can't tell by my overusage of capital letters)!
Summer wasn't that bad...I did manage to make some pretty awesome summer dresses, if you didn't get one, sorry friend, you'll have to wait til next year!

And some clutches... I also organized some buttons! Seriously, is this not one of the most amazing things you've ever seen?! Pretty much brings tears of joy every time I look at those babies all color coordinated and sorted. This was the result of many days spent inside when I got the Flu...in August. I'm better now, thanks for asking.

And on a personal note, I brought the mohawk back! But not before the peacock feather and other fun hair designs!
HUGE shout out to the lovely and ubertalented Erin Anderson, owner and stylist of Fringe Salon for hooking me up with all the hair do's. Go there! And then visit Elissa Kara at Nice Things Handmade across the street and buy some cool digs. East Passyunk Avenue is where it's at, in case you didn't know.

So what am I working on now? Good question.
I've made a few goliath wallets by request. Super tricky, I promise.
READY? okay, here it goes...

These puppies can fit A LOT of stuff!!!! Man, I have to make one for myself!

I've also been working on newsboy hats which I personally will be rockin as the weather continues to cool off now that I've got so little insulation (hair) on my head!

Another great reason to look forward to fall is the annual Swap O Rama Rama that is going to be held this year on October 3rd from 12-5 at the Naval Yard. This is the 3rd year the swap is happening in Philly, and my 3rd year workin' the sewing machine at the event. M&J Trims in NYC has donated again this year and I will be available to embellish all the goodies you score on the floor! This years SORR is blowin up, getting huger by the day...crazy sponorships, guest speakers, workshops, VIP tickets (to include personal stylist and spa services...NO JOKE), and much more I'm not even aware of. Tickets should be going on sale this week, so do not miss out. Go to the Philly Swap's website for more information and to purchase tickets!

Hopefully this all sounds good and exciting and you will take my advice and continue to buy pretty things from me.
I'll feel happy about it.

xo Amber

Falling Back in LOVE...

with handbags. seriously.
as promised, i've been working diligently on new handbags and
consequently have the calloused fingers and sore back to prove it.
pain aside, i'm happy with the work i've produced in the past few weeks.

i even patterned a new style...
AKS


my new favorite:
DRINI 1007





other highlights:
handle it 406





The Batsy Bag 711




For more new handbags available visit my etsy shop!

i HAD to include this new goliath wallet XIII...
i lined this pattern up like nobody's business!





almost sold out of all my chloe headbands and hair combs, so i worked with a yellow theme this time and produced 13 newbies...
perfect for spring!




i also experimented with putting the leaves in a circular/flower arrangement:



it's a green theme next, i'm almost done with this batch...


i've updated my website and etsy shop, so check 'em out to see new phea jean goodies and what's currently available for purchase...hint hint.

which leads me to the subject of buying phea jean...
why you should you???
because i'm awesome.
no, seriously, because i design, pattern, sew, etc. everything and it's all one of a kind. i'm totally dedicated to this craft and work at improving and learning every day. if you don't find something already made, i can colaborate with you to create something fabulous. phea jean makes for great gifts. did you know i have gift certificates available?! yup, i'm fancy like that. i know buying handmade can be a little more expensive than going to a retail store, especially in not so favorable economic times; however, if you want to have a discussion on why it's oh-so-good and important to support local, independent businesses and why it's cool to buy handmade and sustainable products, call me up. i make this stuff in my house in south philly for pete's sake!

i also have to not give away free merchandise.
i know no one ever expects for me to give them free things, but, hell, i want to do it. but apparently that's not good for business...who knew. ha.
i always talk to my other crafty/artsy/small business friends about what their "policies" are on selling things to friends and family. some friends have a set discount that they give to friends/family.
here's my dilema with that...
what's the criteria one must meet for me to give them a "friend" discount (i know who my family is, obviously, doesn't mean i like them though, does it?!)? should i start rating people on a scale of 1 to 10 to determine how much of a discount (you'd all be in trouble, haha)...
if i like you at a 10 you get a handbag for free,
if i like you at a 1 you get a free button...
or how long i've known you...1 year gets $1 off, 10 years gets $10 off.
and then you tell your friends (which i infinitely appreciate) and they think they are going to get things for the same price. WHAT?! no.
bottom line, it's weird. i feel awkward about it.
i don't think there is a fair way to do it, at least not that i feel comfortable with. i get stressed about it. and i don't want anyone to feel slighted that i gave "x" to someone else and not to them. it's happened. so i either give things to everyone or no one. obviously, this is a business and i need to make some money so it's gotta be the latter option. i sometimes need to be reminded that logistically speaking, it is my time and energy that produces everything phea jean, so yeah i should be compensated for it.
this is not to say that i will not make you something as a gift ever again, say for your birthday (if i remember, or you remind me). or as a "thank you" if you give me a bunch of supplies, or save my puppy from a burning building.
and one day when i marry rich, win the lottery, and find a duffle bag of unmarked bills everyone will get whatever they want. promise.

now don't feel bad if i gave you something already.
we all want discounted/free stuff, i know i definitely do!
here's a way to get something for free...have a phea jean party at your place (or possibly mine, if you live in philly)!
email or call me up and ask me to come over for a little get together in which i bring handbags, hats, wallets, headbands, etc.
you invite your crew and make some snacks (i'm a vegetarian, thanks) and drinks. it's a fun time, right. depending on how much i sell, i'll kick you back a little something for hosting. easy. its a win-win situation!

i'm also working on coming up with some kind of "frequent buyer" and "refer a friend" incentives.

wow, this blogging thing just clicked for me.
i feel better now.

oooooo, almost time to reveal super exciting phea jean news, but i think i'll wait til next month when the weather warms up a bit...
speaking of, anyone in philly want to model for me? please let me know!

xo
amber

February Update!

Two summers ago a friend gave me some fabric he had saved from an old chair. I took that fabric and made it into a newsboy cap which sold at
Mew Gallery. I wish I got to see who purchased it!


Newsboy Cap A9

I wanted to somehow show my appreciation to my friend for giving me such cool fabric. I still had bits of the fabric in my scrap bin so I decided to make him a wallet and incorporate the fabric he gave me. I made the wallet pattern on a whim and it turned out pretty good, so I quickly produced 4 more. I thought this could be a good alternative to the goliath wallet which is larger and basically for women. This new mens inspired wallet is smaller and I'm calling it the Apollo Wallet.





And here's my baby Apollo...

Apollo Wallets are now available on etsy and at Mew Gallery.

More headbands! These are selling fast!
I will be listing new headbands on etsy over the weekend (Apollo is visiting and he doesn't let me get much work done), so for right now the new batch is available at Mew Gallery!


Mew Gallery and The Philadelphia Sewing Collective will be holding a supply swap on February 21st from 1:30-4:30PM! Hopefully I'll be able to clear out some of my old fabric and not take home too much.
BONUS: After the swap there will be an art opening at Mew, so it will be a jam packed day of fun. If you're smart you'll swing by!Oh and Channel 6 did a little piece on the swap...check it out HERE
I make a little cameo in the background!

Currently, I'm working on handbags for a party I have coming up.
I've also already signed up for the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival on May 16th. I did this show last year and it was a lot of fun.
Coinciding with the festival is a kinetic derby!
The spring shows are starting to be announced so I will keep everyone informed on the phea jean schedule as I sign up.

I'm getting better at sending these updates...
and I've got a lot of new things I'm working on which I'll unveil once the weather gets a little warmer!

phea jean joined twitter!
Follow me!

xo Amber

ps check out the upcycling post below this update if you haven't already!