Tuestorials: Fabric Chain Necklace

This week it's all about how to re-use fabric! Yesterday was the Fabmo SF Etsy Exclusive event...so Katy asked Stephanie of SinceSass to guest blog for us and teach us all how to make her awesome Fabric Chain Necklaces with fabric scraps so we can all be inspired and use some of our new fabric! Stephanie makes unique gifts & accessories such as wallets, wine bags and small purses. Her work can be found all over San Francisco - you can find her in Urban Bazaar and RAG. Here's her awesome Tuestorial! 

HOW TO: Fabric Chain Necklace with SinceSass

If you are a sewer like me, you probably find yourself with remnants of fabric from various projects. There is just enough left to make something or it’s too pretty to throw away. Or you find that swatch of fabric sitting in the free bin at S.C.R.A.P (www.scrap-sf.org) or FabMo (www.fabmo.org) that you know you have to take home to do something with. It’s calling your name!

Before your family submits an application to be on A&E’s Hoarders, here is an easy and fun solution to use those pieces of fabric that aren’t meant for the trash bin!

Materials Needed:

●      Various pieces of scrap fabric, at least 4.5 x 1” each in size

●      Scissors

●      Ruler

●      Fabric glue - Tacky Glue works well!

●      Ribbon or string (or metal jewelry chain) to tie it all together

supplies

Step One:

Use a ruler to cut out 10, 4.5 x 1 inch pieces (for the chain) and 10, .5 x 1 inch pieces (for the link). It can be any color or different patterns you want. Be warned that if the fabric is too thick (like some upholstery fabric) or stain-treated, it might not glue and hold well. Tears have been shed, lots of glue wasted on these awesome, but unusable fabrics.

Step Two:

Take one piece of the large fabric (chain) and turn it front-side down. Use fabric glue along the bottom of the piece of fabric and fold half way. Press down to ensure glue is in place and fabric is holding.

Then glue a line along the top of the fabric and fold the rest of the way. Your fabric should now look like this:

Take small piece of fabric (link) and glue all of the backside. Attached to the ends of your chain and secure. As you hold it in place, you can adjust shape of the chain to look more like a chain.

Step 3:

Take another piece of large fabric and glue. Before attaching the link piece, insert through your first chain. Then attach link.

Step 4:

Once you have all your desired chains, it’s time to add your ribbon or string to officially make it a necklace! And - once you do, you have a finished product!

Finished Product!

Here's Katy and her necklace!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Katy or Steph about joining SFEtsy!

Savvy Entrepreneur: Bazaar Bizarre 2011 Recap

This past weekend was the beginning of the Holiday Craft Fair season and many of us were at Bazaar Bizarre, including myself. I had the opportunity to be there all day Saturday in the Etsy booth representing both Etsy and SF Etsy. I have never been on that side of a craft fair for the whole day, surprising I know, but I don't sell products. I've spent time helping out friends for a few hours here and there, but have never been there from setup to break down before. I have to say the morning set up energy was my favorite part of the day. It was great to see everyone loading in boxes, structures and tables and making them into their own little storefronts.

We got set up quickly and then our morning volunteer, Claire, started heading out to find each of the SF Etsy team members that we knew of to get a sample for our booth. She made 3 or 4 trips to gather everything. Both of us were really impressed by the talent of the group.

We also had the opportunity to offer up a table for some of the team members to have a few hours of vending time. I must say I enjoyed having the company all day and the chance to get to know a few of the team members much better.

Moment of Focus

Scene, Not Heard

Jen Oaks

Bunnycone

In addition to the selling and making friends we also got the chance to talk to a lot of people about Etsy and the SF Etsy Street Team. I remember one gentleman in particular that was asking on behalf of his wife, how to set up a shop and get involved in the local team. Our afternoon volunteer, Stephanie, also got to talk to a lot of folks about how supportive the local team is.

All in all it was an amazing day of handmade and great people. I loved being surrounded by all the talent. Thank you Etsy and Bazaar Bizarre for making it happen!

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I encourage comments directly to this post, but also feel free to email me directly with questions, reactions, struggles, etc. genevieve [at] lightboxsf [dot] com

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Feature Friday - SinceSass

Happy Friday, everyone!

This gorgeous weather calls for a picnic in the park! Grab a blanket, a picnic basket filled with goodies, and hide your bottle of wine in this sassy reusable wine tote.

What a better way to passively relish in your before-5pm outdoor drinking escapade! I love the irony! and the pink!

The beautiful clear photos in the SinceSass etsy shop showcase her super-cute products wonderfully! She's got plenty of trinkets that could be fun whimsical hostess gifts, or just something special for yourself!

Enjoy this interview with one of our newest members, Stephanie!

1. What is your shop name and URL?

SinceSass Shop, http://sincesass.etsy.com

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

SF Etsy and Etsy Trade-a-holics

3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How
did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?

I make accessories with a little sass. This includes totes, wine bags,
pouches, and wallets. All items are made for daily use, but made with a
little something extra. I want the item to last and be fun. If you have to
use an item everyday, it should make you smile or make you want to show it

off!

I learned to sew when I was 11. My mom thought it was important that my
sister and I learned the basics of sewing and how to use a sewing machine,
and that's what I got on my 11th birthday. I've always had a sewing machine,
but it wasn't until a few years ago when I got into making items. I usually
made gifts for my friends or remixed thrift store clothing. I think the
combination of crafts becoming "popular" again and my mom always sewing as a
hobby influenced me to make more items. It's also great that I had the
basics of sewing already down so I could start creating my own designs right
away. My mom was right about it coming in handy one day! Props to her.

I really don't have a set creative process. Usually when an idea pops into
my head or I see something around me that inspries me, I quickly write it
down so I don't forget. Either I already have an idea when I start to make
something and find the materials to do so, or I don't have an idea and look
at what I have for inspiration. I try to make something new everyday so I'm
always experimenting with new techiques or materials.

4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I have one blue eye and one green eye. Most people can't tell unless they
are looking at me directly and in natural sunlight. I don't think my body
could decide on an eye color so it picked both.

I was born and raised in Las Vegas (Wayne Newton lived around the corner
from me) and moved to San Francisco to go to college. I've been here ever
since.

My favorite kitchen item is the crock pot. I use it at least once a week to
make delicous meals and I'm kind of obsessed with it. If you have a good
recipe, send it my way!

My dad's name is Michael Bolton but he is not THE Michael Bolton. Yes, it's
just like movie Office Space and just as painful.

5. How did you get involved with Etsy?

My coworker had an Etsy shop for a while and I was encouraged by my friends
to start one. She helped me with the details and I finally got going on it.
I actually started the process in 2008, but it wasn't until November 2010
that I actually started listing items. Now I'm on it everyday, all day.

6. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

I'm still new and learning, but the first big challenge I had was making
enough inventory. Gathering materials, cutting, putting everything together
then sewing it can be time consuming and I think I underestimated that.
After a few days without sleep and nutrishment, I had to be more realistic
about what I could make in a set timeframe (and with a full time job). My
goal is to have 50 items in my shop by the end of January and I think I can
do it!

7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Research, research, research! The forums and community on Etsy are amazing.
I was a little naive about the process and everything that's involve. I wish
I took more time to setup the details before I dove in, but I learned fast
thanks to the forums and chats. It really is the best resource and there is
amazing support from other sellers.

8. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your
Etsy shop?

Selling my first item! That was the best feeling and my shop had only been
open about two weeks. It was my most expensive item too!

9. What is the craziest gift you have ever received?

A life-sized glass head from my mom on my 12th birthday. She saw it and
thought of me. At the time, I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I still
have it and it's displayed on my bookcase.

10. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

My Facebook page is http www.facebook.com/SinceSass and my twitter link is
www.twitter.com/SinceSass

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!