38 Dslr Lens Pouches

I'm so weird sometimes in the way I do things. I annoy myself!

Don't know why I am posting this "38" lens bag entry when my normal way would be to have a 40 or 50 lot. I got tired of cutting and sewing the bags and just stopped! That was all I could handle. NOW I have to cut out 38 fleece liner bags. Ugh! Tedious work to do all this cutting and sewing.

I once had a person contact me and ask why I charge $15 for my lens bags and what makes them worth that price. Seriously? This is why. I am basically making 2 bags into one bag. I also use quality pressure lock closure and end cord caps and designer cotton fabrics.

With my time and materials the actual income per bag is  based on 45 minutes to craft one bag. I'm netting less than $8 per hour/bag. If I didn't like what I do, I would be back punching a time clock like I did for 25 years. My only real complaint is this bad economy of ours has taken a bite out of sales. Hope post election, pre-holiday will put a smile back on my face and that all my work and effort will see lens bags sales like last year and the 4 years before.

Here is what 38 lens bags look like. This is my work for the next few days.

 

Dslr Camera Travel Cozy Applique

Have been waiting for time to make a camera cozy using these scrap cut outs from Alexander Henry skull fabric. I try to use ALL my remnants and scraps and when I do applique I'm like a kid with a set of markers and blank paper. This basic black camera cozy is Michael Miller twill of medium weight. Nice feel and tight fibers. The skull appliques are back with wonder bond for durable structure. It's the same look at you would see on store bought appliques. I iron the bond on and then machine stitch around the edges for permanent quality construction. DSLR Camera Travel Cozy Pouch

Price of the bag: $25.00

   

Cottage Shabby NEW Camera Strap Cover

I'm having a lot of fun making the new design camera strap cover for my shop. I pre-cut the strips for the cottage shabby ruffles and then work at pulling the threads for the raw border while I'm watch my shows at night. It's a time consuming process but I enjoy doing fussy things like this. It's the little details to a product that make or break a sale and set one vendors item apart from the rest. I know that when I shop for custom items I look for that extra bit of detail that shows the vendor cares about her products.

 

DSLR Camera Strap Cover Cottage Shabby Ruffle Trim

Decided to try something new for the holidays. Each year I try to add a new product. Last year I added the camera cozy tote. They did very well and continue to be a good seller in the shop. This afternoon, I made a new strap cover design as shown in the pic below.

From what I have seen in other shops, the ruffle trims are popular, and with mine I took the additional step of "hand pulling" several rows of  threads along the rough cut edges of the ruffle trim. It's a time consuming process, but one that gives a pleasing to the eye, "cottage shabby" look.

Cottage Shabby Dslr Camera Strap Cover

I'll test the new design through the holidays to see if they sell. Because of the time it takes to pull the threads along the edge os the sleeve, I raised the price of this new design. Price $23.00

Wristlet Key Fob Stocking Stuffers

I'm starting to get a jump on holiday items in both of my Etsy shops. Here are a few wristlet key fobs that are popular with my customers for stocking stuffers and to add with a strap cover and or lens pouch to make a gift set.  Matching accessories for gift sets subject to stock on hand or availability of fabric to make a custom item.  Key fobs sell for $9.00 each and can be purchased in my TJ Camera Accessory shop

DSLR Camera Travel Tote COZY Fit

Visit the shop to see my newest offering. Had requests for a simple camera "cozy" that would allow toting of camera in handbag, luggage or backpack without the need for a lot of additional bulk. What you see in the shop is available for immediate shop. Also have fabrics to make a custom pattern of your choice. 

The design is the same our lens pouches with the addition of a fleece interfacing. Price $23.00

Mod Bloom DSLR Camera Tote "cozy" for luggage, handbag backpack

THE JOY BAG

So proud of my daughter Tracy Joy (The Joy Bag AND Tracy Joy Photography AND Prop Insanity). Tracy is a member of  the PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS of America and this month of OCTOBER she is honored to be featured in their magazine.

Tracy is the designer of the popular JOY BAG that has been on the market since 2007 offering wonderful camera bags in several different styles for every need, from the casual mammarazzi to the professional photographer looking for a durable, functional yet fashionable bag for all your gear. 

The Joy Bag (Tracy Joy Photography)

Great job Tracy! 

Dear Blog. I've Missed you!

Dear Blog,
So sorry that I have neglected you for these past months. Life has been busy with a move to a new address, and new grand-baby, as well as the passing of a few beloved family members and I discovered games on Facebook! When not sewing up a storm, I have been playing Angry Birds, Hidden Chronicles, Pioneer Trail, and Words with Friends! I know I should have at least visited you dear Blog at least a few times over these past few months but to be honest, I didn't have the energy or desire. You see dear Blog, I have been kind of down and feeling sorry for myself.  

Sales have lagged this past year despite my devotion to the work room and sewing up a storm. A new idea and shop didn't pan out. New product ideas brought in no sales. And it seems like many other creative people have climbed into the wagon and my competition has increased tremendously since I designed the first camera strap slip cover in 2007. My little idea for a new product has been copied and sold in more styles and variations than a penny candy store. If copy is a form of flattery than I am truly flattered.

Sad thing is that I need a job! Can't seem to find one and so I depend on my shop sales and a 50% drop in sales the past 2 years has not been an easy adjustment. After much soul searching, I am determined to pull myself up out of the doldrums and to be happy for the sales I DO have, and keep at it for a while longer. Holiday's are around the corner and that is when the majority of my sales are made. It's a good thing!

Thanks for being here dear Blog. I've missed you and HELLO dear Blog.!

I'm back!

 

BOUTIQUE Packaging for PHOTOGRAPHERS

A NEW YEAR and a NEW creative venture for me has me excited as well as feeling apprehensive. I'm excited to have this new idea finally in motion and set up in a new shop on ETSY.  But apprehensive because it's more work for me at a time when I have little "time" to spare.

The shop name "BitsButtonsBows" has been there for a while as I originally used it for selling my overstock sewing supplies. The shop went dormant for a few months and most recently was a venue for selling vintage this and that from my numerous collections. It was a bomb to say the least. With a flooded market for vintage and the bad economny, no one is really looking to add more stuff to their already exploding collections. Guess I have to hold on to most of mine unless I have one of my spur of the moment "manic" cleaning frenzies when I impulsively pack up collections and donate them. Not giving a thought to the money spent on the items nor the emotional attachment that some collectibles have in my world of vintage love. Oh well, I digress, and so back on track again with the message of this post!

Bitsbuttonsbows has once again been re-vamped and now offers BOUTIQUE hand assembled packaging for PHOTOGRAPHERS. I've always enjoyed wrapping a beautiful packages for gift giving. The wraps are pre-assembled and easily slip on the presentation box.

The package wraps are in kits of 6 pieces in 4 sets to a lot, selling for $22.00 set of 4

A set consists of:
Gorgeous package wrap fully assembled, easily slide over box
Presentation Box 8 x 10" in either pink or organic re-cycled kraft material

5 x 7" photo folder made from re-cycled kraft card stock

Inside tissue fold in coordinating color
Sticker for tissue closure custom made coordinating
Thank you card for personal note to client

OR sold in single 6 piece set, selling for $8.

Also have presentation boxes sold in set of 4 for $12

as well my version of re-cycled organic CD slip sleeves selling for $4.50 each

http://www.bitsbuttonsbows.etsy.com