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Wanted: Talent, Passion & Hard Work

This has been an interesting week. I've had three people ask me about starting a hand-crafted business. I'm definitely not an expert by any means, not even close! But I'm happy to share my insight to those who inquire. So many helped me along the way, (even though they may not have known they were doing so!) that helping someone else just seems like the only proper thing to do. Plus, I really like doing it!

I know I've mentioned this several times previously, but I was first inspired by a girl I went to college with. I started seeing my friends on Facebook share these photos of cute embellished hoodies from Evy's Tree. So I clicked over to the Facebook page and found that Amy (aka, girl I went to college with) had started her own handcrafted business of these adorable embellished hoodies. She also had a blog, which once I started reading, found myself fascinated with her hutzpah. Amy's blog is great. She's incredibly down-to-earth and so transparent with her journey as a stay at home mom and woman in business. She blogs about the joys and craziness of her family, her passion for God, and her sometimes uncertainty as the Evy's Tree business grows. 

Amy is probably the top reason I took the leap into handbag design and self-employment. She unknowingly was inspiring me and helping me as I began navigating the hand-crafted world. I've followed her blog and watched her business, and applied all that I could into my own path. 

I do hope to someday be an inspiration to someone else who is tossing around the idea of starting their own hand-crafted biz. Yes, it is a bit daunting. And yes, "you will have to build it". But here's the thing, it is true, when you are doing something that you are passionate about, the hard work isn't so...hard.

First Fall Weekend!

Yes, I'm happy to have the fall season here! For some reason, I have a strange attraction to chilly mornings. This time of the year also makes me remember the beautiful colors of fall when I lived in Columbus, Ohio. So pretty.

Although I've already had my first cup of coffee, and spent a very dusty hour or so cleaning in my garage, I'd like nothing more than a quick shower, another cup o' joe, and to curl up back under the covers with a book. (the book I found while cleaning the garage...) 

But alas, sewing and pending orders are sweetly calling my name so nix the book idea. I wonder if there is a way to design some kind of contraption where I would be able to sew while laying in bed...

But speaking of fall and sewing, I just wanted to say thank you all so much for the wonderful feedback I've received on the Fall-Winter Collection of bags. You all have been truly kind and I appreciate that you take the time to let me know your thoughts. Some of you have even shared your suggestions with me, which is wonderful as well. I am grateful to be able to take in another point of view. Please, keep emailing, FB'ing and messaging me! I like hearing from you.

My AMAZING photographer, Yvonne DeCarlo of "With Life In Mind" Photography, sent me another photo from the shoot and I just had to share it with you. I'd say it is my favorite, but then really, I think so many of them are my favorite! 

Peace out ya'll!

Guest Blogger - Sheena S.

The single sentiment I hear most often when people see a Daylin Skye Designs bag in person is, "Wow, the picture didn't do it justice!" Although I am so glad to hear this, I ask myself all the time, how can I improve what is seen online to convey more about the bags? While I haven't yet figured out how to improve the photos, I did ask a recent client if she would be my guest on the blog and give her first-hand experience with a Daylin Skye bag. I thought perhaps seeing my designs from an outside vantage point might be beneficial. Without further ado.... 

     From the first time I met Amber, I knew she was someone special. Anyone who has talked with her knows what I mean when I say she truly cares and is interested in what you have to say. Even more, I was lucky enough to be at her house warming party and let me just say, this girl has boldness in her design style that anyone would envy. Seriously, just take a look at her before & after home redesign photos... can you say aaa-mazing?!

     So our mutual Pinterest and DIY-on-a-budget design obsessions, along with my huge respect of her courage to follow her dreams, pretty instantly made me a fan of Daylin Skye Designs. After only one up-close-and-personal peek at one of her bags, I was apparently mentioning how beautiful and high quality they were to my husband so much that he decided that a Daylin Skye Designs bag would be my next birthday present.

     It just makes me laugh to think of my husband being all sneaky to have a bag designed for me! I even remember Amber, err Daylin Skye Designs, making a Facebook post about how she was designing a bag for someone and that she loved it so much that she wished she could keep it. I too, was wishing that bag she was creating was for me, and lo and behold, it was!

     My husband and I always give each other birthday gifts at midnight the night before our actual birthday. So when the clock struck 12am on August 25th, I got to dig into a super cute gift bag filled with tons of tissue paper to find an absolutely gorgeous Daylin Skye Designs purse made just for me!!! I was ecstatic to say the least.

     He then started admitting to a few little white-lies he had to say to keep me from figuring out his present to me. (i.e., staying overtime at work, but really meeting Amber to pick the bag up) Haha. Love him so much!

     I knew every bag from Daylin Skye Designs was custom-made and one-of-a-kind, so I asked how he knew what to choose. He explained that he chatted with Amber about what types of purses I already have (colors, styles, etc.) and that from there he simply gave her the freedom to design and create what she thought I'd love - and boy do I love it!

     I'm not sure if it was discussed before the design phase or if Amber reads minds, but the bag just happens to include some of my all-time favorite colors -- teal, white, and a sandy saddle. Amazing.

     The white and teal material Amber chose for the trim is a perfect balance of being simple, fun, elegant, and very unique - almost abstract, really. The leather is a perfect saddle color that I'm realizing goes with everything! The interior of the bag is just as gorgeous with a super silky and fun polka-dot lining. Then there are two of my favorite features of my new bag: the built-in iPad sleeve and the uber convenient key clip. Woohoo! No more digging for days to find my keys and it looks like I now have an excuse to get an iPad!

     I can't even count how many compliments I've received on my new Daylin Skye bag. I have used it almost every day since receiving it on my birthday almost a month ago. It is the perfect size and style for all seasons and occasions, very durable, comfortable to carry, and undeniably gorgeous. I just love that I get to carry something around every day that is one-of-a-kind and custom designed for me!

Sheena Schleicher is the blissful, happily married wife of Steven Schleicher. She is the Sr. SEO/Social Strategist and Project Manager at SEO, Inc. Sheena and her hubby Steven passionately enjoy life. Whether working, surfing, creating or playing, their goal is to capture the love, creativity and all things blissful in this beautiful life they have been blessed with. You can read more on Sheena's blog, "Beach Break Bliss".  

The Ultimate Giveaway!

Constant State of Change

I've been playing with paint this weekend and thought I'd share some before and after photos with you! 

First my master bedroom. I changed the color of the mirror and the dresser. I chose grey because I wanted to ground the colors a little. I felt like using the darker grey would give the room a more consistent flow. Although it is still a work in progress, here is where it currently stands!

Another room I worked a bit on was my master bathroom. I changed the shelves.

So the cool thing is these are all re-purposed items!

Mirror - $10

Dresser - $5

Bathroom Shelves - $4

2 Cans of Spray Paint - $7

(the dark grey paint was leftover from another project)

Yay!!! 

Happy Labor Day...peace ya'll!