The Wild Coast of Bohemia

I think I forgot to show the laptop bags here. Better a little late than never!

2009-08-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

Our first corset for our upcoming fashion shoot

2009-08-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

This was really designed as a foil to the wraps, which are the main point of the shoot. But it's proved to be so interesting that we may go on to do some kind of corsets or tops later. It's sewn by a very talented British seamstress who specialises in corsets.

Chiffon wraps

2009-07-22T04:09:00.000-07:00

We're very close to having the first of these completed now. Two designs done - one with an Arthur Rackham mermaids theme and the other our own Bohemian Gothic "Strength".

Both these first prints are now being changed considerably. The colours are being toned down a little - we want something a bit more misty and with a slightly antique feel. We are also, sadly in a way, changing the "shell baby" on the Mermaids wrap, as I think another nymph will be better.

We will be doing two more designs for the fashion shoot at the end of August (aaargh, I have to find models soon), and then hopefully these four designs - not the actual shoot ones, but others that are identical - plus one or two more, will be one sale in September. We still need to decide on the final 4-6. Perhaps one Alice in the mix, another fairies for sure and perhaps something a bit Russian in feel? I'm not sure yet.

Just a corner of this one printed so far. We think the blue, although beautiful, is too intense, so it needs some work. There is never any way to tell how a colour will come out until we print it on fabric. So we're used to this phase of adjusting and readjusting.

The Bohemian Cats Calendar 2010 is here!

2009-06-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

The calendar is now printed and available. Although I know it's rather early to begin thinking about 2010, interestingly the Cat Gallery here wanted some immediately. I suppose it's a really nice present for visitors to take home, very Bohemian, spectacular (I think), a good price - and easy to carry! Yes, makes sense.

We had a whole lot of fun making this - it makes me want to get back to doing more Cats pictures soon.

Getting the shops updated and tidied up

2009-06-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

For a week now, Magda (our new helper) and I have been working hard on updating the drawstrings on both the main shop and on Etsy. We finally have the new standard bags nearly all up, and in the right colours - formerly we had some colours listed that we're actually sold out of.

It's great to get this all sorted - and essential too, before the new styles of bag arrive later this summer.

New Alice bags are here.

2009-04-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

These will be on the shop this week. I'm very pleased with them. All our Alice bags seem very popular, so we thought we would add just a few (three in fact) new prints for spring and summer. I'll post the other two and the shop link as soon as I have them listed.

Our bags are on sale at Amazon

2009-04-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

The first batch of our satin and pure silk tarot bags is now on sale at Amazon.co.uk. It's a real thrill to see them there. They are "fulfilled by Amazon" - in other words Amazon stocks them in their warehouse and you can order them - complete with free shipping - if you're in the UK.

If it all goes well we will be sending more styles and prints over this year.

"Destiny" Pre-Raphaelite shoulder pouch

2009-04-12T03:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I sit here wondering why something I like a lot is not selling and then I realise...
... it's because I haven't listed it on the shop. Er hem.

It's there now. But we only have enough kimono for about two more bags in all so stocks are very, very low.

New shoulder pouches

2009-03-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

These are the custom ones using vintage kimono fabrics. The "standard" silk ones will be ready in the summer.

The Magic Cup - new shoulder bag

2009-03-13T11:18:00.001-07:00

We've been asked for many different new shoulder bag prints, and this is one of the first of them. It's SUCH a pretty bag - should get some attention when it's worn, in the nicest possible way. I've shown the apple green back, but it also comes in copper, rust/green and taupe/green. Or anything else you like really - though to me, those are the colours that work best.

Wholesale now working

2009-03-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

Direct wholesale ordering is now mostly up and running on the shop. Well, it's in place for small drawstrings, messenger bags and totes - I need to get wholesale prices listed for everything else.

If you register as a wholesaler (and it's only open to bona fide retailers please - it need prior approval) you will see wholesale prices when you log in. Then you can go ahead and order as normal, but at these prices.

I've set it up so there is an extra-special discount if you buy several of any one item - easier all round.

If you'd like to register as a wholesaler, please get in touch.

The return of The Mouse

2009-03-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

As you'll have gathered, the calendar (hey, spelt it right that time, it's one of those words I habitually mis-spell) is based on existing pictures, though very much reworked. It's partly because of our time - we were only paid for a couple of weeks work on this, though Alex has put in more - but mainly because it's what the publisher insisted on. I suppose it made them feel that they knew what they would be getting. It's actually worked out very well and I love the result, although I'm also itching to do a whole new lot of Bohemian Cats work.

IF this one is a success - and that's definitely a great big IF as by sod's law it's being launched at maybe the worst economy in central europe for decades - we will get to do a whole set of new pictures for 2011. Here's hoping.

But whatever happens, I have to say that reviving "the mouse" as he is called around here (he's a gerbil), has been a laugh. In real life he was a right little bad-tempered rodent who bit me several times and actually, single pawed, managed to terrify all our three cats. You had to admire that in a way.

One more from the new calender

2009-03-02T06:40:00.001-08:00

So, a bit more information too. It will be a very large 600 * 470 mm (that's about 23.5 by 18.5 inches) and we are hoping to retail it at around $15 or 12 Euros though everyone is still being a bit vague on price. I think with the rising dollar it should be possible. The great thing about doing something with a "mass" (relatively) publisher is that the prices are very good.

New shoulder pouch samples - part two

2009-03-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

Well, just so that you know we are progressing, here are the snaps of the samples in Vietnam. You can see the nice little metal zip pulls in these pictures - I'm pleased with these as they just give a nice finish.
Six samples will be with us this week. Meantime, we have to finish the calender and then print and print and print to get all the pictures ready to be sent out.

I had a very nice note recently from the guy who organises all this saying that in these times it's very important that they keep the work coming in for the women who do the sewing. I know that there are ifs and buts about making where you can't visit the workshops (although we hope to some day) but I do feel that it's good to know we are providing decent work and buying as direct as possible. We'll stick with these same people now - we like them and we love the quality of sewing they do.

The way this will work is what's becoming the main process for us - we do the prints, they do the sewing, it all comes back here for finishing. In this case we will make the straps here because they are being specially woven locally. So it's quite a lot of stages, but worth it because we end up with gorgeous quality and a great retail price. And deep down, something in me quite enjoys some aspects of organising all this - if I'm honest. I've always liked collaborating with a wide range of people - quite simply, it's interesting and I learn a lot.

The Bohemian Cats calender

2009-02-26T04:55:00.000-08:00

Well, we think that's what it will be called. The publisher argued for "Magic Cats" but half of these are not really about magic.

The pictures are all based on existing ones, but as the calender is huge, about small poster sized, everything had to be extensively redone.

One day I will write a thesis (or a short blog post) on digital imaging and the way in which it means that studio motifs get used and reworked again and again. With some of these pictures, this must be the fifth or sixth version, and I actually find it very interesting to see them evolve and change - and I hope get better.

So, here is the calender cover for starters.

The clock is a really nice touch this time around. As the pictures are going to be so large, we felt we could put in more detail.

And the new Brave Tabby, with a much improved costume - and his fur brushed.

More new "standard" bags - Arthur Rackham fairies

2009-02-22T05:53:00.000-08:00

We have most of them listed on the shop now. They are 13.90 Euros, which is about $17.80. It may have to go up a bit as that is really a LOW price. With currencies moving around so much it's really hard to keep up. Anyway, for this month it's the price, and hopefully into March. Grab them while you can!
Yes, yes, I would say that wouldn't I? - but really, this is about the price of a mass produced bag in much less special fabric - and without the print. With the recession come bargains - there's always a silver lining.

2009-02-19T08:24:00.001-08:00

These are both now in our batch production, so they're excellent value - good colours too so they feel quite special.

2009-02-17T05:04:00.000-08:00

and another one - the same shape/pattern but just to show how it looks in a different colour.

New shoulder pouches

2009-02-16T15:53:00.000-08:00

Adjustable strap - though for the final bags we are commissioning some cotton webbing strap to be made to our order (it feels more substantial for such a long strap - and has a nice texture). Also the final zips of course won't have the rather noticeable brass metal stops.

I'm very pleased with this design - it's been three months to get to this point (backwards and forwards between Romana, us and the guys in Vietnam). But I think it was worth taking some time.

It's not yet available. Now we have the mammoth task of doing all the prints and specifications (colour etc) for one large batch. I think we should with luck have these in April.

I know I keep saying it, but it is AMAZING how long things take. I really do understand now that you have to begin to prepare for autumn/winter season a full year ahead. Crazy!

And another quick burst of Bohemian fabric

2009-02-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

Today the sun came out, I saw a green woodpecker looking for somewhere to build a nest and the cats went mad on the roof. First hints of spring!

I also got a wildly, wildly gypsy tablecloth that I bought. Minnie sniffed it for five minutes and was appalled, so I took it straight to wash (she checks everything that comes into the house). It turned out to be FILTHY - basin after basin of brown water was flushed away before I got it clean. I then drenched it in aroma fabric conditioner and hung it outside. After which it will be fit to use. It's falling to pieces really, but it looks like something from a Victorian circus and I love it. Once it's dried and ironed I'll photograph it.

For now though, some of the red-on-white embroidery that I love so much here. This is very faded and on an unusually thick linen (only a strip left, it's been cut just an inch from the embroidery) - I suspect it's a good 100 years old. We will scan it all and store it for use as a graphic later. Then maybe I will think seriously about sewing it on to one of my thick old french sheets, if it's wide enough. Any other ideas? I would really like to use it for real as well as using it as a graphics source.

More of the "standard" bags at $18.75 or whatever that is in Euros!

2009-02-13T05:43:00.000-08:00

We are getting these completed quite quickly now. It is GREAT to be able to offer bags at this much lower cost in these times. Though you'll notice we've also put up the price of custom bags as we want to nudge people, gently, to go for the standard bags unless they really, really want a special colour or fabric.

Today I will have the happy task of pulling out our very old Bohemian indigo fabrics - I grabbed a load from a friend before he finished his antiques business here - and working out how to use them in the new shoulder pouches. But that's for later.

So - one of the all-time favourites now in his slightly new incarnation:

On Etsy for now, on the shop later. Don't ask me where is the cheaper to buy. I really am at my wit's end with currency changes and will just try to keep both sites more or less in line. Buy where is best for you!

New bag - very apt for this time of the year

2009-02-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

The Love Potion. We only have this as a custom bag for now. If it's popular we may make it in batch as a lower cost "standard" bag - but not for six months or so.

Three of the new Flower Oracle "standard" bags

2009-02-11T08:27:00.001-08:00

Just a heads-up that we have the two new Alice wristlets on special offer

2009-02-07T05:34:00.000-08:00

I haven't sent this out in a newsletter because it's only two designs. But as they are brand new and we're really pleased with them, I thought I'd do a "special" for this month. I hate to use the word "cute" - but I do think they're cute! At 20 Euros they are probably a bit too cheap - but well, it's February and in a recession, so why not?

A couple of new shoulder bags

2009-02-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

These are another custom order that came out really well. We're trying to cut back on custom orders but we are still happy to do them when we think that the print can go into our normal line. I think both these bags will be popular - when I get that "I want one of these" myself, it's usually a good sign. In fact, the Thumbelina shows very well at this size as you can see the details.

We tried doing one of these satin fronts in a dupion satin-backed silk. I like it, Alex is not sure. But it's interesting to try. I sort of like the little hint of texture in the dupion. I may post close-ups later so you can see what I mean.

At last - the Brave Tabby messenger bag

2009-02-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

We've been asked for this before, but it was one very determined (good for her!) Etsy buyer that finally pushed us into getting it done.

Great bag, if I do say it myself! For brave tabbies everywhere.

and a few more new bags

2009-02-03T04:52:00.001-08:00

Well, most of the prints will be familiar, although the Grumpy Persian is new. But these are our new all-silk bags that we are just gradually getting listed (it takes quite a time to thread and bead and pack them - and photograph). It's great to be getting so much in stock at last - we were a bit short of most things last year, so this year we have learnt.

Some of the new drawstring pouches

2009-01-31T12:26:00.000-08:00

These can of course also be used as tarot bags - they are the perfect size for that. But we find many people now buy them to store cosmetics or other small items in their handbag, or to use as decorative storage bags in bathroom or bedroom.

Sale is open!

2009-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

It's here. Have fun. I am SO glad to have launched this at last. All year Alex and I have been filtering out some things that are discontinued or seconds and saying to each other, "No problem, it'll go in the sale." and I did wonder if it would ever really happen.

Oh, by the way, the limited editions do start HIGH (well, they were part of my pension plan - though Alex says they would be long-gone by then anyway) but I will reduce them each day. Now if that doesn't add a bit of suspense I don't know what will.

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Edited to add. Hey, a copyright notice just appeared on this post. Is that a new LJ thing?

SALE at Baba Store

2009-01-22T05:37:00.000-08:00

It'll start today as soon as I can get all the listings up. I can't do everything but we will add to the listings as often as possible so do keep checking.I'll post the link when we're ready to begin.

New bags this time, not sale bags

2009-01-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

I've just been a bit too busy* to fish out more of the "seconds" this week. But I will do as soon as I can. Thanks for all your enthusiasm about those.

Meanwhile here is a "beautiful Vassilisa" at last - I've been wanting to do this one for ages.

By the way I had a conversation with another Etsy seller the other day and she told me our work is WAY under-priced. I am beginning to think this may be true. Although in a recession...? Anyway, we'll keep this introductory price to the end of the month for sure.

If you have any comments about the price I'd love to hear them - I really do wonder if the price implies that the quality is far lower than it actually is (which is what my friend said). And this is NOT fishing for compliments, I'd honestly like some input.

*standard excuse I know but we seem finally to have signed the contract on the GIANT - it's poster-sized - Bohemian Cats Calender so it's a bit mad as now they need it quickly.

Four more sale tarot bags/drawstring pouches

2009-01-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

UPDATE - all gone. I'm going to dig around the studio for more seconds but I have no idea what I'll find.
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The cats are doing quite well with their tower collection and are starting to get over-ambitious (no, we are not aiming for an Imperial Cat Palace guys).

So - on with four more bags.

First, two Strength bags with the old lion head (not the version that finally made it into the deck) and printed so that some of the details are lost. I would say that these look at least as good as most fabric prints, but the ones we sell as perfect have a lot more detail in them. These ones were early and it always takes us a few tries to get a print set up correctly.

Again, $10 plus shipping

And - two High Priestesses also with some detail missing - nice shiny satin print but we feel it should be sharper.

A film of The Lady of Shalott

2009-01-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

With many thanks to The Beautiful Necessity I thought I'd pass this on.

It looks as though it's being very carefully done. Mmm - anticipation - it'll be out in May 2009 apparently.

Okay, I should add that I'm not sure about the casting - and it may be just a little mock-medieval filmme in tone. But still, let's be generous and admit that it does look like it will be atmospheric - and I love the way they have matched the costume later on to the Waterhouse painting.

BIG task

2009-01-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

I'm still going through the rather mammoth task of switching all the small drawstrings to the "standard" and "custom" options. All in all it will take until the end of the month I think as we have about 200 bags to list. Scary in a way, but I am doing just a few at a time. It's a great move I think as it should simplify things and let us not only maintain prices but even shave a bit off them - while fulfilling orders faster. And much as we like doing custom bags it should mean that we will have fewer to make - better for Romana and it means I can also spend some time dreaming up some special combinations with vintage fabrics. Anyway, a few more went up on the shop today. Eventually nearly all our prints will be available in standard and custom versions - the hope being that most of the standard colours will be in stock most of the time. ___________ Anyway, it means I haven't had time to list any more of the sale bags today, but I'll try to get back to that tomorrow. I think there are a couple of Alice messengers with small marks on the canvas (on one it looks like a large drop glue was spilt on to it, I removed it but it left a mark - on the other one small patch of canvas is a bit lighter - I suppose it's a fabric fault). I'll try to list those over the weekend if not tomorrow.

One more

2009-01-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

SOLD
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The last of the stiffer-interfacing samples. This is an Alice in a taupe silk (please note, not the pink silk shown). Again, silver-grey silk lining. One only of this.

Again, same price, $10 plus $4 postage - but postage can be combined if you buy more than one (we can hold any bags you buy until you see what else is on the way)

Please pay via PayPal:

Orders at magic dash realist dot com

SALE bags

2009-01-07T06:32:00.000-08:00

Three of these sold now. Just one left.

Minnie ("tabby with attitude") is sitting in front of the screen. She is getting excited - the new tower fund has begun! She wants one with one of those fur fabric boxes on top. I know, I know, I always said I could not live with one of those things - but cats LOVE them.

I really ought to be putting sale items on the shop but I just haven't got time for now. So I will offer a few from time to time here in January as well as getting a shop sale page together. Our flat and studio are FULL of slight seconds or samples or discontinued images so I have told myself that I'll sell all these off and put the money towards a new climbing "tower" for the cats (they have pulled their old one to pieces - it looks disgraceful).

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Okay, first up. Two rather stiff tarot bags. These are made in our (lovely - they really are) workshop in Vietnam so the silk is gorgeous and they are silk lined. The linings are a silver-grey silk. However, these were two of the early samples and we think the cotton interfacing is too thick. The bag can still be gathered and closed, but it's just a bit harder to do this than we like.

Prints are done by us, as always (no-one else does our prints but us with our own hands - which means Alex really - and I am allowed to do one once in a blue moon when he trusts me - hah!)

Our contact in Vietnam says that the interfacing used on these bags mean that they will last for many years! We had to say that while we appreciate that, we do prefer the softer interfacing that we are using.

One is Alice and the Pool of Tears in pale blue silk (this is not the actual bag as that hasn't been photographed - but similar to this though the blue is much lighter):.

Both are half price at $10 plus $4 shipping. We can of course combine shipping if you would like both.

By the way, if the PayPal button does not work, please let me know, I am new to this. If it does not charge shipping (it sometimes doesn't ) I will send an invoice for the $4. Or send a refund if you buy both, as we can combine shipping.

SOLD

The other is The Fairy Queen in a very pretty pale green and the background of the picture is more yellowy cream than white (again, the photo is not the actual bag).

SOLD

Two Death the Bride bags with a small fault in the printing. Each has a hairline (literally, because it's the result of a loose thread lying on the print when we were doing it) of white going across the image. About 1-1.5 inches long. It's slight but you can definitely see it.

This is the bag - the faulty ones are identical but with the small white hairline fault on the picture. I don't have a photo of them as they are down at the studio, but I can always send a picture to the buyer to check that you're happy before we post.

Same price - $10 plus $4 postage.

ONE LEFT

New Alice in Wonderland wristlets

2009-01-06T06:14:00.001-08:00

Alice in Wonderland wristlets

A winter evening celebration

2008-12-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

Nice evening yesterday celebrating my birthday (don't ask, don't ask!) I decided that I really didn't want an expensive slick restaurant but did very much want a leisurely evening walk over Charles Bridge, through the Clementinum and into the Old Town Christmas Market. The market is actually quite small this year, and much less crowded than it used to be. In a way that was nice.

A fairly typically tasteful and "arty" Czech crib.

The folk dancers were a bit, er, restrained or half-hearted or something. But the kids seemed to enjoy it.

Trdelik is a Czech Christmas institution. Click on the picture if you want to read more about this cinnamon doughy ring.

That's me. I post very few pictures of myself but this one made me laugh when Alex looked at it and exclaimed, "You look like Eskimosa!" It's true, it's true.

Oh, I nearly forgot the ham. It smelled wonderful and I was tempted. But we went to really quite a good Italian instead. Lovely evening, calm and relaxed and fun. We finished it off at home with cake and mince pies and a video of "Smoke". I LOVE Paul Auster's writing - good little film.

And, a new version of the Undine messenger

2008-11-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

We realised that some people had problems with the (not very)naked mermaid on the right-hand panel in the original version. So we have done this new version. It's also a little more intensely coloured.

I like it. But then, I liked the original one too - which we will still have for those of you who are not afraid to carry a nekkid mermaid on your shoulder.

Newsletter is out! With special offers.

2008-11-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

I have finally given up with trying to get our server host, Dreamhost, to stop blocking our mailings (I honestly do suspect there is a bit of prejudice here - they seem more suspicious because we're in Central Europe) so now we are using one of the dedicated mail services. At least I know the mailings will arrive - and it's honestly a very modest cost and worth it for the sheer stress relief as they have lots of online help and templates etc (plus nice support staff).

So - if you aren't on the list and want to be, please click here to sign up.

By the way, right now, our shop leads to the old sign-up but I am keeping an eye on that and have transferred everyone over by hand. With any luck tomorrow the shop support team will be back at work and will show me how to redirect the sign-up (it's a bit fiddly as CS-Cart does everything with databases and templates). And I am changing all the sign-ups on our sites. So - we will have a reliable mailing list that can actually get past servers and arrive intact at google-mail addresses. AT LAST.
Er, have I said that before? Well, I really think we are there this time.

New samples

2008-11-13T07:49:00.000-08:00

This is something quite new for us - and like all new things, it's taking time to develop. I wanted this combination of a very flat top (under the frame) and a flouncy/puffy bottom. But being a slightly three-dimensionally challenged designer I didn't realise that the result is that you can't open the bag all that widely - so getting things in and out is slightly awkward (not very, but enough to be irritating). Sigh, back to the drawing board.So - meantime I need to buy some hooks that match the frame (hooks shown are steel, frame is brass) and make a couple of handles so that at least this doesn't end up thrown away - the pure-silk embroidered fabric is far too good for that. I think I'll keep one and gift one.It's quite a large bag by the way, which Alex thinks spectacular. I think I like the size - I'm beginning to come around to the huge bags that are fashionable right now. Well, no, in fact I don't like the huge ones - the thought of lugging around that much stuff makes me feel faint - but a BIG bag like this seems suddenly quite appealing.____________The-blog-that-was-about-textiles-and-politics seems about to revert back to textiles. A lot less drama on the whole (hmm, although maybe not - these clutch bags are providing a fair bit of drama as I try out different approaches).

Okay, last one of the Dark Lord

2008-10-22T01:51:00.000-07:00

This is a close-up so you can see more of the detail:

A small group of friends

2008-10-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

Aren't these costumes fabulous? The monsters are made from goat hair and the masks are wooden and, Alex told me, weigh 5 kilos.

This weekend Alex met an elderly elf at a Bohemian Castle

2008-10-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

He was at the Fx-Con Festival that a friend of ours, Vlad Taupesh organises.He came back with lots of photos including some hysterical ones of him applying body glitter to the woman he had to make up himself. Not sure if I will post all of those :OFor now, here is the first taste. One problem with a blog about life here is that almost every week we end up with more photos of amazing things and I never get a fraction posted. But here goes with two. I really like this costume.

Making Dreams Work

2008-10-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

I'm gradually feeling that the new businessy blog is getting properly underway. It took a while to move material over. But also just to play with the layout (which still needs some work), add links and so on.

But I think I will start to promote it a bit now. It feels like the right time. Assuming that people are thinking about their businesses, and not simply out in the garden burying pots of cash (a nod to a friend here!)

I think we'll all survive, and carry on, though perhaps there will be big changes from the way it was over the last ten years or so. That might even settle down to being a good thing.

Vicuna! - maybe

2008-10-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

My "vicuna" yarn just arrived from the dealer in the UK that I really love. If you want really special yarn at reasonable prices I would recommend them. So far I have been pleased with everything.

Those of you reading this may not know I am a crochet-holic - I seriously do not feel happy unless I have at least three or four crochet projects on the go. Right now I'm doing an alpaca lace jacket in grey, a perhaps-scarf in hand-woven silk combined with a very fine silver lurex thread (this is "perhaps" because having made it I think the yarn is too thick to look good in crochet so the whole thing may have to be made into something else) and the very beginnings of a top in blue and grey silks - bought as an ebay bargain and so I need to think how to make it all work together.

Anyway, the dealer had some vicuna that I stumbled across (the site is very hard to search and there is all sorts of stuff tucked away). It was, er $2 a skein instead of the normal vicuna $300. Now this tells me something, and the site DID say that it might not be vicuna but was believed to be - this dealer is honest about yarn content and says outright when he's not sure. But at $2 who cares? So I bought enough for a small scarf (as Alex says, "How many small crocheted scarves do you need?") and today it arrived.

It smells as though it's been lurking at the back of an Afghan bizarre for many years. Minnie, who likes to sniff all packages, was truly amazed by it. But I have washed and washed and washed it - and lo and behold, it's fluffed up. Lots of long, white hairs also fell out of it, so it does seem to be from some kind of antelope-type animal.

I suspect it isn't real vicuna. It might be anything - ibex crossed with camel? - but it will make an interesting project. I'll photograph it later in the winter once it's done and you can tell me what you think. Right now the skein is hanging out on the terrace and infusing the flat with the smell of wet goat. Lovely.
_________

Oh - and I meant to add that vicuna is endangered (which I only realised when I looked it up). But I think this yarn is pretty old - and probably something else in any case.

I did once eat an endangered species - by accident. I'll tell the story one day if I dare.

THE most beautiful bags. Though I did have to sacrifice a shawl.

2008-10-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

I bought a Liberty's varuna wool vintage shawl in "Hera" pattern some time back and then - typically - fell in love with it. However, it had some quite bad moth damage in one part when we bought it so I finally accepted that it really should be cut. I'm actually really glad as the bags turned out to be just drop-dead gorgeous. One had a moth hole (Romana spotted it too late once it was sewn) so I grabbed that one. It's become my new small bag for carrying things in my messenger.

It's hard to do these bags justice in a photo, They are just luscious. You know, some things just work out SO well.

They are only on Etsy for now as I need to upload a whole heap of things to the main shop. By the way, they're a little more expensive than our usual bags as the fabric in itself is quite pricey and collectible now.

Barack Obama is IRISH!

2008-09-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADUQWKoVek

I LOVE it. Sent to me by Shay Black, who I knew way back in my late teens, early twenties. Great guy.

A new "medieval" print bag. The Lady and the Unicorn

2008-09-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

I asked for input about bags on Aeclectic Forum some months back. One thing that came out strongly is that people want Pre-Raphaelite and Medieval options. We like those images too, so we've been working on them. Here are a couple of examples.

It's really hard to find either type of imagery in high quality copyright-free form so Alex had to do a lot of work on both of these. I do think they look good:
Sorry - our sites just went down as I was putting these in (the host has an announcement up so at least they know). So here is just a small upload of one image for now.

A new bag

2008-09-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

We actually did take this one from a CD collection. We hardly ever use CDs because the quality tends to be awful, but this one just needed a bit of work - and it's so beautiful that it was worth it.

It's a picture by Warwick Goble - I just LOVE the colour combinations.

Dreams Can Work, a small blog about small creative businesses

2008-09-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well, it's sort of in a fit state to see now, though it needs a whole lot more work (and ouch, I cannot change some of the colours that I want to - oh well, that'll have to wait). I am enjoying this but actually finding it quite demanding. But it's good, it's making me read and think and - quite honestly - this blog is as much about pushing that side of myself as anything else.http://www.dreamscanwork.com(this is a redirect and I've only just set it up, so it may not work for another 24 hours) It's been quite a summer. Sometime I will post about my boring (but for me incredibly stressful) struggle with trying to put right a mistake that my solicitors made about ten years ago - entirely their fault and a bad mistake with huge consequences for me. It's been nightmarish at times and it's not what I needed this year, but oh well, shit happens and all that.Anyway, I am getting it sorted, and it's been great while it's all going on to just focus on indulging some of my own textile desires (no-one does a decent Alice cushion, so now I have - and I have two for myself) and on the issues around getting a creative business off the ground in current times.This is the third time I've got a studio going and interestingly, it's the most successful. Certainly not in monetary terms, but very much so in terms of enjoyment, satisfaction and a feeling that I'm finally doing what I really want to. I work very long hours, but I'm not very stressed. In fact, I am so much more laid back and calm than I used to be that it's almost a joke. I also suspect that Baba Studio is actually more stable than any studio I've run before - I think this time we built the foundations much more slowly and in a considered way. It feels solid.Every so often Alex says to me, "Do you ever think what I might be doing if I hadn't met you?" and I say, "Well, what about me if I hadn't met you?" and he always says, "Well, you would be running your own studio, but I might well not be."We're lucky - our skills and interests are very complementary. But he says that in the end, I am the one that knows how to begin a business (though I strongly suspect that he is the one who knows how to keep it running efficiently) and in a way, yes, it's true. So it's nice to pass on some thoughts and things I've learned - even though I shudder a bit at actually encouraging anyone else to follow my ways of doing things which often verge on being driven by a strange mix of passion, fear and desire, rather than organised and planned in any clean, clear way. Anyhow, the blog is begun. Though I make no claims for it.

The new bags - there are about eight more new prints as well

2008-09-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Again, these are my colour adjustments on the photos so not as good as Alex's. But they give an idea. We are switching mostly to new Thai silk for the bags (it's pure silk, but smoother than dupion and as iridescent as the Indian silk) AND - ta DA! - silk lining (again pure silk and yes, we even tested it to make sure).I'm very happy. Alex says that it's like my cooking, I never do anything twice exactly the same way. He says I always have to try new things - but I think he likes it. Anyway, I am really very pleased with these.This is Harry Clarke's "Thumbelina" - much worked on by Alex as sadly the original prints (we have a first edition) are very faded now. We have it in a bronze shot with green or a lilac. Neither is really quite right on these images - the bronze looks a bit brown (it's actually a real "shot" colour) and the lilac a bit blue. Actually, if you look at the picture of Minnie below this bag is on the far right - and that's more the real colour. I am just in love with this lilac silk - which is funny as it was Alex who wanted it and I initially wasn't sure. But it's marvelous.

Happiness is a cat with bags, lots and lots of brand new bags

2008-09-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

I have been stringing cord through tarot bags the last couple of days - it's not usually my job but it's actually been nice to do something so manual - hate to say it, but sometimes I just love this kind of mindless work with pretty fabrics.Anyway, I am also trying to list the new bags on the shop, so I sorted them on a clean white sheet on the floor to see what we have of which colours. Mistake! Or was it? It made one large tabby very happy. She LOVES to help with things. Fortunately most of them are already bagged in plastic but er, I would not normally encourage her to do this.

Alice cushions - mark two. With hand embroidery, beautiful, beautiful embroidery

2008-09-02T15:10:00.003-07:00

So, our new Alice in Wonderland cushions are at sample number two stage.We've changed the fabric from linen to silk (a really good quality silk with cotton interfacing, nice and crisp) as we like the sheen - though we may do some linen also eventually.We've changed the design so that the cushions work well on their own as well as in pairs. Though the original "paired" design will probably be done, in slightly modified form, too - as I love it.The cushion now comes with a pad - a rather ingenious pad of which more later.Oh - and by the way - we now have hand embroidery on the design. I actually want to jump up and down and shout that very loudly, but I will be quiet and restrained. DMC threads too - I LOVE how this looks.These are just snapshots for now, and done in bad light but they still look good, don't they? Actually, I am very, very pleased with how these are turning out. It's been worth the work. Though I do need to redo some photos in sunlight.A few more tweaks and a few more designs, and we'll be there I hope.

Alice cushions - mark two. With hand embroidery, beautiful, beautiful embroidery

2008-09-02T15:10:00.002-07:00

So, our new Alice cushions are at sample number two stage.We've changed the fabric from linen to silk (a really good quality silk with cotton interfacing, nice and crisp) as we like the sheen - though we may do some linen also eventually.We've changed the design so that the cushions work well on their own as well as in pairs. Though the original "paired" design will probably be done, in slightly modified form, too - as I love it.The cushion now comes with a pad - a rather ingenious pad of which more later.Oh - and by the way - we now have hand embroidery on the design. I actually want to jump up and down and shout that very loudly, but I will be quiet and restrained. DMC threads too - I LOVE how this looks.These are just snapshots for now, and done in bad light but they still look good, don't they? Actually, I am very, very pleased with how these are turning out. It's been worth the work. Though I do need to redo some photos in sunlight.A few more tweaks and a few more designs, and we'll be there I hope.

Alice cushions - mark two. With hand embroidery, beautiful, beautiful embroidery

2008-09-02T15:10:00.001-07:00

Alice cushions - mark two. With hand embroidery, beautiful, beautiful embroidery

2008-09-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

So, our new Alice cushions are at sample number two stage.We've changed the fabric from linen to silk (a really good quality silk with cotton interfacing, nice and crisp) as we like the sheen - though we may do some linen also eventually.We've changed the design so that the cushions work well on their own as well as in pairs. Though the original "paired" design will probably be done, in slightly modified form, too - as I love it. The cushion now comes with a pad - a rather ingenious pad of which more later.Oh - and by the way - we now have hand embroidery on the design. I actually want to jump up and down and shout that very loudly, but I will be quiet and restrained. DMC threads too - I LOVE how this looks.These are just snapshots for now, and done in bad light but they still look good, don't they? Actually, I am very, very pleased with how these are turning out. It's been worth the work. Though I do need to redo some photos in sunlight.A few more tweaks and a few more designs, and we'll be there I hope.

Master and Margarita - Blood Dance

2008-08-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJsHuXXukjw

Or if you don't want to watch the whole thing, but just go straight to the dance -it's here.(warning, nudity, weirdness and a lot of feathers)

The Master and Margarita (English subtitles). Part 7 (4 / 5)

2008-08-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X8mFWG1syY

Because autumn has begun here and I am beginning to get into a Gothic/Halloween type of mood. Plus anyone who does not know Master and Margarita needs to.

New prints

2008-08-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

We are doing a whole heap of new prints right now - based in part on all the feedback we got on Aeclectic Forum at the beginning of the year about the kinds of things people want. They are all old images that we have cleaned and altered to make them suitable for fabric printing.So far we have ONE of each - we did these as a try-out. But we're making more now and should have plenty in stock in a week or so.

All - and some other new ones that I'll save for the next post - are only on Etsy for now. Until we have the more standard colours ready it doesn't make sense to put them on baba-store.We're also working on some of our own images, but these may not see the light of day for some months. Basically we have a large project to do over the autumn - it all sort of arose and grew and suddenly became quite a big task. It's on commission from a publisher and should be extremely interesting. So - we thought we would put some time into really getting a nice, big selection of bags (and - cushions - more of that in a week or two) ready for autumn, and then we can settle down and do our own illustrations. A nice balance I think.

On "pseudo modernism" - or the places that venture capital blogs can take you

2008-08-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

I'm still putting my "how to make a creative business work" blog together - bit by bit. It's taking a while because I feel that I need to work out the focus and form I want. I'm like this when I write books too - it takes me ages to get the structure all mapped out and then filling in the details of content is quite fast.I also can't get the banner right - true pathos yes?Anyway, I was considering whether to put a sidebar link to this New York venture capital blog by Fred Wilson:http://avc.blogs.com/It's good stuff, although ironically one of the things I want to say myself is that the assumption that investment from outsiders is a good thing is very questionable. It became fashionable in the dot-com era and now it's far too often taken for granted and the desire - if not the actuality - of "big investment" probably wrecks more businesses than it helps. More on that in the new blog.Reading the avc blog, I found a discussion of the new "psuedo modernism" - now who would have thought it?Anyway, as you know, I totally bore anyone reading this blog from time to time by going off on a monologue about where design is headed. I that context, this is worth a read, though it is awfully self-consciously academic in a way that reminds me of why I left academia. It's not that I don't respect this way of writing - just that I found it a bit stifling myself and when I took to putting flip-book corners on my thesis I realised that maybe I was more cut-out for something else. This article would benefit from flip-book corners I think. As would my blog of course - if I could work out how to do them.____________What’s Post Postmodernism?I believe there is more to this shift than a simple change in cultural fashion. The terms by which authority, knowledge, selfhood, reality and time are conceived have been altered, suddenly and forever. There is now a gulf between most lecturers and their students akin to the one which appeared in the late 1960s, but not for the same kind of reason. The shift from modernism to postmodernism did not stem from any profound reformulation in the conditions of cultural production and reception; all that happened, to rhetorically exaggerate, was that the kind of people who had once written Ulysses and To the Lighthouse wrote Pale Fire and The Bloody Chamber instead. But somewhere in the late 1990s or early 2000s, the emergence of new technologies re-structured, violently and forever, the nature of the author, the reader and the text, and the relationships between them.http://www.philosophynow.org/issue58/58kirby.htm

Walk in Prague - part two

2008-08-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

I think we stopped at the Frank Gehry building yesterday? But I left out one more facade:Sorry, not very clear - it was a high facade and the light was going - but you get the idea.There is lots more behind the cut. In fact, there is still a lot that I haven't at all posted yet. But enough is enough for one day maybe? There are evenings in Prague when there is something around every corner that visually and emotionally rocks you. You can get drunk on it. Just over the road we came across a large wedding on a boat. Russian and pretty over the top. As we got in front of the boat, "Hava Nagila" was in full swing. I liked the lady with what seemed to be her grandson, dancing away.If you'd like a bit of soundtrack with that - and I recommend it to get the flavour - here is a particularly perky version:Some of the style on show. Sort of - well, Russian businessman's woman. A distinctive look but fun on a beautiful eveningOkay, so, having got the distinct feeling from the bouncers that too much photography would not be welcome, on we went.This building is a large art gallery - city run. They have a new exhibition about 1968 which I think I will try to get to:You just HAVE to have the Prague Castle shot really. I know it's a cliche, but almost every time I see it against the river like this I am grateful I live here.Deep breath. Okay, I will squeeze in one or two more. As we headed into Mala Strana I remembered we had no bread, so we stopped into Cafe Savoy:Where I took a really bad and shaky picture of a corner of the famous ceiling - well, I didn't want to use flash and piss off all the people having their dinner - that's my excuse. One day soon I'll take a decent picture of the whole thing and post it. Meantime you can see it here - http://praguespoon.blogspot.com/2008/05/restaurant-review-caf-savoy.htmlIn Prague, you can have a visual feast just buying a loaf of bread. Ridiculous really.

An evening in Prague

2008-08-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

So yesterday we just left everything and went off for dinner at the best Thai here. Nice food, nice people - though the place was empty (then again, it was early).Afterwards we decided to walk home - about a one-hour leisurely walk and as we had the camera, here is an impression what a summer walk through Prague is like.It's long, it's romantic (in the sense of Victorian Romanticism) and it's probably sentimental in parts. There are also lots of pictures. So the first half is behind this cut. With more to follow tomorrow. It began with walking past this facade - on the riverside. We've walked past it many times before, but never photographed, so finally we did.Then it got a bit out of hand as we turned and walked down one of the most outrageously Art Nouveau streets in Prague -This one (below) was amusing, as all along the facade the shields above the window were just plain shields. But on this one the artist had turned one into an animal head. Actually, there are loads of these jokes on Prague facades (my favourite has to be the Puss in Boots in Old Town who is in a state of, er, considerable excitement). You just have to learn to look up and look closely.Not much to say - except that this is just a "take your breath away" building. To top it all a pair of sparrowhawks were nesting behind an Art Nouveau depiction of "Night" next door. Hawks with aspirations I assume.What a great building to house a Gender Studies centre (below). I mean, you too would love to have androgynous cherubs kissing passionately on YOUR Gender Studies centre, wouldn't you?And then it was round the corner and there was the Frank Gehry "Dancing House". And a bride standing under it:So - that was the first half of the walk. The bit I'll talk about tomorrow is a little different. Think the wedding scene from The Godfather.

Another bag with a print from Utagawa Kuniyoshi

2008-07-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

I can't quite decide if I would ever wear this one or not. We notice that our Japanese "Gothic" bags tend to sell more to men than almost any of our others, and I have a hunch this is a bit of a "boy's bag".Great fun to do - and more Japanese bags on the way soon we hope.Not yet on the shop - but it is listed newly on Etsy here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13839983

Another photo shoot with Aida

2008-07-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

She is a natural model really - great fun to work with. This time it was all a lower-key affair with Alex, Aida and some nice summer weather. We wanted a slightly more relaxed look. I think these worked out incredibly well, so you'll see them gradually appearing on the shops - and a few as updates on the slideshow on the front page of baba-store.This is at the John Lennon wall - and I love the sentiment written there.
The Faith, Hope and Chocolate bags look so good when they are actually photographed being worn - I still want one but am temporarily banned from "testing" more bags. The poodles were courtesy of an art event - here they are in glorious scarlet close-up -

Alice adventures in Wonderland

2008-07-20T03:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBUZhNZE4yU

THE most wonderful Alice film ever?I've finally decided to buy the DVD, I've been meaning to for years.

Mad tea party (part 1)

2008-07-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vwi9Yn2aF4

And another.Sorry, a bit Alice-obsessed right now.

Alice in Wonderland - White Queen Court

2008-07-19T14:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUUCY1fReWA

This is great. Miranda Richardson is just so good in this kind of role.

Looking Glass cushions pair

2008-07-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well, we got the first samples of the Tenniel cushions today. They are very well made - it's the workshop who we work with regularly and they are good - but there are a number of things that need to be changed. The most obvious is that the print is too large - the text sort of vanishes off the bottom once the cushion pad is put in. That we can sort out right away. Less obvious perhaps is that the "stripe" of black (it's black Irish linen) down the side, should be on the RIGHT on one cushion, and the LEFT on the other - Looking Glass world and everything is reversed right? They are supposed to work as a witty pair.We also think that the background colour (it's actually a pale inky blue) just seems like white. In fact, this version was meant to do with indigo linen anyway - another thing that was done the wrong way round (this black linen should have been with a sepia/black print).Anyway, these are fairly easy things to put right. What does bother me a bit is that they really ought to be able to do a sample more accurately than this, given that we sent mock-ups. I know, I know, I should just accept this. But the great thing about working with Romana is how she deals with lots of very complex variations with amazing ability to get it right. But she does not want to make cushions. Oh well - we'll get there. The basic idea is great and I suppose at least this way I get to keep the samples and dot them around the flat.

New bags arrive

2008-07-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

The first full samples of our new shoulder-bag/handbag designs arrived today. Again, we are having these part factory-made to our specification, then we will do the printing, sewing on the flaps and the finishing here. These will gradually replace our current silk shoulder bags (they are much smaller and dressier than the messengers) and we've put an awful lot of thinking into getting them just right.I realised the other day that the buzz-phrase for this is of course "mass customisation" - I'd never quite termed it that before. Then I realised (hey, two realisations in one day!) that it's something I've been interested in for many years. I think it's the way much good product design will go next - instead of mass-production versus small-scale hand-production it provides a potentially fantastic way of combining the two.The samples are beautiful - this is a whole new level for us as these are up there with 150GBP ($300) designer bags - in fact better than some I've seen. It means lots of hard thinking about the kinds of imagery and fabric to use for the flaps. Hugely exciting but also quite demanding. Price? I don't want to go for real high-end designer prices. I'm more interested in being accessible - I like the notion of people being able to just enjoy these bags - than being exclusive. On the other hand we may think about doing the odd really lavish "special" with lots of antique fabrics and components and embroidery. I'd love that.I won't post pictures as we have a lot of small tweaks yet (the strap is not quite right, and one internal pocket is too big) and also the bags are of course only part-made. However, expect - with luck and a good shipping service - to see these appearing on our shop in early October.Meantime, well, I suppose I am just going to have to get a couple of samples - one in black, one in silver - made up here and complete with flaps. Then I will have to wear them to test them out. A hard task but you know, I'm dedicated.

Alice offer ends tomorrow

2008-07-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that the offer of 20% off all our Alice bags (excluding the messengers) ends tomorrow.http://baba-store.com/

Oh- virtual tour of the gallery at the Schwarzenberg

2008-07-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.virtualtravel.cz/national-gallery-in-prague-schwarzenberg-palace/2397.htmlIt's not brilliant (and you need to hit the button that stops the automatic rotation as it goes far too fast - on my machine anyway) but it does give a good overall feel of the place.

Another from the museum

2008-07-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

I just liked this one very much. Good frame too.

From the ceiling

2008-06-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

In some of the rooms I found it hard to look at the paintings because I was too busy with my head back, gazing at the ceilings. Here is one of the ceiling paintings. Scenes of metamorphosis seemed to be popular in Prague at the time the palace was built (Renaissance). I suppose these metamorphosis myths provided good, dramatic subject matter.A good article on the renovations is here:http://www.radio.cz/en/article/92879Anyway, on to the girls turning into trees. I would quite like one of these on my ceiling. Or something similar would do. Ah well.I assume they are the Heliades?http://www.theoi.com/Titan/Phaethon.htmlInteresting how the seated girl looks only mildly pissed off. Perhaps the restoration is to blame?

I just like this picture a lot

2008-06-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

Another one from last Saturday evening. I'm afraid I know nothing about this angel except, well, it's Baroque - which is pretty obvious.

"Summer"

2008-06-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, just one more for now (and I think I want her as a new avatar - I need some new avatars for this journal). She is a personification of "Summer". I love the way the marble seems as though it really is fabric wrapped around her - it looks so translucent and delicate. And there's something touching about the crispness of her face and hair contrasted with the crackled and broken marble. Beautiful.

Time for some pictures

2008-06-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

This was our conversation this last Saturday night - Alex Oh! I've just realised that tonight is "museum night" in Prague. Let's go at 12.Alex Eh Darling? (actually, more like "WHAASSAT?")Alex You know, the night where all the museums are open and they're free.Me Ah? Really? And you want to go at midnight? Are they open at midnight?Alex Er, not sure. Er, hmm. Maybe we should check.Me (after much googling). *****y H***! It finishes tonight at midnight and it's ten now.Alex Quick, quick, quick!Me Hang on, hang on, need to find a jacket.And off we went. As we'd left it so late we only got as far as the Schwarzenberg Palace http://www.prague.net/schwarzenberg-palace - which is more or less next door (well, up a hill). But as it's newly restored and opened it would have been my first choice anyway.It was packed with excited people and there was a bit of a queue to get in. But after just ten minutes or so, we were let loose in the rooms. They are SPECTACULAR - in fact, it's hard to know whether to look at the architecture (complete with ceiling paintings) or the sculpture and pictures. So - I'm going to be posting lots in the next few days, but for now here is the first thing I saw in the first room. And yes, I actually did say "OH!" out loud when I saw her/him - but then I had had a Kir Royale after supper so was perhaps not as reserved as possible.The photography is not wonderful by the way, as it was night-time and flash was forbidden (as were tripods). But still, I want to show you:This angel is roughly a metre and a bit high and made of painted wood I think (sorry, that sounds pathetic - blame the kir and my lack of a notebook and reading glasses). It's from the Wallenstein Palace, one of my favourite places, and it's pretty military-looking. Pretty much the whole of the Wallenstein art is about war and death - oh, and metamorphosis. Which, come to think of it, makes it odd that I like it so much.I do like his dimple - nice touch.

Summer Newsletter

2008-06-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

Just about the best special offers we've had on bags I think. Well, it's summer and so summery new bags are particularly nice.And if you haven't yet subscribed via the new shop PLEASE, please do - all you need to do is enter your email in the field on the right-hand side of the home page, http://www.baba-store.com - it's much more reliable so I want to move everyone over asap.

The old software, like the old shop, was great in its time but just got very creaky in the last 18 months or so. It's good to have something a bit closer to state of the art - ish!

New Baba Store has launched!

2008-05-06T05:20:00.000-07:00

Our brand new shop is now online.

It's at the same url www.baba-store.com but you'll see all sorts of improvements. Just a few are:

- Many more products, and many more fashion photos to give a better idea of size and so on.

- All products priced in Euros but with the ability to switch instantly to US dollar or GB pounds.

- Better order tracking - something you've been asking for which we're delighted finally to have.

- Clearer reward points. Now every product shows its price in reward points and also how many points you get when you buy it.

- Better navigation - we now have a whole site map, an improved search engine and everything laid out so that the same products can be found easily in more than a single category (for example, Bohemian Gothic tarot bags are now in

- The ability to add reviews, make up a "wish list" and also email products to friends (all very useful for gift giving and gift hinting!)

- A straightforward way of buying and sending gift certificates.

The good news for existing customers is that we are moving all accounts and points from the old shop. This process is completed and most of you will find everything working as before. However, it's been a huge task so if you find that anything isn't working, please let us know.

The only change is that you now need to log on using your email address, NOT a user name - we think it's easier. Apart from that you should mostly find that your old password works fine.
Oh- and for those of you who have points, we are moving those across (if you don't yet see yours, do let us know, we've currently moved about 90%). The good news is that as they are now counted in Euros, not Dollars, you'll find that any existing points that you had built up are now worth more. It's just a small "thank-you" from us for your patience during this exciting shop transition.
______________________

By the way, sorry for such a formal announcement but it's the same one we are ATTEMPTING to mail out. But nowadays the chances of getting through mail filters etc are so small that I thought it should go here.

More "Alice"

2008-04-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

By the way, sorry if this seems "sales-y". It's not supposed to be. (In fact, surprisingly for this time of the year we seem to be up to our ears with orders -almost as much so as we were before Christmas). But I am just SO absolutely pleased with the way these photos are coming out.It's also a relief to see Simon - the photographer, more of him later - and Alex managing to produce three such great photo shoots. All with such different feels. From having very few photos I was really happy with I am now like a child in a sweet shop! Don't these look good on the Etsy shop?! And I am having such fun putting them into the new shop - which is going to be splendiferous (can I use that word? Oh well, why not. I like its slightly silly quality) I think.Link to the Etsy shop listing. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11156282

New Alice shoulder-bag

2008-04-18T07:24:00.001-07:00

By request - link to the Etsy shop listing. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11110513We only have one of these bags right now (though we have Alice and the Cards in this colour also, and one Alice and the Caterpillar in an amazing blue/purple silk). We just made one of each for the photography, but we will make more asap.These came out SO well.

New Alice shoulder-bag

2008-04-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

Another from the shoot

2008-04-18T05:06:00.001-07:00

I've been talking about us making an Elf Boy shoulder bag for many months. One of the good things about a photo-shoot is that it does get all these things done:

Another from the shoot

2008-04-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

I've been talking about us making an Elf Boy shoulder bag for many months. One of the good things about a photo-shoot is that it does get all these things done:

2008-04-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

I ought to be in bed, but I just had to put this up. A quick picture from today's photoshoot. I LOVE the colours in this one:

Update on the puppet

2008-04-17T05:22:00.001-07:00

Okay, he is going - well probably. We sort of have an unspoken rule that if one thing comes in to be kept, another has to be parted with. We do have a LOT of beautiful things now - I am a real accumulator, too much so really (it's too easy in Prague - though there aren't as many amazing things around as there used to be). Plus he is one of a pair. He came with a "Fu Man Chu" head, so I suppose they ought to go together ideally. They will find their place.Anyway, this I just bought this wonderful old needlework (and it was a huge bargain, don't even ask!) and I am keeping it instead of Mr Pierrot - I have some ideas about it becoming part of a fantasy black and white interior - which of course will never happen, but is good to dream on. However, it will also be used to take scans from. I think it could be used in some stunning bags.Win-win? I get to keep it entirely guilt-free. It's for work you see. :)But in general, the only problem with my Cabinet of Curiosities idea is that I go looking for things - and go into mad acquisition mode. I need to control myself and get most of the finds on to the shop and STOP making excuses for them staying here. What did I say about Buddhist exercises?Now I have to go and work out which myth this is and the proper name for a mer-lion.Edited to add. Oh, he is a Leo-kampus apparently:http://www.theoi.com/Ther/Hippokampoi.htmlEdited again (and yes, I know I'm talking to myself here):http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/Z33.4.htmlHe is a Sea-panther NOT a sea lion (silly me). It's Galateia riding a sea-panther. A somewhat unusual thing to do as a needlework I would have thought, but well, there it is.Ah, hmm, she is the goddess of calm seas. So, it gets more and more interesting. Made by a sea-man's wife perhaps?You see? This blog can be quite educational at times.

Update on the puppet

2008-04-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

The things we find here

2008-04-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

I came across this for sale:I can't make up my mind if it's interestingly bizarre and mythological or just some piece of Victorian dodgy erotica.I have a bit of "credit" as Alex agreed I could buy something to reward myself for the hard work on the shop (er, forget the Ghost tops and skirt, that was a, hmm, a different self reward) but what do you think? Would you be tempted by this or is it too like something you'd find growing dusty in a corner of the Malfoy's house?

Oh dear

2008-04-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a new section for the new shop. It's called "Cabinet of Curiosities" and will have, well, things I like and find interesting, somewhat bizarre and - definitely - appealing. So I've been buying specially. Problem - WAIL! I don't really want to part with what I'm buying. Oh drat oh drat. Here's one example. A 1930s handmade papier mache puppet head - quite large (seller's photo, I haven't had time to photograph him yet). Now, be honest, would YOU sell him? He is strange and very Weimar and sort of frightening but fascinating. I don't think I can bring myself not to keep him, but as Alex points out the "Cabinet" is going to be a little bare if I keep everything. (and as for the 1930s green irridescent dance dress fabric - AAAARRRGH. Oh drat again). I need to do some Buddhist unattachment exercises. Oh- by the way, I've changed some of the permissions on my graphics. So I hope everyone can see this now. Please tell me!

Alice - before and after

2008-04-09T07:30:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd put these up - just for interest. I'm always saying that we do a lot of work even on the imagery that we use from other artists. So here is Rackham's Alice (scanned from a turn of the last century book) before and after being cleaned and adjusted for fabric prints:Arguably, I think we have sometimes overdone this in the past - in a way it's nice to leave a little of the "age" and fading showing.This print will be used on shoulder bags, tarot bags and messengers (when we make side panels that fit). I'm pleased with this - it's an image I've loved for years.

Alice - before and after

2008-04-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd put these up - just for interest. I'm always saying that we do a lot of work even on the imagery that we use from other artists. So here is Rackham's Alice (scanned from a turn of the last century book) before and after being cleaned and adjusted for fabric prints:

Arguably, I think we have sometimes overdone this in the past - in a way it's nice to leave a little of the "age" and fading showing.This print will be used on shoulder bags, tarot bags and messengers (when we make side panels that fit). I'm pleased with this - it's an image I've loved for years.

Almost there...

2008-04-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

After more than four months of looking at code like this:

_____________{* $Id: select_currency.tpl 3746 2007-08-27 08:24:25Z zeke $ *}{if $currencies && !$hide_currencies}{if $settings.Addons.seo == 'Y'}{assign var="qstring" value=$seo_url.page|fn_query_remove:'currency'|replace:'&':'&'}{assign var="qaction" value="&sl='+this.value"}{if !$qstring|strpos:'?'}{assign var="qstring" value="$qstring?"}{/if}{else}{assign var="qprefix" value="$index_script?"}{assign var="qstring" value=$QUERY_STRING|fn_query_remove:'currency'|replace:'&':'&'}{/if} {/if}

______________and sending off pleading questions daily to the rather, er, well rather Russian support team at CS-Cart (what do I mean by rather Russian? Well, for starters they sometimes forget themselves and tell you you're an idiot. And you can see that they find it a real strain to use "please" and "thank-you" sufficiently for a Western-culture customer. Which reminds me of the redoubtable Vassilisa who once quietly asked Alex to have a word with me and ask me not to say "Please" every time I asked her to do something. "It's making me nervous, Alex," she explained.)...

...I am nearly there with the shop. I think. Unless I discover something else that needs changing. Now all we have to do is check every one of the 200 or so products (some with ten options and half a dozen pictures - OMG, what are we doing?) and do about a million test orders in various currencies. Then find out how to set up the "membership" for "Friends of Baba Studio" (okay, okay, but it's NICE) so that it only kicks in under certain criteria. Then make sure that the same happens for wholesale. Then try to prevent the inventory from insisting on believing that everything is sold out (not helpful, really not helpful).

I will say this - this is the most GORGEOUSLY well put together piece of code. I am not much of a coder - wild understatement - but I do love neat, clean, modular code when I see it.

However, the user-interface design leaves a little more to be desired, so mostly that's what I've been working on. How DO you explain to a Russian support team that not everyone will know that "None" in the currency box means that-you-have-not-chosen-an-alternative-option-so-will-get-the-default-currency-which-happens-in-this-case-to-be-Euro. As I said, er, Please (whoops) can we just say "Euro" instead of "None"? Call me whacky.

At moments like this I remember that my main profession over the years (with some other pretty odd ones thrown in along the way) was being a user-interface designer. Deep down, I am really enjoying setting up this shop. My precious.

Our Strength messenger bag

2008-04-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm running off to shop - and yes, it is 9.45 on a Sunday night but well, needs must as we've run out of cat food.But here is just a very quick one - the "Strength" bag with a plethora of lions. I think this is our best selling bag - or maybe it's neck-and-neck with Alice.Oh, by the way, the jacket is an original 19th century one in perfect condition. It's designed to be worn over a bustle - utterly wonderful and all hand stitched (and if you madly want to buy it tell me quickly and I'll ask the selling price as on Tuesday it will go back to the shop we borrowed it from - I WISH I could find an excuse to buy it myself):

2008-04-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

This was the little guy who also took part in the photography session. Completely unafraid - I suppose he's used to people.

The Gothic bags

2008-04-06T03:58:00.001-07:00

This photo is by Alex. Modelled by Aida, hair and make-up by Eva (whose surname I need to find and post - eek) Eva is now about to begin work for Mac in Prague, so if you get a chance to go to the Mac shop ask her to do a make-over for you, she's fantastic and LOADS of fun - and speaks perfect English as she lived in England for years.Aida looks beautiful in these photos - I hope the bags do too! This photo is by Alex. Soon I'll post the images by the photographer we've been working with - Simon Chang.

The Gothic bags

2008-04-06T03:58:00.000-07:00

Design again

2008-04-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

A nice day of wondering less about theory (though be warned, I really am going to come back to that one as there are all sorts of things I'm working out in my own mind) and more about DOING design.Aida is now helping us out part-time (long, long story about Vassa - basically she is alright thank GOD, but has been through a large operation due to an emergency situation and has gone home to Ukraine, probably permanently). Today we decided to pull out the new silks from India and take a couple of hours to consider new shapes and ideas. Good fun - and I think we came up with some beautiful possibities. Not once did "Modernism" and its discontents even enter my head. Like all the best design sessions we did some of it in a newish cafe that's opened. Wonderful fresh salad. Fabulous genuinely made-on-the-premises cakes. Great coffee. Perfect for getting ideas going. One day I want to talk here about the link between good design and good baking ("OMG - just get ON with the bags" is probably what you're thinking).Anyway, here is a taste (no pun intended) of the new silks. They are actually simply amazing in person - the new silks are wonderful and there is no way we can even begin to capture the way they change colour in the light. Maybe this some impression, though it still doesn't get the sense of the way the colours respond to movement: Front:and back:So - we finished the afternoon by meeting with Romana and asked her to try out some sample patterns (she's a brilliant pattern maker) and also hand-dye some cream silk brocade into a soft "tea" colour - and did some asymmetric things with copper, black and gold/black brocade. The overall plan is some black and white, sepia and cream and soft indigo (imagine a denim coloured silk) and cream fairytale drawings. Watch this space - in about a month I think. Tomorrow... the fashion shoot team reassembles and we all go off to Vysehrad cemetery: to shoot the Gothic scenes. In which Aida (who when not designing things is a part-time professional model) stars. I love doing these fashion shoots - the last one was utterly exhausting and hugely good fun.

Okay, a week of talking about design

2008-04-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

I'm in one of those moods where I want to think about design as a practise and a professional (most readers of this blog will stop reading at this point I would guess, but try to bear with me please). I've been reading Natalia Ilyin's Chasing the Perfect "Thoughts on Modernist Design in Our Time".So I'll start with a long quote. Here is Ilyin's account of going to visit an up and coming New York furniture designer - with a view to a job doing his PR: He started talking about why he had stared the company and about a $10,000 black-walnut side table he was just producing and about what he thought design was and this sort of thing, and he really was a very charming guy, and at some point we went to the all-white laminated kitchen tucked around a corner and he made me a nice Illy espresso. I was just standing there, mentally calculating the price of his trousers and of his black cashmere mock-turtle and adding it to what his cost per foot must have been, including escalations, when he suddenly said, "I had a customer come to me the other day and ask me to design a sofa.""Oh?" I said."Well, you know. I just laughed. Just laughed!"Here he chuckled in a dry sort of way, so I chuckled dryly, too, having no idea what was so damn funny about designing a sofa."So you don't design sofas?" I asked, in a leading sort of way.The designer looked at me and let out a low moan. He leaned heavily against the wall near the espresso machine. His trousers creaked mournfully."People sit on sofas," he said.

Prague pictures - background for our next fashion shoot

2008-03-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

I hadn't realised it's been quite so long since I posted here. The reason is mainly that I'm both working on our first professional fashion shoots (one done - one to go!) and also working really hard on building the new shop. Which is starting to look and feel exciting now.Anyway, here are some of the pictures Alex took while searching for good locations for our next lot of fashion photos. They're some of the nicest photographs of Prague that we've done for quite a while I think.

Pretty Irish Girl - Sean sings!

2008-03-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBu25aPNYOs

Okay, something really, really cheesy in honour of Saint Paddy.