The Re-Launch of Custom Orders - PARTY TONIGHT

Ladies Ladies Ladies! Custom Orders are Back!








In 2002, I started making handbags from recycled jeans, clothes and curtains. Since then I have amassed a large fabric stash, sold thousands of purses and wallets, and designed well over 100 original bag patterns. The *annemarie* one-woman-business is still going strong, and tonight I am celebrating by reintroducing the famous *annemarie* Custom Order!

You can choose from 4 accessories and 4 purse styles, and over 20 fabrics for endless combinations. As part of Austin Fashion Week, Urban Groove Salon is hosting me through Saturday, and tonight our party features the classic Austin Cosmo from Dripping Springs Vodka and Paula's Texas Orange.

In addition to designing your own custom handbag, you can get a mini mani, makeup, and mimosa! The event is free and is from 4pm to 7pm

The *annemarie* Party tonight is part of the Etsy Austin Party Hop. We have 7 designers hosted by 7 boutiques/salons. We're all donating a portion of our proceeds to Family Eldercare, and if you attend 3 events this week you can win some awesome prizes - including a purse from *annemarie*!

Later tonight, head out to Austin Handmade for their grand re-opening party with more free drinks, sweets, a fashion show, and make-and-take. This is a call to the Austin Craft Community to come out and support your local, home-grown, hand-made, 100% original peoples!





xo,
Anne Marie
*annemarie* Green Since 2002 - and not going anywhere!

Thrift Thursday: Go Mod on a Budget!

So usually my Thrift Thursday post is about snazzy finds I get at the Thrift Store - but Thrifty can mean many things... one of them being shopping on a budget.

Today I am featuring cute items for your body & your home for $20 or under on etsy.com - ENJOY!

href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade annemariebeard.etsy.com

xo, Anne Marie Beard

Peep the next biggest thing in Austin! www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com

DIY Wednesday - Tiffany Bag Class!

So what are you doing this Saturday?

You know you want to make your own bag! I personally can't think of a better way to spend three hours - you get to sit around with other crafty ladies, and make a purse from start to finish.





My most recent bag class is the Tiffany Pattern. She is a sleek shoulder bag with lots of style. This class is appropriate for beginners and advanced students alike.



This Saturday's class is at the Stitching Studio in North Austin. Owner Ann Randall recently moved her diggs to a FABULOUS new location - it is huge, beautifully appointed, and the air conditioning works amazingly well. Click here to register for the class.



Check out my sewing class page to see all available class dates. Don't forget that a sewing class also makes a great gift for the DIY Diva in your life!



xo, Ambie

Anne Marie is Teaching Bag Making Classes!!!

For years now, people have been asking me if I teach sewing classes, and the answer has always been no. Starting next month, the answer is YES!

Last fall I decided that I wanted to release a line of sewing patterns. Designing bags is my favorite thing to do, and to date I have over 90 original patterns under my belt.

I can't think of a better way to share my love of making bags than by teaching others how to make them. Each month I will release a new pattern and accompanying class. The patterns will be "homegrown" until I can get all that fancy software to publish them like a rock star.





My first pattern is my Erin Hobo Bag. I developed this pattern a few years ago, and have made and sold hundreds of them. Almost all commercial patterns with a zipper closure instruct you to attach the lining by hand sewing - "yeah, right!" - is what I said to that! I based the zipper technique off of a pattern I found from 1945, and modified the shape and construction to be a modern bag.


Look for my classes in May at the following locations:



Located in South Austin, The Stitch Lab is owned by Austin's own Leslie Bonnell. You may remember that I blogged about the fab Miss B back in October - click here to read that post...

Class Dates (click to register)

Saturday, May 3rd
Tuesday, May 6th





The Stitching Studio in North Austin is owned by my good friend Ann Randall. A few years back, Ann responded to a post I made about needing an assistant. She faithfully worked for me for one year, and blew me away with her awesome attitude and fast sewing abilities. One day she announced her desire to quit her job and open her own Sewing Studio - and I couldn't have been happier!

Ann has been a key player in making my pattern and teaching dreams come true - she lets me experiment teach on her friends!!!

Class Dates (click to register)

Tuesday, May 13th
Saturday, May 24th

...and don't forget to check out the new goodies in my etsy shop!

Maker Monday: The Glam of Glitzkrieg

She is glamorous, luxurious, gorgeous, sexy, and one of the most talented women I know. She is Leslie Bonnell, owner of Glitzkrieg - the Austin, Texas based line of handbags, jewelry and accessories. I first met Leslie in while I was studying Costume Design at the University of Texas at Austin. I had just landed my first professional design gig with Zachary Scott Theatre, and she was the Costume Shop manager.

Leslie has worked as a Costume Designer, Milliner, Jewelry Designer, and Chantuese for over two decades. She has won many awards for her designs, and her knowledge of design and construction techniques just blows me away. A few years ago, Leslie left her full time Costume Shop Manager role, and started her own business.

She now teaches sewing, jewelry and design element classes in her studio in Austin, Texas. I have had the pleasure of watching Leslie grow into an even more fabulous artist - and participating in shows where we both had booths. Having her right across the aisle from me makes me nervous every year - and makes me want to step up my game and make the coolest stuff I can! The fact that she has purchased some of my handbags is one the best compliments I've received.

This year, Leslie will be joining the fabulous line up of designers at STITCH - an indie fashion show and designer craft fair on November 10th. I can't wait to see all the new stuff she has been working on. These earrings are right up my alley - big, bold, and a fabulous mixture of materials. I think it's czech glass and vintage beads mixed together.

This glamorous purse features one of Leslie's signature handmade silk flowers as the main design element. She makes tons of these flowers as pins that can adorn anything you own!

I hear that Leslie has been taking silk screening classes, and she has some great pictures of new bags featuring her own designs, hand screened onto fabric. See more pictures of her work on Flickr.

Leslie is really a master of her craft - and her background in Costume Design really shows in her work. Who else do you know that can create clothing from any time period from her own pattern, design jewelry, make handbags, teach classes, AND sing? If you're in Austin - be sure to check out her class schedule, and I will see you at STITCH on November 10th!