Le Garage Sale - Hip Fashion & Super Deals

If you're in the great city of Austin, Texas this weekend - and you like fashion & shopping - you NEED to go to Le Garage Sale!










This bi-annual event features over 50 of Austin's best boutiques and a handful of Independent Designers selling their wares at deep discounts.








I will have bags on sale from $10 to $45!!! I even have some brand new fall bags that are discounted at 25% and more. This is your chance to hit all of Austin's best boutiques in one place!











September 6th - 7th, 2008

PALMER EVENTS CENTER Saturday: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm

Admission: $10/person*
2-day pass available: $15/person

******** This is your ONLY chance this year to get *annemarie* bags on sale!!!!!!!!!*******

xo, Anne Marie

PS - Have you heard? A fabulous new event is on the horizon in Austin....

The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin!

*annemarie* & Storyville

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Josh Harvey, part owner of the Storyville boutique on the UT Austin Campus. I am working to get my products in more stores, which is hard for a gal like me - because I would always rather be creating than selling!

Josh and his siblings (11 total!) founded this unique shop in their native Louisiana. They set out to create a store that featured apparel and accessories from local and college student designers. "Storyville’s mission is to celebrate local artists and designers and to encourage individual expression. That’s why our shops feature tees, bags, wallets, bracelets, kids/baby clothes, dolls, etc designed by local artists. And that’s why we make one-of-a-kind, customized t-shirts."


Launched in 2007, the Storyville mini-chain has locations at LSU and UT - you gotta love College Campus Stores! I went to UT from - ahem, revealing my age here - 1997 to 2002. The printed t-shirt has definitely picked up steam as the uniform of college kids since then. I remember still trying to be a little fashionista in school and wearing dresses and high heels most of my freshman year. What can I say, I like to get all dolled up.

Storyville also has a website where you can buy many of their tees. I LOVE all the pictures of students - especially because you can tell they are real people - not anorexic model types.


To start - Storyville is carrying some of my Mini Wallets and Wristlets - very big sellers that should appeal to the college crowd. I am excited about our new partnership, and hope you get a chance to check out their shop!

BTW - you can drop into Storyville and design your own tee for only $25! Sweet!


xo, Anne Marie

Holiday Gifts - Oh what fun!

This morning found me spilling my espresso in a sleepy daze, and trying to be positive, I noticed that I had half of a shot left. Of COURSE I was going to make more - but now I have a shot and a half of espresso - on the "glass half full" side of life :)

Christmas is always such a special time of year. I have a wonderful family and group of friends, and I am always very pleased with the thoughtful, unique and cool gifts I get. I wanted to feature two of these presents today.

The first is this awesome video of 50s and 60s fashion news reels - very entertaining and very thoughtful for a fashion whore like me! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Item Name:50s and 60s Fashion Reels	Category:Movies	Value:$30.00

Content Generated - 12/28/2007

Title: Fashion Flashbacks! Studio: VidCat Productions Format: DVD Genre: Vintage Fashion News Reels Condition: Excellent

Notes: This is a great collection of vintage fashion news reels from the 50s and 60s. There is a male announcer who says the corniest things at the end of each reel - but it's a great view at high fashion from the period. Shorts feature swimsuits, couture, shoes, hats, ready to wear and more! Highly entertaining for any fashion lover.

The second is this amazing massager - I requested one, as all the time spent sewing and crafting can lead to some rather nasty soreness. Just a few days before Christmas, my Mom pinched a nerve in her back and is still in very severe pain. I knew this gift had come right on time, and took it over to massage my Mom. She enjoyed it too! Thanks Sarah and Cat!

Item Name:Thera Spa 15-speed Professional Percussion Massager	Category:Electronics	Value:$100.00

Content Generated - 12/28/2007

Title: TheraSpa Massager Product type: Hand Held Back Massager Brand: Brookstone Condition: Excellent

Notes: This powerful massager uses pulsing acupressure nodes and three massage programs to provide a massage unlike any other. Like a professional session, our versatile massager not only works away knots and relieves tension, but also enhances immune system efficiency, releases trapped toxins, promotes circulation and produces endorphins (ârunnerâs highâ). Three modesâsoothing, therapeutic and stimulatingâprovide unique massage experiences. Or choose one of 15 speeds for a custom massage. Nodes may be adjusted to three separate widths to accommodate various body areas and frame sizes. Ergonomic handle with minimal power kick-back. Auto shutoff after 15 minutes of uninterrupted operation. 12-foot cord. UL-listed.

The connection between the two is that I can massage myself while watching this cool DVD! Coming soon on the blog: New purse designs, Post Holiday crafts, and MORE fabulous jewelry :P

Blog by Anne Marie Beard

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!

Fashion Friday: Men's Clothing by Rural Rooster

Rural Rooster Clothing is an independent design label based in Austin, Texas and owned by J.J. Campbell. I found out about him a few years ago when I was looking for a designer to create custom t-shirts for my family. Working with J.J. on this project was a pleasure - he was professional and his design ideas were right on target.

J.J. is also a very talented graphic and web designer. Today I want to focus on his men's fashion. In just a few weeks - STITCH will take over downtown Austin for one day...it's a huge shopping event featuring independent designers and is capped off with a fashion show. Men's fashion is not the majority of the work for sale - but J.J. represents some of the best that will be there!

This "Guitar Angel" shirt features an intricate design and an asymmetrical placement on crisp white dress shirt. Here in Austin a plain white shirt just won't do. For the fashion forward guy, you need something like this! It's very hip and masculine at the same time.

J.J. studied Studio Art at the University of Texas at Austin (GO HORNS!), and "believes that studying and responding to the world around
you is necessary to create innovative art and communication.

This "Albatross" Dress Jacket is sure to make a statement. Men look good in jackets - they really do - and I know I would be impressed with a man who left such a lasting impression as he walked away. The graphics put a fresh twist on a classic piece of clothing - and the birds remind me of a traditional crest.

If you need a fresh look for fall, check out J.J.'s website, and get yourself a shirt! In Austin? Come to STITCH on Saturday, November 10th, and bring lots of shopping money!

blog by Anne Marie Beard

New Bag Pictures!

I am notoriously slow at photographing my work... I take the pictures on my front porch on a cloudy day on a piece of paper - soooo professional! But hey, in the DIY world in which I live - you do what works!

So right now I am shoulder deep in sewing sewing sewing for this huge show - STITCH :) I went through some pictures I took this summer - which are new because they've never been posted anywhere.Today I am featuring a new style called Casey.

For those of you who don't know, I have always named all of my bag styles after a friend or family member. Casey is a super fabulous gal I work with - she is stylish, very smart, and she rides a sweet bike!

This is one of those bags that really speaks to what I am all about - it's super pretty, but very practical. The bag is very light, so you can load it up with stuff and your arm won't fall off. The bottom is made of vinyl - so it's easy to clean, and the feet make the coolest "click" sound when you set it down. (Or, as my grandmother calls them - legs!)

Come check me out at STITCH on November 10th - Casey will be there - the fabulous bags and the fabulous gal!

Maker Monday: CHIA, an Austin Favorite

Today I want to feature the work of my friend and colleague - CHIA. A few years ago I went to one of her trunk shows at Big Red Sun. I had just started making bags to sell, and didn't know anyone in the Austin Indie Design community. I introduced myself to her, and she was kind and gracious - and a friendship was started.

CHIA got her start making adorable fuzzy hats with ears - she still sells them, but has since branched out in many directions. Her signature CHIA bag is a reversible messenger style that can be spotted all over Austin on a regular basis. She loves vintage fabrics, and masterfully combines textures and patterns in her clothing.


Did I mention clothing? Ohhhh, CHIA makes the most comfortable skirts, dresses, and tops, as well as children's clothes. In fact, she was just voted "Best Fashion Designer" in Austin by the readers of the Austin Chronicle! That's two years in a row she has received this honor.

Stitch is just around the corner - and CHIA's segment of the fashion show is always highly anticipated. Her mind and spirit are that of a true artist - you can expect to be blown away by her innovative designs.

Chia's work is available at Pink Hair Salon on South Congress, and at her website - www.chiahats.com. Don't miss Stitch on November 10th - she will have a booth and will be selling like crazy, i'm sure! Cheers to CHIA on her award!!!

Anne Marie Beard

Let the STITCH countdown begin...

Today is 30 days until Stitch - the annual fashion show and indie craft bazaar in Austin, Texas.

Back in 2002, a few friends of mine decided to put on this show. It was at a Coffee Shop - Ruta Maya on South Congress. The show was a huge success - we sold out at about 300 people.

*That's the 4 producers to yer right! Tina, Jesse, Jen & Karly*

Fast forward 5 years - and the show is gaining national acclaim. I am proud to be one of the few vendors who has had a booth every year! Many fabulous artists will be there selling their designs. From HOT jewelry to CUTTING EDGE clothing and everything in between - we are going to rock Austin.



Look for features of some of the designers in my blog in the coming weeks - and MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!! I am working hard on some new bags that are sure to be kick ass; look for pics soon.... that one there is my "Karly" bag in a vintage print with shimmer details...