Bags By Hags

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This.....

You ever have days where everything seems to go wrong? That was my day on Friday, first our air conditioner stopped working in our house, it was 93 degrees outside and very muggy. Called the repairman and waited. He got here late in the afternoon, did a repair to limp us through the weekend, until he can get the actual part/kit to fix it properly on Monday.

Tried to work on some things for my shop but most of what I was working on just wouldn't come out the way I wanted it to. I decided it was because it was just too hot back in my work area and the heat was messing with my judgement.

Later Friday evening a bad storm came through, lots of lightening, thunder, and wind. I heard an awful crash and knew somewhere a tree had fallen! This is what we saw the next morning.

Frustrating yes it is. But it is not as bad as it could of been!

I am not the type of person who allows the struggles of everyday life to sour me. My faith carries me through these trials and I believe these experiences make me a stronger and a better person in the end. After I snapped this picture I looked up and noticed this, the beautiful sun shining down through the trees.

I stood for a moment basking in this blessing. No matter what life throws at us there is always a blessing if you just open your mind, open your eyes and see it. My cup runneth over and I am forever thankful for that!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Showing Love for my Customers.....

When you are trying to create a successful small business, customer service and customer appreciation are vital to the life of your business. I am quite sure this is something most of us are aware of. But for me customers are more than just a sale, it truly flatters me that someone likes my item well enough to purchase it, it makes me feel good about what I am doing.

I love each and everyone of my customers, I strive to give the best Customer Service possible! My ultimate goal it create and maintain a relationship with all my customers as I want them to return over and over again. I want to know what they think about the product they buy and I also want to know what products and styles they would like to see me carry in my shop.

I want to say a very special thank you to all of my customers, you are helping me to build my dream and without you I would never see that dream come true. To show my appreciation for all my customers ( past and future) I am offering a special coupon. Starting today through Tuesday May8, 2012 you can get 30% off any item in my shop. All you have to do is use the coupon code THANKYOU at checkout. (Just type it in exactly as shown- in all caps)

Remember you don't have to be a past customer to use this special discount, this is for everyone to show how much I appreciate everyone's support! Please feel free to share and tell all your friends!

Thank you for your support, thank you for your purchase, thank you for buying handmade, but most of all THANK YOU for shopping Bags By Hags, where we Love each and everyone of you!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Friday, May 4, 2012

Lets Create A Pot Holder Handle......

What is a Pot Holder Handle? It is actually quite the nifty little accessory to have for your kitchen. Basically it is a pot holder that is made to slide over the handles of your pots and pans to keep you from burning your hands when you are trying to move them from the stove. Today we are going to make one. Ready? Lets get started!

First I picked out the colors I wanted to use, I wanted something bright and cheerful so this is what I picked. (By the way this is a great project for using up those scraps)

Next I cut out all my pieces and pin them together like a sandwich.

Next I sewed the trim at the top.

Then I happen to glance to my right and see this! Wish I could spend my day lounging while someone is working away!

Next we sandwich our two pieces together and sew them up.

Oh you will also need to rewind your bobbin cause we all know that right in the middle of a project is when it always runs out!

Turn it inside out and it will look like this:

I top stitch along the edge using a zig-zag stitch and you are now ready to cook!

These make great gifts! Birthdays, Housewarming, Wedding Showers. You can see this Pot Holder Handle Here

I also have different patterns available in pairs in my shop

If you don't see a pattern/color you like please feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to try and create either one or a set that is just the style you are looking for!

Until Next time, happy sewing, happy creating, just be happy!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Thursday, May 3, 2012

There is always room for Jello and Improvement!

As Handmade Artist I know that most if not all of us second guess our work all the time. We finish our project, list it in our shop and start the next item, waiting on the sales. Once that sale does come you are all so excited and then comes the feeling oh I hope this is what they are expecting and they really like it. You ship it out and hold your breath and wait anxiously until that feedback comes in. But sometimes it never does, is it because they didn't like it, or is it because maybe they don't understand how to use the feedback tool?

In an effort to becoming a successful business owner I am always trying to improve my products, I want my items to be beautiful, well loved by the customers, and most of all I want them to return to my shop and buy again!

Knowing what items, patterns, sizes, and styles to offer is another challenge, I know what I like in my home, what kind of bag I like to carry etc, but what I like may not be what customers are looking for. It is certainly a challenge I am sure all of us struggle with on a daily basis.

For all the above reasons I was very excited to see the assignment we received from HMC Boot Camp yesterday. Our assignment was to contact past customers and potential customers with a list of questions regarding our businesses. The people I contacted were more than happy to answer the questions and help me. And I thank them all for their help!

The following is what I learned from this:

*Overall everyone is happy with the variety of items in my shop but would like to see some more funky styles, some camouflage patterns, and some Victorian style items.

*Customer Service was rated as excellent- This made me very happy as I strive to make my customers happy!

*Past customers were very happy with their purchases and the packaging was good.

* Potential customers love Handmade items - THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOLKS!

The last one is the one I have to work the most on and is probably the hardest for me.
* Pricing! - Everyone I contacted feel my prices are too low and that I should raise them. This is a big hurdle for me! I will be doing some evaluation of the items in my shop and look into the pricing issue.

I am so happy I had the opportunity to see what people think because I will never grow or be successful if I don't the leap to change and improve. There is always room for improvement, I work on it daily!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Heart Does Heal........

If you are an animal lover then you know the joy of owning and loving your pet. I have known that love, I had a constant companion for 18 wonderful years, from the minute we brought her home she was my buddy. Cookie or "Monster" as we so lovingly called her took every step I took, wanted to be with me wherever I was and was most happy laying at my feet. She went to Alaska with us, loved to roll in the snow, and made the trip back with us when we returned home to Texas. Her favorite thing was of all things bananas! Oh and she loved ice especially if it was ice from a glass of Whiskey and Coke! She also loved to get into boxes as you can see in the photo!

Last year she made the trip over the Rainbow Bridge, I was devastated! Heartbroken does not even cover how I felt. For days after I would find myself looking down near my feet and look for her. I swore I would never have another, I just couldn't imagine going through the heartbreak of losing an animal again that I loved with all my heart.

Then in September my daughter and her husband had to move in with us for a bit as he was transitioning out of the Army. They had a cat, she was very aloof and really didn't want any one to mess with her at all, so I just let her be. Slowly she started to come around me more and would let me pet on her. When they got ready to move my daughter was 9 months pregnant, with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. Their house is pretty small so I said just leave the cat with me, she is fine and doesn't bother anything or anyone here. I didn't really want a cat, but guess what? I got one!

This cat who I have named Miss Kitty is now my constant companion, she follows me everywhere, and cries for me if I go to the garage or to the room where I ship all my orders from. She loves to be with me when I am working in my shop area and loves to play and bat at the thread and my yardstick. She will actually sit behind the sewing machine watching me as I sew.

She also loves to sit on the desk when I am on the computer and will walk in front of the screen as if to say hey you are not paying me enough attention!

I had no intention of opening my heart so wide open again to another animal. Shhh don't tell anyone but I love this cat. Cookie Monster Dog will always hold a very special place in my heart, and no animal will ever replace her, but it appears I now have another constant companion. My heart has healed and I now know the joy of loving an animal again.

Love them with all your heart, cause they sure love you even on your worse day!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Friends Indeed.......

In this day and age of all the social media sights it is easy to meet people and follow or "friend" them. But have you come across any friends that are more than just a number to your contacts or who you might say hello to every now and then? I have been blessed to make some real friends. I joined a great team for my Etsy Shop called Handmade Circle these folks are great, very friendly, supportive, and really care about each other.

During the last 13 days a few of us have been doing Boot Camp and we have really gotten to know each other better. These ladies are not just merely people I am on a team with these ladies are my friends. The kind where I feel comfortable enough telling them anything and know they will not judge me only encourage me. Everybody deserves to have friends like that, friends are an important aspect to our life, they laugh with you, cry with you, and hold your hand through this journey we call life. They encourage your dreams, but are also honest enough with you to say I don't agree with that one!

I also have another friend I met online several years ago when I was living in Alaska, I was so far from my family and really down when I was blessed with this person walking into my life. We have never met face to face but she is one of my best friends. I called her the day my first grandchild was born and she cried tears of joy with me. My dream is to one day hug her neck in person.

I hope everyone is as fortunate as I have been to be blessed with great friends. These ladies are wonderful you should visit them and get to know them yourself!

Red Weaver - http://www.facebook.com/RedWeav

Lulu Divine - http://www.facebook.com/DivineLuluCreations

Erin Kelly - http://www.facebook.com/ThePrettyDoGood

Michelle Smith -http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mondays-Child-Primitives/188454317916327

Debbie Nowicki - http://www.facebook.com/GrowingPhasesFarm

Charlie Cain-Tolbirt -http://www.facebook.com/WordsWithWisdom

I want to thank you all for being in my life and for being my friend!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags