Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Ruby Tuesday

Catch your dreams before they slip away,
Lose your dreams,
And you will lose your mind.

From Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones......





We here at Handmade Circle Team know all about following our dreams, our dreams are Handmade Dreams, and they are made with Love.  We are celebrating "Ruby Tuesday" today, come join us, browse through all the Handmade Circle Team Shops that are participating in this great event by clicking on the Handmade with Love Heart! You are sure to find something for your Ruby Tuesday made with Love!

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags






Monday, January 21, 2013

We All Have Dreams



Everyone has dreams, as children we dream of being Doctors, Lawyers, Firefighters, or Teachers.  As we grow older many of us dream for owning a home, becoming financially stable, and some of us dream of being  famous.

All of the Handmade Artists at Handmade Circle Team have dreams as well, I am excited to share with everyone the hopes and dreams of Handmade Circle:


Holly's Homemade Goodies will dream big this year....I hope to continue to have a successful small business. I would like to increase my inventory so I may sell at craft fairs in the near future. I am currently working on new quilt patterns so I may offer my customer's more of a variety in styles of quilts to chose from. I would also like to double my sales from last year.


Whispering Metalworks has a dream. And we hope that someday this dream will become reality. Our goal...hopefully fairly short term...is to continue to grow our business enough that my over the road truck driving husband can quit his job and focus on the business. He works so very hard, and it takes a huge toll on both he and our family. He and I are absolutely partners in our business... maybe short term he would leave his trucking job and work part time at the business and part time at a local driving job. But ultimately we hope to have our business expand into a store front and have it fully sustain our family expenses!


Camermaid Jewelry - My personal dream is that my little Etsy shop will continue to grow and prosper to the extent that it provides my family with a real income! I hope that sustainable practices such as buying local and handmade continues to grow and folks look for more quality, opposed to quantity.

Star Jewels - My dream is to continue growing my business and sales revenue quickly. I plan to at least double and hopefully triple my revenue from last year in 2013. I have a plan, I know exactly how to make it happen, and I am confident it will!

Baby Girl's Creations - My dream is to continue creating and succeed so that this will become my full time job.

Artisticsoul Designs - My dream for 2013 is to keep growing and moving my business forward. Create and cultivate relationships online and in person that support my shop and product lines. I have a lot of irons in the fire and I hope to see them develop throughout this year.

Twiggy & Opal - My dream is for my daughter to finally find happiness in her personal life and creativity side and for my son to reach for the stars!

Cutterstone Jewelry - My dream is to move out of state, to a place where my husband will be able to fulfill HIS dream to open his own shop! It would be fantastic to work together full-time and feel like a REAL business. Although Etsy does provide more than we expected to receive, we do want to increase our inventory and build a good customer base.

Toppy Toppy Knits - My dream for 2013 is to expand my business, I'm trying to keep it growing, I need a good income.
Besides I hope I can find a real job, (working from home) again.

Gaga Gems - My dream is to become successful enough selling my jewelry so that when I retire I have something to keep me busy and generate a little income. Retirement is a while yet so I have time I just need to stay focused.

The Happy Mushroom - My dream is to find a patch of land in the wilderness (not a lot of that left in the UK!) where we can build a tiny little house from natural materials without having to worry about planning laws (they are ridiculous here) and where we can have peace and freedom to do what we want away from the noisy modern world. A tiny house with a great big studio workshop outside to create beautiful things. With a tiny well insulated house and a little vegetable garden, maybe a few chickens, we wouldn't need much money so we could create just for fun, selling what we wanted without having to worry about productivity.

Doodlebug's Treasures -  My dream is that our business can generate enough income that my hubby doesnt have to work at dead end jobs until we graduate with our bachelors degree in two years.

ifrogcrafts - My original dream was that i could do my creating full time & not have to "work". My wonderful hubby has made that possible. My new dream is to have a craft mall where the rental spaces are reasonably priced, or maybe organize a co-op store in this area.
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The Prismatic Peacock - My hope for 2013 is to continue to grow and expand my business. My goal is to obtain at least three new local stores to carry my products, to triple my Etsy sales, and to invest in SEO to increase my online visibility. My dream is that The Prismatic Peacock will take flight and provide my family with a steady income and allow me to continue to nurture my creativity and love of color and fragrance.

Sassy Girl Headbands - My hope for 2013 is for Sassygirl to grow enough to let me drop a day at my "real job" to be home with my girls more. I do love my real job  I would also like to learn more about sewing and be able to make more than just headbands! All a work in progress!

Terri Jean's Adrornments - For my business/shop to be successful. However, my longtime dream has been to go to Egypt!

BMaja - Success for my shop and for me to visit Cuba

And As for me at Bags By Hags - My dream is for a cure for dementia to be found and that my Mother has a good year and enjoys her Golden years.  To enjoy every second possible with my Grandchildren and watch them grow and learn.  For my family to be healthy and prosperous.  For everyone on the Handmade Circle Team to see their dreams come true, and finally for my own little shop to grow and prosper through the year.

What is your Dream?   Whatever it is, Dream big, and NEVER give up on your Dream!



We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World
 





Monday, January 7, 2013

The Perfect Potato - GIVEAWAY

What makes a Perfect Potato?
First one of Bags By Hags Microwave Potato Bags of course!
But what about after you have cooked your potato? What topping or toppings do you think make your potato even better?

Enter our giveaway and tell us what is the perfect topping for your baked potato! The winner will win the Potato Bag shown. And if by chance you don't win we have plenty of other Potato Bags to choose from in our shop (with more new patterns coming soon!) and you too can have your own perfect potato!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags
BagsbyHags@gmail.com  



Monday, December 31, 2012

Out with the Old - In With the New!




It has been quite a year! 2012 brought many changes, lots of laughter, a few tears, and many blessings!

In 2012 I discovered the Handmade Circle Team  I have made numerous friends, learned so much, and Bags by Hags reaped the rewards from learning so much from this team!  We were very blessed to surpass our goal for the year and we look forward to new products, new goals, and meeting new customers in 2013.

2012 saw the birth of my third granddaughter in March.
My oldest granddaughter starting Pre-K 
And the middle granddaughter turning 2 today!
My grandchildren are the sunshine of my soul! 

I cannot believe all the smiles, hugs, and lovies I was blessed with! 

As we move forward into 2013 look for new products, new adventures with these girls, and hopefully new goals will be met. 

What are some of your favorite memories from 2012? 

Bags By Hags wishes everyone a successful, prosperous, and blessed 2013! 

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags


Friday, November 30, 2012

A Handmade Christmas Story - It's A Great Read!

Looking for a good book to curl up by the fireplace with? Well grab your blanket, your glasses (if you need them), a good cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy this great new book.  It's not Fifty Shades Of Gray, it's better it's like Fifty Shades Of Handmade!

Sit back, relax, and we hope you enjoy our story!


A HANDMADE CHRISTMAS STORY
WRITTEN BY: HANDMADE CIRCLE TEAM
ILLUSTRATED BY: HANDMADE CIRCLE TEAM ARTISTS
COVER ART BY: Holly Westmoreland of HOLLY'S HOMEMADE GOODIES

It was a cold and snowy morning, Mama was in the kitchen making breakfast with her 
new Pot Holder Handles, 
she turned around and saw, She was leaking breastmilk all over her nice new apron. She went and put on a pair of nursing pads

and then heard a knock at the back door.

On her way she thought : oh my! maybe it's a burglar. I should take something to protect myself....so she turned back to the kitchen and grabbed
She opened the door and to her surprise, it was a vampire, dripping blood from his fangs from his last kill! She took the spoon and plunged it through his heart! Mission accomplished. But now, what to do with this vampire carcass? She looked again at the teeth, gleaming redly in the dawning light. My, you know, those would make a really lovely necklace. She pried out the teeth with some pliers and made,
 My it's been a busy morning, she thought! I've already killed a vampire, made a necklace and I still have to  make POZOLE!


 After she finished making her delicious Pozole, she had piles and piles of dishes to wash. This is going to take forever she thought...I need some dish cloths that will stand up to the job. 


and she pulled them out of her dishcloth drawer. "What if the vampire's friends come looking for him? I'd better be prepared!" She went to her jewelry box and pulled out her handmade silver cross and fastened it around her neck. 


"Hmmmm, now where did I put my silver plated spoon with the Power Of The Gnomes? These mythical little creatures surely could help in this  situation!


But wait! What is that noise? Who could it be? Oh, its our lovely Nana awaking from her mid day slumber. She suggested that I hang up a sign...a banner of sorts.


Nana is also feeling a bit cold, so she laid down on her couch by the fire and wrapped up in her favorite quilted throw.


Nana thought....hmmmm... I feel so cozy by the fire wrapped in my beautiful quilt...I think I will send some amazing ( can you even believe someone made this guitar!) postcards to my friend for Christmas!


Being a practical, yet funky and stylish Nana, she wanted to help Mom with the evening's vampire fighting plan, but looked down ASTONISHED! No warm socks! and Snow In The Forecast For Tonight! she raced to find her warmest chunkiest socks and pulled on the first COLORFUL pair that caught her eye!


 NOW she's ready to fight some vampires, she turned with her a FIERCE DETERMINED look on her face and put on her custom handmade pink Mary Jane slippers.


Oh Mama" she said as she walked out of the room, "What are you doing?" Mama was changing the baby into a cute little diaper.


After the baby was all fresh and clean, they went into the living room to play with Nana and much to their surprise, was non-other than Santa Claus!!


What was he doing here so early and YIKES, aren't we supposed to be decorating out tree with all our handmade ornaments?

'Well done', said Santa. 'I have an early present for both of you! It makes my heart glad that you have chosen to decorate your tree with handmade ornaments. Here is something I have made for each of you:


 Mama and Nana both oohed and aahed over their gift! "And for baby", said Santa, "here is something to make him smile".


And they all lived Happily Handmade Ever After! 


What other people are saying about the individual's and their items in this story: (While our story is fictional of course, the following comments are actual feedback left by customers who purchased from the shops above) 

Spectacular!! Even better than I imagined! Super fast shipping and superior customer service!

Awesome seller! This was a custom order and it turned out PERFECT. I bought this for my daughter for Christmas and I know she is going to love it! Quick turn around time, fast shipping and the seller is amazing! I'll definitely be back!

Item arrived today as described and craftsmanship is flawless! I bought this as a wedding gift for a friend at work and now want one for myself too. I will be back to buy more!

Wonderful, wonderful product!!! So well made, beautiful colors, unique, I can't say enough!

Thank you so much for the beautiful custom-cast ring! My fiancee, could not be more pleased with the unique design and has spent the weekend showing it off to friends and family with pride. It's interesting, has a story to it, and fits him like a glove. We couldn't be happier to have him wearing your design for years to come.

The necklace arrived in two days, packaged in a lovely box with a ribbon. It was beautiful.

Excellent workmanship! So happy with my necklace! This shop was great in answering my questions & Fast turnaround time! A++++

Thrilled as always, can't imagine having a big party without some special touch from Whispering Rainbows!

This quilt that I bought from Holly is a true masterpiece and is so beautifully made. She has a real talent!


We hope you will visit all these great shops and see for yourself all the lovely items they offer and why these people are raving about them! 























SEASON'S GREETINGS! 

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags










Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Why Handmade?

Have you considered Handmade Items for your gift giving this year? Think you can get a better quality item from the big box stores? Think the people on your list would rather have something that is massed produced and everyone has one like it?

I am here to tell you all the reasons why you should MOST Definitely consider a Handmade Item this year.

  •  Higher Quality- no machine can take the pride in its work like an individual does.

  •  Handmade items are made with love - the creator usually puts a piece of themselves into the work.

  • A handmade item has a unique and special character that manufactured goods can never ever have. It has the life and breath of the maker flowing through it.

  • Handmade is unique and usually one-of-a-kind, the buyer is supporting the small business owners vs. the big companies that produce items with no care or love for the item or person purchasing the item.

  • Artists and Crafters put a little bit of themselves into their work. Everything they make has their own unique signature, be it a certain style, color palette, or stitch.

  • Buying handmade supports an individual doing a craft they love.

  • Because a real person took the time to make sure what they made was made with the utmost care and perfection. Nothing is more precious than one's time and each handmade gift is a gift of time

  • Customer Service - This is the big one for me, if you go into one of the big box stores and find something you like but want it in a different pattern, different length, or variations of the product, guess what? The selection available is what is on the shelf. Not with Handmade, most if not all Handmade Artists will bend over backwards to make the product you desire and insure your Custom Order is to your desire! 
Still not sure about buying Handmade? Well why not browse through this wonderful list of
talented Artist's? Here you will find Jewelry, Baby Quilts, Accessories, Home Decor, and more in fact I am almost positive you can find something for everyone on your list! 




















Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags
https://twitter.com/BagsbyHags
BagsbyHags@gmail.com  

Friday, October 12, 2012

Gone To The Dogs


We all love our dogs, they are more than just dogs, they are members of the family. They make us laugh, greet us with such joy when we come home, and no matter how many mistakes we make on a daily basis, our dogs still love us.

 Bags By Hags has created the perfect Tote Bag for dog lovers everywhere.
Made from a recycled dog food bag, this tote is perfect as a market tote, or great for everyday use as well!


I lost the best 4 legged companion I ever had almost 2 years ago. I still miss her. Her favorite treat was bananas, just the other day I was making a Banana Pudding and while cutting up the bananas I started to cry, I always saved one banana for Cookie Monster. Her paw prints will be on my heart forever.


I am also a big advocate for adopting/rescuing dogs from a Shelter, especially older dogs as they seem to get overlooked because everyone wants a puppy. I saw this daily as back before I became Bags By Hags, I worked for Animal Control in Fairbanks, Alaska.

So love those dogs with all your heart, they sure love you! And please if you are thinking of adding a new dog to your family, visit your local shelter first, your best friend may just be waiting on you!


P.S. Please don't tell the cat about this post!  

Marsha Bourquin/Head Hag- Bags By Hags