Monday, April 16, 2007

NEW funky fabric bangles

This week i sort of unveiled a "new product" in my Etsy shop that i've been working on for some time now.

I'm completley addicted to bangles, especially during the summer time with short sleeve tops ;P The thing is, although i love all my store bought-bangles aesthetically, they're not actually THAT comfortable to wear :( My favourite favourite one is made out of some sort of turquoise blue stone mounted on a metal base, it gorgeous, but gives me an awful and irritating rash if warn for longer than say an hour :(

And then i have wooden and plastic ones too, but as i like to wear them on my forearm and they're rigid, its not the most comfortable fit (my arm is NOT perfectly circular... don't know about yours?!) and when i rest my arm on a table the rigidness digging in and the knocking does get particularly irritating.

As i say, i'm addicted, however, and so none of these inconveniences were enough of a problem to stop me sporting my beloved bangles (i don't wear high-heeled shoes much at all, but just think of my fashion-victimness as far as bangles are concerned a bit like the torture we girlies put ourselves through with heels).... until now!

Well, the challenge had been set, how to come up with a process that would create an attractive, comfortable, non-allergenic, non-rigid bangle that i can wear in the hot weather without all those little downfalls...

Many hours of prototypes, tests with different interfacing, plastics, stretching, wrapping, handstitching and generally swearing at the frustration of not getting it quite right finally gave way to these!


I'm in love!

....and completley addicted to making them (although it is no piece-of-cake, each one takes over an hour and a half of labour!).

It has also breathed new life into my humungous fabric stash - i see so many possibilities and new combinations that i know i'm gonna have fun trying them all out :)

I'd love to hear all of your's thoughts on these accessories, as feedback is always extremely useful to refine a process or idea ... and sometimes familiarity clouds judgement, if you get what I mean?

Do you think there is a market for these types of "fabric jewellrey"?

15 comments:

Unknown said...

hola guapa!!!
haces tu también las pulseras? son una pasada, me encantan, sobre todo esta última como de safari, negra y naranja, es salvaje total, va a ser un exito ^_*

G said...

I didn't realise they weren't rigid. I like that idea a lot. I don't really wear bangles because of the clunky get-in-the-wayness but I like the sound of your bangles. They look great!

katsai said...

hwy, thanks both! Gracias por los comentarios ;P Really encouraging!

MAybe i should edit the listings in the shop, Georgia, as you're right, i don't think it mentions they're not rigid.... hmmmmm, must check :)

Anonymous said...

i think your fabric bangles are beautiful. i love your choice of patterns- especially the green one!

eCRAFTic said...

they are just great!!! wouldn't it be nice to wear one with matching shirt or bag!!! uummm ;P

Finally the sun has come out in Granada!!!! Time to wear a Katsai's bag!!! hehehe ;********

Esma Studios said...

Wow, LOVE the bangles!! I feel the same way about rigid bangles, so I love that you made these flexible!

Cindy Powers said...

Your bangles are beautiful. I like the fact that they are not noisy like plastic bangles.

DÍÈKÓ Lagos said...

Most definitely, there is market for unique accessories. Good Luck. i say your marketing strategy, is to send a couple to a magazine fashion dept or to a couple of well known fashion blogs, get them to look at it and if they like it they will put it on their blog. Also etsy...i am sure you already have that covered.

katsai said...

Thats a really good idea, Evenstar, thanks for that!
I've also been eyeing-up another local shop where i think they could do well.... now just to get the guts up to approach them ;P

And i updated the listing titles in ETsy, to include the "flexibilty" of the materials used too, and i think views have gone up since ;P So thanks again all!!

Anonymous said...

to answer your question: Siiiiiiiii!

"The sky is the limit", in other words, I think if you get your stuff out there, people will get into it--you could also drop a couple *samples* off at some of the places you like to shop at, and see what they think, see if they sell, and see what happens--just go for it!!

*Do YOU believe in your product?*
Then it has nothing to do with getting the guts to get them out there! àNiMs, guapa!!! I think you have talent and you are on to a good idea! Best of luck!
lisa in Gavà

Unknown said...

The bangles are really pretty! Sort of understated yet unique and attention-grabbing. As someone also mentioned, a welcome change from noisy plastic or metal bangles. The fact that they are flexible means people with tiny wrists like me can get a better fit, I hope! And btw I really love your clothes too! :)

katsai said...

Thanks Lisa and Beakee :)

... i didn't "get the guts up" to go to a shop yet, Lisa (the one i was thinking of is not really the same price range/market in the end, so I'm stilling looking for better options), but i do seriously apreciate your animos and suggestions! I'll let you know how it goes ;P

And Beakee, YES :) smaller wrists can be catered for too! Its more really due to the fact that i make the "frame" too, so can make it whatever size or width etc, the flexibilty just really adds to the comfort factor ;P Thanks for stopping by!

tigergirl said...

They are awesome and so are your pics. Such great photography. No prizes for guessing which is my fave.

Steph said...

I think they are fabulous! I have been wanting to make bangles, but am too lazy to invent them. Yours are terrific!

Unknown said...

These bangles are beautiful. i know a couple of people who will be interested in this bangles....how much do you want to sell them for?
email me at ask4teey@hotmail.com so we can work something out.....