a . k a t s a i . v i e w . . .

improving

2008-09-26T19:20:00.004+01:00

I think I managed to get better photographs today (the ones in my last post seem very dark):

I really need either a model, or a tripod, or a photographer.... or preferably all three!

The first two are listed in the shop too!

to do and doing

2008-09-25T19:09:00.008+01:00

TO DO

If I actually sat down and wrote a "to do" list of everything I have either on the go, or want/need to get down to, I think I'd probably disappear from sight for a good few days...

The most urgent at the moment are:
- List the white blouse from my last post in my Etsy shop... (others already listed, as well as the first shrug of the season!)
- Write-up about some of the super features Katsai has been getting lately on other friendly blogs... so watch this space ;P
- Post pictures of the "formal" dress - and the hiiiiigh-heel shoes I dared to wear - from the wedding down in Malaga.

Maybe tomorrow I'll find a bit more time to spend online :)

DOING

In the meantime, I've been fine-tuning the latest of my new patterns...

Here's the inspiration:

The Armadillo, or "little armoured one".

And here's the interpretation / application / next-big-thing ;)

Its just the neck-part... an orginial sculpted cowl, or much-needed-cozy-"armour" for when the cold weather hits!

So, what do you think?!

Lined-up

2008-09-22T11:48:00.005+01:00

Lined-up a waiting to be listed!

I have the day off work today, so am busy-busy-busy on my "other" work! Just finished shooting these new tops -including the first shrug of the season :) - and will be listing them later today...

It was also a lovely suprise to see that one of my dresses made the Front Page at Etsy this morning!! Yipppeeeee! Thanks Ellembee 's shop-checker for picking it out :)

new month, new listings

2008-09-01T19:13:00.005+01:00

To kick off the start of the new month, I just listed two new tops over at the Katsai shop at Etsy!

... maybe you'll recognise one of the fabrics from an earlier post this summer when I went on a fabric-shopping spending spree :) They're always the best...

azul como el cielo // blue as the sky

2008-08-13T10:28:00.001+01:00

I just realised!

2008-07-24T18:37:00.002+01:00

After just listing the couple of new tops over at Etsy, and browsing the "clothing" section of my shop, I realised I seem to be slightly obsessed with yellowy-corny-soft-sunlighty tones and lighter hues of my all time favourite green.

Not suprising really that I chose yellow and green as the Katsai Colours way back when :)

just need to....

2008-07-08T18:24:00.002+01:00

... get the two new tops properly photographed and they'll be listed in the Katsai shop!

Here's a little taster: Jabot-sporting Katsai dandy :)

newities

2008-07-01T17:16:00.006+01:00

After quite a quiet time recently I've been updating my shop the last couple of days. Check out the pictures below...

And in the meantime I've been:

- working on new patterns and techniques (watch this space!)

- playing with crochet threads again making up hems and yokes (see halter below)

- shopping more fabric (mmmmm!)

- making a couple of much needed summer pieces for myself (including a super-dooper Katsai summer bag! ...I really SHOULD "treat" myself more ;P)

- and the best of all, doodling sketches and brainstorming ideas sat out at our new balcony table and chairs! Such luxury to have a space in the fresh air... must remember to get a picture to post!!

Bangles are back!

2008-05-23T18:57:00.004+01:00

If any of you have visited my shop over at Etsy of late, you'll see that I've started making my fabric bangles again... must just be that time of year! Its warm (if somewhat wet) here, and for me short-sleeves just means bangle-time :)

If you're the curious type, you can read about my trials and tribulations developing the technique in the original "presentation" post way-back-when last year here.

They're so addictive to make, and I just can't wait to see what some of the other new fabrics I've bought since I was last making them will turn-out like when "bangalised" ;P

Compras

2008-05-21T19:37:00.005+01:00

The new blue toile tunic top in my last post seems to be quite popular at the moment (3 sold to date and more lovely people interested in when I'll be making more!) so I made a trip down to the fabric shop today to pick up more of the bright blue cotton used for the main body pieces.

Needless to say -although I did manage to control myself pretty well in hindsight- I came home with more than I'd planned on shopping for. Why do I have absolutely no will-power whenever I go fabric shopping?!

The new acquisitions are a gorgeous and very original printed fine off-white cotton (the lined prints of the flowers has a sort of very subtle texture, like as if a very small amount of latex was added to the inks... gorgeous!) and a lovely retro geometric printed stretchy knit with lycra.

Mmmmmmmm! .... so many possibilities :)

EDIT: almost forgot! I've been adding to my website again over the last few days. I now have a second page (!) which is a "lookbook" -couldn't think of a better name.

Check it out here. I used the Splashr web-app featured in an earlier post and after a bit of tweaking am really pleased with the end result. Shame I can't get a white background though...

version dos

2008-05-14T19:57:00.003+01:00

I just finished this afternoon another of my new Toile tunics in Blue.

I love the fact that with the toile each one is completley unique, as I never get the same positioning twice... this one is for the "hen enthusiasts"!

It'll be listed tomorrow and is a size medium :)

...continuing with my spring clean

2008-05-09T18:51:00.007+01:00

Continuing with my "digital" spring-clean, I've updated my web page to tie-in with the fresh new look.

Its still just a very basic "home" page, basically linking out to my other presences online, but I still have plans to make it into a more complete web presence in itself...

Needless-to-say I haven't figured out how to change this banner on my blog yet. Arrghhh! I really can't remember how I did it the first time around! I can manage to add a new one, but not actually replace (or remove) the one thats up now... I think maybe I found some online tutorial and fiddled with the HTML code :(

When will I ever learn not to tinker with things I don't understand?! Well, I shall persevere I guess.

and this is a first

2008-05-06T17:42:00.009+01:00

... first double-post-in-a-day!!!

There really has been lost of goings on since the last day I posted, and this one I think really deserves a post in itself, hence the double-dose today.

Sooooo, what's got me all excited is that I was recently invited to take part in my second ever online interview -and the first one ever in english - and it's just recently been published over at the Heart Handmade blog!

It all started not long ago when New York city blogger and crafter Marichelle contacted me to tell me about this new blog she'd recently launched, focusing on promoting handmade products and artists.

And when she told me that she's also trying to help all the people looking for handmade clothing on Etsy how could I resist the invitation to be a featured artist?!

You can read the full article here.

I'd also highly recommend taking a snoop around the rest of the blog, as there are some great interviews a gorgeous selections of the best of handmade. I also love the look of the blog, and I get the idea that Marichelle really enjoys working on it. She puts together such original and attractive layouts, with great illustrations, that really make browsing through her posts like a breath of fresh air!

And just today Marichelle launched another new feature on Heart Handmade, which is just such a fantastic idea. I think she's really onto a winner here with the Shop & Tell feature...

As if all the work on her blogs wasn't enough, this talented girl also runs her own Etsy shop! And I think I'm busy.....

Here's wishing her "mucho éxito" with this great new blog, and sending thanks for all the time and effort put into the Katsai feature :)

updating

2008-05-06T16:35:00.013+01:00

Thats right, been a very busy little worker bee since my last post!

Lots of "updating" has been afoot, not only in my shop...

But I've also been trying out new packaging ideas... (the jury is still out on this one, not sure that I found the right green, or the right bags, hmmm...)

...and I finally recived my new business cards! Wooppee!

Its been a long wait in the end, not nearly as quick as my first order when I first started out with Katsai.

And the poor blokey at the postoffice must be more relieved than I am that they finally arrived, as practically every trip I've made to the postoffice since I ordered them I've had him sifting through the packages to be picked-up, with the hope that they were sat there waiting for me and that the postman had some how forgotten to leave me the notice... ;P

And as you can see...

.... I think they're quite a photogenic bunch!

I also want to thank the lovely (and very talented) Danielle and the very talented (and equally lovely) Anuska for their input on my dilemma over updating my blog's banner. You convinced me!
Now lets see if I remember how I fiddled about with it last time to swap-over to the "new look" Katsai here too... gracias chicas!!

nuevo look

2008-04-18T18:50:00.008+01:00

Its so exciting! Katsai is getting a little "face lift"...

When I reactivated my shop on Etsy a couple of months ago (after a slight break while looking for and moving into our new home) I updated the shop banner to this one shown below:

I was really pleased with the fresh look, and liked the fact that I'd managed to include pictures of some of my designs too.

The new logo is an adaptation of the design I came up with to print on some white cotton and make into simple totes last year.

However, ever since "debuting" my new banner in the shop I've been trying to come up with a design for reprinting my business cards based on the new logo, and I just couldn't figure out a layout that convinced me. Until now :)

Soooo... I have just now ordered a whole new batch of Katsai cards and can't wait to see them in real life! I know, patience, patience girl (as it should be a week or two until I get them) but I'm just so excited! Good job I don't have a home-printer, really, as I'd probably have just wasted so much paper printing out little pretend business cards just to admire them!

I also ordered some new postcards to be printed too, and so, well, just humour me when I gush all about them and show them off here at some point in the next couple of weeks. Ok? Can't say you weren't warned ;P

Now. Next dilemma: should I update the banner here too? Hmmmmm...

more to come...

2008-04-15T18:52:00.005+01:00

Well my blog posts seem to becoming few and far between... sorry about that for anyone who may have wondered where I'd got to: I'm still here!

It's been a fairly busy week, what with family visits (which have been great!) and trips down to the post-office to send my goodies to their new homes, my shop is getting emptyier by the day (so much for my determined attempt to restock ;P).

But, I do just about have two new Militario tops ready to list (just need to hand-sew the strips and buttons onto the 2nd one and thats it!) in my Etsy shop, so hopefully visitors to the store in the next few days won't be too disapointed by the reduced stock?

This has been one of my most popular designs so far, with lots of enquiries and interest, which is really encouraging! I know I've said this before, bu at some point I just HAVE to make one for myself too.... I'd hate to be left without, as it really is one of my faves too ;P

the latest

2008-04-01T19:27:00.003+01:00

over the hill...

2008-03-15T19:48:00.004+01:00

Nope, this is not an allusion to my ever increasing too-many-years-to-mention!

This menacing chimney of black smoke could be seen literally "just over the hill" yesterday afternoon! Apparently it was some plastics factory that was up in flames (which must have smelt BAD), and luckily everyone was evacuated in time and no injuries reported. Pretty spetacular I thought...

Getting back to Katsai chit-chat, been a busy week this week again!

More listings and two more sales...

Recent additions to the shop include these two...

Plus, I succumbed to a much enjoyed trip to the fabric shop :) , so I now have some gorgeous new fabrics you'll no-doubt see here soon!

una docena

2008-03-05T20:26:00.004+01:00

Slowly but surely I'm managing to restock my shop... upto a dozen items already (not counting the recent sale)!

New additions include: a new version of the Militario top...

...and this new bag featuring fabric with a particulary laborious printed design I made recently.

I love the mix again of elaborate and geometric!

sweet Militario

2008-02-27T18:01:00.004+01:00

The in-the-works top of the last post is finished!

I did the button-shopping mentioned, and found these really cool dark blue ones that are just perfect. Its a shame there were only these six left... as I'm desperately fighting the urge to make myself one just like this!

Also, thanks to this latest project I now know the lady who runs the local "merceria" (sewing shop?) too, which is great, as I have a feeling I'm going to be popping down to visit her a fair bit now we're properly settled in the neighbourhood. Great to know theres a shop-load of buttons, threads, zips and other goodies just round the corner ;P

EDIT: sold! ... To say I'm thrilled is an understatement!

this next

2008-02-20T19:43:00.003+01:00

This is what i've been working on today. Its still just the front piece, and pinned together, but hopefully you get the idea?

Its another new pattern idea that I've been toying around with of late, mixing contrasting styles: military with the baby-doll, or harsh geometric with soft flowy, etc.

We'll see how it turns out!

Hmmm, may need to do some button-shopping in it's honour ... What d'ya think?

Congrats to TortillaGirl, fellow European Street Teamer!

2008-02-19T20:09:00.006+01:00

Well, that what I said!
Becky, the hands and heart behind Tortillagirl, made Etsy stardom just recently as the Featured Seller on the Etsy front page! Great stuff! Read the full interview here ... and where do I leave my vote for the currency-converter on Etsy too?!

You can check out more fantastic European shops by visiting the EST (European Street Team) Blog here.

As for Katsai, I'm not managing the item-a-day I'd hoped to be listing on my return, but the shop is slowly but surely filling up again :) This dress is the latest addition.

UFO/WIP no-more :)

2008-02-15T18:05:00.004+01:00

So knitters speak of WIPs and UFOs... and what might these be, you ask? And what do they have to do with Katsai?!

During the packing/unpacking stages of the recent house move, I realised I was accumulating a suprisingly extense collection of WIPS ("works-in-progress") and UFOs ("unfinished objects"). Pair this up which with my slight "hoarding" affliction (ie: never throw away what you could find useful in the future), and you get the embarrasing situation that my fabrics/clutter/recyclables/tests/prototypes/small family of mannequins, etc. were possibly the largest chunk of volume in the removal van!

Hence the title of todays post: one down, just a "few more" to go!

As you can see, I recently finished the top I had planned for the fabric printed (and blogged about here) way back when, and i must say i'm over-the-moon with the results!!

I'm really quite taken with the finished piece, and it seems I'm not the only one, jeje... I listed the top in my shop just 10 days ago and it has already been honoured with 26 (yes, 26!!) "hearts" all awarded by generous Etsy folk!

Truely encouraging stuff! WHat can I say? It really gives me the enthusiasm to continue with my vow to reduce the rest of the UFO casualties lurking in my studio. Thanks to all who shared their Etsy-love around!!

stocking up.... after a little hiccup

2008-02-03T19:49:00.000+01:00

Well the first few items are now up for sale in my shop!

Its been so long since I last listed anything that I'd forgotten half the steps and info needed on Etsy ...and also how really BAD i am at the descriptions!

Aside from from re-listing a couple of my old favourites, I also added a brand new tote and another version of my Urban Chic jacket.

The "little hiccup" mentioned was being left without internet AGAIN for a few days. The new router broke, can you believe it? And after only like 3 or 4 days of use... Maybe, in our desperation after such a long wait, we burned it out! Luckily we've still got the old router from the last ISP/flat, so we've hooked that up until they get round to replacing the "new" one.

Its at times like this that I'm pleased I hang on to so much clutter...

HOLA! ... from over-optimistic little me

2008-01-28T17:48:00.000+01:00

Well. As you probably guessed, the "finally" in my last post was a little premature!

Ever optimistic I, assumed that moving house and getting phone, internet and new studio up and running would be a matter of "a couple of weeks". OK, go on, feel free to laugh! In hindsight I don't really know what i was basing my calculations on, but hey, now that the moment is Finally-Finally here, all I can say is I'M SO GLAD TO BE BACK!!

So, what'd I miss? :)

I have so much to catch up on (read between the lines here that i've felt completely lost without internet for the last couple of months...). So many friendly blogs to browse, forums to frequent, groups to greet and news and novelties to discover that I can see myself sleeping little the next few days....

I WILL try to contain my new-found internet freedom, however, atleast for a bit, as I'll be updating my Etsy shop with a swish new look (!) and fresh goodies in the coming days! ...Its been so sad to see my shop front so empty.

All thats left to say, really, is again, thanks to any who contacted me, called by and commented here or elsewhere, or just generally wondered where I dissapeared to while in my isolation. I hope to catch up with you all next time you call by!

Ah, nearly forgot - in all the excitement - here's a sneak peek at the new "Katsai HQ"!!

Still a few more tweaks and tidies to be done, but overall I'm thrilled with my new organised studio space :)

PS: the photos in my last post ARE the views. Fresh air and green... as much as anywhere that can be found in the city. I'm loving it!

FInally!!!

2007-11-30T08:43:00.000+01:00

We're moving house!!!!

Its been a long haul to find a place (hence my lack of activity here online the last couple of months) but now the time has finally come, everything's nearly boxed up and time to move on.

Once settled in to the new place -with a great new studio space- I hope to be back on full steam to fill up my etsy shop and catch up on everything I've missed!

It does mean I'll be without internet for the next couple of weeks (...fingers crossed it doesn't take longer!) while phone lines and broadband etc are activated. So 'til then take care all... and wish me strength for hauling all the boxes!!!!

Ethical Fashion

2007-10-11T15:10:00.001+01:00

As some of you may have noticed, for a while now I haven't really had much time to dedicate to Katsai ventures - still pending listing new season pieces in my Etsy shop... and got waaay behind on correspondence :( - hopefully things'll get back to normal soon!

I've also really missed surfing around all the great blogs and sites I've discovered in my time online these past few months.

A new one that I have come across, though, and I just couldn't miss passing on to any "interested parties" is an interesting looking forum called the Ethical Fashion Forum.

EFF define themselves as a "network of designers, businesses and organisations focusing upon social and environmental sustainability in the fashion industry" that aim to "reduce poverty and create sustainable livelihoods by supporting, promoting and facilitating innovative values led business practices within the garment industry".

I'm actually passing on this link without fully reading through the ins-and-outs of it all (...see above lack of time, snif...), but I'm definately going to check this out in the near future, and I hope maybe some of you fellow Etsy designers, crafters and homemade fans will find it interesting!

Note: I found this site following a link in an feature from The Guardian unlimited, that led me to a the web of specialised boutique in London called Equa that, apart from being what looks like a great little set-up in itself, also offers so very interesting bookmarks in it's links section! If you found this interesting.... be sure to check the others out too!

completely off-topic ..... Wanna feed my fish?!

2007-09-21T16:45:00.000+01:00

I couldn't resist.

Click on the tank to drop them a bit of food....

... I'm so tempted to name them, is that sad?

getting organised!

2007-09-19T15:24:00.000+01:00

Its been a while since I updated, and a while that has brought many changes as far as both Katsai and the rest of my life are concerned. Unfortunately this has meant that i've been really busy with things other than making new items for the shop, but hopefully now I have a much better organised base to work from, making the most of my now more limited time and enjoying the whole process so much more!

To start with i organised my work space, classifying fabrics, notions, paperwork, the ever growing collection of notebooks, original patterns, threads, etc. A BIG job but extremely satisfying to have a bit of order around me as I work :)

In this mosaic you can meet "the ladies"! (my loyal aged industrial machine, the Singer tabletop sat next to her, and my hardworking serger).
I also couldn't resist showing-off a quick storage system for some of the cones of thread I made one afternoon out of plastic water bottles and good ol' celotape... not perfect (next time i'll cut them slightly slanted, so the "pockets" are tilted holding in the cones better)... but it does a wonderful job for now ;P

I also took time out to get my "data" organised and set-up a new database collection in my beloved Filemaker.
Now i can easily keep track of production, pieces, materials, listings, time and contact management etc. and in just a short time this proving to be extremely useful and much more practical than relying on the My SHop section of Etsy for tracking many of these things...

What else? Ah yes!!!
My first ever interview was published just this last weekend on the superb Spanish design and craft orientated web page Handmadecrafts/Todo Artesanias.

A big BIG thankyou to Myrna and IxcheL for all the encouragement and enthusiasm and helping to get the word out about Katsai in the Spanish speaking world!! Besos guapas!!!

(click on the link above to read the whole article.... and be sure to check out the rest of the web too, these girls do an excellent job!)

watching paint dry .... and inspiration

2007-08-30T10:16:00.000+01:00

OK, not literally watching.... but waiting patiently ;P

I went on a little excursion yesterday to the serigraphers' supplier here in the city and so now am testing a new fabric paint for a new line I'm working on.

So far things seem to be going well, and it looks promising ... but it seems I must wait a WEEK before I can wash it! ... And so until I can see that it survives the multiple wash test on different fabrics, this is going to have to stay another "in-the-works" project...

I'm pretty excited about the new designs though. I'm developing new motifs that are inspired by the beautiful modernist architecture here in Barcelona.

Everywhere you look there are amazing and intricate design details on the seemingly most ordinary of buildings.

And since working for an architectural photographer for a long time, when I first moved out here, my gaze often drifts up to the skyline rather than where i'm going!

... These are a few of the snapshots I've taken of things that have caught my eye.

The Buzz (part 1)

2007-08-28T11:13:00.000+01:00

Following this useful link from digg I managed to dig up some links that I'd lost track of, to some of the amazing features Katsai has had around the blogosphere.

Selling and building up a reputation online is so much to do with word-of-mouth, and I'd just like to thank, once again, all the fellow bloggers and etsy members who have spread the word about Katsai :)

I'm actually trying to compile info to finally update my own web page with more than just my "Etsy Mini" and an email link. I plan to include links to Katsai "press" and a portfolio section probably making good use of the Splashr widget I mentioned in a a previous post.

Here are some of the articles that had my head spinning when i discovered them!

SwankShow - "Verde"
LarkinandCatcher - "Katsai at Etsy"
She's a Betty - "Etsy Finds: Part X"
Vintageous - "Katsai: Original designs to wear & accessorize"
Modish - "Sucker-punched"

Thanks so much to all for taking the time to spread the word :)

A little peek behind the scenes...

2007-08-27T12:27:00.000+01:00

The latest addition to my shop is this "built from scratch" autumn/spring jacket. I'm extremely pleased with how it has turned out, and am already planning making more when the new season's fabrics are in the shops.

I'd actually made the pattern and done a first mock-up way back in the spring, but then the warm weather came and I couldn't get my head round doing "wrap-up" wear!

Now with the cooler weather last week I got to work again on perfecting the cut and the details, and making the final garment.

Here are some behind-the-scenes shots at varying stages of the construction :)

Lined tailored jackets have to be one of my favourite things to make ... although there are a number of nerve-racking moments that I could do without!
The point where I have to cut into the piece to construct the pockets, for example, which i imagine must be a bit like the feeling a knitter has when they have to cut at the "steeks"? Or, last of all, when I have to cut into the otherwise completley finished garment to make the buttonhole ;P Talk about scary!

.

Its a Love/Hate thing...

2007-08-21T19:19:00.000+01:00

Living where I do means that as of the middle of August I'm grumpy and tired for about a week long. This is thanks to the local traditional Fiesta the Festes de Gracia, that are basically a week-long street party, with horrendous music blaring out just metres from my flat windows until all hours of the morning.

... but, as I say, its a real love/hate thing!!

Despite the lack of quiet and calm in the neighbourhood, the inconvenience of thousands of people swarming past my doorstop and the general stink of urine and rubbish in the street -ok, I'm getting old, so what? - the creative side of the festival just has me drooling and in awe of all my crafty neighbours.

This year 18 streets were closed down by the neighbours to be adorned and decorated following the theme of their choosing. The year-long planning and hoarding of recyclable materials takes shape and become the amazing laberynth of fantasy worlds that is the neighbourhood of Gracia this week.

Anything and everything from plastic bottles and bottle caps, plumber's piping, celophane, junkyard vehicles, papier-mache and more gets mixed with a dumper-truck-load of imagination and transforms the streets ready for the day and nighttime activities for all ages.

.

The top prize winners this year were C/Verdi with "Route 66", C/Fraternitat with "Selva Tropical" and C/Tordera with "Mina de Sal".

For those interested in seeing more, videos walking through the decorated streets can be seen on YouTube and in this section of the Festa's official web.

...and just as a final note... here's an example of the reason for my lack of sleep!
But, even I have to admit, noisy as it is, it is amazing ;P

Printing addiction

2007-08-17T08:25:00.001+01:00

Those of you who have visited my blog before will already know of my fastly growing addiction to printing my own fabrics.

I started out printing tshirts years ago, just for friends, and then recently got the itch again so started printing fabric with my own designs and making them up into original little tote bags.

The, many trials and tests later... and much detergent along the way... i found the formula for which paints and which fabrics work and last best, to print with my designs, for clothing that can be worn and washed indefinately without fading :)

These are the first two printed garments I put up in my shop:

The blue one already sold out (the first one just an hour after listing!) and the red one is a new addition I finished just yesterday.

....ooooh, if only the summer was everlasting....

Katsai Love .... and "cava" all round!

2007-08-08T09:46:00.000+01:00

For those of you who don't know Etsy much, the site has it's own system of showing appreciation for a seller or item, and also bookmarking or adding them to your Favourites. This is affectionately called hearting by many.

You can see how many hearts any item or shop has by clicking the link on the righthandside of it's page. A pretty little Flash application loads up circling an image of the item or shop in question with all the avatars of the etsy members who have left their heart.

It's been sometime since I took a peek at how many hearts my shop has, and so i was extactic to see this morning that i've reached over 1000 hearts!!

This is a screenshot of my Hearts Me on Etsy. Isn't it amazing?! 1005 users call Katsai a favourite!

I've blanked out the avatars of those etsy members that are most recent, as i wasn't really sure if they'd maybe mind me publicising their affections here on my blog ;P

I'd just like to thank - and pass a glass of sparkly cava around - to all those who have supported my little adventure, all the blogs that have featured my work, all the people who have bought and talked about my designs, and eveyone who has wished me well and encouraged me along the way :) A thousand hearts to you all from me!

Woah, that sounded like an award winner's prize giving speech! Haha, but i really do feel like an award winner this morning... Humour me, ok? :)

Who needs a "new black"?!

2007-08-07T16:47:00.001+01:00

Heres the latest addition to my shop...

I'm hoping to be starting a new part-time job soon, so i've had on my mind alot lately that I'm probably going to have to dress more seriously (in my last job I was often told I looked like I was going down the beach in the summer months!). So, I adapted my tunic design to work with this gorgeous black flowey fabric I bought recently. Smart and comfortable... perfect!

The listing in my shop is for a made-to-order (ie. in your size) version of this same top!

stop... slowdown... GO! - Treasury fun on Etsy

2007-08-06T16:09:00.000+01:00

Well after literally weeks of trying to get hold of a Treasury on Etsy, i finally managed it this morning! It's not actually that hard to get one... so long as you're at the right place at the right time. Unfortunately i never managed to get the two right until today :)

Here are my featured items, all chosen from European shops on Etsy, and follwing the red, amber and green colour theme of traffic lights (don't ask where that came from!)

As Treasuries have a limited life span on Etsy (this one expires around midday Thursday 9th August), and just so you're not all left craving for more info anything featured ;P here are the links to the lovely shops with items shown...

Balle Handknits, Stitchmarkers, Vintage Buttons, Papertags
Mtuent A world full of small treasures of other ages
FrenchLandscapes Landscapes and nature photography by Patrick Morand
Iragrant A cute range of accessories design for any individuality
AegeanSea Unique Aegean inspired mobiles, wind chimes, gift items & Vintage
PamelaAngus Stained Glass, Art and Vintage-inspired Wares
thymbyldesigns Spoil your inner Bohemien!
Karlita Original jewelrey and wetfelted accessories
Garbagebag Unique bags made of recycled materials
HeliS Unique and cute T-shirts and art. With love.
Kreativlink Mysterious, strange or just beautiful leather journals
Paperflowergirl Jewelry with a story.

These are just a few of the ever growing number of Etsy shops in Europe. For an updated list, and special features and interiews, see our group blog for more info :)

Happy browsing!

More fabric printing

2007-07-14T12:04:00.001+01:00

I've been making more stencils and printing fabrics for my new line of tote bags ... here are two of the latest laid out to dry.

I still have to make up the second one into a bag... and i'm think of making it with a longer strap, so that it can be worn like a sling across the body. You don't really seem to find many of this style of bag over at Etsy...

goings on...

2007-07-11T16:03:00.000+01:00

The first big news of the last few days was a real suprise and of much excitement for those of us Etsy sellers who are members of the newly formed European Street Team I spoke of in my last post.

Last Friday (well, for part of it), THIS was the home page over at www.etsy.com!

All creations shown in this feature are made by European sellers on Etsy... thanks to the lovely "Treasury" list put together by Pamela Angus.

Personally, this was the first EVER time that one of my creations had been featured on the home page (see fabric bangle at bottom-middle ;P) and its just great that we, Ye Ole Shop owners over on this side of the lake, got such excellent coverage during a few frantic hours :)

All artists featured enjoyed extra visits to their shops and a few new 'favourites' awarded by generous etsy shoppers and browsers. Lets hope we get more exposure for more of the European shops back up on the Home Page soon!

Aside from this I've been busy working on, and listing in my shop, a number of new summer tops in different sizes and original bags and totes :)

... I'm really getting into this fabric-printing lark!

I've been tagged for the Etsy European Street Team!!!

2007-06-26T08:18:00.000+01:00

I seem to have left my blog a little bit abandoned these last few weeks :( And in my absence I've been TAGGED by both Wapita and PaperFlowerGirl of the newly formed European STreet Team over at Etsy.

One of the things i love about Etsy is the community, and the "Street Teams" are a large part of this. There are many established Street TEams already, each set-up and coordinated by Etsy members with similar products or origins, that all work together to promote their segment of the marketplace.

Just recently there has been talk of setting up a Europe-wide Street Team, what with the number of shops growing daily throughout the "old continent"... and no sooner said than done things are well on their way thanks to a number of dedicated ETsyiers!

To find out more about the Etsy shops around Europe, check out the newly created European Street Teams blog where each shop is listed by country!!

Now to get on with my homework! Lets see, i have to reveal 5 little known facts about myself.... can i come up with the whole 5??

1) I'm extremely clumsey, and have broke BOTH my little toes - on different occasions - thanks to my "torpeza" and my addiction to wearing flip-flops when it gets warm. I still wear flip-flops ;P

2) I'm scared of flying, which is not a good thing when living "abroad" :(

3) I used to play the piano, the cello, and later on the guitar.... now i just play with my computer ;P

4) I've read ALL the Harry Potter books, and am eagerly awaiting the release of the new one!

5) I used to have a motorbike (500cc!) until i had an accident and got scared so sold it.

There you go. Nothing extremely groundbreaking here I'm afraid.... but now you all know me just a little bit more ;P

Thanks for the homework girlies! Now to pass-on the good deed :)
I tag -and i'm sure they've been tagged before, so 5 MORE things (?) - these ETsy members :

ECRAFTIC
PAMELAANGUS
EMMAPARDOS
ARTANDME
FLAPI

... I hope they don't mind taking on the challenge!

The wonders of Flickr and Splashr

2007-05-11T12:30:00.000+01:00

I've had an account on Flickr for some time now, and love the communities and visual booty to be found and appreciated there. However, I hadn't really checked out the possibilities of using it as a "tool" until now.

A quick google took me to Splashr, a site that has developed a number of applications or widgets that let you present flickr images in a myriad of different formats.

A quick nose about and i came up with this interactive "Desktop" presentation, which reminds me a lot of the Flash presentations on Etsy :)

I'm thinking of incorporating it into my own Katsai web page as a "portfolio" of sorts ;P Thanks Splashr and Flickr!!

NOTE: Start by pressing "continue". Then click on a photo to enlarge it. Click it again to reduce. Or, press play and watch the little animation! And the little "?" down bottom brings up a help menu if you want to see what more can be done :)

happy feet :)

2007-05-05T17:57:00.000+01:00

As a self-confessed flip-flop addict (....see my earlier post about toed socks i was knitting so i could wear my beloved "chanclas" in winter too round the house ;P), with two broken little toes two summers running to prove it (!) I've really enjoyed discovering some new flip-flop alternatives that have been featured over at Coolhunting this week:

First we have the Papé sandal all the way from Brazil... home of the ever worshipped hawaianas...

They look so comfy, and the endless ways of wearing them along with the ability to change the fabric whenever it tickles your fancy (watchout fabric stash!!) I think makes them my dream shoes for this summer... Now just to find out where to get hold of a pair ;P

See the original Cool Hunting post here, and the Papé web page here.

Then, secondly we have the Dopie sandals, which are so original too and seemingly easier to buy online... hmmmm, more shoe lust!!

See the original Cool Hunting post here, and the Terra Plana online shop here.

NEW funky fabric bangles

2007-04-16T07:04:00.000+01:00

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"?

post data....

2007-03-31T14:25:00.000+01:00

<<< THIS was the view out the window while i was writing that last post!

Where did Spring go?!

2007-03-28T16:13:00.000+01:00

So as of a week or so ago we're officially in Springtime, right? So what happened??!

A month ago we were at around 20º each day (ok, so not "normal" either) but now we're back to wearing scarves while at home, picking up the brolly on the way out just incase, and only dreaming of flip-flop-weather! Moan moan groan..... ;P

Been busy, as ever, and here's some of what i've got to Show & Tell:

Started knitting some toed-socks so i can still wear my beloved flip-flops even if it is just round the house ;P I actually finished the first one already, now i just have to make it to completing the pair.

And two new tunic tops hot off the manequin and listed in my Etsy shop :P

...Just for the record, i FROZE taking these pics!!!

edit: links to patterns used for toed socks...
GEISHA SOCKS from Spun Magazine
TOE-UP "SOCKULATOR" from The Knitting Fiend

Shoutout for new fun blog!! - Trousseaux to Treasure

2007-03-27T11:19:00.000+01:00

If you're into independent designers and are not adverse to shopping -or atleast window shopping- online, then you have to check out the fun new blog Trousseaux to Treasure.

Dreamt up by Janaina from Olilo Designs at Etsy, and Renee from Cocoapod at Etsy, both have been working hard on getting things together on the Trousseaux to Treasure Flickr group, ready for the official launch of the blog just last week.

In their own words, "Trousseaux to treasure was created not only to invigorate our fashion minds but also to offer a wonderful view into the indie design world. For people who are longing the perfect outfit, or just lacking inspiration."

Janaina and Renee invite us all to enjoy virtual outfits put together by group and blog members. They also plan to feature indie designer interviews, offer discount coupons and Shoutouts to new designers on the blog.
But, in my opinion, the best part of all is that we can all join in the fun, window shopping for the perfect outfit for that special -or not so special- occasion and submit it to the Flickr group for consideration for the blog!

Here's an outfit I put together and that was already featured on the blog! It was sooooooo much fun putting it all together ;P

And, ofcourse, the details of where to find all these great pieces...

Independent / Etsy shops:
- tshirt from circularaccessories
- ring from tigerlillyshop
- earrings from scorpienna
- bag from lindasfiberarts

High Street / Mainstream retailers:
- Jeans from Mango
- Jacket from Zara
- shoes by Marc Jacobs (available at Les Escarpins by Marinamode)

mini-update... to get me back in the swing of things ;P

2007-03-26T21:16:00.000+01:00

Wow.
Its been a while! I just don't seem to have got back into the swing of things since me internet connection at home was fixed... And then it got to the point that it was becoming quite a challenge to decide what to post after so long, so "mañana, mañana" i found myself convincing myself, and here we are.... more than just a couple of weeks later!

Its good to be back online though. How i've come to depend on internet for even the simplest things, nevermind running my Etsy shop. News, tv guide, recipes, street maps, the weirdest little niggle question like what WAS that actor's name or etc etc and of course contact with those that are far and not so far... don't know how i coped with just day to day life without internet!!

In the meantime i've been working on some new pieces, and most importantly new patterns!! I hope to get some decent pics in daylight tomorrow of the first finished top from the new patterns, and get to list it on Etsy :P

aaarrrghhhhhhh

2007-02-18T13:02:00.000+01:00

Aaaarghhhhhhh!!!..... I'm without my broadband internet connection!

This week has been pretty frustrating. Apart from spending the first half of it down with 'flu, to top it off my router has gone kapput and i have to wait till my internet service provider send out a replace... which could be a late as the end of the month :(

How frustrating is this?! In the meantime i'm back to dial-up connection, and just quick check-ins on the shop and email, so i may not be posting for a week or so. Hopefully things'll sort sooner than expected :D

We're getting there!

2007-02-08T10:15:00.000+01:00

Well, we're getting there!

Been particularly busy this week working on new designs, new colour combinations, and "producing" for both Nina's Boutique and my Etsy shop.

This red top has been popular, both at Etsy and the shop here on C/Verdi, and so now i've chosen another fabric combination... and also adapted it into a short shift-style dress!

This dress is a little large on me (I'm extending the Katsai size range)... but you get the idea.

Until i get hold of more of the khaki green fabric, this version is only available at Nina's... but i'm searching ;P

teeny-weeny handstitched mini journals!

2007-02-01T22:51:00.000+01:00

I make these as a little-something-extra-free-gift for my customers on Etsy and finally remembered to take some pictures before sending!

I make them out of my business cards, and handstitch the pages together using Coptic Stitch.

I really love them, but, come to think of it, no receiver has actually commented anything on them as yet.... maybe its just me thats obsessed with notebooks, journals and everything paper?!

DIY stripes

2007-01-28T08:29:00.000+01:00

I find it really hard to get hold of interesting fabrics locally, and as the fabric store nearest to home has been closed all week, i've had a go and printing my own...

Yesterday I cracked out the fabric paint left over from when i used to print t-shirts, and after a while of measuring, masking and painting, here are the results :)

As you can see, I started easy: stripes!

I'm really pleased how it turned out, although it did soak up a hell-of-alot of paint :( Going to have to get more supplies in for the next lot...

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Ultimamente me he cansado un poco de lo dificil que lo encuentro comprar telas interesantes. Entonces, y como podéis ver, he decidido experimentar un poco con las pinturas textiles que me quedan de cuando estampaba camisetas! Aquí tienes los resultados ;P

Me encanta esta pintura, porque despues de lavarlo queda muy integrado a la tela... no como pintura acrílica mezclado con no-sé-que-líquido que se supone que lo hace más suave y resistente en telas (que fue lo primero que probé con las camisetas), pero que en la realidad deja la tela dura como un piedra y se agrieta al lavar :( Ésta es mucho mejor!

Me sorprenió la cantidad de pintura que chupó este retal por eso.... habrá que comprar más provisiones para la siguiente aventura ;P

I'm thinking of using this newly printed cotton to make a couple more tops like this one ...using the stripes for the top part, and either brown or black plain cotton for the rest.

I'll be sure to post a pic of the finished thing when its done ;P

"3 hour" sweater??!

2007-01-25T08:31:00.000+01:00

I don't think I've mentioned it here before, but apart from my sewing exploits, i also knit and crochet... just a little.

There's a link over on the right to Eunny Jang's knitting web page, who really is a knitting Diva. Her stuff is incredible and truly inspiring... take a look if you don't know her work already.

I think i first learnt to knit in primary school, or maybe my Mum taught me? Not really sure. Then at some point during my early teens i saw a program on TV with Kaffe Fasset, where he taught colourwork, and i dabbled with that for a while, making knit little pictures etc. But, i didn't really carry on with the interest until i picked it up again maybe a year or two ago, and actually started to try and knit THINGS.

So, I've just started my adventure in knitting my first ever sweater!! Thanks to this knitalong over at Craftster, I've taken the plunge :D

Maybe it was the promise of instant gratification in the title of the pattern chosen (a lovely loose knit design from the 1930's... very classy!)that egged me on, but who are they trying to kid?? 3 Hour Sweater? .... this is my progress after over 4 hours knitting away, and i haven't even got half the back piece done!

Well, i shall persevere :) I'm determined to stick it out until i actually FINISh it!

Will keep you all posted...

new addition to the "Katsai" familiy

2007-01-20T22:01:00.000+01:00

Well, since my last post made more of the Shirt-Skirt... or Tie-Thai skirt (haven't decided on a real name yet) for Nina's boutique.

AND the black top I'd featured here has sold on my Etsy shop. I posted it mid-week and so it should be reaching it's new owner any day now!

I want to make another one -or maybe two- of the black top for listing in Etsy, as it seems to have been a popular design (had many "hearts" in "see who hearts this item" over on the righthand side of the item listing on Etsy).

AND, maybe, just maybe, the NEW MEMBER of the Katsai Klan can help me out on this one ;P Here she is!!

She's a larger sized dress form than the one i already have, so my idea is to get to work seriously on offering more sizes of my designs :) My new friend is a spanish size 40-42, which I think translates as a US10-12... which would then be a UK 12-14... ahhhh, so many numbers and sizes, i can see my heads going to be full of them these next few days ;P

I also made a new handbag and listed it on Etsy, here is a link to go take a look!

happy 2007!!

2007-01-13T23:28:00.000+01:00

Its been faaaarrrr too long. Apologies to anyone who called by and saw the same old post for the last few days... weeks... no, sorry, its now a MONTH since i posted!

I took a time away from the computer in the end over the holidays. Did you all have a good break over christmas and new year? I had a great time, visiting family, having family visits and generally eating and drinking far too much all round ;P

I've also started off the year with a big effort on the Katsai front.

I've posted a number of new pieces at my Etsy shop and am busy working on more designs for Nina's boutique.

The pictures are of some of the things i've been working on.... hope you like :)

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Ha pasado demasiado tiempo desde que escribí la última vez... un MES para ser exacto! Pido disculpas a cualquier que haya pasado por aquí estas últimas semanas para acabar viendo el mismo post ;P

Al final tome un pequeño descanso del ordenador duranto las fiestas. Empezó cuando fui a visitar la family en inglaterra antes de navidad, y despues con todas las distracciones y celebraciones fueron pasando los días sin que me diera cuenta. Pero he pasado muy bien las navidades y año nuevo. Como siempre se trata de comer y beber demasiado y empiezas el nuevo año con necesidades de una buena desintoxicación! ¿Y vosotros? Espero que lo hayais pasado muy bien :)

Por otra parte creo haber empezado el año con buen pie, y con buenos esfuerzos para hacer algo más serio con el tema "Katsai".

Ya estos días he listado varias cosas nuevas en mi tienda Etsy, y estoy preparando nuevos diseños para la tienda de Nina.

Las fotos son de algunas de las cosas que he estado trabajando.... espero que gusten!

Not your usual Crayola - works by Pete Goldlust

2006-12-12T20:14:00.000+01:00

Some of you may have noticed that I've been gradually adding to the links on the righthand sidebar of the blog. One page that is a definate "must see" is the blog over at Make magazine.

Crammed full of ingenious diy inventions, inspirations and weirdness, they have recently featured these amazing works by artist Pete Goldlust.

So simple yet so beautiful and original.

My first reaction was to rush off and find the box where my old wax crayons are buried and get to work with a good sharp knife. However, theres no way i'd get anywhere near the perfection seen here... and with my clumsyness, I'd be sure to end up with a couple of fingers less!
Hope you enjoy, and are as amazed as I was... and don't forget to checkout Pete Goldlust's own web page!

i did do 'something' today...

2006-12-07T23:28:00.000+01:00

Well, today hasn't been as busy as it should've been... Yesterday i got ALOT done, but then today i overslept to start with, had errands to run in the morning (take the new tops i finished yesterday down to Nina's boutique, call in and queue forever to ship out the latest sale from my Etsy store, call in to the bank, shop for food to remedy my empty fridge, etc), and, as i knew the massive tidy-up that was waiting for me when i got home, i procrastinated and went round to a friends for lunch!

Then, here i am, sat at the computer this evening, determined not to let a "wee" matter of html-coding prevent me from finally managing to put an image as a header for my blog. Well, as you can see i managed it.... only taken me TWO HOURS!!! Two hours that i could have better employed tidying up the studio, sorting the fabrics and notions that are piling up, and generally getting organised...

Today's picture is my new desktop image, taken a couple of days ago on a mid-afternoon escape we made to Sitges. I could sit for hours watching the sea...

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La foto de hoy es la que he puesto nueva de fondo de escritorio en mi ordenador... es de una escapada que hicimos hace un para de días a Sitges. Me encanta...

Bueno, no he aprovechado del día de hoy como tenía pensado...
Ayer, sí que conseguí hacer mucha cosa, pero hoy me desperté tarde para empezar, y luego tenía un monton de recado para hacer por la mañana (llevar los tops nuevos que acabé ayer a la tienda de Nina, pasar por correos y hacer cola eternamente para enviar la última venta de mi tienda Etsy, ir al banco, ir al supermercado para intentar poner remdia a mi frigorífico vacío, etcetera), y como bien sabía tarea inmensa de ordenar que me esperaba a casa, me hice la lista y fui a comer a casa de una amiga ;P

Y ahora estoy, esta noche, habiendo pasado 2 horas (!) para poder poner el imagen que veis como nuevo "header" de este blog! Estaba decidida que esta pequeña ccomplicación de no entender nada de nada de htnl no me iba a impedir... pero dos horas son mucho!!

shirt work

2006-12-05T23:27:00.000+01:00

Been busy working on a few things these days, and one i actually got finished was the first menswear piece in my collection.

Here it is...

Its actually sold already, which i'm really pleased about, but, does mean its time to get working on more for my shop, as its been far too long since I've managed to list new items!

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He estado bastante ocupado con varias cosas estos días, pero una que conseguí acabar es esta... La primera pieza de "menswear" de mi colección.

Y ya se vendió, que es excelente! Pero quiere decir que tengo que poner manos a la obra para hacer más para mi tienda... que ya hace demasiado que no he conseguido listar ningún item nuevo!

"Saturday Night Vintage"... remixed!

2006-12-03T00:56:00.000+01:00

Hahahaha, sorry, just had to add this, as i found it so funny, and unfortunately it doesn't translate into Spanish well...

Theres a wacky "translator" tool over here that will "translate" any web page you tell it into the dialect you choose... here's what it made of my post from a few days ago, called "Saturday Night Vintage", tranlated into Cockney!

I think its hilarious!!!!!!.... love the "bloomin' pipin' detail" bit!!

I'm bloody well quite taken wiv this bag: a more elegant fabric purse that reminds me of them excellent vintage "Granny Bags" yer can find wiv a bit of luck in an 'idden oray junk shop ;P

I repeated the bloomin' pipin' detail 'round the edge of the flap and lined the bloomin' bag wiv a gorgeous contrastin' bright pink fabric...., do wot guvnor! i luv the bloody flash of colour wen yer delve inside!

I made the button meself too.... it's actually a five centimos euro coin, wiv waddin' ter give it a luvly domed shape and covered wiv the same vinyl/polipiel as the base of the bag ;P

This 'andbag and many more are available at my online shop over at Etsy.

You can find out more about Cockney Rhyming Slang, in english, here , or try out another translator here.

Y, en castellano, puedes descubrir más sobre el Cocnkey Rhyming Slang aquí

more prototypes / otra diversificacion

2006-12-01T00:28:00.000+01:00

Heres a quick sneak preview of what I'm working on at the moment...

Its a good couple of years since i've made a tailored shirt... so its slow going while a try and remember all the steps.

It is actually further along than in this picture: now just missing the cuffs, the hem, the buttons and the buttonholes -aaarghhhh the buttonholes!

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.... HAce ya muchos posts que quiero escribir en castellano también, pero soy una gandula. Sorry!. Bueno, ahí va... salta/ignora todas las faltas de ortografía y gramática ¿vale?... esto me será una buena práctica!!
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Aquí os dejo un adelanto de lo que estoy creando ahora :)

Hace ya un par de años desde que hice una camisa de vestir ... que quiere decir que estoy tardando un poco mucho, mientras intento recordarme de todos los pasos a seguir!

Realmente está ya más adelantado de lo que se ve en la foto... ahora sólo le faltan los puños, el bajos, los botones y los ojales (ODIO hacer ojales!!!).

Saturday Night Vintage

2006-11-26T12:36:00.000+01:00

She's finished :)

I'm quite taken with this bag: a more elegant fabric purse that reminds me of those excellent vintage "Granny Bags" you can find with a bit of luck in a hidden away junk shop ;P

I repeated the piping detail around the edge of the flap and lined the bag with a gorgeous contrasting bright pink fabric..... i love the flash of colour when you delve inside!

I made the button myself too.... it's actually a five centimos euro coin, with wadding to give it a lovely domed shape and covered with the same vinyl/polipiel as the base of the bag ;P

This handbag and many more are available at my online shop over at Etsy.

Is it time for some christmas shopping already?

2006-11-25T13:55:00.000+01:00

This is the store front at Nina's (c/Verdi, 39, Gracia, Barcelona) ... and we're in the window display!!!!!! The red and white striped short-sleeve top on the left ;P

figuring it out .... another bag in the making

2006-11-23T19:16:00.000+01:00

I like bags with shape.
So, I've been working on alternatives that give a bag stability (other than interfacing and sandwiching sturdier materials between outer and lining) and that also become an original and interesting design feature,

I've also been trying my hand at "faux-leather" and I must say I'm quite liking the possiblities, mixing it with other more elegant and natural fabrics.

I'm quite taken to the texture on this base ... reminds me of tyre-tracks! and works unbelievably well as a shaping for this little handbag-in-the-making :)

What do you think?

KATSAI is in the shops!!!

2006-11-20T16:42:00.000+01:00

Ok, well, just one shop, for now, but what a place to start!

Nina's (c/Verdi 39, 08012 Barcelona) is the most exquisite little boutique and has the most amazing designs... the majority of which are lovingly designed and made by Nina herself in the studio at the back of the shop.

Nina's shop is a classic in the Gracia fashion-shopping scene, and was one of the first designer boutiques to open up in the neighbouhood. I just feel so honoured to have my clothes there!

THANKYOU, Nina, if you're reading this, for all your support ;P

So, these were the four models I've been working on over the last couple of days. Two short-sleeved tops and two 3/4 length sleeved tops, one of each in the black/white colourway, and in the red/white colourway.

They are simple cuts, made out of flowy ever-so-slightly striped fabric, that drape for a casual-chic look, that is topped-off by the contrasting bands around the wide boatneck and sleeves.

I hope you like... and be sure to check them out in person!

A busy couple of days...

2006-11-18T22:29:00.000+01:00

Well, have I been busy these last couple of days! Working on new stuff, and adapting another of my designs for an amazing local boutique... i'll "show and tell" when its all finished, but til then just passing through to say hi and then its back to the grindstone for me ;P

I nearly forgot! I also wanted to say how thrilled i am at having some of my bags featured on not one, but TWO "Treasury Lists" over at Etsy!!!!
Each "Treasury" selection is chosen by an Etsy member, so they can showcase items from their favoutire stores. Other members can come in, look around, and even chat or leave comments with others viewing that same selection. There is a limit to the number of Treasuries at one time.... so there is usually a queue to manage to get one!

And the lists only last 2 days.... so if you want to see the ones I'm in you'd better be quick, here are direct links:

Yaelfran's Treasury List
Suebeart's Treasury List

Thanks girls! ... Must get my act together and get in line for my own little Treasury :)

... still haven't worked out what the little speaker is for in the Treasury heading bar..... I don't hear anything :(

OK, so i'm a sucker for a "good" gadget

2006-11-17T08:34:00.000+01:00

What are they gonna come up with next? And WHY am I immediately sucked-in by any new fangled gadget fad?!

Spanish electronics and appliances company, Fagor, have just announced their hi-tech answer to the turmoils of giving up smoking: The Nicostopper.

This handy little gadget acts as a dosifier-come-pshychologist, rationing your daily cigarette count and supposedly offering you advice to help you give up the habit.

Reportedly, its creators say that 75% of smokers who have tested it out have managed to give up for the 6 months the trials have been on the go. OK, so its on my christmas list....

Here is a link to the full story, with videos, in Spanish. Couldn't actually find any further details in english.... must be just we spanish-residing citizens who still maintain the ugly habit that is smoking ;P

more behind the scenes at Katsai (a.k.a. My Dream Jacket!)

2006-11-16T09:36:00.000+01:00

Thought I'd give you all another peek behind the scenes over here at Katsai ;P
I posted about this jacket and got some lovely feedback over at Craftser (you can see the buzz here...).

It really was a labour of love, as I had such a strong image in my head of what I wanted, that many a pattern draft and alteration, followed by mock-ups and tweaks were the order of the day to get things just right.

So, this is what I wanted...

.... and this is what i ended up with...

...and, heres some of what i had to go through to get there!

My Dream Jacket is also available at my etsy shop, ... with details on sizing, materials, etc...

PS: I was accepted to the Etsy Seller Who Blog ring (see new link on sidebar).... thanks Ubercherry!

v2 unveiled

2006-11-15T20:42:00.000+01:00

Well the waiting is finally over!

Version 2 of Etsy was put in place this weekend and all us Etsy Sellers have sparkly-shiny new shops :) Come over and check them out... just, don't ALL come at once, as sweet little "V2" -as she's affectionately known- is still learning the ropes!

And, again, if you haven't come across Etsy as yet, your missing out ;P
To give you a jump-start, here's a link to a little animated spot thats been found on YouTube... really cute! AND, take note, the character's place are in Katsai colours.... that must be a sign!

Enjoy...

Etsy
My sparkly-shiny new shop

Isn't she pretty...?

2006-11-14T23:26:00.000+01:00

It's finished! Took me a LONG time to get it done, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. The pocket works really well, and its a little bit "different", don't you think?

This bag is available at my Etsy store... here

New bag in the making...

2006-11-13T08:05:00.000+01:00

Well, while Etsy has been down this weekend, I've been spending my time trying to finally figure out an idea that i've been toying around with for well over a year. I wanted to make the front pocket the "feature" of a bag, and knew how i wanted it to turn out but just hadn't found the time to sit down and figure out the logics of it.

Its just actually pinned together in these pics, but as you can see, the front pocket is a cut-out circle, with contrasting ribbing so it stands out ;P
I'm really pleased with how this bag is turning out... hopefully I'll get it finished today and some decent photos taken.

Theres alot still to be done, eh?!

I'm "claiming my blog"!

2006-11-12T13:29:00.000+01:00

It's claimed!

For all you Bloggers out there, go visit Technorati! It's a great site that allows you to search for links to any web, blog etc. and helps you to follow your favourite blogs hassle-free.
Technorati Profile

A little bit about Etsy

2006-11-12T10:35:00.000+01:00

If you don't know Etsy, then you're missing out on the opportunity to both buy completely original things, made by some skilled crafter or artist, or sell your own creations to a worldwide audience of appreciative buyers looking for that "something different". The majority of members are based in the US and Canada, but Etsy has an ever-growing International community (me inculded) that are made welcome and catered for by our buddies across the ocean...

I opened my own shop a little while ago, and must admit that Etsy is addictive. There are so many shops and so many great finds and wonderful people that far to many an hour is spent window-shopping and hanging out in the forums...

Etsy is offline this weekend -as the admin team upgrade the site software to the long awaited "V2" - but will be back online as of tomorrow, Monday 13th November. With this upgrade, many features are being added that'll make the site a whole lot more user-friendly for both shoppers and shopwners.

El Estreno

2006-11-12T01:03:00.000+01:00

Well, here I am, "estrenando" my brand spanking new Blog.
Whats to come? Now that would be telling...