It's Your Life; Do You Rent or Own?

I've learned that there are businesses that rent out accessories, and even more amazing, people who rent them! Designer handbags from Prada, Louis Vuitton or Gucci can be rented by the week. Are you kidding me?

I assume the renters are people who can't actually afford to purchase said bags.

I understand the allure of the NAME! When my daughters were in their early teens, it became apparent that certain clothing brands were essential to their well-being! Never mind that the items looked exactly like other less expensive versions. The extra cost was for the tiny sewn in tag with the NAME on it, even if the tag wasn't visible when wearing the clothing! Thank goodness, as they are maturing, they are getting some sense again and choosing their wardrobe based on what they love, color, style and fit, rather than the name.

I don't think I could stand myself if I became so enamored of a designer brand that I would pay to carry a handbag for a week! To each his own, of course, but it seems a little desperate to me.

I can't help but think there is a self-esteem issue in here somewhere.

I make bags, so maybe I'm biased. Also, I don't think I'm a good enough actress to walk around with a $10,000 handbag, pretending it is mine. I'd probably carry it in a big ziploc bag to keep from messing it up!

CottonColors Is Featured!

Artist Karen Fields has featured CottonColors as her Favorite Etsy Shop of the Day! Visit here to see the feature as well as Karen's bright, colorful artwork!

Some new things!

I finally had a whole day to sew as well as a break from the almost constant spring migraine/sinus headache I have been dealing with. Here are some of the things I have been working on!

The pleated design makes a cute clutch or a great full size handbag! I think I am going to have to hide my new bags from my teenaged daughters if I ever want to get them listed!

Featured on Sur-La-Table-Cuisine!

Sur-la-table-cuisine is a lovely blog by artist, Enzie Shahmiri. Today she is featuring my Amy Butler Belle Chrysanthemum bag, along with some other great mult-purpose bags and totes! Visit her blog here: www.sur-la-table-cuisine.blogspot.com

So, This is What My Shop is Saying!

I think this is so cool! This is what I get when I enter my Etsy shop name into Wordle. I read a lot and I love words and quotes, so this is really fun! Try it with your website or blog, just to see it in a different way!

CottonColors is Featured!

Kelly Rinehart, at PurpleLemonDesigns, is featuring my shop, CottonColors, this week on her blog! Kelly is a very talented graphic designer and fellow Mississippian! Stop by to see the feature and her great blog!
http://purplelemondesigns.com/blog/2009/02/04/cotton-colors/

A Door That Leads Somewhere!

photo by pizzodisevo




I am determined to find a new way to photograph my products, especially my bags. I usually have one of my daughters model for me, but it is getting more and more difficult to work out a good time to take photos when they are available and there is good natural light. Winter weather and shorter days, along with their school schedules and part-time jobs, make for a tight window of opportunity for taking photos.

photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis





With this goal in mind, I have been looking around at various types of photographs, hoping for an epiphany. My current favorite background style involves the use of old weathered doors. I have always loved old doors. They seem to hold a secret, especially if they are time-worn and weathered. I think about what and who has passed through them over the years. For me, doors are symbolic of the future and opportunities and even adventure! Who knows what might be waiting on the other side?

Starting All Over Again!

I apologize to my readers for all the confusion with the deleted blog. I was unable to retrieve my original blog, but the URL, or blog web address, became available again after the blog had been gone for a couple of weeks. So, I decided to reclaim it and here I am, starting over again.

I promise to be more careful from now on about deleting inactive email accounts and whatnot. But, after all, it's a learning process, especially for those of us who are technologically challenged!

Welcome to my new and improved blog. I hope you'll come back often!