Recently, Mary Walewski came to my house to teach me the basics of blogging. Mary is a social media marketing (SMM) specialist for authors and entrpreneurs. I’ve been pleased to have her help for several years now and find that she knows her subject well. So, here I am now, a fledgling blogger.
As Mary first walked in, I was delighted to notice that she was carrying two MKI bags! She had a mini-laptop carrier in Navy/Sapphire in one hand and a Black/Southwest Tapestry Tall Plus over her shoulder. She says that the Tan/Southwest Tapestry Tote
Mary Walewski with her tapestry bags from MKI
Purse serves her well as a summer purse and I am sure she has purchased other bags also for gifts. Seeing people using our bags is a hugh compliment to us. We put so much effort into building sturdy, functional bags that are also gorgeous, and, when people show up using them, it’s like a pat on the back, a good performance review, a valedation that our efforts are worthwhile. Thank you, Mary.
There’s a lot of techy stuff to SMM that I will probably not get into much … my expertise is in bag-making. But when I’m ready to take the next step, I’ll seek a little help from my friends and call Mary. Check out her website and blog because she has a lot of interesting things to say… www.buythebookmarketing.com.
Should you wish to ruin your Tapestry Purse, here are the four best ways to achieve that:
1. Wash your tapestry purse in hot water. Hot water will shrink the fabric and the purse will be wrinkled and look like your hands that have been in dishwater too much.
2. Put your tapestry purse in the hot dryer. This will result in shrinkage as above, only this may also melt your zippers a bit, depending on how hot the dryer was. Your could end up with the wrinkled look AND sluggish zippers. This would REALLY ruin the bag!
3. Overstuff your bag. When you put lots and lots of things into a small bag when you honestly need a medium-sized bag, the pressure of all that stuff trying to get out compromises the zippers. Your end up with zipper blow-out! You know… the zipper opens where it shouldn’t. Then you can’t use the bag because you can’t close the zipper.
4. Keep sharp pointy things in your purse without protection. A loose pair of sharp scissors, for example, can poke a hole in most fabrics, given time.
Now, should you NOT REALLY want to ruin your purse or bag, we can help you with that!
First of all, wash your tapestry purse/bag in COLD water and then, secondly, hang it out to AIR DRY. We realize that the Tapestry fabric is not as strong as the nylon Cordura that we use, so everywhere we use Tapestry, we line it. That gives it extra strength. It’ll still shrink, but not as much.
Thirdly, we try to prevent zipper compromises by buying the best zipper available. We use only YKK zippers! That’s all we can do.
And finally, we have numerous small products into which you can place pointy objects to prevent pokes to the fabric or your fingers! Consider carrying sharp things in an Organizer, a Money Pouch, or a Grab Bag.
Like Queen Latifa sings in the movie Chicago: When you’re good to Momma, Momma’s good to you!
I believe that life is like the tapestry fabric that I love so much. It has beautiful pictures and colors and richness to it with threads woven in and out bringing fascinating views at each turn.
I have resisted blogging in the past, viewing it as self-centered and trivial, but I’ve had a
Queensland Tapestry shows threads of life
change of heart. I’ve noticed that what my husband, Woody, and I enjoy so much in our lives now is the interaction with other people and the ideas and interesting tales we hear from perfect strangers who walk into our booth at fairs and festivals. There are some very nice people out there! There are some wonderful senses of humor among them, and some wisdom that is pretty cool! So I’ve decided to share that and bring to each of you the sunshine and joy that people bring to me. (Bring me Sunshine).
Oh, yes, lots of sunshine to me when a customer tells me how much she loves her purse, how it still looks and performs well after all these years, how she gets compliments on it all the time, how it has just the right place to keep ________. Personally, I am complimented and encouraged to hear these comments. (Thank you, thank you.) There is not a better motivator to my creativity! (Love my bag testimonials)
Speaking of creativity! There is no end to the multiple ways customers pack and use our bags! Of course, I design them for flexibility so I’m not surprised. You’ll love these fun suggestions and I’ll share them with you. (Nifty ideas for how to use your bags)
Of course, I hear many good suggestions on (a) what new products to make and (b) how to improve the products I have. In fact, most of my designs have been the result of customer ideas and/or needs of the family. So, as I come up with new fabrics and/or new products, I will share them with you here. (Snazzy new stuff!!)
The truth is that many of my idea work, but some of them just don’t!! Believe me, I know a lot of what doesn’t work, but it doesn’t discourage me from trying again. I’ll continue to listen to all of you and we’ll use this blog to take surveys of preferences to help us create the products that best serve our customers. (Purse Features)
And then there’s FAQs. I’ll share with you my knowledge of fabrics, cleaning and packing techniques, sewing equipment, “ingredients” for bag-making, how it’s done, etc. (Mom’s Krazy Ideas details)
So, thanks for joining me on my Baglady Adventures and Search for the Tapestry of Life. For a delightful pick-me-up, check out this YouTube video – you’ll love it.
