Welcome to Katrinka’s. Katrinka’s is a San Diego based company that specializes in handmade handbags and accessories. Here at Katrinka’s, each item is personally designed and delicately handcrafted to meet our customers’ needs, whether it be a custom order or one of our featured products. Please contact us with your personal needs and preferences regarding your custom order today. We look forward to working with you.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Grateful Walk

Hello Everyone,

Lately, my "co-worker", Joshua, has been walking to work, or in his words- taking his "Grateful Walk", instead of taking the trolley.  During his "Grateful Walk", he reflects on things he is grateful for, such as having legs to walk with, having a job to support his raw cookie dough habit, and having eyes to see this beautiful pine cone like thing he left for me on my desk this morning.


While his "Grateful Walk" sounds very Thanksgiving oriented and a bit sappy, it is really just a way to put a positive spin on working in this poopy place.  The pine cone now sits on my desk below my monitor as a constant reminder that winter is coming, which really means my deadline for quitting this job is approaching, which makes me so excited I might go downstairs and get an wintery beverage from Starbucks. 

Since I drive to work, I do not have the opportunity for a daily "Grateful Walk".  Instead, this afternoon I took my first "Grateful Elevator Ride".  I was already settling back into the bad mood I like to maintain while sitting at my desk- so my list of things I am grateful for wasn't incredibly positive.  I think I'll revise it now.

Things I Am Grateful For:

1.  My stuffed nose, because the guy in the elevator with me is the one that usually squeezes out a fart or two;

2.  Not getting the mail this morning, because now I can take five minutes to do it, five minutes in the mail room is five less minutes in the office;

3.  The money left over from lunch that Aaron gave me for my wintery beverage from Starbucks;

4.  My family;

5.  My kitties;

and

6.  My pine cone.

I will be adding to this list later, there is much more, but if I put it all down at once I won't have any material for tomorrow's "Grateful Elevator Ride".

Yours Truly,
Katrinka's

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Follow up on Getting Back to Business

Hello Everyone,

Here are a few things I left out...

1.  Actually make those embellished t-shirts that I have been meaning to make for the past 3 months.

2.  Make a few new displays.

and

3.  Find a good gift packaging method.

I'm sure I'll come up with more later.

Yours Truly,
Katrinkas

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Getting Back to Business

Hello Everyone,

I'm finally getting back to business and will be keeping up on my blog and my Etsy more.  I haven't blogged in months and haven't really put anything new up on Etsy in months either, and now I'm completely out of inventory, COMPLETELY.  After much complaining about my sucky job, I've decided to actually put forth effort into my Katrinka's business in hopes that I can soon ( hoping by the New Year) quit my job.  So, that said, I'm going to put my plans down in this blog to keep track in a timeline sort of way.  Hopefully this will also help me since now instead of just me knowing about it, all of you know about it, this means YOU-- my six followers!!!

1.  I WILL be getting my new order of business cards by October 21st.  I WILL be that annoying person that leaves their business cards at local coffee shops and restaurants in hopes that someone will go to my Etsy or website and check things out, and then buy some stuff!

2.  I WILL have atleast 75 new items made by October 29th so I can be ready for the next Macaroni Club on October 30th. 

3.  I WILL have my husband take really good photos of some of the new items, if he's willing, so I can update my photos and also get cracking on making some photo books and a new template for my business cards since I WILL be out of them because I WILL leave them  in so many places.

4.  I WILL contact 5 new boutiques by November 24th about carrying my items.  My items are currently for sale at Maisonnette and Make Good, but if I want to quit my day job I'm going to have to be in some more stores.

5.  I WILL have atleast 100 items available by November 26th so I can have a full looking booth for the November 27th craft fair at the Children's Museum hosted by Make Good.  I don't know much about this event yet, but it will be a daytime event with local artists, crafters, and musicians.

and 6.  I WILL update this tomorrow with anything I forgot.

Within the hour it took me to put together this blog post (I'm secretly doing this at work- so it took a while) 3 things have happened that only strengthen my desire to leave this place...

1.  The attorney that rents a space in our office started loudly bragging about meeting "hot german chicas" and going "clubbin" with them, yes he's in his late 40's, yes he's married, yes his wife is at home with their baby.

2.  My ex boss, who I now just have to see every day rather than answer to, just strolled in with his mistress.  They began talking loudly about how she got caught naked (and having sex) in this very office one weekend by one of the other attorneys about 8 feet away from me and then glared at me and turned their backs when they realized that I am in fact alive, have ears, and can clearly hear their conversation.  Yes his wife is at home with 5 kids, yes her husband is at home with atleast 2 kids, maybe three, but whatever.

and 3.  The D-Bag in #1 just put the red throw pillows from the couch in the entry way of our office on my desk.  (The red throw pillows were previously used by my ex boss for lumbar support in the scenario described in #2.)

I WILL be quitting this job.

Yours Truly,
Katrinkas

Monday, June 28, 2010

I'm Finally Posting Again!

Hello Everyone,

I just recently updated my Etsy shop, finally some new items!  I also just sold most of my inventory so I'm starting fresh with all new material... any color combo suggestions?

Yours Truly,
Katrinka's

Friday, May 14, 2010

Craft Fair Tomorrow!

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow I will be at the Holmes Elementary School Spring Fling Craft Fair from 11AM to 4PM.  The school is located at 4209 Mt. Ararat Drive, San Diego, CA 92111.  Hope to see you there!

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

New Item, Soon to be Added to Etsy!

Hello Everyone,

Last weekend I made paper flower bouquets for a wedding; they will be added to my Etsy as a custom order as soon as I get some decent photos. It was a bit of a time crunch, but very fun to make! Better pictures to come.

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Thursday, April 22, 2010

NEW GIVEAWAY!!!

NEW GIVEAWAY!!! Ways to enter: go to my facebook page or even my Etsy page (convo section) and post a comment with the title of your desired hair piece (found in my Etsy shop). On May 1st, 2010, "May Day", how appropriate, one entry will be chosen at random. Winner will receive their chosen hair piece. Girls, tell your friends; guys, think of your mother, she's good people, enter for her. Free shipping is included!

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Thursday, April 15, 2010

HUGE SALE!!!!

Hello Everyone,

I just cut prices and reduced shipping charges at my Etsy shop! Go take a look, new items are up too! Buy 3 get 1 free!

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

4th Tutorial! Emergency Stain Covering Flower Pin

Hello Everyone,

When I started this blog I believe I said I would be posting a new tutorial every other Friday. As you can see, this has not happened; therefore, I am going to change it to "every so often" for the time being. With that said, here's blog tutorial #4, the "Emergency Stain Covering Flower Pin".

Materials:

Wire edged ribbon (at least two feet)
One Paperclip
One stain that you didn't realize you had when you left for work

1. Take the wire edged ribbon from around your boss's coffee jar while he is gone.



2. Lay ribbon flat on desk. Place heavy objects along the ribbon to flatten out any wrinkles.



3. Pull one piece of the wire in the ribbon and wrap it loosely around your finger. Do this to the opposite end of the wire (remove finger but leave coil) to prevent ribbon from falling off the wire. Beginning pushing both ends of the ribbon towards eachother to create a ruffle.



4. Continue sinching the ribbon until it is as tight as possible. Create a twisted wad of wire at both ends to secure.



5. Beginning at one end of the ribbon, wrap the wire side of the ribbon around a pen. Keep overlapping the ribbon until you come to the end.



6. Remove the ribbon from the pen. The back of the flower should look like this.



7. Using the remaining wire at both ends, secure the flower by tightly winding the wire around the base of the ribbon.



8. Turn flower over and bend the ribbon to "fluff" your flower.



9. To cover my stain, I slipped a paperclip through the wire and attached the paperclip to the collar of my t-shirt. Stain not near the collar? A little piece of tape works well! Want this flower to be a more permanent fixture? Sew on a small circle of felt to the back and ad a pin.





Your truly,
Katrinka's

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

New Items on Etsy and Give-Away!

Hello Everyone,

I just finished uploading 15 new items on my Etsy page. Tomorrow I will upload 15 more, check them out!



Also, from now until April 1st, I'll be taking entries for a giveaway. To enter, go to my facebook page, Katrinka's, become a fan, and post a comment with the title of your desired hair piece (found on my Etsy). On April 2nd, one entry will be chosen at random. Winner will receive their chosen hair piece. Girls, tell your friends; guys, think of your mother, she's good people, enter for her. Free shipping is included!

Finally, all purses on my Etsy are currently on sale. Blowing them out, making room for more.

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Thursday, March 4, 2010

3rd Tutorial! "The Easy Tote Bag"

Hello Everyone,

Wow, I'm glad that I included the word probably in my last blog when referring to the next tutorial being posted on Monday. Here it is now!

Materials:

Outer Fabric (Use final product of tutorial #2 and two 4" x 36" strips)
Lining Fabric (Use final product of tutorial #1, one additional 8 1/2 x 11" piece to match, and two 4" x 36" strips)
Coordinating Thread
Pins

*Interfacing is optional*







1. Place 8 1/2" x 11" lining piece on top of finished product of tutorial #1, right sides together. Beginning at the top right of the rectangle sew down the side, across the bottom, and up the other side. this will creat a pouch.



2. Follow steps 3 through 6 from the 2nd Tutorial, "Creating a Bottom". End result should resemble the shape of the outer fabric.











3. Place one piece of the 4" x 36" lining on top of the 4" x 36" outer fabric, right sides together. Sew down each 36" measurement, leaving both 4" measurements open. Repeat with the two remaining 4" x 36" pieces. Turn each piece (the straps) inside out so no rough edges are showing (I attach a large safety pin to one end and feed it through, much easier).



4. Turn outer fabric inside out. Raw edges will be visible from the outside. Turn lining fabric inside out. Raw edges will be on the inside of the pouch with the slit pocket (from tutorial #1) on the outside. Place the lining pouch inside the outer fabric pouch. Insert tote straps (the two 4" x 36" pieces) between the two layers, one strap on each side of the body of the tote. Tote straps should stick out a couple inches for strength. Pin in place.

***Figuring out which fabric of the straps should be facing which way can be difficult. If you want the straps to match the tote reference the photo below, if you want the sraps to clash, flip the straps over to the other color. Make sure your straps do not twist between the outer fabric and lining, this will result in twisted straps in the finished product.

See below image.

5. Sew around the raw edge, back-stitching at the beginning, over the straps, and at the end for strength. Do not sew completely around the bag, leave a small opening (approximately four inches). Reach into the small whole left open and turn the bag inside out pushing the lining into the outer fabric.



6. Tuck the raw edge of the 4 inch whole inside and press the fabric so the top edge is straight. Sew completely around the top of the bag. This will seal the 4 inch whole and stregthen the straps.



You're done!

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Promised Blog Tutorial

Hello Everyone,

I believe I promised a blog tutorial would be posted yesterday. As you can see that didn't quite happen, and it probably won't be happening until Monday. Look for it Monday!

Yours Truly,
Katrinka's

Friday, February 19, 2010

I Sold My ENTIRE Inventory!

Hello Everyone,

I just sold my ENTIRE inventory to a great little boutique in Oceanside called Maisonnette. Maisonnette specializes in gorgeous designer fabrics and other sewing/crafting supplies, and now my hair accessories!

On another note, I finally got my website, www.katrinkas.com, up and running, although it is a work in progress. Also, look for "The Easy Tote" tutorial on my blog later today!

Yours Truly,
Katrinka's

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

2nd Tutorial! "Creating a Bottom"

This is the second of many blog tutorials that I will post every other friday. This tutorial, the previous tutorial, and the following tutorial (to be posted very soon,) will complete the first project "The Easy Tote Bag". This tutorial will be "Creating a Bottom", the next tutorial will be "The Easy Tote Bag".

CREATING A BOTTOM TUTORIAL
(tutorial intended to be done with sewing machine but could be hand sewn)

Materials:

Fabric (to coordinate with outer fabric of previous tutorial, this piece will be the main fabric of the tote, the piece from the previous tutorial will be the lining of the tote)(Two 8 1/2" x 11" pieces)

Coordinating Thread (to match color of fabric)

Pins



1. Place both pieces of fabric together, right sides touching. Position fabric horizontally.



2. Beginning at the top right corner, sew down to the bottom right corner. Continue sewing accross the bottom of the fabric and up to the top left corner.



3. While holding the pouch at the top corners, rest the bottom of the pouch on a flat surface, such as your work table. Let the bottom of the pouch flatten against the table, causing the pouch to open as if their are contents inside.





4. Starting with the bottom right corner, bring the seam on the side on the pouch down to meet the seam running along the bottom of the pouch. Seams should meet exactly and corner should not have extra material. Press the material to create a triagle at the corner. Pin in place a few inches from the point. Repeat on bottom left corner.



5. Begin measuring from the point of the triangle (created by pressing the material) and towards the center of the bottom seam of the bag. Here you may choose your own measurement, I will use 2 inches. Longer measurements mean wider bag bases, shorter measurements mean thinner bag bases. Mark your measurement and draw a line across the fabric, literally creating a triangle. Repeat on other corner using same measurement.



6. Sew across the line you just drew and cut off excess material. Repeat on other side.



7. Turn the pouch inside out and press the edges. Fabric should now be right side facing out. You're done!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Featured Shop on Etsy.com!

Hello Everyone,

I checked my e-mail this morning to see that I was a featured shop on Etsy.com. Yay.

On another note, I'm working on some new hair accessories, new designs, colors, sizes, etc. I hope to be getting them up on my Etsy soon. I will also be working on my website, which is not up yet, but will be at Katrinkas.com. I'm hoping to have it up by the end of this month.

Tonight I'll be working on a display for my hair pieces. I have to get together something small and presentable for in-store use; I have an appointment with a designer fabric store/boutique on Saturday to bring them some pieces to put on consignment. Very exciting!

Just a reminder, the sale at my Etsy shop will be ending soon, Valentine's Day perhaps.

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Double Blog Tutorial This Friday!

Hello Everyone,

I was out of town for a bit and missed the 2nd blog tutorial. This Friday, February 12, 2010, I will be posting two blog tutorials to make up for lost time.

Also, the sale at my Etsy site will be ending this week. Shop now at www.katrinkasdesign.etsy.com for free shipping on two items or more!

Yours Truly,
Katrinka's

Friday, January 15, 2010

1st Tutorial! "The Slit Pocket"

Hello Everyone,

This is the first of many blog tutorials that I will post every other friday. This tutorial, and the following tutorial (to be posted on January 29, 2010,) will be two lessons to be used for an upcomming tutorial. This tutorial will be "The Slit Pocket", the next tutorial will be "Creating a Bottom", and the thrid tutorial will be "The Easy Tote Bag". In "The Easy Tote Bag" you will use the first two tutorials to complete the bag.

THE SLIT POCKET TUTORIAL
(tutorial intended to be done with sewing machine but could be hand sewn)

Materials:

Outer Fabric (One 8 1/2" x 11" piece)
Lining Fabric (Two 5" x 7" pieces)
Coordinating Thread
Zipper (One 5" zipper, if you want pocket to zip, not need for regular slit pocket)



*Pocket can be any size, tutorial is for familiar sizes of 8 1/2" x 11" and 5" x 7"

1. Cut outer fabric to one 8 1/2" x 11" piece. Lay horizontally (technically 11" x 8 1/2") on workspace right side up.



2. Cut lining fabric to two 5" x 7" pieces. Lay one of the pieces horizontally right side down on top of outer fabric piece. Allign 5" x 7" piece so sides run parallel with 8 1/2" x 11" piece.



3. Pin fabrics together. Using a pen, draw a rectangle near the top of the 5" x 7" piece. Rectangle should be atleas one inch from either side of the fabric and one inch from the top. If you are putting in a zipper, make the rectangle wide enough to accomodate the width of the zipper. This rectangle will be the opening to the slit pocket, size accordingly.



4. Draw a line (left to right)through the middle of the rectangle. On each end of the rectangle and from that line, draw 2 short lines meeting the corners of the rectangle.



5. Sew around the rectangle. Remember to backstich for added strength.



6. Cut along the center line drawn in the rectangle, end cut where the triangles are drawn. Cut the short lines creating the triangle. Do not cut up to the stitches, stay 1-2 stitch lengths away from the stitches.



7. Place hand beneath all fabrics. Reach hand through the slit (hand is coming towards you) and grab the lining fabric (5" x 7"). Pull back through the slit and iron flat.



8. If you are not putting in a zipper, advance to step 10. Allign zipper in the rectangle slit behind both fabrics. Pin or tape zipper securely into place. (I do both.)



9. Sew around zipper approximately 1/4" from the edge of the rectangle. If 1/4" is to wide and will not catch the zipper, reduce margin. Backstitch for strength.



10. Turn fabric over so lining fabric is on top. Pin the 5" x 7" fabric to the remaining piece of 5" x 7" fabric (right sides together).



11. Without sewing through the outer fabric, sew the two lining fabric pieces together.



12. Turn piece around, you're done!

Monday, January 11, 2010

New Items on Etsy.com!

Hello Everyone,

I've just added several new items to my Etsy page. Don't forget, now through January 15, 2010, every buyer will be entered to win one custom flower organza hair piece.

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Custom Order Give Away on Etsy.com!

Hello Everyone,

I've posted a few of my handbags on my Etsy. In addition to the new items, I will be giving away one custom order flower organza hair piece. For every item you purchase between January 1 and January 15, 2010, you will be entered into the drawing for 1 free custom item. Winner chooses color, size, style, and mounting piece. Click here to enter.

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Katrinka's on Etsy.com!

Hello Everyone,

I'm finally blogging! I wanted to wait until I actually had something to blog about, and now I do. I got my Etsy shop up and running yesterday with a few of my floral hair pieces. Later today I will be adding the handbags and totes to the site.

Last night I bought some new supplies. I'll be using them for some new, more elaborate designs for hair pieces. Look for them on my Etsy, they will be up later this week.

Yours truly,
Katrinka's

PS- Beginning next Friday, and every other Friday thereafter, I will post a craft tutorial with my blog. Look for this weeks project 01/15/2010.