Attention To Detail

As my small business moves forward, i enjoy developing my products. Its the little things that i love doing. I bet nobody even notices, but i guess that is good because then im seamless!

Here are some photographs from the last of the Louise Marie Crafts work session i did just before i moved back to University!

New makeup cases & packaging updates

This half term I am creating a body of makeup cases to update my stock in 'The attic'; a beautiful gift shop in Ipswich above a traditional cheese delicatessen :) thought I would show you some of the progress!! I will up date when the whole lot is created, packaged and ready to go!

There is also a picture of an update on my packaging; the final ones have been drawn up and will be going into print this week!

Packaging ideas & creation!

I am hoping people don't assume packaging just happens! This packaging has been on my mind for about 4 months.. Took a while to get to the front of my brain! Having some printing troubles at the moment so off to the print shop in town tomorrow! :)

New products & Mother's Day range

Here I have a photograph of a new product of mine.. The handpainted tea cup and saucer! I hope to have a mini range of gift sets ready for a Mother's Day collection end of February :)

Extra Large Vanity Travel Cases

New product in the making!

So.. i havn't posted in a long time.. But as im working really hard at university at the moment, i dont feel too guilty!!

I had a great christmas and made lots and lots of orders for customers; everyone was so supportive! I also got a job at M&S for a few days.. which perhaps i shouldnt have done.. the workload was huge and working in retail for the first time since summer ix exhausting!! Anyway long story short i was working through until 8pm christmas eve and didnt really see christmas - woopsy!!

So.. Its January.. im back at uni.. and this is my latest project that ive been working on when i have a spare moment or the uni work is getting me down..!

I wanted to develop my makeup cases; I have made a larger size now, that is more suitable for the contemporary travellers amongst us! This case has double the volume of my large case, has a waterproof inside with pocket, and also has a pocket on the outside, on the back. I just want to say at this point that the outside pocket took me TWO DAYS to get my head around!! I know sounds silly but when you have to make things inside out and upside down its confusing - even more so when you throw zips into the equation! But its done - i have a new paper pattern and its ready to be re-made.

This first case is made from Mannequin fabrrc designed by New york duo, Michael Miller. Its one of my favourite fabrics and its my mums favourite too - always nice to score mum points :D

Another note - all large cases and extra large cases will contain matching fabric backed mirrors! Yep - i bought a mirror maker! Business investment :D

I plan to develop my own fabrics, whether its print or patchwork; and bring some old favourites back too, teaming the main pattern with oilcloth bottoms where suitable so that it can be placed on a surfaces which may be wet - like the nice marble surfaces with built in sinks at hotels - thats the thinking behind it anyway!

These cases wont be put into production until my Easter break; i really want to concentrate on my studies at the moment - One day the coursework and the crafts company wont be seperate and ill start combining next year!

Thanks for looking!

Louise-Marie x

Button brooches

These brooches have been made by quilting with freehand embroidery on my sewing machine.. I really love them! Little 3D fabric buttons!

They will be for sale at the Nottingham Trent University art and design Christmas fair this Wednesday, the 5th December, but these cuties are something I am deffo thinking of bringing into my folksy collection! I just love them and each one is different because no templates or patterns are used!

Where i work

Last post for this evening - I just though i would show you where i work! Living at uni can be a bit messy - and its your typical student flat but i have tried to be a little organised this year.. this summer i properly sorted my fabric stash, and got all my jewellery supplies under control! My mum bought me a new sewing machine which really helped me get inspired again with the sewing.. Its amazing! Will post a picture of it soon :)

My current fabric stash which grows with every student finance payment..

A few notions on my machine.. What do the lines mean.. nobody knows! No seriously.. i cant even remember..