How to order your bespoke Aline Seiler bag

IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING AT FIRST

I totally get it, the idea to be this involved in the creation process of your dream bag can be very overwhelming at first. In today’s blog I will guide you through the process and try to answer as many questions as I can.

I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU

First of all: we are in this together. You don’t have to make any of these decisions on your own. I’m here for you to guide you through the whole process. This is why I like to start the ordering process with either a visit in the Atelier (which is honestly my favorite thing to do) or a digital consultation. In this kick-off meeting we will discuss all of your needs, the design you like and I can answer all of the initial questions you might have regarding the process.

If you make an appointment in the atelier, this visit also includes a first look at different leather options and color.

LET’S GET SKETCHY

After our kickoff meeting I will sum up all of your wishes, wants and needs in an Email for you. This way you can revisit what we’ve talked about and take your time to reflect on what you like and want for your bespoke bag. I will also start working on a sketch of your bag to make it easier for you to envision what the final bag will actually look like. If we had a digital consultation I will also send you a card with color samples to make your decision process easier. This way you have seen the colors in real life which is very important since photography can change colors so much and sometimes it’s almost impossible to capture.

TIME TO DECIDE

After you have received your leather samples and you’ve reached a decision on which color(s) you love, we will continue the order process. This means deciding on all of the details. This includes:

1. Color of the outer

2. Color of the lining

3. Color of the hardware

4. Color of stitching

5. Edge paint color

6. Shoulder strap / handle design, length, width etc.

7. Interior pockets

   and more

After all of the details have been decided, the rest of the work is up to me.

PATIENCE

That’s what you will need, while I get to crafting and finalizing your order. It usually takes around 6-8 weeks for your order to be completed. I will try to have as little leather stock as possible to avoid the waste of material, therefore the colors you choose for your bag will most likely be ordered after you have finished the decision process. You will be able to see your order come together via my Instagram stories most likely, as I love to share bits and pieces of the process on there. If you don’t want me to do that because you’d love to be surprised, please let me know in advance and I will of course respect that.

OFF YOU GO

After your order is completed it will receive a final beauty treatment, meaning I will give it a good rub with protective leather balm. Putting the outmost attention to detail I will finally pack your order and send your bag on it’s way to you. Pick up in the atelier is of course also an option.

ENJOY

Once your bespoke bag has reached its new home it will hopefully spark a lot of joy for you and be with you for many years. All of my bags are crafted with the most attention to detail and the highest quality possible. Every item is saddle stitched which makes the seam ultra durable and easy to repair (You can read all about it here)

ALL CLEAR?

I really hope my description of the ordering process cleared it up for you. If not, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment, send me an e-mail or get in touch via social media.

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Let me introduce you to "Poppy"

A classic with a twist

When I first started working on this design, it was back in September 2020, I wanted to create a bag with a classic and timeless feel, without it being too flat or boring.

After 6 months of work, countless prototypes and many hours of prototype testing, I’m finally ready to introduce Poppy.

An everyday classic

Poppy is ready to join you on your everyday adventures, as well as special occasions. To make the bag as versatile as possible, the shoulder strap is not only adjustable but also removable. This way you are prepared for whatever lies ahead.

You can wear the bag in three different ways:

1. As a crossbody bag

2. As a shoulder bag

3. As a clutch bag

Shown: the three ways in which the shoulder strap of the Poppy can be adjusted and removed.

All about the details

The bag features several design aspects, which all together make up the whole look. The flap includes a 3-D feature to underline the mixture of straight lines and curves.

One of my favorite design features is the gusset. It again combines the curves and straight lines of the overall bag, but what I love about it the most is the 3-D Element.

Close it up

When I made the first prototype of this bag, I went with magnets. Don’t get me wrong, I love to work with magnets whenever possible and when it makes sense with the design, but it this case, it just didn’t work out. I wanted the bag to be secured very well and therefore I went with a push lock. It’s still very convenient to use, but when the bag is closed, it’s closed.

What about all my Stuff?

You’re probably wondering right now, wether or not all of your things will fit in the bag. The “standard” size is 18.5 x 13 x 4.5 cm.

I created the initial size to fit everything I need on a daily basis including:

• cardholer

• keys

• phone

• lipbalm

• airpods

• and a reusable cotton bag

This way I was able to keep the bag small and sleek with an overall width of 4.5 cm. Seems like not enough space for you? Don’t worry I’ve got you. The beauty of a bespoke, made to order business is, that we can always adjust the measurements to your exact needs.

I can’t wait to hear from you and to learn what kind of adjustments we will make, to create your perfect bag together.

LOVE

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Ps. I didn’t want to leave you here, without showing off at least some of the prototypes I made over the last 6 months to get to the final result. : )

First Prototype

The magnets didn’t work as expected ad a closure and the overall measurements of the bag where just a litte too small.

Second try

With this one everything felt a little off. The bag was very spacious but I just didn’t like the way the gusset added to the overall design. Too sporty, I wanted it to feel more elegant.

Third time’s a charme

Well, not really though. On the third prototype I chose a cleaner gusset design, but the measurements just didn’t feel right. I found it to have a little bit of a bulky feel which I didn’t like.

In the picture you see a comparison of the gussets of the second prototype (upper) and third one (lower).

It took me two more leather prototypes and several cardboard ones, to come up with the final design.

I hope you liked that little insight on how I got to the final Poppy bag.

Intentional consumerism and sustainability

New year , new me

Does this sound familiar? Many of us might have started the new year with some type of resolution. Things we want to change about ourselves or our behavior. One of them might be to live more sustainable. If that’s the case, your are so on Trend ;-) .

Not only are trend researchers talking about sustainability as one of the most important topics, but I also read and hear a lot of people talking about the want to live a more sustainable life.

Small changes make a big difference

Let’s take it back a couple of years. Remember when everyone was taking home tons of plastic bags from every store they would go to, without blinking an eye? Remember when getting a coffee to go was all about flexing that plastic cup? Sounds insane today right?

There’s nothing more natural to me nowadays, then to pack my cotton bag whenever I’m about to run some errands and even when I think I’m just doing some window shopping. Coffee to go in a plastic cup? Only if I can’t avoid it (like once or twice a year). These are two very simple lifestyle changes, that don’t seem like they will have a massive impact, but they will the more people join the movement.

What do these small changes have in common? Intention!

Intentional consumerism

You have probably heard me talking about this before, but I highly believe in the fact that the more intentional each and every item we buy is chosen, the better the choices we make are. We live in such a globalized world with everything available to us with just a quick online purchase, that it sometimes is a huge challenge to not get lost in constant online shopping. When it comes to fashion and your style, I do feel like on the one hand it can be easy to buy more intentionally, on the other hand we get bombarded with images and advertising for the next new thing to buy.

Building your wardrobe, with items you love wearing, that are of great quality and that will last you a long time, is one of the ways to be more intentional when shopping.

Making a list, checking it twice

My personal style is quite minimalistic. I do like muted colors and am not one to buy a lot of very colorful or flashy items ,which doesn’t mean that I don’t add color to my wardrobe every now and then ;). Therefore I have created a list with items I want and need to have in my core wardrobe to work with. This includes:

• Jeans (light blue, dark blue, black)

• plain t-shirts in white, grey, black, etc.

• a nice pair of white sneakers

• a blazer

• trenchcoat

• white blouse

  and more

You see where I’m going with this right? Once you have decided on what your core wardrobe would need to be, you can focus on purchasing the items that you really need to achieve that goal. It decreases the chance of impulse buying and increases chances of buying better quality items. This list is on my phone and constantly with me, so whenever I’m tempted to make that quick on the go purchase, of an item I’m probably not gonna wear or love as much as I think, I’m checking my list. Of course this list is not set in stone and by all means it’s not meant for you to be chained to it, but it can help in two ways:

1. It helps you to finally establish and build the wardrobe you have always wanted, instead of just buying whatever you see in the store and like. Making it easier to put outfits together and find your own personal style.

2. It helps you to make more intentional buying decisions, which will make the way you consume fashion more sustainable in the long run.

Is it ever enough?

That’s exactly how it can feel, if you want to live a more sustainable life. Am I doing enough? Do I need to change every single thing that I do? Is it not ok to buy from known brands anymore, but instead I have to switch to “sustainable brands” only? That sounds overwhelming to me.

I I really feel like intentional consumerism is a great way to head into the right direction. Remember, many people making small changes in their behavior has a huge overall impact.

Making a list of what you really need and can use for a long period to come, helps to pivot your behavior as a consumer. You are not running after the next best trend anymore, but investing in classics that will be with you for a longer time period. On a side note: it’s not only the amount of clothes and accessories we have been buying, but it’s also that we tend to not wear what we buy. By buying high quality items, that maybe are even produced more sustainably or ethically, and rewearing them you are having a big impact.

What about my brand?

When it comes to my atelier of bespoke luxury leather goods this is exactly what I’m aiming for. I do think of Aline Seiler as a sustainable luxury brand - meaning not only is the leather from Germany, France and other European countries, the bag is produced by me in my atelier, so no child labor or worker suppression. Furthermore the items are produced just for you on a made to order basis. This way I stand for delivering luxury leather goods, that are ethically crafted in Germany, with the highest quality possible.

This also means, that most of my customers don’t order any of my designs to buy just another bag. They get involved in the design process by choosing their very favorite color combination, thread color, edge paint and many more features, making the purchase a very intentional one.

I hear my clients using their bags for long time periods, which not only makes me so happy personally, but is also a more resourceful way. This is why I strongly believe that intentional consumerism is a way, to make your purchases more sustainable.

How do you feel about intentional buying? What are the small things you have changed to live a more sustainable life? I’m so curious to know.

LOVE

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2020 - What a year

The year no one expected

I think I speak for all of us when I say: “2020 was nothing like we expected it to be”. I had big plans on what this brand was going to be at the end of this year, and even though this year has been full of challenges, I’m really proud on what I have achieved. But before I get more into all of the things that have made this year a very special one, I want to leave a huge THANK YOU here. I was very blessed during this year of crisis to have such special clients who constantly supported my work and this brand by placing orders, sharing my content and just being a wonderful support in general. I couldn’t be any more thankful.

The first quarter

In the first few months of this year, I was full of big plans (including our summer wedding in July) and was hoping for a wonderful year. Looking back at the pictures from January and February it feels really weird that we didn’t know at all what was coming for us.

Since February Aline Seiler is officially available at the Luxaa concept store in Leipzig, which makes me so happy and proud, every time I pass the windows or visit the store. Not only is the concept store such a gem when it comes to product selection and sustainability, but I also love Anne, the owner so much. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to work together.

After the first lockdown

When the first lockdown was nearing its end, the weather slowly got better and warmer. We where just happy to be able to go for long walks and things where starting to feel a little bit more “normal” again.

We spend easter with our neighbors which was wonderful and I was so stunned by the amount of support I received from my clients. I was approached with so many individual orders and special projects so I collected my favorites of 2020 for you in the slideshow below.

The photoshoot

Another highlight of this year was the fabulous photo shoot from Giorgia DiTria. She captured the beauty of the Kinchaku in such a unique way. I’m still more than amazed when I look at her art featuring my work. I had always dreamed about organizing a professional photoshoot with my bags and seeing what she created (also all whilst the pandemic was in full desaster mode) is one of my highlights of 2020.

Lilibell Capsule Collection

Another huge accomplishment of 2020 was the Aline Seiler x Lilibell capsule collection. I designed and crafted the original bag for Bettina, the founder of the Lilibell diaper bag insert, and she was so happy with her bag that she offered to launch her design as a capsule collection for her clients. The collaboration with Bettina was such an uplifting experience and the positive feedback of her community was overwhelming.

Holiday Season

After all of the wonderful experiences of this otherwise disappointing year, the holiday season was the perfect ending for me and my little brand. I received so many orders that I could barely handle it. It was the most overwhelming feeling to know that I have to push through to make sure everyone receives their Christmas presents in time. One week before the deadline I even got a cold which slowed me down so much and gave me huge anxiety. Nonetheless I put in the extra hours in the last days and everyone received their presents in time.

To sum up: despite this crazy pandemic slowing down the world and all of our lives, this year has brought so many amazing business opportunities, clients and business partners into my life. This niche brand and myself as a person had the opportunity to grow and evolve and for that I am thankful.

All there’s left to say is that I have big plans and hope for 2021. And besides thanking each and everyone of you for your support again, I just hope you are all healthy.

LOVE

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Why my bags are all hand stitched

What is a saddle stitch?

A saddle stitched seam, contrary to a machine stitched one, is made of a single thread using two dull needles. As the seam continues to build the thread surpasses itself. As a result, in case the thread breaks, the remaining pieces of the seam keep the broken parts in place. Preventing the seam to further unravel and making it possible to repair the seam.

MAchine Stitched seam

A machine stitched seams consists of two separate threads. The two threads surpass each other creating a loop. This is why, if one of the threads breaks the whole seam starts to unravel. A phenomenon we all have experienced at some point with any type of garment.

I decided to choose hand stitching over a machine when I founded this brand for several reasons:

1. The ability to be more precise with the placement of the seam. By prepunching the holes for hand stitching you have more control on where the holes are going to be in the leather. When using a sewing machine, the holes are created by the sharp needles. As it is not possible to redo a seam on leather (which it is when using most fabrics), I prefer the option where I have more control. This also ensures less wasted leather because of a dysfunctional machine and therefore crooked seam.

2. The durability of the seam. As shown in the graphic above a saddle stitched seam will still be standing strong, even after the thread might have broken. This is a huge quality factor which I can bring to my products.

3. The ability to repair. One of my main goals with my brand is to create a bag that was especially crafted for you and that you will love for a long time. A saddle stitched seam can easily be repaired, which makes it the more sustainable option.

4. The value of true craftsmanship. I have always been impressed by the outstanding craftsmanship the Italian and French artisans bring to the table. By incorporating the traditional production methods I can truly create luxury handbags that show the actual value and my admiration for outstanding craftsmanship.

   I hope I could clear things up on why I am putting in the extra work ( and many extra hours) to hand stitch all of my bags.

   If you have any more questions on the method feel free to leave a comment down below.

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How to take care of your Aline Seiler Bag

Buying a bespoke bag which was created to perfectly suit your needs means also you want it to last as long as possible.

To make your leather bag last there are a few things you can do.

1. Keep your bag out of the sun

Whenever you are not using your bag make sure it is stored in your dust bag and out of the sun. Since leather is animal skin it acts in the same way as your very own skin when exposed to the sun.

The leather will age faster meaning it will get dry and brittle. Keeping it out of the sun whenever you are not using it, is the best way to secure its longevity.

2. Use your dustbag

As mentioned above the sun is your bags worst enemy when it comes to aging of the bag. Using your dustbag to store your bag makes not only sure it is protected from the sun but also from dust and other dirt. This makes it easier to keep your bag clean

Try to always store your bag in your dustbag

3. Clean with damp cloth / dry brush

Whenever there is any dirt or dust on your bag, clean it with a damp cloth. Caution: This does not apply for suede - suede does not like humidity and needs to be dusted off dry preferably with a brush.

If you have any kind of severe stains on the leather it is possible to clean it with a special soap called saddler soap. It will help to clean your leather without damaging it. Never use any kind of harsh cleanser on your bag, it will damage the outer layer and might destroy the leather.

4. Condition

Every few weeks (when using your bag daily) it’s very helpful to condition the leather of your bag. This is the equivalent of you moisturizing your face to keep the skin soft and pretty. Take a piece of cotton cloth and buff the leather conditioner in. This helps to nourish the leather and prevents it from getting too dry and brittle. This is especially important if you chose natural leather for your bag since it doesn’t have a protective outer layer. Its “pores” are still open.

Caution: Conditioning lotions and balms are also not suitable for suede.

Leather balm to condition your bag

5. Give it a rest

I know many of you have decided on getting a bespoke bag, to finally own that one perfect bag. It’s still a good idea to give your bag a day off every now and then. This way the leather has some time to “recover” a bit from the stress of daily usage. Just like your leather shoes need a day time to recover from you wearing them, your bag needs to recover too. Give the leather some time to breathe and the stress points like the handle attachments a day without pressure.

If you take these actions into account your bespoke bag will last you a very long time.

What are your tips to take care of your leather bags? Let’s discuss in the comments.

LOVE

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Finding that perfect bag for your wedding day

You are getting married and you found your perfect dress. You’ve got it all planned but then you realize, you don’t have a bag. You start looking around but anything you find is either too big or too small, has no shoulder strap or just doesn’t go with the style of you dress. Most of the time the selection in the bridal shops just isn’t that great. But what now?

The Monogram clutch in white - a great option for your wedding day

Getting a bespoke bag might just be the solution to your problem.

Wether you are looking for a nude / blush colored clutch, a white drawstring pouch, a simple zipper pouch as your something blue or you have a specific design in mind - we can make it happen.

Toujours Clutch in nude which I made for my civil wedding

For our civil wedding I chose to wear the Toujours clutch in nude. The clean design went perfectly with the ivory colored tulle skirt and sweater I was wearing. As I didn’t plan to carry it over the shoulder I did not include a shoulder strap.

When deciding on which bag to choose for your wedding day, firs think about what you want to carry that day. For me it was:

• My phone (I know so cliché but I wanted to keep it on hand, just in case)

• My favorite lipstick (It’s Pillow Talk by Charlotte Tilbury btw.)

• Blotting paper & powder

• Lip balm

• My ID (needed that for the legal part)

• Keys (Yes, I am a control freak)

• Cardholder (just in case I needed to pay for anything)

• Some bobby pins (in case my hair needed some fixing)

  That were the basics I needed because I’m insane. ;-) Depending on what you might need on your special day, we can adjust the size of the pattern accordingly. Adding your new initials or your wedding date to your bag are just some of the options to make your bag even more personal.

Handpainted monogram on a white Kinchaku mini

What are you looking for when it comes to the bag you want to wear on your wedding day? Do you have a specific design or color in mind? Just leave me a comment, use the contact form or send me an E-mail and we can make the perfect bag to match that perfect wedding dress of yours.

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Handpainting on Leather

I’m always looking for ways to make my designs even more special and unique. When thinking about what I could do next, I came across the possibility to actually paint on leather. I was intrigued immediately.

Learning to paint on leather was what I wanted to do, to be able to offer additional services to my customers. You can now choose to have your monogram added to any place of your item in your favorite color and size. This way my monogramming service does not depend on any machine. Hotstamping your initials on leather goods can be very pretty too, don’t get me wrong but it is way more limited when it comes to size and color options.

Another possibility to individualize the look of your bag is to add the hand painted logo. As statement logo placement is a big thing right now I am happy to add the bold logo in your favorite color to your bag or shoulder strap.

In the following paragraphs I will explain the process of painting on leather, to show you how much work and love I put into every single one of your orders.

What do you need?

Painting on leather can’t be done with any color but special equipment is needed. I personally use the Angelus acrylic leather paint.

1. Leather preparer and deglazer - not only does the leather need to be clean and any oil residues need to be removed, but you also need to deglaze the leather. This first step removes any finish that has been put onto the leather so that the color can penetrate the upper layers.

Prepare your leather

Takes off any finishes from the leather - the Angelus leather preparer and deglazer

2. Leather Paint

Once the surface of the leather is clean you can start with the actual painting. As mentioned above I use the Angelus colors which are especially made to paint on leather.

It’s time to paint

always apply thin layers and let them dry completely

3. Finisher

After you’ve applied the paint and it has completely dried it is time to apply the finisher. This is a crucial step since the finisher makes sure the color is sealed so it will last as long as possible.

Sealing it all on

Apply finisher as your final step to make sure your paint job will last

4. Brushes

When painting on leather you will need brushes that can be used with acrylic paint. I do use the daVinci brushes and tend to go with the finest available. This will depend on your project and what you are trying to achieve.

How I paint on leather

As mentioned above I offer several different options for my clients to choose from, when it comes to personalizing their order. In this example I will show you how I added a black monogram to an all white Kinchaku (medium size).

After the decision was made for the monogram to go in the left corner of the bag, I deglazed the area using the Angelus deglazer. Then I made a stencil for the letters and transferred them to the leather using a silver pen.

The leather is now ready to be painted on. Since in this example we didn’t want the monogram to interfere with the sleek and clean look of the Kinchaku the monogram was going to be all black. I started painting the outlines of the letters using as little of the paint as possible. Since the leather is very structured you will need to go very slow and steady to achieve a straight line. I used the da Vinci NOVA sythetics 10/0 brush.

After having applied about three very thin layers of paint and having them dried thoroughly for at least 30 mins each it is then time to add the final layer. In my case I’m using the satin acrylic finisher, since I like that it is not super shiny.

After the top coat layer is all dry, you are good to go and the final product is ready to meet it’s new owner.

Hand painted monogram on an all white Kinchaku

This is it. The final result of the hand painted monogram on the all white Kinchaku bag. I really love how it elevates the look of the bag by making it even more personal.

Have you ever tried painting on leather? Or do you have any ideas what you’d want to have painted on your new item? Let me know in the comments or use the contact form to get in touch.

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Why I'm running a bespoke - made to order business

When I started this brand I chose for Aline Seiler to be a made to order only brand. In this blog I’m telling you some of the many reasons why.

1. No overproduction

As many of you might have heard one of the big problems we face in fashion is overproduction. This does not only concern fast fashion brands but also most of the luxury brands. As the collections are produced based on anticipated demand many items do not sell during the season and are left over. When the items are not even sold on final sale many of them are destroyed, sometimes even just burned.

By only producing the items that already have been ordered overproduction is prevented. Therefore less resources are wasted.

2. Respectful use of resources

Since working with real leather which is nothing but the skin of an animal I really wanted to be respectful with the way I use it. I try to have as little leftover as possible and try to come up with ideas to use small pieces of leather. This Christmas for example I made ornaments to hand on your tree or to decorate presents with, only using little bits and pieces of leather from previous orders.

Of course it’s not only about the amount ( and type of ) leather I use for your bag. In the end only producing the items that have already been ordered uses less resources in general.

3. Making bespoke options available

If you’ve read my blog post on why I started this label in the first place, one of the reasons was that I could not find a bag that I truly loved. With the made to order approach I can offer the option to make your bag truly bespoke to you. Any of my designs can be adjusted to your needs and wishes, it can be made in almost any color and size. I can also offer making a bag just for you starting from scratch.

Bespoke Monogram Keychain

4. Truly made in Germany

Many of you might have heard about the “Made in Germany” (this applies to most of the “Made in XY country labels) problem. It is stated that most of the design, engineering and manufacturing process has to be done in Germany but we have all heard about so many companies that only have their final steps of assembly done in Germany and still use the seal.

If you are looking for your bag to be handcrafted in Germany in great working conditions and made by a passionate craftswoman I can truly offer this.

I have to mention that not all of the materials I use come from Germany, since many of the most amazing suppliers like tanneries come from Italy and France but almost everything comes from within the EU.

The downside

As per usual to all of the upsides there’s also a downside. In my case it’s production time. Since production of your order only starts after we discussed all of the details and sometimes even only after the special leather for the specific bag has arrived my clients have to be very patient. When it comes to small leather goods I can usually finish the product within a week or two but with bags and individual orders production time can be much longer. I always tell my clients how long production time will be before they place their order, so they can make an informed choice.

It’s all about making choices

All in all I stand by the decision I made when first starting this brand to focus on made to order production. I do work with some small boutiques to which I’m sending several of my designs for display (and also for selling of course) but even in these collaborations most the clients still place individual orders. I do believe that by making the right choices as a company and as consumers we can make an impact on our planet.

Thank you to all of you, who support what I do from the bottom of my heart!

LOVE

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Designers Open 2019

Second time around

I’m very happy to announce that I will be attending the Designers Open again. The design fair based in Leipzig was my first ever and so much has changed since last year.

You can find me in the Hall “Weißer Saal” in booth W10 together with my amazing colleagues Wolkengold (jewelry) and Constantin Lindner (watches). All three of us represent products designed and crafted in Leipzig and we can’t wait to welcome you at our booth.

I will also be presenting new designs I’m currently working on and there will be some special offers, so if you are looking for a great deal this is your chance.

I’m giving away 4 free Tickets to this years Designers Open so leave me a comment if you would like to come meet me in October.

LOVE

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