Crabtree Studio is going to have a new focus.  I find I don't enjoy making bags quite as much as I once did.  It's hard to compete against the plethora of cute and cheap bags at Target and what not.  When you can buy a quirky bag with an owl on it for $12 dollars, why would you want to spend money on my higher priced bags?  I can give you some reasons (originality, one-of-a-kind, handmade, not mass-produced in a sweatshop, etc) but after a while it gets hard tiring.  Plush toys have always been tough sell - but easier when you offer unique items beyond the basic bear and rabbit. And I will still create toys, because they are just so much fun: I can't help but smile the whole time I am making them.

But - back on topic - back to the NEW FOCUS!  After the birth of my daughter Lily I have been obsessed, no, OBSESSED!!! (underline, underline, bold, stars) with making clothing for her.  I never did this for Gabe (sorry kiddo!).  I think it's a girl thing - dresses and skirts are just so darn cute and sweet and you can do so much more with them.  So Lily wears lots of handmade clothing.  It's gotten to the point we go anywhere and the first thing friends and family ask is, "Did you make this outfit too?" hehehe.  And quite a lot of the time, the answer is yes.  It's also been a lot of fun to floor strangers when they ask where she got her pretty pintuck 50's style dress ("Is it vintage?") and I say I made it. 

So when I was thinking about what direction I wanted to move Crabtree Studio in the future, it was a no-brainer to transition to a new emphasis on children's clothing.  Primarily dresses and skirts because there is just so much fun to be had.

I have the fabric all sorted out and some of patterns drafted out and I'm ready to start cutting!  Wish me luck!