I just finished my second bark cloth bag (bcb). I have enough fabric to make another one, I think.

I have four other bags in process, some which are on the smaller clutch side of things, like the bcb. I think my next batch will focus on a couple of deeper bags, and ones with solid colors on the outside and a pattern on the inside.

Kelsey’s mask works wonders, let me tell you. I am sensitive to the light in the morning and the comfortable mask keeps out the light.

Got Harry Potter last night. So far so good.

UPDATE! Photo of the super-adorable Drawer Monster added to this post.

So, like I mentioned before, on Friday night I officially started selling bags at Dandie In The Underworld. I’m fantastically nervous and excited at the same time, because also as I mentioned in that previous post, DITU is ridiculously cool. I can’t even believe I get to be a part of it. Here’s some of the stuff I picked up as well as the bags I’m selling over there.

I picked up two dresses from a grab-bag bin. I am inspired to make something out of them. You will see that I am already using two of the buttons for Amy’s bark cloth bag.

More after the jumpity jump.

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Amy commissioned me to make a small bag for her upcoming conference in New York City. I am happy with the results, but not ecstatic. I have enough fabric left to make another one, and plan to give her the best of the two. The fabric is called bark cloth, which I picked up at a booth at the Hadley Flea Market weeks ago.

More photos after the jump.

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This weekend I officially began selling my bags at Dandie In The Underworld, which is located in downtown Northampton. Of course while I was there I could not help but shop. I picked up some items, which I will display here when I get a chance to get them off the camera. It’s ridiculous how awesome that shop is. I instantly fell in love with the mushroom bag, but I did not buy it because I have a lot of bags already. And let’s face it, I’m not cool enough to carry that thing around.

I hope you will go there and consider picking up my bags or other items for that matter. It’s all very reasonably priced, very local and very unique.

Directions from downtown Northampton. Let’s say you’re walking out of Thornes. Take a left and then another left down the steep hill where Herrell’s is. Cross the street and follow the alley to the back of Osaka. You can’t miss it after that! Also, there COULD be sidewalk chalk leading the way. It was when I was there.

Go! Now!

A post with photos will follow sometime during this busy weekend.

Cape Ann, Massachusetts

Last night I went to bed without any help but my own weariness. This is the first worknight in weeks that I’ve been able to do this. A breakthrough.

While on vacation one morning, there were just a few of us in the yard when a deer walked up to the driveway. She seemed comfortable in our presence and I was sure at one point that she would come right up to me. Alas, after about five long minutes, she finally backed off and headed back into the woods. It was a nice close encounter.

• If you are interested in a bag you’ve seen in this blog, please send an email to kristenbeam@gmail.com.
• I also will do bags by commission.
• Serious inquiries only, please.
• Prices have ranged between 20 and 45 dollars, depending on type of fabric and size of bag.

For the past few months I’ve been interviewing the mayor of Springfield, Mass., for a bimonthly podcast. More about that here. Or here is the direct podcast blog link if you’d like to check them out.

Based on the success of that podcast, we’re launching one for the mayor of Northampton. Since I know many of the folks who read this blog live in Northampton, I thought I would make it known.

Since it’s a controversial time to be in Northampton, (what with that big ole’ hotel going in right in the middle of town and that landfill and the wetlands), I thought I might let you know that if you have a question for Mayor Higgins, you can post it right on this form.

Kelsey Flynn will be doing the interviews with Higgins. It will be nice to watch how a professional like her does an interview. I need some tips, as you can hear if you listen to my interviews with Charlie.