A sample to go, please

I was asked to send a sample suitcase to an event planning company in New York City. They are planning a travel themed wedding, saw one of my suitcases on my blog (how cool is that?!), and thought they might make good place card holders. If the client likes the sample, I may be making 100 mini suitcases for a July wedding. Lots of "ifs" for now but I did get the sample made and sent out. And, for the first time, I actually made patterns as I went so that it would be easier to replicate multiple suitcases. Even if the wedding thing doesn't work out my suitcases will now be much improved.
I also found a new glue (to me) that works really well with leather. It's Fabri-tac by Beacon Adhesives and I'm sure many of you have used it but this was my first time. I used regular tacky glue for the lining but the Fabri-tac was great for bonding the leather to the metal.
I'm not sure why the leather shows up gray -it's really a dark brown. While glue shopping, I found some leather lacing strips in colors I use for the suitcases. That makes the handles all very uniform in width. See, I'm learning lots of ways to improve the cases so there's a positive result no matter what the final outcome happens to be. :)

Another positive outcome is that I've found sources for empty tins and leather scraps. Up til now all of my suitcases have been made from recycled mint tins. I haven't run out of mints in a long time. ;) But a mini tin of Altoids is $1.29 (and you have to find a store that sells them - not an easy task sometimes) and the empty ones come out at 55 cents each. Plus they won't smell strongly of mint, lol.

I'm excited about the possibilities - any time miniatures get some "exposure" it's a good thing. Now to just sit and wait patiently...now that's the hard part!

Time for some new suitcases

I had to purchase yarn for a baby blanket I'm knitting yesterday. While I was there I bought some more TestaMints. The tin they come in is my favorite for making mini suitcases. They are not my favorite thing to make but they are the best seller in my etsy shop.
I really like the brown leather case. The turquoise fabric looks great for the interior and the leather is a lovely aged color. I wouldn't mind a suitcase like this one in 1:1 size. :-)

Two more suitcases

I left the black one that I showed you yesterday empty. The gray one in the middle is packed with men's clothing and the teal one is for a woman.

New mini suitcase

This one is sueded black leather with gray interior. There are pockets on each side and a large one in the lid of the case. I'm still trying to decide whether to fill it or sell it as is. I've sold them both ways. The suitcases have been my best seller in the etsy shop. What do you all think? Filled or empty so the purchaser can choose how to fill it.

Mini Suitcases

I made and listed three new suitcases for my etsy shop today. The child's suitcase on the left was packed with everything a little boy needs for a trip to Grandma's.

These little cases are so easy to make from little mint tins. I discovered today that real wallpaper samples work quite well to line the insides and I don't have to worry about glue showing through. I also have a large selection of samples from which to choose.

We've had a rough start to the school year. My son had been coughing and not feeling well so I took him to the doctor thinking it would be bronchitis or a cold. However, the doctor suspects pertussis (whooping cough). The results from the test take a minimum of 4 days and he can't be at school until the test confirms that he doesn't have it. It's highly contagious. If the test comes back positive he'll be home for awhile. I don't know what that means for the daughter who's moving to college on Sunday. At least she's had a recent booster shot for pertussis.

A man's suitcase this time

I've made a new suitcase for my etsy shop. This one is for a man on a business trip. There's a pair of khaki trousers, a white button down collar dress shirt, a neck tie, a belt and a pair of boxers. His ditty bag contains shaving cream, a razor, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and a comb. He's also tossed his wallet in the case while he's packing. I hope he doesn't forget the socks! (I don't know how to make those, :0). )

The fabric is a navy tweed. The lining is light gray.

The green suitcase is packed and ready.

This case is designed for a high school girl or possibly a college student. It is packed and ready for an overnight stay with blue jeans, a red spandex tank top, an aqua bra and thong panty set, a silky black nightgown and a make up bag full of nail polish, lipstick, emery board, lotion and perfume. I just now listed it on etsy. I am curious to see if it goes as quickly as the first one did. :-)

A new suitcase

Happy Friday all! I'm working on a new suitcase. This one will be packed for a teenage girl with lots of makeup, some blue jeans, skimpier underwear, etc. I'm still not sure about this one, though. I may redo the outside. I like the colors but I'm not 100% happy with it. I have several more tins so I plan to do a variety of cases. Some for men, a couple more similar to the first for women. They are very fun to do.

It's time for a mini vacation

Well, at least it is for some mini dollhouse woman. I made this suitcase and its contents today. Everything is removable but the clothing is not wearable. The suitcase doesn't close but the lid does move into several different positions. Since the interior of the case is black you can't tell in the photos but there are side pockets and two pockets on the top inside for small items.

The suitcase is made from a mint tin. I bought the mints just so I could have the tin when the mints were gone - typical miniaturist!