bags

Clasp frame purses are in a class of their own. So classy, yet so timeless—and oh so stylish! But aren't they just so hard to make?

NOT! They're actually quite easy. So easy you can easily make them as gifts and pass them off as expensive luxury gifts. Read on!

I recently picked up a mix of beautiful purse frames from 3DPatternPaper on Etsy (GREAT deals, btw):

• Some of which were the regular round-corner purse frames. To make bags with those, there's the very good de-facto tutorial over at U-Handblog.
• And then there were those rectangular ones where the fabric only attaches to the top bars of the frame. (see below) They seemed significantly harder to make at first. I was searching and searching and couldn't find any tutorials or good examples. So I made my own little design for it instead and I think it turned out really well. I love the bag!

So here are steps to share with you on how I did it. Keep in mind that's just the easiest way I figured to make it, but if there are better/other ways, I'd love to hear it!

A thousand apologies for keeping you guys waiting! Wow it has been so chaotic for me lately. If you've read my previous entry you'll know what I'm talking about... Between trying to do damage control on my systems and doing on my web work and maintaining hyperart, I've barely even had time to step outside of the apartment!

Anyways. There were so many great comments by you folks! I saw several idea suggestions for tote bags. It's funny, because this morning, while I was half asleep in bed, I thought of a good tote bag idea. Perfect! Once I can clear some time up again I'll work on a free tutorial for this.

Without further ado...our winners! ::drumroll::

Winner of QUICKIE Clutch
Commenter Abby says... love your clutches...totally my style...I've been looking for some sort of sunglasses holder pattern, including a drawstring?
Winner of Old-World Map Cup Coasters
Facebook Fan... Amber Lee of WhiteFlint, MI
Winner of OTTIE Stationery Set
Twitter Follower... lovelylildeer, "Rebecca"

Congratulations! I'll be contacting each of you for your mailing infos.

Wow, we had so many entries between the comments and tweets and facebook fans and newsletter signups. And thank you so much to everyone who participated! I think this very first hyperart giveaway was so fun and helpful, I want to keep doing it! So now I'm going to go ponder about what to do next. So come back soon! I'll be working on that tote tute also. :)

:: hyperart

So I was just pondering what to talk about next here, when E came out of the pooper and showed me the back cover of Condé Nast Traveler magazine's July 09 issue. I gasped in amusement to see the most unexpected of relationships displayed in gorgeous Annie Leibovitz photography on shiny cover paper—my former boss, Sally Ride, and Louis Vuitton. In an AD. Together.

Say what? Let's double check the wording... No, I'm not seeing things. It truly is Sally Ride, and those truly are LV bags. And Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell too from Apollo 11 and 13, respectively.

Photo Credit: LOUIS VUITTON/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ

It's part of Louis Vuitton's Core Values Campaign, with this particular 'value' commemorating the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. Check out some videos and really stunning photography of the astronauts chatting in the middle of the California dessert at Louis Vuitton Journeys. The motto is "Some Journeys Change Mankind Forever".

Whether or not I'm a fan of LV, this is a pretty impressive campaign that brings together some rather unexpected elements—astronauts (very smart people) and expensive handbags (often bought by less smart people).

Sometimes I still think about what an opportunity it was to have worked for this woman for her company, Sally Ride Science. I mean, she's only the first American woman in space, and like, I only worked there for like, five years [/sarcasm]. Do check the company out if you have kids and you want to keep them interested in math and science. They have great programs and really fun science festivals all over the US of A!

Time to do a little summer cleaning! I've got so many products and crafted goodies lying around that I'm starting to run out of space to even craft! So, to help drive a little traffic here and there, and to help you enjoy your summer, I have a few giveaways.

Three prizes will go to three lucky winners, they are the following (pictures below):

1. QUICKIE Clutch Handbag in yellow paisley - a fabulous summer look!
2. Cup coasters with an old-world map
3. A set of my OTTIE stationery featuring a Gocco printed otter with matchin envelopes

You can participate by any of the following methods. Each one gives you one extra chance to win--so the more you participate, the more chances you have to win!

1. Follow hyperart on twitter. Retweet the message below:

RT @hyperart Join the giveaway at hyperart: www.hyperartpro.com/blog.
Free clutch handbag and more!

2. Leave a comment below, let us know what you'd like to see next on hyperart. It can be anything, from tutorials/howtos, tips, new sewing patterns to other products. We're interested to know! (this is required in order for your comment to qualify as an entry.)
3. Be a fan of our Facebook page.
4. Sign up for our newsletter on the right hand side of this page. -->
5. Refer a friend to buy something at our shop. When they make their purchase, they just have to refer you by your name and email address.

Giveaway ends on Wednesday, July 22, by 8pm PST. Giveaway is open to everyone (US & International). Winners will be randomly drawn from the pool of people who have participated by any of the methods above (don't worry, we will keep track of everyone). Winners will be announced on this blog one week from today. So be sure to hop on before then! Good luck!