This week there are several gorgeous komon kimono in the DeBartz Designs eBay store, including a very striking one with giant inazuma (lightning/zigzags – no pun intended re: “striking” and “lightning”).  There are also quite a few pairs of tabi socks, both men’s and women’s, and several opulent obi silk remnants for those who only want small pieces of fabric.

Check them out at http://store.auctiva.com/debartz or http://stores.ebay.com.au/deBartz-designs.

The cards finally arrived a week ago, two weeks after I ordered them.  I eagerly opened the package to find two cardboard boxes (containing 500 cards each) wrapped in corrugated cardboard.  The boxes and cardboard each had one of the cards taped to it, which I thought was odd (I paid for 1000 cards… had they used 3 of my ordered cards?).  After the initial shock of my cards being wasted on the packaging, I noticed that they ALL had a 1.5mm black spot in the upper left corner.  This was definitely not on the proofs, and showed up starkly against the white background.

It only cost $65 for 1000 cards, which is very cheap.  But that’s $65 wasted and I’m just starting out. I now have to order cards from someone else because Dynamite Express Cards is so incompetent, meaning the new cards will cost far more than I can afford when I factor in the wasted $65 and the lost time… 

Needless to say I’m angry!  I’ve written a review on Word of Mouth on the Web, and I’ve discovered I’m not the only dissatisfied customer.  I hope what I’ve written here and on WOMOW will help at least one person avoid wasting their money on such a worthless company. 

Since the kimono arrived I’ve been sorting out which will be sold as is and which will be used as raw materials for my fabric creations.  I’ve got 3 jackets in the making, and several scarves and bags waiting to be assembled.

I’ve also been working on a clutch bag design.  Thus far I’ve made 4 complete ones, and I think they look cute.  I don’t know what anyone else will think, however, so I’ll show you.  Here you go:

This purse can be used as an evening clutch bag, a make-up bag, or anything that takes your fancy.  It has a pocket inside and it’s closed with the ribbon.  The choice is yours as to whether you tie it in a fancy bow, or you keep it simple with a knot and let the ribbon hang.  This particular one is made from all new fabrics: Japanese polyester crepe for the outside shell, cotton drill lining, Japanese cotton for the pocket, and 6cm wide Japanese taffeta ribbon.

I’m experimenting with taffeta, satin and other types of ribbon, and I’m planning to make some clutches with vintage kimono fabric from the latest arrivals.  They should look fantastic and I’m really excited about seeing them come together!

In other news, I’m redesigning the deBartz Web site and adding an online store.  The new site with a have a simple, clean look and, I hope, be much easier to figure out!  Stay tuned!

Head on over now to see more pictures of products, or save this link for later: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=8405201231 

Boy’s formal kimono, hand painted with hand embroidered koi.

Close up of a 60s haori (jacket) with red and white chrysanthemum patterned lining. This haori matches a cream coloured kimono also in the shipment. So cute!

Close up of a great Art Deco style fukuro obi.

Another gorgeous fukuro obi with chrysanthemum, pine branches and golden cranes.

I’ll be listing these on eBay later this month – stay tuned!

On a serious note, best wishes to all for a safe and happy New Year.

I’ve listed quite a number of Japanese and Chinese antiques in my eBay and Auctiva stores for the coming week.  As much as we love the holidays, we do tend to get a bit bored and I thought putting some interesting stuff up for auction might keep people awake!

If you’re interested in Japanese Kutani-yaki or Maebata porcelain, or Chinese cloisonne, head to my store at http://store.auctiva.com/debartz or http://stores.ebay.com.au/deBartz-designs.

First, a triangular variation on the basic rectangular tote bag made from kimono and ribbon.  And for the second, a bit of a departure, with all new Japanese fabric used to make a darker and wider tote bag.  For this one I used striped linen – a different striped pattern on each side – plus a traditional shibori (tie-dyed, or rather pin-dyed) fabric for the sides and bottom, chirimen (crepe) for the strap and inner pocket, and all lined with the customary red cotton drill, which I love for its sturdiness.

The shibori is just so gorgeous – when I opened the parcel to check it out, I could see that it still had the pinholes from when it was dyed.  It’s so delicate, and I just love that it’s all done painstakingly by hand.  Which is one of the reasons why all my bags, scarves, belts and more are all handmade and one-of-a-kind.  I have to do justice to the immense talent of the people who created the fabric in the first place.

The scarf pictured  is a combination of new Japanese cotton and antique kimono and haori pieces.  I made it reversible with two simple themes of warm and cool.  Reversible scarves are so much more exciting and versatile than ones with just one pattern all over!  Why limit yourself?

I’m now the proprietor of a business! My business, deBartz designs, has been officially registered, and I’m now a businesswoman! Go me!

The business is still in the pre-natal stage, though. I’m still planning and working out my budgets. deBartz designs will be officially born in February 2008. It’s really happening!

Too many exclamation marks!

In other news, I’ve got some cool things for sale in my auction store this week. Tabi socks, keitai/mobile phone holders, kimono, yukata and haori. Check them out here: http://store.auctiva.com/debartz or or here: http://stores.ebay.com.au/deBartz-designs.

This weekend I hope to get some more stuff on there like some more of my antiques (cloisonne and kutani-yaki) and some vintage video games from Japan.

Tomorrow I’ll be making another bag someone ordered as a Christmas present for someone else. I’ll also be working on a jacket prototype. More news on this later!