Every Friday I sit down and think about what I’ve achieved during the week.
Sometimes it’s a finished bag. Sometimes it’s a new leather hide. And sometimes, like this week, it’s a collection of small steps that are all helping Made by Nette grow.
It’s easy to focus on the finished products, but every improvement behind the scenes helps build a stronger business and a better maker.
Another Mosaic Hobo Tote is Taking Shape
This week I’ve been busy working on another Mosaic Hobo Tote.
Although I can’t share photographs just yet because it’s being made for a customer, I can say it’s been wonderful watching another version come together. Every Mosaic Hobo Tote develops its own personality depending on the choice of leather and colours, and that’s one of the things I love most about making them.
There’s something really special about creating a bespoke bag knowing it has already found its future owner.
Sometimes keeping a little mystery makes revealing the finished piece even more exciting!
A Small Upgrade for Jack
This week also brought a small but very worthwhile upgrade to Jack, my trusty sewing machine.
I fitted a new drop-down seam guide, which will help me achieve even more consistent stitching on future projects. Sometimes it’s the smallest additions that make the biggest difference to the finished result.
Of course, fitting it wasn’t entirely straightforward…
At one point I dropped one of the tiny screws.
Cue over an hour crawling around the floor, checking under furniture, waving a magnet around and wondering if it had disappeared into another dimension!
Just when I’d almost accepted defeat, I found it the following evening.
I’m sure every maker has at least one story like that!
Learning Something New
One thing I’ve realised recently is that running Made by Nette means I’m constantly learning.
This week I spent time getting to grips with the basics of Canva, and I can already see how useful it’s going to be. From blog graphics to social media posts and product images, it’s another skill that will help me present Made by Nette exactly how I want it.
I’ve also taken another step by starting to upload my work to Pinterest, opening up another place where people can discover my bags and follow my journey.
Little by little, the online side of Made by Nette is growing too.
Looking Ahead
Next week is shaping up to be another exciting one.
The current Mosaic Hobo Tote should be ready to hand over to its new owner, and I’m looking forward to finally sharing photographs of the finished bag.
I’m also planning to cut out my very first denim Mosaic Hobo Tote, something I’ve been looking forward to trying for quite a while. I think denim will give the design a completely different personality, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
On top of that, I’ve been entrusted with something a little different—a repair on a designer handbag. It’s always a privilege when someone places their treasured bag in your hands, and I’m looking forward to giving it the care and attention it deserves.
Looking Back
This week reminded me that progress doesn’t always come with a dramatic reveal.
Sometimes it’s learning a new piece of software.
Sometimes it’s improving your sewing machine.
Sometimes it’s finding a screw that refused to be found!
Every one of those little moments is another step forward, helping Made by Nette become the business I dream of it being.
Thank you, as always, for following along on this journey. Whether you’re here for the finished bags or the stories behind them, I’m so grateful you’re part of it.
Filed under: Behind the Seams • Studio Diary • Mosaic Hobo Tote • Leathercraft • Handmade Business • Small Business Journey
Every stitch tells a story, and I’m so glad you’re part of mine.
Until next time,
Nette 🖤
