In Part 1, I talked about wishing for and designing a new line of bags for our Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbag line. I’d just ordered samples of the bags - and was keeping my fingers, toes and everything else crossed…

Ah, samples. When new samples arrive, it’s occasionally a champagne moment, but more often than not I’ve had to reach for the Pepto Bismol. So when I got the first box of samples delivered to me when I was in New York for the Gift Fair, I hesitated before I opened it. I was so nervous! I took a deep breath and told myself that we could always do revisions, that there had to be a way to make these new bags work. I then took my little cuticle scissors – the only sharp thing I had – and cut the tape on the box.

"Polar Bear Love"
Off-the-Cuff Wristlet

I’m sure I must have scared the people in the next room because I shrieked that loud. They were that beautiful! And I was that relieved. We showed them to some of our customers at the Gift Fair and they loved them as much as we did. (Have a look here.)

I had big plans for the designs I’d developed for these bags, and now that I knew the line would work, I needed to start setting things in motion. That means coming up with a name for the line and aligning ourselves with organizations that I hoped would agree to let us donate proceeds from sales to them.

The name “Statement Makers” was the result of a very fun and illuminating strategy session with my dear friend and long-time publicist Lisa Elia.  We were brainstorming and “Statement Makers” just popped out of her mouth. Why was that the perfect name? Because from a distance, these bags are a style statement. But up close, they’re a personal statement – about peace, about environmentalism, or about being a she-geek. (Being smart is sexy again – ‘bout time!)

"Cubic"
Shoulder-to-Shoulder Bag

A big part of the Statement Makers vision is that they’re a way to show your point of view in a fun and amiable way. I don’t know about you, but all of us here at Half the Sky and Rebagz feel that all the nasty, noisy nonsense that dominates public dialogue right now is depleting, pointless and destructive. We strongly feel that one should have opinions, but have you noticed that a lot of the noisemakers don’t actually take a stand? Instead, they just tear down any idea they don’t like without offering any kind of sound, alternative solution to the problems facing us.

So that’s why we’ve aligned ourselves with the organizations that we have, and we’re proud and thrilled that they’ve accepted our invitation. Just so you know, I’m extremely picky about what non-profits we’ll work with, both here and abroad (where they’re called NGO’s – non-governmental organizations). Having done humanitarian work in Chiapas, Mexico and worked with organizations here as well, I’ve discovered there are a few very good groups and a lot of others that range from mediocre to downright awful.

The groups we chose to approach are ones that I know to have a strong track record for effectiveness in their arena. They’re part of the solution, and I can’t fully express how much I admire the work they do. I’ll be blogging about each one separately in the coming week or so, and I’ll highlight each of the new bag designs too.

So we proudly announce the launch of Statement Makers. It’s time to start the conversation…with style.

XOXO Marty

You’ve heard me mention our new Statement Maker line about a zillion times - and now they’re finally here!

"Panda Love"
Shoulder-to-Shoulder Bag

Where did our Statement Makers come from?  About a year and a half ago, I started thinking that at some point I’d want to create a third branch of our Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbag line.  I wanted something I could really make my own in terms of the graphic design.  Don’t get me wrong – I love love love our recycled rice sack line and our colorful bags made from recycled juice packs.  But there were two issues I had.  First, when you’re making anything out of recycled materials, you sometimes have to wait for things to come through the recycling system – which means that production gets delayed, and your customers are stuck tapping their foot, waiting for their handbags.  And I like keeping our customers happy.

Second, from an artistic standpoint, I’d so far only been able to work with the colors of the juice packs or the graphics that were already printed on the rice sacks.  As much as I love the bags we have, my designer’s ego was getting the better of me.  I wanted to put my own visual stamp on my bags, damn it!

I thought of doing something along the lines of an organic cloth bag, made from cotton, bamboo or something like that.  I even considered silk.  But I wasn’t finding anything that I could really wrap my heart and eye around, plus there were other bags out there – beautiful ones – already made from these materials.
So what to do, what to do…

Well, it’s funny how things work.  At the beginning of the summer, our Philippine broker Malu mentioned that she’d found an organization that was making hand woven bags from a recycled material that could be printed on, and that had straps made from recycled plastic.  (I don’t like plastic, but it’s out there, so it needs a second life.)  This meant that we didn’t have to worry about production, seeing as this organization had located an abundance of these two materials to recycle.

It was a real “Eureka” moment for me.  (That term comes from the ancient scientist Archimedes, who ran naked through the streets of Syracusa one night…On second thought, I think I’ll just stick to handbags.)  It’s so wonderful to put a wish out there and then have what you’re seeking find its way to you.  I immediately set to work coming up with new designs and artwork, and then had samples made.

Up close & personal with our "Panda Love" design

(You can’t really see it in the photo, but it says “SAVE” in the black part of our “Panda Love” design.)

How did those samples turn out?  Stay tuned for Part 2.


XOXO Marty

Yep - I’ll be speaking in Sherman Oaks, CA on Monday, September 21 at 7pm! I’d love to meet you in person and answer any questions you may have. I belong to an amazing organization for women entrepreneurs called Smarty, and I’m one of their “Peer 2 Peer” experts.  The official topic is  “Taking the ‘Man’ Out of Manufacturing: How to Turn Your Product Idea Into a Profitable Reality” and I’ll be talking about how I’ve accomplished all I have with Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbags in just two years - and how you can do it too.  It’s free for Smarty menbers, and just $25 otherwise.

I’m launching a consulting division of my company called Manufacturing the Right Way.  There are so many women starting new businesses - yet so few of you are making products.  There’s lots and lots of service-oriented businesses and boutiques being started, but there seems to be a real fear around product creation.

No more!!!

I’m tired of having brilliant women come up to me and tell me about their brilliant product ideas - and then say, “But I don’t have a clue how to make it,” and completely give in to the fear.  So that’s why I started Manufacturing the Right Way.  My goal is to show you how to take that great product idea from concept to ready-to-sell reality and save you thousands of dollars and oodles of time in the process - ’cause it’s a “do as I say, not as I did” kind of system.

I already made all the mistakes.  There’s absolutely no reason why anyone else should have to make them again.

If you visit the website, you can sign up for my free ezine which contains articles and all sorts of free information that’ll help you along your way.  I also have a new audio program and eBook, and I’ll have a teleseminar coming up in January.

But if you live in Southern California, come play with me on September 21st!  I’d love to meet you in person and to answer the specific questions you may have.  That’s what I’m here for!

Hope to see you in 2 weeks - XOXO Marty