Tuesday, April 28, 2009

... and by technical, i mean emotional




hello!

i am here!

and i am sorry!

madebyhank has been experiencing some technical difficulties.

i am very, very glad that april is just about over, because i am completely over this month. this has been sort of a terrible month for me. i moved to a new home/workspace at the beginning of the month, and have been busy mending a broken heart and settling in and organizing (and turning twenty-eight). but mostly i have been busy being sad and distracted and frustrated (and watching four seasons of weeds and two seasons of dexter).

not only has my heart been hurting quite a bit, but my brain is a little overloaded also. you see, i am terrible with computers and technology of any kind, and also have no knowledge of how to use a camera properly (or at all, really). i invested in a new computer, camera, and printer, but have no idea how to use any of these objects, and it has been incredibly frustrating.

and because up to this point, the person who is no longer sharing my life with me took such great photos for me, and because i have received so many compliments on them, i am super intimidated to take the giant leap and start shooting them myself.

but! i also do not want to give up, and do not want to let down those of you who have been waiting so patiently. and so! i will just do it, and be not-so-great at it in the beginning but hopefully i will develop some skills with time, and also will have some help from a friend soon, so things are looking up.



i added a few small items to my shop today, and will add a batch of shoulder bags some time tomorrow.

also! i am also working on stocking up for the renegade craft fair in brooklyn in early june. maybe i will see some of you there? more on that soon.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear that things have been so rough for you lately. But if it's any consolation, I love the new photos! And, as my grandmother always says, "this too shall pass" - so I think having a goal ahead of you helps get through tough times. I'm hoping to make it up to Renegade in Brooklyn this year!

kristina said...

Your work is original and lovely and distinctive and these qualities shine through in any photos.

Hope things are on the "up & up" and would love to make it to Renegade!

Dana said...

you are so incredibly talented. i can only imagine it will take only a little time before you become a pro at all the technical aspects of your business! good luck! by the way...love your pictures and LOVE the new spring bag!!

Pretty Neat Designs said...

Don't be so hard on yourself, you and your bags and your photos are great!

Caitlin at Salty Oat said...

your new shoulder bag design at the top of your post is gorgeous! i love the fabric.

things will start looking up, and your new photography looks pretty spectacular already.

Annie Pazoo said...

So glad you're back online. Don't you just hate learning new technologies when you have to? Me too, (I don't even know how to use my 6-month-old cell phone properly) even tho I love technology otherwise. Happy belated b-day, and here's to a better May :-)

Jacquelyn said...

I'm so happy you are back and new items are in. In the not too distant past, I, too, mended the blues with the entire Weeds & Dexter discographies, back to back...seriously.

brooke @ claremont road said...

I like your new photos better ;-)

That first bag made my heart skip a beat. May the passion (and natural talent) for your craft help to mend your broken heart and get you through this rough patch! xoxo

Sarah Kamolz said...

I'm so sorry you have been having a rough month. I have to say that although I like your photographs before I do really like the hanging pictures. I especially like the one hanging on the hanger. Very cute idea! Have confidence in your ability! You will do great! I'm glad to see your back!

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry you're hurting. I'm mending a seriously broken heart and trying to run a business as well, so I know how you feel!

*hugs* Feel better. I love your work!

Katherine said...

hang in there! transitions like these are always so difficult and overwhelming. i don't think one person reading this would say anything other than to take all of the time you need in order to straighten things out. one foot in front of another, girly!

bopbopdesigns said...

The handbags are gorgeous and so are the photos, great job! I am so bad at the techie stuff too. Hoping for a fabulous May and beyond for you!

Kristen Andrews said...

so sorry to hear things have been so rough for you, I love your new photos too and your work is original and of the best quality. I have one of your pouches and hope to get a handbag. Sending you good wishes via the web.

lori vliegen said...

my heart goes out to you that you've had such a difficult april...and i'm hoping that the month of may proves to be much kinder! your bags are fabulous, and i LOVE your new photos! sending you many cyber-hugs! :)

Andrea said...

Hi,
I know exactly (honestly!) how you feel! I am in the process of getting a shop set up and have been relying computer(ly), photo(ly), and technical(ly) upon my partner. W/o details, I realized last weekend that I need to know how to do all this myself. So I am happy that you are taking care of yourself.
Your work is awesome and I'm sure you have the ability to show that in your photos too.
Care,
Andrea

Anonymous said...

aw sweetie! I live in the suburbs of Philly, if you ever need a hand taking photos, I'd be more than happy to help you out :]
feel better and take it easyyyy

Bette's Bags said...

You've hit a bit of a "rough patch". But it will be over soon and you will become stronger for getting through it!We have to have some hard times in life in order to really appreciate the good times!
Keep you Head up...but not while sewing; that could lead to fingers bleeding on fabric.

Ann MT said...

I consider it an act of the divine that I will be in Brooklyn on June 6. Looking forward to seeing your things in person!!

Glad that you're taking time for yourself, and letting your emotions heal over time. Your business and your customers will be here when you are ready.

rozann said...

Hey Miss Katie!

Bless your heart! But like everyone else has said, you do an incredible job of taking photographs all on your own! I thought the photos were amazing, and the hanger idea is just as cute as it can be.
God bless you, and I will be praying for you!!

Laurie Stark said...

These photos are fabulous! Love the natural light! And that clutch at the bottom literally made me gasp out loud. Lovely.

I moved and mended a broken heart this month, too. And am turning 27. Let it fuel our art!

Stitchify said...

(((hugs)))
Keep your chin up, chickadee. Lots of internet people - and I'm sure lots of real life people - think that you're fabulous!!!

Sending you hopes for love and happiness ASAP
*Julie

julia said...

oh gosh, i've so been there and i know what it's like. sometimes you just got to keep on trucking, and you'll get through all those sticky situations. i've never been trained in 'camera usage' and fight with it often, but somehow it always turns out okay. and it stinks even more when the heart is involved.

very excited to see you and your amazing things at renegade, woo hoo!

chris @ court + hudson said...

chin up lady! lots more fish in the sea and always lots of love & support from your blogging community. sending you a big hug ; )

i'll definitely be at renegade this year ; )

e said...

here's to a brighter month, smoother computer times, and the dark clouds drifting away.

sending you a big hug.

katsunu

Darla said...

Fuck April. May loves you.
Here's to fabulousness...

Alixandrrraaa said...

the photos and the bags and purses look amazing!! hope your cheery soon :)

Ecotruism said...

Feel Better Soon! The bags (and photos) are fabulous!!!

LindseyMarcella said...

oh i'm so sorry. i'm wishing you the best!! and your photos are just lovely, and as always so are your bags! i'm sitting on my hands trying not to order the one i want...i really really want it but i cannot put anything else on credit! so i will sit and stare at the pretty picture! and good luck with EVERYTHING.

Ellen said...

April sucked for me too. Here's to moving on! And don't worry, your photos look great!

miss mosley said...

these new photo's look really great! you're so good and i love you. (big angry/happy teethy grin like katie henrys when she is a tap dancer)keep on trucking!

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness, the one day i don't check to see if you have new bags you do & they're gone instantly! i'll just have to be more vigilant.

-- danielle (in chicago)

oh, hello friend. said...

i'm sorry for your broken heart.
that is very sad.

but you are loved by so many in the craft world. and that has to be a nice feeling.

wish i could fly over to help you with your technical things, apple is my specialty.

hope your birthday was as lovely as it could be friend.

xo.

Tom Boutell said...

Your pictures are lovely dear. I know all about those walls. Though I'm a little bit weirded out seeing as my South Philly neighbor decided to raise our patio party wall a foot and a half this weekend without asking me. Whoa. Well, she's a grumpus anyway, who needs her.

Get a tripod, if you haven't already. Ten bucks were never better spent. You'll be able to include your lovely self in your pictures again with good results.

Jimin said...

your photos look great! i couldn't tell the difference. i thought same photographer. good luck with the renegade fair.

Neza said...

We love you!
And happy birthday ;)!

lover mother said...

Katie, that first bag is beautiful! Wow! keep up the great work.

Vivian said...

hang in there!

Kiley (aka gogovivi)