It is amazing how fast the stores liquidate the winter clothing lines. It is a great time of year to shop and get some great deals. The sad part is, if you really need some new winter clothes, you don’t have much time to get them. Hitting all the stores are all the spring lines. You will see plenty of a feminine touch to very artful accessories. I love looking feminine, remember the grunge look or clothes that looked like men’s clothes. Yuk! Lace is very big, applique accents are plentiful, lots of straw handbags are everywhere and last but not least, a big pom pom craze have attached themselves to all accessories. What a mix!

This season is all about lace. I am talking about crocheted cotton lace, the kind your great grandmother wore. Think of the old doilies she used to make. Lace is on everything these days from clothing, handbags and the rest of the accessories. You will see handbags made out of it or adorned with it. It is made into lightweight flowy scarves. Bangles are big and covered in lace with matching necklaces and earrings. The necklaces have lace beaded into it, beaded with lacey disk beads or lacey beads themselves. It will not be hard to find a great shirt with lace on the top and accessorize it with matching earrings, necklaces, scarves or handbags. Use them tastefully together but don’t go overboard. A little of each goes a long way. Handmade is big in this category so don’t go looking only at stores; keep those art shows in mind for that unique great find.

Accessories are very 3D with applique accents. Artfully done handbags are covered with them. Shear scarves are hot and they will have the applique accents on them as a new twist. It is amazing how jewelry can jump in to any fashion item that is hot and incorporate it into a fabulous piece. I have seen many necklaces where flower appique’s are beaded into them. You will see a crossover with lace here and the two will go so well together. They are very vintage looking and very in.

Handbags, a favorite of mine, are hitting the shelves big time in straw. Straw is always a favorite for the spring and summer but this time you will see some new twists to the old standby. There are many colors and weaves. Some fabulous styles are out there. Look for not only straw, but leather and vinyl weaved into a straw look will be big. Leather and vinal weaves look like straw but are more durable. They are coming in many shapes, sizes and colors. Contrasting handles, trims and applique’s make these a fabulous must have this season. Again, you will see a crossover in this category with the applique’s. Applique’s are covering straw handbags.

Along with the lace this season, you will see crochet accessories with crocheted or fuzzy pom poms. They are all the rage for the season. You will find crocheted or knit handbags covered in pom poms. Handbags will also be accessorized in them. Artful necklaces and scarves are made out of pom poms. Fabric or crocheted belts have pom pom tassels on the ends of them. It is endless pom poms frenzy everywhere! I wouldn’t doubt that there will be plenty of tops with pom poms.

The weather may not be warm enough or the flower’s and tree’s are not budding yet. One thing is for certain, the store’s are just blooming with the great spring lines. Have fun shopping and get your lace, applique’s, straw handbags and pom poms while they are hot!

Mary Bailis is a designer and owner of http://www.AlexiHandbags.com an online custom handbag and accessory boutique. She enjoys fashion, reading, being creative, exercising, nature and spending as much time with her three beautiful children.

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With cold weather upon us, it’s time to update your wardrobe with a new gorgeous knit scarf. They are a hot item for the season and what a great looking accessory item to keep you warm. Look for them in so many different yarns, colors and styles. This is the year for the knit scarves so put away the old plain Jane’s back in storage. The question is, do you buy one or make your own.

Personally, I like the hand made one’s made by yours truly, myself. I enjoy having that one of a kind accessory item that looks great. With the huge selection of beautiful yarns out there I just had to pick up my knitting needles and dust them off. They’ve been non-stop ever since. You can find yarn at all the local craft store’s; AC Moore, Jo-Anne Fabrics, Michael’s to name a few as well as their websites. Some of them will offer classes, or will have representative’s near the yarn aisle to help you get started and answer any questions.

All the top yarn companies have very informative website’s to help you get started also. They have an amazing selection of free, yes free patterns that you can print off and use at your disposal. Lion Brand, http://www.lionbrand.com even has a how to section. I forgot how to “cast off” and it has step by step instructions that set me on my way. All the patterns have very clear instructions on how to knit or crochet and what supplies to purchase. I have made several myself and found them all very easy to follow. They even have the famous Martha Stewart Poncho pattern available online. I wanted one and don’t crochet so I forwarded the pattern to my mother. She so graciously made some for me.

I get endless compliments whenever I wear it. I have now ventured off making my own patterns. What can I say, I’ve got the knitting bug or should I say yarn bug! It’s the yarns that pull you in to buying so much. There really is an amazing selection out there. You can find; cashmere, wool, fun fur, metallics, sequence, curly, fuzzy, you name it they have it. So pick up those knitting needles and get making those scarves. You’ll get the bug too and will end up making them for everyone you know!

For those of you who have no interest in making a scarf or just don’t have the knack for it, there is still hope. Many stores offer a decent selection of knit scarves but you will find a limited selection in the yarn styles. I recommend attending one of the many craft fairs being offered in your area. To look for top quality vendors, look for the juried shows or ones that are very selective in choosing their vendors. You will definitely get a higher quality of vendors and therefore a higher quality of products.

There are some very artistic and talented knitters out there selling their wares. Artistic people not only like to make great products but really like selling them to others to enjoy. I get excited when someone buy’s one of my scarves and can’t wait to wear it. They always come back for more to buy as gifts to share their great find. Another place to shop for knit scarves is at your local art galleries. They consign artist work and stock plenty of gift items as well as artwork. They will have a high quality of vendors. But do hurry, the stores currently are clearing out their winter merchandise for Spring clothing.

Get a gorgeous knit scarf while you can or get those knitting needles going and enjoy getting the knitting bug!

Mary Bailis is a designer and owner of Alexi specializing in custom designed handbags and scarves. A successful retail business, has currently moved her boutique to the web. Visit her website at http://www.AlexiHandbags.com

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