FAQ: Do you sew all of the handbags you sell?

Short answer: Not *all* of them. Loooooooooong answer:
Realizing my limitations early-on, I researched various types of manufacturers and sewing contractors and read-up as much info as I could on forums and blogs with similar subject matter. (Try Fashion Incubator - more on this site in a devoted post coming soon...it's worth it!). [edited: new post on FI about this very subject.]

I limited myself from the get-go to US-based companies - a personal & business decision. (Is that exactly what you're not supposed to do?) I asked a ton of questions: price per piece? minimums? quality control measures? turnaround time? ability to adapt patterns? Found a broad range of answers to all my questions, but what was consistent throughout is that most of these companies are scrambling for business b/c their bread & butter accounts have gone overseas! To the point that they're willing to work with micro-businesses like Daisy Janie. My heart breaks for them!

The first contractor I tried wasn't quite up to the details - pencil marks, misaligned flaps, lack of efficiency- they actually asked me to fly out to help them figure out the best production methods. That's when I knew that we weren't a match. So the search began again. I found a wonderful company that was very close to me - I thought the stars were aligning. But their prices were out of my league! (They were making bullet-proof vests for soldiers in Iraq when I went on a tour of the floor.) I hope someday I can use them, but my production would have to be more than tenfold.

I finally found a great contractor/seamstress from googling various things, and eventually ended up here. I replied to a few ads, and that was that. She works alone but meets all my requirements for everything else. The only downside is that she's all the way across the country so shipping is nuts, but she's experienced, flexible and her prices are fair. When I have a collection or a big wholesale order, she's the one I use. But when I have  just some one-offs or a few items, I use my Kenmore...more on this in another post, too.