Bologna, Italy

I leave in just a few days to go to Linea Pelle in Italy. I hope to find some unique leathers and really cool hardware, not only for myself but for some of my freelance work that I will hopefully have in the coming months. Freelance has been slower in 2009 than in 2008. In 2008 I was super busy and designed about 10 collections for various clients around the United States and Canada. This year, not so much. I think its because many handbag and fashion accessories designers have been laid off due to economy, and now they are also offering freelance services, so I have some competition! However, I must say the clients I have had this year so far are amazing women and have been very cool to get to know over the months as we tweak designs and deal with factories in different countries and the challenges that come with product development.

I went to Bologna, Italy last year for the Linea Pelle show but I only went for one day and did not have a chance to check out everything because I was traveling with someone else who had a busy agenda. This year I have more time and freedom to see everything and feel no rush. I am bringing an extra big suitcase to carry all the swatches and samples. I have one day to take in a few of the sites of Bologna, something I did not have last year. It should be good...I have always been interested in visiting Bologna after reading a novel by John Grisham that was set in Bologna. Of course the title of this book eludes me now, but I remember the descriptions well..something about a spy/crime novel..you know the kind...

Off to pack...Ciao!