Archives for March 2013
blue luna
This is the Blue Luna which began here. I have made some slight modifications to the luna style and I am so pleased with the result. This is a special piece of leather. And the Nigerian fabric inside is smashing.
I am away from home (and the bag) as I write this, so the dimensions are approximate. It is about 12″x12″ with a depth of 4″, a nice long adjustable strap and pockets inside for your phone and other essentials. This bag will be in the shop tomorrow morning.
the green Delta — SOLD
Turquoise Rough Bag SOLD
meet the delta
These days I have been working with leather that I really love. This emerald leather falls into that category; it has a lovely sheen and texture which will just get nicer with age and use. The Delta is designed as a travel bag or large tote. It is 18″ wide, 14″ tall and has a depth of 6″. The front has a pocket with a magnetic closure with contrasting leather lining–inside there is a zipper pocket and two slip pockets. There are two padded handles for easy carrying as well as a detachable shoulder strap which adjusts to 46″ long. The bottom has four ‘feet’ to protect it from scuffing. All in all, this tote is designed to be an indispensable part of your travel plans. The Delta will be in the shop by Wednesday.
a conversation with leather
I fell in love with this piece of leather. I think you would call it distressed and it reminds me of denim–a great colour and texture. It is a small remnant, just enough for a Luna shoulder bag. As I looked at the piece, working out how to get the strap (always my biggest concern) and the other sections out, the leather started asserting itself. There was a lovely curve at the edge of one of the pieces–the perfect curve for the front pocket. I find this with hooking too–and am always amazed by this dance, the give-and-take of creativity. Where do the ideas come from? I suggest it is a conversation–with your past, (have I seen a bag like this before, did I own one??) with your present (how will I get all the pieces out of this tiny remnant? Was I crazy?) and the actual material (look over here, Silly!!). The studio on a day like this is where I want to be–the sun pouring in, good music filling the air and some magic happening.
winner and inspiration
The winner of the Bird with Attitude pouch is Cathy! Congratulations, Cathy, and thank you to everyone who visited the shop and left comments on the blog. It is always encouraging to hear from you. A comment, a connection, makes such a difference.
Yesterday I visited The Textile Museum to see the Marimekko exhibit. What a joy it was to take in the designs, the colours, the photos and, yes, even the clothes (!)
If you get a chance, visit the exhibit to experience the vibrant colours and designs, still with such impact after 50 years. These are the fabrics of my formative years. As I walked around the exhibit I saw dresses I had worn, fabrics I had coveted, and images I had stored. Sometimes, we don’t know where our ideas come from. In Austin Kleon’s book, Steal Like an Artist, (love this book) he writes: “You are a mashup of what you choose to let into your life. You are the sum of your influences…Goethe said, ‘We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.'”
Below are two of my hooked pieces where, now that I look back, I can see the Marimekko influence peaking through–the colours and the sense of play.
delta tote
The Delta Tote, soon will be finished and ready for introductions.
birdbrain online shop is open!
It’s still a work-in-progress, but the Birdbrain On-line Shop is officially open. You can click on the shop button at the top left of this page and you will be taken to the on-line store where you can see all I have for sale–in three views–and buy using paypal if you choose. Or just have a look around and write to me with a request or idea.
To celebrate the opening of the online shop and the birdbrain blog 2nd anniversary we are having a give-away. Below are some of the Bird with Attitude canvas pouches fresh from the studio. These pouches are made of heavy grade canoe canvas, screen-printed with my bird and lined with a red, blue and yellow cotton print from the market in Bondo, Kenya. Leave a comment on this post or any post this week to enter the draw for this pouch. The draw will be made Friday 22nd at 5pm.
in the studio
It was a beautiful day and I loved being out in the sunshine. But I did spend the morning in the studio–my favourite place to be on a Sunday morning is in the studio with the CBC. I am making a run of Bird with Attitude pouches, lined with this great Kenyan cotton. They will be in the shop shortly and one will be for a give-away to celebrate the blog anniversary. I will tell you about it all tomorrow.