The leather is centre-stage in this art tote. It is a great rugged chocolate colour with a finish that will only improve as it ages. The bag is simple, one outside pocket, two inside, a sturdy metal zipper closing and two plain leather straps, cleanly attached with rivets which also secure the inside pockets. This tote will carry your art supplies and double as a weekend getaway bag. It has a double leather bottom and reinforced sides. A classic. 17″x14″x5″
When I was in France with my friend Anne last fall, we bought some wonderful basque canvas in Chartres. I found one last piece in my bins of fabric, enough to make one final tote. I love the bright colours, especially combined with the beautiful red leather on the bottom, straps and pocket. This is a good size, 16″wide, 15″ tall and 5″ deep, and is lined with canoe canvas, so it is sturdy enough to carry many things. Inside there is a triple canvas pocket and it closes securely with a metal zipper. Great for travel or for using every day. A flash of the colours of the south of France.
It is the leather that makes this tote a stand-out. A simple unlined tote the colour of melted chocolate. Two large outside pockets and another inside. Understated riveted detail, hand-finished leather handles and a double leather bottom. 15″ tall, 12.5″ wide and 5.5″ deep. The handles have a 9″ drop. Compact enough to carry every day, yet big enough for all your essentials including tablet, library books and art supplies.
When I can, I like to repurpose leather handbags, using them in new creations. The second tobacco waxed canvas tote has straps and front pocket which are having a second life. The front pocket has a magnetic closure and there are two large pockets inside. The bag is fully lined in heavy cotton and has a metal zipper closure. Both these totes are great for travel or everyday toting of books, groceries, art supplies etc.
This is a new Simon tote, medium size. A special order, it has both an adjustable cross-body strap with leather shoulder pad and leather handles. It is made of the same beautiful leather which just gets nicer with use. The tote is unlined with two large exterior pockets and one interior. It closes securely with a heavy-duty metal zipper. I make these one at a time. If you are interested, contact me. This is a great every day tote, or carry-on bag. W 17″ H 14″ D 5.5″
Here is the new Essential Tote, the third in the series of these beautifully simple bags. It is made of the most beautiful leather and is designed to let the leather make the statement. It is unlined with two large pockets on the front and another leather pocket inside with a birdbrain leather label. It has chocolate finished leather handles with a 13″ drop, fitting comfortably on your shoulder or in your hand. There is a sturdy metal zipper closing, double leather bottom and reinforced seams. Width 15″ Height 13.5″ Depth 5″ . Available in the on-line shop.
The new tote is named for my upcoming travel destination. But more on that later. I have been thinking about a new larger travel tote for some time. In the fall I made a bag from this leather and really liked it. There was just enough leather left for a new larger bag. It is a simple design, unlined, with two large pockets on the outside and another inside. The handles are repurposed from a wide leather belt–I slit the leather in two and finished the edges. The long strap is cotton webbing with a leather shoulder protector. I like the contrast of the dark chocolate leather with the carmel handles and strap. (Delicious!) This bag is large, 19″x15″x6.5″ and with a double leather bottom made for heavy-duty use!
I think the third photo especially gives an idea of the character of this leather. I am hoping it will just get nicer as it ages. I’ll report back after its first trip.
This rugged tote is a one-of-a-kind. It combines my favourite fabric and leather. The handles are vintage, from a time when quality was high. They are still beautiful leather and combine well with the caramel leather on the bottom and sides of this tote. The tote is designed for daily use or for travel with lots of compartments inside and out. It has two large exterior pockets where travel documents, phone etc can be slipped for convenience. Inside it is bright striped canvas from Ireland and there are four pockets, made of orange waxed canvas. one of them zippered. The side has leather tabs for extra strength. The waxed canvas is manufactured in the USA, can be wiped clean and has a great vintage look. In the on-line store today.
I am working on a new lightweight large travelling tote. You can see below the start of it below, dark moss waxed canvas with lovely smooth caramel leather base and a brass heavy-duty zipper closure. The carry handles are repurposed from another bag and there will also be a canvas and leather shoulder strap. I’ve said before that a travel tote needs more than one carry option when it is full. This one has two big exterior pockets and then four more pockets inside, one of them a zipper pocket for security. The lining is a wonderful canvas stripe I bought in Ireland and the pockets are bright orange waxed canvas. I like a bag with a great interior.
This is the prototype and I plan to make some others using Marimekko coated cotton–in new patterns. Coming soon!
Here are two more Marimekko coated cotton totes, 17″ x 14″ x 5″. These were ordered after the original tote appeared on the blog. Keep an eye on the blog for two more totes in this Siirtolapuutarha pattern and a couple in a lovely waterolour print. If you are interested in one of the new ones, you can use the contact button on the right under navigation.
Inside the totes have a full-width waxed canvas computer compartment with a knob closure. And you can see the red leather phone pocket peaking out. On the other side is a zip/slip pocket with birdbrain graphics. The leather straps have an 11″ drop and make for comfortable toting. A great travel tote or an everyday tote for life’s essentials.
