Birdbrain

a blog update and a look ahead

June 16, 2013 by Birdbrain 1 Comment

Owen updated the blog and it’s still a bit under construction. I am slowly (well I have hardly started, but I will, promise) putting the photos back in the photoblog. Having the rugs and bags that I have finished as a resource is something I think is valuable. It is a reference for you and for me. So it will be back before long with more information attached. Also, I am hearing from some of you that you are having trouble leaving comments. It was that issue that caused us to do the update in the first place–so if it is still occurring, that is if you get an error screen when you try to leave a comment, please let me know–send an email by hitting the contact button on the right under navigation.

A positive thing that is happening is that the bags are selling, sometimes before they get in the on-line store. This is not a problem–but it does encourage me to encourage you that if you see something you like, go for it. And be sure to send me an email if there is something you want or an idea you have. I am always looking for inspiration.

Below is the new Sage Delta–just in the preliminary stage. I am loving working with this very beautiful leather. As you can see it has a zipper pocket on the one side and will have a patch pocket on the other. I make my bags with features that I think are essential. Birdbrain bags have outside pockets and inside pockets, as many as I can make work. The large travel bags have two sets of straps, both shoulder and handles. The linings are interesting and playful–and always reinforced. The zippers are heavy duty and the seams are double stitched. I think that when you buy handmade you expect the personal touches–the special edition, not the run of the mill. And that is what I try to do. I don’t work in production–my joy comes from creating something new, from having a conversation with the leather and including handprinted graphics or cultural references–and from seeing you enjoy something that I have made. So thank you all for your support, stay in touch, and I will keep sewing.

Pictured below the Delta is some new leather just waiting..maybe another triad! I love colour blocks and I’d like to try a colour block bag…but first I will finish the Sage Delta. This one has a deadline–a trip to England on July 1st!

weaver bird: report from Matangwe

June 12, 2013 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

Amos put a comment on my blog yesterday. If you click on the wedding rug in the photoblog section you can read it. Amos is one of the people whom I taught to hook in Matangwe, Kenya. Through some kind of wired magic the residents of this small village on the other side of the world, a village without electricity or clean water, are in touch with me–they send emails, read my blog and are my friends on Face Book. Amos was an eager rug hooking student. His very first piece, below, was beautiful. He designed it himself.

I am showing you the reverse side for two reasons. First, so you can see the quality of Amos’ hooking, but also so you will notice the label. I’ve had these on the blog before–they are a collaborative design between Alice, one of the Matangwe students, and my friend and great designer, Melanie. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a sustainable project for the men and women of Matangwe.

Amos has certainly been doing his part to further the craft of rug hooking in the Matangwe area. Below is a photo he sent of some of his students. You can see him in the front row. These women are using hooks and burlap which were donated by rug hookers in Belleville and Kingston Ontario. We are hoping to find a source for burlap in Africa but in the meantime, we will need more hooks and burlap for my visit next January. I am hoping to have some donated at the area hook-ins in the fall which I will be attending. This is just a small way that we can set the people of Kenya on the path to self-suffiency. More on this later! In the meantime, congratulations to Amos and the rug hookers of Matangwe.

and now the triad

June 11, 2013 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

I had a few small pieces left of the lovely leather in this red tote and decided to see what I could come up with. If I combined it with some other pieces in my box of ends, there was just enough for a new tote, The Triad. This tote is unlined with two green leather pockets inside and a roomy pocket on the outside. It is 14″ wide, 12″ tall and has a depth of 4.5″ The apple green handles have a 13″ drop which means they fit comfortably over your shoulder no matter how full the tote. This is a great durable summer tote with a fun colour play.

the quarry

June 10, 2013 by Birdbrain Leave a Comment

This is the new quarry bag. It is made from sturdy leather in a stone/mineral colour–a great neutral. It has a front flap with a magnetic catch and is lined in turquoise suede from my friend Catherine’s once expensive shirt! The actual bag is lined with a polka dot cotton batik. Inside there is pocket for your phone and other small things and outside on the back is a zipper pouch, ideal for keys. W 12″ L 9″ D 3.5″ with a strap of 46″, perfect for carrying cross-body. In the on-line store with another new bag soon.

a red rough pouch

June 9, 2013 by Birdbrain Leave a Comment

I have been in the studio this morning and have finished some things and made some new. I will be sharing soon–but for now, this great pouch–made of the best red leather with some fun accent colours. 7″ x 5″ x 2.5″ it is the perfect size to fit in your larger bag and carry your important gear. It is also big enough to do the main work on its own–phone, cards and other essentials fit easily. This beauty will be in the shop tonight.

new rough pouch

June 6, 2013 by Birdbrain 3 Comments

I had just enough of this great purple leather to make a rough pouch. These rugged shots of colour are so useful both on their own and in a bigger tote. I’ve changed the pocket this time–it’s firmly affixed inside and gives a nice geometric line on the outside. 8″x 5″ x 2.5″ — will be in the on-line store today.

looking ahead

June 4, 2013 by Birdbrain 1 Comment

Recycled leather, new designs. Just a visual hint about what is coming. I’m revisiting my recycled bins to make some new totes. I have also decided to start a new hooked piece and make it entirely out of my leftovers from previous rugs, baskets of them. Currently I am inspired by the Brazilian design team of Humberto and Fernando Campana and the circles in their Sushi Chair made of recycled carpet ends.

the last of the red…

May 30, 2013 by Birdbrain Leave a Comment

I had enough of this red leather to make two Delta totes and this final Keller Bucket. The first three Delta totes (green, red and toffee) have all sold which is fabulous and I thank you all for your support. It was so great to see birdbrain leather bags on the arms of rug hookers at the show last weekend! The last red Delta will be in the shop tomorrow with this Keller Bucket soon after.

This lastest bag is 11.5″ wide and 13″ high with a four inch double leather base, an adjustable shoulder strap and the Keller zip pocket on the front. Inside it has a leather phone pocket and a canvas double pocket, zipper and slip. This flash of red is a great g0-to bag–throw it over your shoulder and carry all you need.

More OHCG rugs (and with more info thanks to my friends)

May 29, 2013 by Birdbrain 4 Comments

Here is the winning rug in the pictorial category, designed and hooked by Pat Bonn of the Ottawa Olde Forge rug hooking group. Thanks to those who helped me with this! There is another winner too, Joan Foster, of the Moira Mat Makers, whose bell pull won in the alternative fibres category. I was not able to get a good photo of this piece but have decided to include a photo of the group display, just to give you some idea. Since Joan is in my rug hooking group, I will arrange to get a good photo of this marvellous piece and post it here soon.

Following are some rugs which caught my eye. These are not all of the amazing rugs at the show–just a taste. First is Lois Morris’ gymnast. I kept returning to look at this piece; it was very powerful.

Below is a pictorial by Trish Johnson, Fluff and Puff by Gail Finlayson and a wonderful snow scene by Gunda Gamble.

And finally, a rug which I love, from featured artist Joan Boyle.

OHCG Annual

May 27, 2013 by Birdbrain Leave a Comment

The Ontario Rug Hookers held their 43rd Annual Conference in Kingston on the weekend. It was a marvellous weekend on all counts–congratulations and thanks to Area 1 and the Limestone Loopers!

It is always a challenge to get good photos of rugs hanging in a display–here are some of the award winners. More tomorrow. There were so many amazing rugs there.Above is Rhonda Kellet’s adorable pup the winner for fine-cut and below Gloria Jonkman’s sunflowers which was the winner in the wide-cut category.

Below is Dolores Detschel’s Caterpillar rug (which had us all guessing)– the Rowan award winner, followed by Karen Kaiser’s winner in the theme award category and Nancy Fox’s winner in the original category.