bags and purses

I got some wonderful leather this week and I couldn’t wait to work with it. I have an order for a Delta bag like this one in a dark brown. This is a rich mahogany colour in a lovely texture which should age well. I’ve lined the pocket with another wonderful piece in cognac. (You will see more bags in that in the coming days.) I’ll post more pictures of this Delta as it develops. It’s a little smaller than the original, designed to sling over your shoulder on your bike, but still big enough to carry a lap top. It will have the same handles and cross body strap as the original and a double bottom for additional strength. More pictures later this week…

The online store has been neglected for months, but I have plans to change that. I have made some new pouches this week out of some great leather to put in  the store. These pouches are great on their own to carry your phone and other essentials, with an interior pocket for tokens or cards. They also fit well into a larger bag. First kiwi and then gray crackle–they are a treat to look at and to handle and they will help you organize your life. More details in the online store. Check it out under navigation on the right.

 

In between riding my bike and pulling dandelions I’ve been working on two new waxed canvas bags. Pictured above is a second Nairobi bag, the same size as the last one, but with a few other differences. It will be available at the end of the week along, I hope, with a second bag–a new design–a moss green messenger. Back on Friday.

This Kiwi Bag is great for spring and summer. It is lined in cotton from Kenya, has a zip/slip canvas pocket inside as well as a leather phone pocket. Outside it has a generous zippered pocket and an adjustable strap. Antique metal zippers and hardware. At 12″ tall, 12″wide and 4″ deep, it will carry all your essentials.

When I was in Nairobi I was in a fabric store on Biashara Street buying burlap for the rug hookers. As I was leaving I noticed bolts of heavy waxed canvas by the door. I couldn’t resist buying some because I loved the weight and the colours–moss, cognac and black. This is the first bag in cognac, a versatile bag with shoulder strap and lots of pockets.

A great bag for every day, it will also withstand the rigours of travel. It has two deep pockets on the front and a zipper pocket for phone or keys on the back. Inside it is lined in striped cotton with  a domed coated canvas pocket for ipad and a zip/slip pocket for valuables. The bag is trimmed in durable leather, has antique brass zippers, rivets and clips and an adjustable leather cross body strap.

Width: 13″, height 14″, depth 5″

Look for this bag in the online store early this week.

I am catching up on an  Amsterdam post I wanted to share. February 2015 was the 60th birthday of the quilted 2.55 Chanel bag, so a visit to the Museum of Bags and Purses was a must. The museum is on the Herengracht, pictured above, the canal of the Ambassade where the Goldfinch’s Theo Decker spends time sorting out his life. The museum is housed in a three storey building with a tearoom overlooking the gardens at the back. I recommend planning a tour of the collection and lunch.

There was a display of 2.55 bags owned by various famous people, but I was intrigued with the summary of her contribution to fashion and her relevance to today’s approach.

There was a great display of fashion from the 1960’s, including, my favourite, Marimekko.

There was also a area devoted to Dutch design which was described as ‘minimalist, experimental, innovative, unconventional and surprisingly ingenious design”. I knew about Hester Van Eeghen from previous visits to Amsterdam, but at the museum I was introduced to Marjon Leek. I fell for her quirky tulip bag, seen below in the show case. I was lucky to find my own version in the museum shop. You can see Marjon in action here and my sketch and my own tulip bag back in Canada in the last photo.

I have several things I hope to write about–but in the meantime, a little bulletin from the studio. I uncovered the sewing machines on the weekend for the first time in two months and made two small pouches. This is great kiwi leather, a bright shot of spring in your world. These pouches are perfect for cosmetics or other small gear or can be carried on their own for a night out. One has a small pocket inside for credit cards. 8.5″ x 4″ and 7.5″x 5″. They will be in the online store later today.

Four Sherbrooke shoulder bags in various colours. Below the latest, Sparrow, (also top left) lined in Kenyan cotton with 3 interior leather pockets.

A black waxed canvas tote with leather base, pocket and straps. Inside an ipad pocket and generous orange waxed canvas divided pocket.

I had some small pieces of this beautiful red leather, smooth and durable, perfect for a small travel bag. This one has a snap closure, two zipper pockets, inside and out, and two compartments inside to hold passport, boarding pass and other essentials. Paired with a strap from a designer bag, it is ready for the road. 7.5″ x 7.5″