bags and purses

Many months ago I had a chance to order some waxed canvas and the bolts have been in my supply cupboard since then. I decided to give it a try this week and made a couple of totes and some pouches.  I lined the totes in cream canvas and the pouches in black denim, recycled from a Naf Naf coat of mine that I have been saving. Waxed canvas is a whole new textile for me and I’m getting used to working with it.  It seems very durable and stains wipe off with a damp cloth. My second bolt is in orange and I am planning to make some aprons with it — before the show I hope!

These handy pouches are made entirely from recycled leather. Here the purple and the black were formerly leather pants and the red a skirt. Outside lovely soft leather and inside bright wipeable fabric. Great on their own or in a larger bag. Large 9.5″ x 7.5″. Medium 7.5″ x 6.5″.

These are everyday bags in rich colours and top quality leather. They have metal hardware and zippers, three pockets and adjustable shoulder straps as well as double leather bottoms with rivets. Inside they are lined with cotton. 13″ wide x 12″ tall x 4″ deep.

Here is the Grosvenor Tote in pumpkin. I think there are some essentials in a big tote. The first is lots of pockets inside and out. This has secure pockets on the outside, both a big zipper pocket and a smaller magnetic snap pocket  for those things you want to find quickly. Inside are three pockets. The second essential is a choice for carrying; this has both handles and an adjustable shoulder strap. And finally I want great leather. This tote hits the jackpot in this category; it is made of a smooth buttery pumpkin leather.

It is 17″ wide, 14″ tall and 6 ” deep. I first designed this bag as a travel tote, but most who have bought one find they want to use it as a daily bag. While it is a substantial size, it’s not too big to tote around filled with all those things we find necessary to have with us. For me it’s sketch book, paints, brushes and pencils. All fit nicely in here. And the triple leather bottom with rivets ensures that the bag is strong enough to manage it all.

I have been making some new pieces with this beautiful orange leather. It is a joy to work with–buttery and smooth but very substantial, so that it is transforming into great durable totes and bags. This is a Grosvenor Tote lined with the last pieces of my favourite black and white. More pictures tomorrow, I hope. Since they are forecasting some snow tonight, my outdoor photography may be coming to an end.

Here is a Friday Pouch in a larger size and an outstanding blue. What a great shot of colour on a cold day.  It is made from a remnant piece of  durable leather. I am hoping that the piece is big enough for another pouch because great colour like this is hard to find. The pouch has an ample zipper pocket on the outside and a slip pocket inside for easy organizing. It also has a removable wrist strap. This is the larger version of the Friday pouch —  9″x7″ — so there is room for all you need on a night out but it’s still not too big to slip into another bag.

This is the second and last Toffee Delta. It is a special order — a roomy comfortable tote made of great caramel pebbly leather on the outside and green and teal wax Tanzanian print on the inside. It has two exterior pockets, one with a magnetic closure for safe keeping, and an abundance of pockets on the inside. I put the three-bay suede pocket inside one of my bags and I found it so useful that I am putting it in other bags. You can see it below; it  has a place for your phone, your glasses and other essentials that you want within easy reach. On the other side of the interior is a combined zipper pocket and slip pocket. The bag has a metallic zipper closure, a double leather bottom for strength, two handles and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap.  17″ x 14″ x 5″