bags and purses

A third Delta Tote is in the works and in some ways this one is my favourite. This tote is made from beautiful pebbly toffee-coloured leather with a big pocket on the front with a magnetic closure. The birdbrain logo screen printed on a piece of coordinating leather is stitched on the pocket. Otherwise it  has all the features of the other deltas and should be in the online store soon.

Here are two pouches which will be in the shop tomorrow. I’ll be doing a small run of these in various colours because I think they are ideal for spring. These pouches are big enough to work well on their own carrying  your phone, cards and other essentials, or are great thrown in a larger bag.

The first pouch is from the very end of the distressed blue leather, the second from the last piece of a beautiful red skirt. Each is lined with a coordinating batik, has a small leather slip pocket inside and a metal zipper closure. 7″x 5″ x 2″

This is the new red Delta travel bag. Large and roomy with a wide fixed bottom and metal feet, it is the ideal tote for trips, short and long. The exterior of the bag is lovely pebbly red leather and the interior is 100% Nigerian cotton. The details on the bag are red ‘croc’ including the magnetic pocket on one side and a zip pocket on the other. Inside there is a zip pocket and two slip pockets each constructed of strong canvas with birdbrain graphics. All hardware, including the metal zipper, is a chrome colour.

There is a removable shoulder strap which adjusts and two hand straps with a 10 inch drop. I find when the bag is full that it is good to have carry options–switch it from your shoulder to your hand for a while. The straps and loops are attached with the ‘delta’ detail cross stitching.

The blog has been quiet for a few days–problems at headquarters! But things seem to be running again, so time to introduce two new bags. The first is the 3spot Tote. It is made from the remainder of the wonderful blue distressed leather used in  this–with some black pebbly leather from a coat on the bottom and inside. I incorporated all the things I like in a tote–magnetic closure, large outside pocket, inside leather split pocket for phone and other small essentials, shoulder straps that are not too long for carrying straight out and a double leather bottom for strength and a neat finish inside. Rivet and punched hole detail. It measures 14.5″ x 14″ x 6 with a strap drop length of 10″.

This tote will be in the shop tomorrow.

This is the next version of the Delta–in red with croc pockets and detail. I’m still working on this one, but I am loving it so far.

I am at the gallery this afternoon; it’s one of my favourite places. And for the first time have internet because I am using my phone as a personal hotspot. How cool is that? Learned that from my son on the weekend. We also made a few changes to the blog — navigation is now on the right to the on-line store and to a couple of new locations. I downloaded instagram to my phone and have been having lots of fun with it as you can see from the first photo. I’ve also set up a Facebook page for birdbrain. I hope to use both of these spots to post some new work as well as some of my sketches. I am just experimenting — not sure what at this point is the best way to go — the last thing I want to do is to create more work for myself away from the actual creating. So we will see.

Here is the Blue Luna with one of my favourite models. This bag is actually sold now and soon on its way to a new home. I have taken what is left of this beautiful leather and combined it with some black recycled leather, to make a new tote. It is called the Blue 3spot and you can see it in its early stages on instagram.

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.

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.

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.

The Delta Tote, soon will be finished and ready for introductions.