Here are some photos of what is on the go in the studio. First a new small mat for a new small family member. Below that a new size of Keller bag which I hope will be ready to take on my upcoming trip to France. You can see the lining which came from the Textile Museum sale. It will be heavy enough for lots of interior pockets. I hope to post updated photos of both of these projects by the end of the weekend.
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″
This new backpack is a special order. It is the larger version of the 1510 backpack that you can see here and here. This large size is designed to carry a laptop as well as your other essentials. Constructed of pebbly black leather with caramel leather trim, it is a heavy-duty, go-everywhere pack. It is dressy enough to take to an evening function, large enough to take as a carry-on for your next trip, and a great everyday pack for work or school. There is a wide zipper pocket on the back (completely secure when you are wearing the pack) and a large canvas sleeve inside as well as a leather phone pocket. It has a draw-string leather closure and a vintage leather strap with buckle.
17″ wide, 15″ tall with a base of 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.
It’s very early for maple syrup, but with the spell of unseasonably warm weather in Ontario the sap was running. We had barely finished drilling the trees and hanging the buckets when the sap started pouring. Here are two bottles which made their way into our pantry. A welcome sweetness.
And here is a new bag for Spring. This Keller bag is made of durable teal blue pebbly leather, upholstery grade. The bag is 10.5″ tall, 12″ wide and 4″deep. Like all Keller bags, it has a zipper closing, an adjustable cross-body strap, an exterior zipper pocket and two pockets inside. This is a great day bag, large enough to carry your ipad and other essentials.
We are dealing with the aftermath of a big ice storm in Southern Ontario–but in my studio, I’m thinking of spring. I’m working on new Keller bags in beautiful blue-green leathers. Here is the first one: it has a generous zipper pocket on the front and inside a large canvas pocket with birdbrain graphics and a large leather pocket for your phone. The lining is my favourite Kenyan cotton–layers of turquoise, green and black circles and triangles. The bag is a great size for everyday use: 11″ tall, 12″ wide and 4″ deep. It has durable metal zippers and a double leather bottom so it is ready for all your carrying needs. This bag and others will be in the online shop next week.
I made a little pouch to send in the mail as a thank you and I liked it so much I continued making a few more. These are made of great leather in either red or teal with corresponding hearts sewn on the front. Inside they are lined in 100% cotton. These make a great little case for your phone, cards or other essentials. In the online store today.
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.
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″
The Gallery 121 show is coming up. It begins on November 2nd and the formal opening is November 5th 2-4 pm. Yesterday in the sun, I lined up the small shoulder bags I have designed for the show. I call them G121. They are a simple leather day bag with a flap and magnetic closure. Some have pockets on the back and they all have a pocket inside. This is the bag you would take out to the show or for dinner. It has ample room for all your essentials and just slings over your shoulder. It is designed to be worn hands-free, cross-body, but the leather strap can easily be knotted to shorten.
The bag measures 9.5″ wide and 8.5″ tall with a two inch bottom. Carissa has been road-testing one all summer, and she tells me she can even fit her small water bottle in it. I think they are a fun and useful boost of colour in your life.