bags and purses

Here is a new backpack in great distressed cognac leather. This one is a special order and is a little bigger: H 13″ W 14″ D 4 1/4″. It is lined in black stain-resistant waxed canvas with a leather draw-string closure and three interior pockets including a zipper pocket and a large leather phone pocket.  There is an additional large zipper pocket on the back which  is completely secure when you are wearing the bag. The  inside of the flap is lined in recycled black leather and the leather strap is from a vintage belt. I really like the interplay of vintage elements in a bag and try to incorporate them when I can. Overall, this is a great travel backpack which will fit into everyday life with style and utility.

This morning I started two new bags. The cognac one on the right is a backpack order and will look much like this one, but a little larger. This is the advantage of ordering a bag–you can customize size, leather and most other details. I keep thinking I should have a button under navigation explaining that you can order and how to go about ordering but it is still on the list to do. Essentially you contact me and we discuss. The bag on the left is made of beautiful emerald leather. I am thinking of a new style for this one–cross body with a gathered top and flap closure. Back zipper as you can see.

This is as close as I get to production. Two bags at a time. I have a couple of days clear, so if all goes well both should be done by the end of the week. I hope you will check back to see.

What a great colour for spring! This red luna bag is an order and will soon be in the mail and on its way. I love this leather–it is such a happy colour and great weight. The bag has asymmetrical outer pockets like this one  but is more streamlined with minimal hardware, has a double leather bottom and is lined in black waxed canvas. Inside it has two additional pockets, one canvas with birdbrain graphics and the second in leather designed for a new larger phone. The bag is 12″ x 12″ by 4″ so it is a great size for an everyday bag–it will carry all you need.

There is just enough of this leather for one last bag. You can contact me about it or anything else by using the button under Navigation on the right.

The leather laptop bag is finished. This is the first time I have worked with oily pull-up leather and it is both beautiful and challenging. I love the finish–it has a great look and feel and will wear well. The challenge comes because of its heft–sewing this was a real physical experience, especially turning it inside out. The bag has a minimalist look, simple lines, simple pockets and simple hardware. It is designed to carry a 14″ laptop as well as the other things you need for your work day.

It has a finished leather strap with vintage buckle and leather shoulder protector. It also has a front buckle closure, a quick grab handle and inside key ring. There are two outside pockets and one inside as well as a waxed canvas compartment with knob closure for the computer. Overall measurements 18″ x 12″ x 4″. It is shown here with a 13″ macbook.

I’ve been working on a new messenger bag for the last little while. It is designed to hold a large macbook and the other essentials needed for the work day. The bag is made of beautiful heavy leather which stands on its own. Hardware and design details are simple and understated. It has a double bottom and three pockets, two outside and one inside, and a front buckle closure. Still to come is the leather shoulder strap with a buckle adjustment. Every step of the way has been a big learning , but it is finally coming together. Next time you check, it will, I hope,  be ready for action.

Inside is a brown waxed canvas compartment with a knob closure for the laptop. This photo also gives a good view of my label which I made with the new birdbrain branding iron. 

I’ve had a couple of requests for coated cotton pouches for travel. I spent an afternoon this week using up some remnants to make a few small makeup bags, big enough for a tooth brush and other travel essentials, but compact enough to fit in your tote. And to give a boost of colour!

From the left two striped coated cotton from Chartres, one with a lime zipper one with a cobalt one. Then two magenta flying birds with cobalt and fuchsia zippers and then I could not resist two more wonky birds. The wonky birds are lined with water-resistant orange waxed canvas. The remaining are lined with crisp blue and white striped canvas. A few of these will be in the shop very soon.

I promised a medium sized tote in the Siirtolapuutarha pattern in coated cotton and here it is. This one is 15″wide, 13″ tall and 4″ deep. It is lined in black cotton with a double leather pocket for your phone and keys and a zip/slip pocket for valuables. It has a durable metal zipper and is trimmed in black leather, both recycled and new. This is a perfect day bag–it will hold an ipad, a novel and other essentials. The straps are double leather with a comfortable 10.5″ drop. And this tote packs such a welcome burst of colour on each side! Perfect for spring. This will be in the shop later today.

One of my most enjoyable things to do is to save my favourite remnants and turn them into adorable pouches. Because they are remnants, I can only make a few. The first three are Marimekko red coated cotton lined with checked fabric from Amsterdam. They are 6.5″  wide and 5.5″ tall with a durable metal zipper and leather pull.

The second pair are made of the Sirrtolapuutarha pattern with zebra print cotton lining. The top images are one pouch, the bottom a second one. Each is 5.5″x5″ with a red metal zipper and leather pull. These pouches are great for the small essentials you want to keep separate in your big bag. They will be in the shop soon!

Here are two more Marimekko coated cotton totes, 17″ x 14″ x 5″. These were ordered after the original tote appeared on the blog. Keep an eye on the blog for two more totes in this Siirtolapuutarha pattern and a couple in a lovely waterolour print. If you are interested in one  of the new ones, you can use the contact button on the right under navigation.

Inside the totes have a full-width waxed canvas computer compartment with a knob closure. And you can see the red leather phone pocket peaking out. On the other side is a zip/slip pocket with birdbrain graphics. The leather straps have an 11″ drop and make for comfortable toting. A great travel tote or an everyday tote for life’s essentials.

This bag is made of the same fabric you saw here, but this one is a smaller version with a cross-body strap. The brilliance of these Marimekko graphics is that they work large or small and each side of the bag provides a different colour punch. This particular bag is 14.5″ wide, 11.5″ tall and 3″ across the base. The leather trim is both recycled from a beautiful man’s coat and a new piece for the strap. Inside it has four pockets: two leather pockets for phone and keys and then two canvas pockets, one with a zipper.  More views below.

This shot shows you the interior canvas pockets with the birdbrain robin and for the first time, a leather label. I now have my own birdbrain branding iron, so all future bags will have an embossed label. Such fun!