Search Results for: missouri

The most recent tote is all packaged up and on its way. The new owner tells me it is a birthday present to herself! What a great idea. I’ll be making more of these totes in the coming weeks.  I like the combination of waxed canvas and leather with the heavy canoe canvas inside. Next maybe khaki and burgundy.

And here is a new Missouri Silver Pebble bag–this one a little wider and taller than the original. I really like this leather. It has a great heft to it and a lovely sheen. And it is a neutral bag without being drab. This one is a special order and there is one more of the same dimensions in the studio, soon to be in the shop. And then there is enough leather left for a Friday pouch. The exterior pocket fastens with a magnetic closure and there is a leather pocket for your phone inside. The cobalt, green and brown wax cotton lining is a nice surprise inside.

These two little pouches will be in the shop later today. Made of the softest bubblegum pink leather, they are lined with a polished cotton from the Bondo market in Kenya. The open one in front has a leather pocket inside for cards or cash and a high-grade European metal zipper. (I have just a few of these zippers and am using them sparingly.) The one behind has a pink metal zipper and no pocket. These are great little pouches to slip into a big bag to keep your essentials at hand.

One of the very nicest things abut blog writing is the people you meet on line. One such is my friend, Missouri. She is a customer, a commenter and an inspiration. She wrote recently wondering about a crossover shoulder bag for spring–“small but functional in a lighter neutral”. I went through my boxes and found a piece of silver pebbly leather with a nice weight and texture, a piece I had been saving for the right project.  After a few sketches, I came up with the Missouri, 8.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches tall and 3 inches deep–small and functional. I like the size of the front pocket with the curving stitching, and especially its magnetic closure. All in all, a great spring bag! This too will be in the shop tonight.

I made a new triad earlier in the week and before I had even put it in the on-line store, I had an email from Missouri wanting to purchase it. It’s always delightful when something like this happens.

I knew I had enough of the red leather for two more totes. As I was packing the Missouri tote, I was thinking what a great bag it would be for my art supplies–it’s strong enough and big enough to hold the sketch book, the palette, the pencil case, the small water bottle and my wallet, lunch and phone. The triple pocket on the inside is perfect for separating out the small things so I can grab them quickly. So I set about making another triad for myself. This orangeade leather is some of my very favourite and I have used it sparingly in many bags. Here is a bag from August 2011 with an orange panel. I had just enough of this beautiful orangeade left for straps and pocket. Inside the triple pocket is made from a teal suede skirt.

It is unusual for me to treat myself with one of my bags. It’s like the old story of the shoemaker’s children who have no shoes. I always seem to be carrying a reject, one I don’t think is worth selling with smudged graphics or a feature that did not quite work. But this new Triad seems really great and I think I will enjoy using it. I will let you know at the end of the weekend.

We went to Kington last night for a special visit and I tossed my new Triad over my shoulder just to try it out. You see I am a fan of the cross-body strap and I wanted to see how these shoulder straps would work with the tote full of all my gear. Would the weight distribution be ok? I am happy to report that Triad III is a big success. The extra piece of heavy leather riveted in the bottom gives it balance and stability. This tote is even a little bigger: 15.5″ wide, 14.5″ long and 5.5″ deep. If you click on the instagram button on the side of the page you will see a photo taken this morning of the Triad packed full of my sketching things. I hope to post later to show you where I am going–this post comes to you from the train.