shibori fold over pouch/clutch

I'll be making more of these shibori & leather bottom numbers. The smaller version will be sized to fit an iPad but intended as an all-purpose clutch. Some will come with a detachable wristlet. Closure styles may include zips, ties, magnetic buttons and my beloved Sam Brownes.

I am most of fond of the dark plum and navy colors I am achieving. Eager

to get rolling on shades of grey and black.

some of my leather remnants are more rough & tumble

than others. can't say I would have it any other way.

a pebbled heavier leather

pinch-pleated bag

This is probably the largest if its kind that I've made so far. The pleating and hand-knotting takes forever, but I love the effect.

linen & leather with strap made from up-cycled belt

I'm experimenting with some different thimble options to see if I might better preserve my fingers.

a couple new prints

From a small batch of lunch-size totes I made for a Fall show.

ready... set... Made with recycle hemp/organic cotton & linen.

When it comes to fashion inspiration, I am often drawn to styles (dresses in particular) from the 40's. This swimmer is comparatively old school - 1920's/30's. Haven't yet finished my swan dive partner piece to this carving.

two for the road. Linen & linen lunch tote.

So many bikes I would love to carve. Next in line is a Schwinn banana-seat bike reminiscent of the orange beauty of my childhood.

hooked on pinch pleats

Today I mangled a finger with a straight-peen hammer. It's an inconvenience for sure, but man does it hurt! So this post will be short. Don't think it's broken, but I expect to lose the nail and might need to do the hot-needle-throught-the-nail trick my husband suggested to let some blood out.

I was messing with hardware and leather belts - my preference for straps - while working on a couple of pinch pleated bags. I shared one such bag here. The hand-tying of so many pleats takes a while but I am smitten with the billowy results. No longer so smitten with the hammer.

this one work over the shoulder...

... or across the body

dark olive linen lined with a favorite checked linen in grey & plum

pinch pleat love

I've been away for my little home on the web for a week now. Spring break for the kiddos is drawing to a close. Today was our annual egg hunt - a great finale to the week! Pictures possibly if hubby took many. I was too engaged to think about grabbing the camera.

In any case, I feel the need to check in as I begin transitioning back to our routine. I've been playing around with pinch pleats. One outcome is this little bag. Just put it up in the shop. A blend of refined (hand-tied grid of pleats) and rustic (up-cycled leather belt strap & closure and high-texture, heavy-weight linen - the kind of linen likely to reveal a bit of raw flax peeking out. I love the contrasting elements of what I describe as a slouchy, quirky little number. I hope the Easter Bunny was good to you!

new in shop - totes & mobius strap bags

Four new bags in the shop. Each with detachable straps for laundering. Clearly, I'm focused on stripes at the moment, but other styles and prints are in the works.

tote: organic cotton canvas & linen with leather straps

mobius strap bag: organic cotton canvas w/leather strap

tote: hemp & linen with leather straps

mobius strap bag: organic cotton canvas & linen w/leather strap

bags a 'comin

On Monday I posted this tote bag in my shop. I am so excited about adding some bags! Primarily tote and a mobius shoulder strap number. My collection of thrifted leather belts is growing so that I'll have ample supply for straps. I love disassembling the belt components and combining them in new arrangements with grommets, rivets, snaps and such for straps, although I do need a much sharper hole punch for leather.

So this is the first one to go into the shop. It's made from organic cotton canvas & linen with detachable straps so they can be removed for laundering. I'm awaiting a few yards of a new, fairly heavy-weight hemp that I'm hoping to use for bags and a couple other items.