Heartful Handmade Blog

pretty cotton tote with maya trim and a cell phone pocket

The Aj Quen Association is one of the oldest weaving associations in Guatemala.  In fact, Aj Quen means "the weaver" in the Cakchiquel Maya language.  The association is comprised of 800 craftspeople from 26 artisan groups.  Most of the craftspeople are women from four Maya groups, the Quiche, Cakchiquel, Tzutujil and Kekchi.  In addition, the association has trained more than 40 artisan groups, helping craftspeople gain finiancial stability.  Training is a key component of the Aj Quen mission to "cooperate with the community's development as a whole."  This pretty cotton tote bag, made from handloomed cotton, was made by women in the Aj Quen Association,

This bag is a roomy 10-1/4 inches high by 15-3/4 inches wide b 5 inches deep.  The 25 inch straps are a perfect length for carrying heavy loads by shoulder or by hand.  This practical machine washable bag is a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern.  It's adorned with a Maya style belt, but it has lots of pockets, both inside and out, including one for your cell phone.  The regular prices if $49.95, but you can get it today for $37.96.

organize your organizers with this ipad/tablet purse

We're so wired up today we've become human data centers.  And the newest members of the don't-leave-home-without-it brigade are the smart phone and tablet (or mini-laptop) computers.  Makes sense.  These are necessary tools to help us navigate our travels (even those close to home), keep us connected, and hold our shopping and to-do lists.  But thoroughly modern well-wired people need thoroughly modern bags to keep all those organizing tools organized.  Like this gorgeous iPad purse.  It's stylish, it's sturdy, it's handmade.  Constructed of water-proof waxed canvas and oil-tanned leather, this bag will gain character with use and age.  And at 11" x 12" x 4" deep, it will easily stow your iPad or small laptop.  A separate outside pocket will keep your phone handy.   Its maker, Satchel & Page in Austin, Texas, has a nice selection of messenger/laptop bags, iPad/Tablet bags, and travel journals.  They're all high-quality, they're all good-looking, and they're all made to order just for you.  So click on over to Satchel & Page and check them out.  This beauty, the Alegna, is $180.

make a pledge and (maybe) get a fine handmade bag

Back in April, I featured Flux Productions and its line of elegant handmade leather bags.  Well Ryan Greer, the artistic force behind Flux Productions, is guiding a new community-based project he calls Work/Shop.  Work/Shop opens the studio process to the public as both a teaching venue and as a retail shop.  Work/Shop customers can buy handmade products, meet the artisans, and see how the products are made.  I love this concept.  Because, just as city kids who spend time in a community garden (and find out carrots aren't produced at the store) gain a deeper appreciation of nature, observing the creation of handmade goods forges a connection to the creative process and develops a deeper appreciation for those goods.  Work/Shop will give local artisans (Ryan is in Brooklyn, New York) a brick-and-mortor venue for their goods and they, in turn, will be able to connect with the public through guest workshops and demonstrations.

Ryan is using the online funding platform Kickstarter to get the needed seed money to launch Work/Shop, and he's rewarding funders with Flex Production products.  Ryan tells you all about it in this video: 

  

What Ryan didn't explain is that Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing funding platform, so he must reach his goal of $30,000 by October 31 or no money changes hands (and no rewards are given).  So please share this post and tell people about Work/Shop so we can help Ryan make this happen soon.  And follow this link to Ryan Greer's Kickstarter page to make a pledge or get more information.

 

comfy casual wide legged railroad pants

I love these wide-legged railroad pants.  They have a classy classic stylish funky vibe that conjures up images of Marlene Dietrich playing a California Gold Rush saloon. These pants work well with the fitted wrap top shown, and they will work equally well with a plain cotton tank or a simple crew neck sweater.  They're versatile.  The ones shown here  are constructed of a medium weight 100% cotton Italian striped denim, but you can also get them in black.  Sharon, at Fine Threadz in Houston, makes them in small, medium, and large (sizes 6 to 16), and, for an additional charge, she'll even make a pair customized to your exact measurements.  Besides these pants and assorted leggings, Fine Threadz also has lots of comfy casual tops, dresses, jackets, and skirts.  And that's not all, Sharon also makes some really cool leather bags and belts.  So click on over to Fine Threadz and check them all out now.  These pants are $90.

beautiful mysterious hand-knitted floppy brim hat

My daughter-in-law told me today that Yokoo is now making totes, so I went over to check them out.  And Yokoo's new totes are really nice and one will be featured in a separate post.  But I got sidetracked when this beautiful big brimmed floppy hat called out to me by name as soon as I hit the site.  This is a perfect hat for sunny days because it shades your face and neck nicely (while also giving you a bit of intriguing and mysterious style).  When the sun goes down, just roll the brim up along the front or sides or in back (get creative) and you're ready for a an evening on the town.  Besides this lovely spring-like oatmail, Yokoo gives you a choice of  26 other yarn colors to choose from.  So click on over and check this floppy brim weekend hat now.  $55.

big pretty lightweight paisley bag

When I came across Laura Good's shop Hier Apparel it was love at first sight, because this shop is stocked with my kind of stuff:  Comfortable tops that can be layered, big roomy  bags, unusual dresses, interesting made-to-order jewelry.  If you've got the shoes, you can find everything else here.  I love it when I find a shop where I can't decide what to feature.  I was back and forth between this jacket, this cardigan, and the pictured Obi Sling Bag.  The bag won out because it hit so many of my personal buttons:  It's big enough to carry a load (traveling, shopping), the paisley design (I love paisley), it's lightweight (no need to start with a load when you're carrying a load), and it will drape beautifully when near empty.  So click on over to Hier Apparel and check it out for yourself.  $90.

pretty leather wristlet with poppy trim

I normally carry a bag large enough to hold my usual collection of on-the-go must-haves:  Wallet, phone, camera, notepad, tape measure, magnifying glass (product descriptions keep getting smaller and smaller), business cards, lipstick, and a pen or two.  But I am a fan of wristlets and small clutch purses and I like to have one in the glove compartment of my car.  Then I'm prepared for anything.  If I meet a friend for lunch, all I need is a bit of cash or a credit card.  Or if I need to trudge a few blocks on foot in an unfamiliar area, I just take a card and my phone.  Small bags are just handy to have around.  And this little wristlet shows they can also be really nice to look at too.  It's a rich dark chocolate brown leather with three leather poppies, one of them pink.  And it's roomy, at 9" long x 5" high.  With the strap removed, it becomes a fun little almost dressy clutch.  It's made to order by Theresa Goodwin at Sukara Urban, and is available in several other color combinations.  $75.

a bag for all seasons and reasons

This bag is really special.  I love its classic lines and simple elegance.  It has that basic simplicity that never goes out of style and that you never grow tired of.  Its creator, Flux Productions in Brooklyn, calls it a compact tote bag.  It's 15" x 14" and four inches deep and has a nice large interior pocket.  It's perfect for commuting or travel.  You can carry a couple of books (or your Kindle), along with maps and all your other stuff.  It's even big enough to hold most laptop computers.  But you don't have to worry about this bag losing its elegant sense of style because the handstitched leather sides are firm and smooth and able to hide a multitude of carry-on sins.  And its satiny waxed surface will develop character with use and age.  This shop also has hand printed tees, wraps, and dresses.  So click on over and check out Flux Productions.  This brown and gray diplomat bag is $360.

emil congdon high-quality handmade bags

When I discovered recently that Emil Congdon's East Nashville Upholstery Etsy shop was gone, I set out to find out where he'd gone.  It turns out that Congdon had come to view what had been a hobby, handcrafting high-quality bags and wallets, in a different light. And it's now his day job.  He's catching up on backlogged orders and you can find him at Emil Erwin, his new website.  Get the story in this article from Nashville Scene and in the video below. The pictured waxed canvas briefcase is $750.

 

a handmade linen happy flower bag

I'm on a search for practical things that bring a smile to your face.  Things that help remind us that spring is springing somewhere, that birds are chirping everywhere, and that little flowers always grow through cracks caused by the mysterious forces of nature.  Because flowers and birds are eternal.  You'll find plenty of both at Pesky Cat Designs.  This delightful shop is filled with beautiful and practical purses, messenger bags, sachels, and wristlets.  Some are adorned with handmade flower appliques, some with birds.  There are also seahorses, land horses, and playful pesky cats.  You'll also find bags in plaids and bags that are colorfully plain.  And they all bring a smile to your face.  This elegant pure linen cross body satchel is a roomy 8-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 2-1/2 inches deep.  It has a good long adjustable strap and two large inside pockets. So click on over and check it out, and all the other happy bags at Pesky Cat Designs.  This one is $65.

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Pesky Cat Designs is also in Handmade Lookup.