Martine Leather Bags feature & Giveaway!

It has been a while since our last Shop Small Saturday Showcase!  It is the perfect time to start it up again because it is time for the holidays and putting together those gift lists, so make sure to take note of all of the upcoming shops I will be featuring.  You are sure to find some unique, amazing items to put on your list this year!

In fact, today's feature from Martine has some of the most gorgeous items I have seen produced by a single person.  Seriously!  I simply adore all of Sarah's items, and it is so difficult to look at all of the pretty leather bags, purses, and accessories, and just choose one favorite!  Take a look though and see how tough it is to add just one to your wishlist.

Also, I am so happy to say that Sarah is offering one of her popular clutches for a giveaway!  Make sure to enter at the bottom of the post after the interview.  Enjoy!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

My whole life I have been making things.  When I was young my mom taught me to sew, and my grandmother was an amazing seamstress.  We didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up, so we used to make clothing for ourselves.  With my mom's help, I started branching away from typical patterns and fabrics, and was part of my first group "runway" show at a local mall when I was 13.

In my teens and twenties I focused on making jewelry, and had a small line in Portland, OR in 2006.  I never really had the passion to turn it into a full time job, however.

I am surprised I hadn't worked with leather sooner, but when I started making bags I found it to be amazing.  I really love working with it and every piece I make, I thoroughly enjoy each step.



Where did the name of your store come from?

Martine is a rendition of a family name (Martindale), my grandmothers' maiden name.

Why did you start making goods for Martine?

I initially started making leather bags because I couldn't find a bag I liked for under $500 dollars.  I wanted clean lines and a simple structure, without all of the other bells and whistles one typically finds with less expensive leather bags.  I found the more refined and clean looking, the more expensive.  I bought some leather and made a bag for myself (the Portland Handbag was the original Martine handbag)  Soon after that I was getting requests from my friends and strangers to make bags for them.  After that I was determined to have a line of bags that are simple and refined, and with an accessible price tag.



What is your favorite item?

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Vintage Remade Feature, Promo & GIVEAWAY!

On this week's Shop Small Saturday Showcase, I have one of my favorites shop to share with you!  When I first saw Vintage Remade's booth at Unique LA, I stopped dead in my tracks because Michelle had the cutest vintage sewing machine on display (you can see it below).  Then, I noticed Mic shop name was made up of two of my favorite words: Vintage and Remade!  I obviously love vintage and I am an upcycling fan as well, so when I found out the materials she uses for her bags, I fell even more in love with her items!

So, get this.  Once you peruse through all of the eye candy and read about the roots of Vintage Remade, Michelle is offering a 30% discount to all of my readers AND she is giving away this gorgeous black leather clutch!  I am in love.  Now, enough of me, let's get to the feature!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself! 

Well, first off, thanks so much for the interview! I'm happy to be featured on such a lovely site.  I'm a mostly-self-taught designer living in Los Angeles, but I'm originally from Texas.  Since I was little I've always loved making things and creating.  I started sewing on a whim about seven years ago.


Where did the name of your store come from?

All of my Vintage Remade pieces are quite literally made from repurposed vintage textiles.  I take old clothes, curtains, leather coats, etc. and refashion them into one of a kind handbags.  When I named my shop, I was apparently going through a very literal phase of life.  :)  I had tossed around a few other ideas, but ended up just going with something that made it clear what my line was all about: Vintage Remade.

Why did you start making goods for Vintage Remade?

My first creation was a tote bag made from an old curtain.  When I saw the fabric, in all of it's 1970's glory, I could instantly envision it as a bag.  That purse got me thinking what else I could repurpose, and I began running with the idea of deconstructing old clothes and other fabrics and reimagining them into something new.


What is your favorite item? 

I love getting to do larger leather tote bags.  Leather-working involves using lots of tools, and there's something really fun about a process that's hands on.  Out of everything I make, the leather tote bags are also the most involved, so it's a rewarding accomplishment to see the finished product.

What is your most popular item?

Our leather clutches are probably the most popular item.  A clutch is great because it's versatile enough to use every day, but it can also elevate an outfit.


Where do you get the inspiration for your work?

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King Bag Company feature & promo!

Although most of the makers & shop owners that I speak to for Shop Small Saturday Showcase usually have some type of training or schooling in their craft of choice, sometimes you find a completely unique story.  Scott from King Bag Company has exactly that!  I don't want to spoil too much of the interview below, but when you find out which repurposed materials inspired the creation of his bags, you will be amazed!

I made my own upcycled tote bag once, but these creations are completely unique, well-made, and just plain gorgeous.  Peruse the pictures, visit the shop, and then take advantage of Scott's generous promo to my readers... 25% off any Etsy order!

Stay tuned for that at the end of the post, but first check out some serious eye candy!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

I like to make lots of things...  When not making these bags, I may be working on garden sculptures, stone patios, jewelry from found objects, t-shirt designs, bags from alternative materials (old banners, leather and metal with obscure hardware) and basically anything involving a transformation.


Where did the name of your store come from?

For nearly 50 years, King Kovers, the King of Seat Kovers, operated an auto upholstery business on Oakland's historic auto row.  The owners, finally deciding to retire, had a going out of business sale.  I literally bought a truck full (actually three trips) of material to make into something....  In wanting to preserve the history of the business and the classis car culture, I kept the "King" name and crown.

Why did you start making goods for King Bag Company?

The moment I first found and opened the boxes of vintage car seat covers, I knew then that the material should be made into bags.  I had never made handbags before, but the colors, the patterns, and the texture all made me picture "bowling ball style" purses and paper boy inspired messenger bags.  The material spoke to me...


What is your favorite item?

I must admit to having a few favorites along the way, and then I make a new batch and end up with another new favorite.  Of late, my favorites are those that include my own custom lining.  I created my own lining featuring a circular pattern of repeating crowns.  The inside of my bags are just as cool as the outside.

What is your most popular item?

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Craft Rewind: Knitting!

Since I am busy studying for my test, I will have a series of rewind posts for my normal craft Wednesdays of items I made in the past, before blogging.

First up, everything I have ever knitted!  I first learned how to crochet in college and did it for a while, remember this post and this post?  I wanted to learn how to make something different, so I taught myself knitting out of a book.  :)

This was the first thing I ever knitted.  I was excited to a cable knit sweater, which seemed like a good idea...until I realized that I don't know how to read patterns!  So for a long time, I had a rectangle of knit fabric, which was unused.  Bummer.

Later on, my friend suggested that I turn it into a purse, so I knit up the side, crocheted a flower, and added some handles.

Not exactly my style, but still fun for a first project!

My second project was a scarf!  I actually love this pattern a lot, but it is very subtle.

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Handmade Gift Feature with 520 Handmade Creations

As I mentioned in the "25 Days of Handmade Gifts" announcement post, I loved 520 Handmade Creations' purses, pouches, tote bags, and keychains as soon as I saw them.  The shop's lovely owner uses all kinds of prints, colors, and fabrics to come up with her fantastic creations.  She comes up with gorgeous combinations, often using Japanese fabrics.  Not only do they look great, they are made sooo well!  It definitely puts my work to shame!

Read on for a few words from the creator behind every piece made by 520 Handmade Creations and take a peek inside one of her perfect bags!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself!

Ever since I was little I loved to sew.  I have been making bags for years for myself and close friends. But I seriously started doing a few years ago as a business.


Where did the name of your store come from?

It is originated from the area code of where I am from.

Why did you start making goods for 520 Handmade Creations?

After I played about the idea of going into business, I initially backed down thinking I would never make it.  Then, I thought why not?  And here I am!


What is your favorite item?

Hard to choose one. The granny bags are my signature bags. I find people respond well to the distinguished style.

What is your most popular item?

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Tutorial: Upcycled Rice Bag Tote!

Some of you may be familiar with those upcycled tote bags made from flour sacks, old banners, and even candy wrappers!  Ever since I started seeing these bags on sale (for way too much!), I was itching to repurpose a tote bag for trips to the farmers market, craft fairs, or the beach.

A few weeks ago, my mom had two huge rice bags that she kept for me, "in case I could do something with them."  I love that people start to reserve items for me, especially ones that have come in handy!  This was my first attempt to work with the rice bag material, and it worked out pretty well.  This is the perfect tote material because it is super light AND incredibly durable!

My bag in action, toting around the pattern I traced for the portrait blouse!

I have already worked with vinyl, leather, and heavy home decor fabrics, but I was expecting this to be tougher.  I could not have been more wrong!  It was easy, light, and did not stick to my machine like the vinyl.  Yay!

Originally, I was just going to post a picture of my finished tote bag, but since I took a couple of pictures while I was sewing, here's a tutorial instead!

What You Will Need

Rice bag
Heavy duty webbing, for handles (length depends on desired finished length)
Heavy duty thread


Directions

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