hessler ave bag revamp

i wanted to make a new design for a bag, plus i also wanted to make my mom a christmas present. when i asked her if she wanted a tote bag she was kinda like 'ehhhh' so i took that as my opportunity to make her something a little less utilitarian. she's had enough of those tote bags she lugs around full of yarn, files, lunch, and who the heck knows what else.

so here it is. the hessler ave bag new and improved and cute as a damn button.

it has my signature scribble stitching, a zipper closure, two inner pockets, it's made with used seatbelts, organic cotton, and bamboo fabric. i better send it out christmas is thursday!

i also got her some hemp face cream from the body shop and my dad some hemp foot cream for his feetsies so they are supple and soft like pillows.

handmadecavalcade was GREAT!

it may look like i was bored but that is far from the truth. thanks to the amazing efforts of my truely talented and dedicated teammates of the {newnew} we had so many shoppers at the cavalcade, it was great.

i forgot my table, Kristen from Cakehouse and her bro Ben saved my day! i was still setting up when the shoppers started arriving.

the shoppers came in waves , they were all very nice i have to say. It was so exciting for me to share my love of rockaway with people who don't really know much about it and to also spike people's memories who used to spend summer's there. even better than that was debuing (is that a word?) my new handbags that i have been working so hard on over the past months.

Thank you Lisa of Fubabee for the pic!

maple syrup

this weekend we went to VT.

however i did not remember to get some maple syrup, and i'm running low here in rockaway.

it may have been cause i was busy sewing new handbags. i used some organic twill i ordered and repurposed seatbelts. i really really like the size, the rivets, the feel, they are comfortable to carry too. back to work, well right after i watch kitchen nightmares on bbc.

changes

just woke up from a thanksgiving coma. although i think it was the wine that did me in last night. like that episode of seinfeld where he "doses" this chick with turkey and wine so he can play with her vintage toys.
after dinner we tried to go out to the bar and whoop it up a little. i ended up going home to pass out on the couch.
so needless to say i'm up first and while laying around i realized that i didnt yet post my new bag! i've made changes tot he broome street bag. it's bee a real learning experience.
i'm trying to make my bags as classic as i can while being eco-friendly.
this bag has repurposed seatbelts that i bought from the junkyard near my house. i cleaned them like crazy i can't get over how shiny they are!

workin hard

where should i start? for about 2 months i have been working so hard to come up with a pattern for a bag that i really like, that is simple, that is practical and has a great shape. it was worth the blood sweat & tears i think. its really big - 10" w x 8.5" long with a 4" gusset, 2 deep pockets, and you can open the flap from either side or it is totally removeable. i used really sweet ass heavy duty snaps. i hope you like it!

the hessler ave bag

reconnecting with sewing has been frustrating and rewarding. I have been working on building a bag for over a month. At times it was painful but i just couldn't give up. something inside told me to keep going. i've always wanted to make things that people can use. creating and sewing handbags, clothing and other accessories gives me the mechanical satisfaction that i need to keep me happy. and to come out of that process with something practical and everyday is awesome, i love it!

this bag is named after the street that my dad grew up on and my nanny lived on for years later. we lived within blocks of her and i spent almost my entire childhood with her, because my parents were working their butts off. at her house i developed lots of my creativity.

i have been hard at work.......

..........contrary to popular belief. learning how to sew, something that i have been really really wanting to do for a mad long time. this is just an idea/prototype if you will for me to wear around town.

i screenprinted a graffiti laden van onto the top panel of the shirt. i hear in some circles they call that part a yoke.

i made the screen from a pic that i took while i was riding my bike wif my cell phone! technology is great.