by elke

In the Mean time…

I feel like this blog has become the ignored step child as I’ve branched out in many different ways over the past few months. As much as I’d love to keep up to date with posting all sorts of projects, I’m having a hard time finding the minutes in the day to attend to it. I’m currently on a (very steep) learning curve trying to get the March 1st pop-up shop up & running. I’m hoping this will become much easier for future sales on line. I was just talking to a friend last night who who couldn’t believe I hadn’t hired a full time person to get this whole endeavor built. I figure, you should be able to do every aspect of your business, right? It’s also so small that I don’t have much wiggle room in the budget to hire much help quite yet. So here I am, wearing different hats all day long from a maker to a photographer, editor to programer. It’s all a big adventure!

So, wish me luck, be patient with me & you can follow by elke on Facebook which I found is easy for me to post pics & such on a much more regular basis. It’s like a mini blog!

Have a great long weekend- I’m up in the beautiful Rocky Mountains which is full of snow & am getting ready to take a break & put on my skate ski’s & stretch my legs on this clear, sunny day.

xo elke

*keep your eye on the side bar shop button…. it will be activated on Monday the 18th.so you can see what’s starting to land on the shelves!

White Stripes

Although it’s basically the middle of winter, I seem to have gotten spring fever. It could be due to the amazingly warm, un-winter-like weather we’ve been having here in Boulder. I can’t seem to get enough of the natural & white combination on the leather which feels like a warm vacation all wrapped up in a bag. A simple stripe can make quite an impact! I generally like to keep my bags fairly simple but I can never resist that small pop of color whether it’s in a small embroidery, paint or appliqué . The overall effect is screaming summer! That’s what I’m thinking about as I look outside right now & the flurries are falling to the ground…. winter is back.

Shop!

….Well, soon anyway. I’m currently in the process of trying to set up a “pop-up” shop which is proving to be quite a bit of work. On top of making the merchandise, I realized I have to write a description for every piece that will be featured since each piece is different & unique. There is also the picture-taking part that is very important so I can potentially cut down on as many questions as possible. This in a nutshell is why I think I have to do a temporary shop that will be open for about 10 days. Then close. then pack & ship. then start making again. I’m so excited to try this venture out & see how it works for me. Stay tuned in the coming weeks- The shop will eventually be linked to my blog so keep your eye on the side bar.

The goal is MARCH 1st so put it on your calendar…… & wish me luck!

Patchwork Apron

I made this a while ago for my husband. He is a really great cook & was just ruining his shirts so I thought this would be a practical but fun gift. I took a 4 pack of IKEA dish towels & just sewed them together to create the base than cut out the shape of the apron. The straps are linen & all the patches & embroideries were made by hand & then sewn on. I made my own stencils out of plastic sheets. This really is a one of a kind apron made especially for him. I must have had a lot of patience back then as I’m not sure I’d have the time any more to create such a detailed piece.

Truly One of a Kind

I found these amazing Italian military sacks in Texas last October. They were very dirty but had the most amazing character & stenciling on each one. I only found 3 & ended up keeping one for myself because I thought, “this is one of the coolest fabrics I’m bound to ever find.” The bottoms were pretty wrecked so I took the seams apart & patched on leather bottoms with additional pockets. The old worn in belts were perfect to keep the flaps down & the shoulder straps were well worn horse bridles. This combination was just perfect together & gave it a very vintage feel. They definitely appear to be from the WWII era & if I’m extra lucky, maybe I’ll trip over more someday.

A New Look

I’ve been playing with different proportions & construction & this is one of the models that popped up. I like how the handle fits through the top hole & how the flap is a natural edge shaped by the leather hide. This is my new favorite leather & I’ve got a bunch of it so will be trying out all sorts of models. I’ve also been playing with “self” handles so the whole bag has the same color & texture. It looks very grown up to me like it should be out on the way to an important meeting.

Gym Bag

This vintage european back pack was transformed into a tote bag that is roomy enough to carry a weekends worth of packing or a full day at the gym. The 2 front bellows pockets are big enough to hold a pair of shoes & main pocket can be overstuffed if you wish because the front closure is so long. All the hardware is original so should be sturdy enough to last a life time. I have fallen head over heels for anything vintage military & am building up quite a collection of WWII bags that are being transformed into more contemporary, functional every-day bags. Stay tuned!

Fireproof!

Well, I’m also assuming it is waterproof since this bag is made out of a recycled fireman’s protective lining. The rubbery exterior almost looks like a great broken in leather. It was lined in a homespun black & white plaid fabric which popped when you opened it. This size is just big enough for toting around a 13″ laptop. The straps are horse bridles & the big loud cross on the front is suede. This just happened to be the first bag that happily walked out the door at the Holiday market- Enjoy Kate!

Not Just for Camping

I am head over heels in love with these old vintage boy scout back packs. I found one locally then went on line to hunt down some more. They are a labor of love. They spend a day soaking in oxiclean, then I have to cut off all the dry rot leather straps that have turned into a jelly consistency. They get washed, dried & then the fun reconstruction part starts. I add leather to flaps that would otherwise have gaping holes. I find alternative buckle solutions, add bright cording & sometimes new pack straps. I try to use all the original hardware so the bag stays authentic. I’ve also started adding shoulder straps so that it can be used 2 ways. I have found packs from the 1940′s & 50′s. You can tell by the rivets that are used. They are of a very vintage variety that we just don’t use anymore. If the pack has a leather patch on the back it is definitely from this time period as the later ones have a heavy plastic name patch. The more I learn, the more I love.

(*I call this one “The Reluctant Boy Scout” as the boy that had it colored in the logo)

Buckle Clutch

This clutch is made from one of my new favorite veg tan leathers. It’s thick but spongy & soft. By adding this vintage buckle with just the right patina it seemed to finish the bag off nicely. What I like best about these fold over clutches is that there is a zipper closure for safe keeping & also the leather buckle can just be popped off by a button, no need to unfasten it.