Finalist in the Ecouterre Recycled Denim Challenge

Pouch has been selected as a finalist in the Ecouterre Recycled Denim Challenge! It would be great if my blog readers could take a moment to vote for my entry here

I submitted a "Reversible Recycled Denim Handbag". It is 100 percent recycled; even the straps are made from an upcycled denim waistband. The bag also has no visible seams, so it is completely reversible, making this two totes in one!

The challenge is designed to showcase innovative recycling ideas using denim fabric. I am so excited to be selected for the final vote! There are some great ideas featured, so take a look at all the finalists here

work in progress: new bag design

My baby girl has had gastroenteritis for the past couple of days, it's not been easy for all of us. We've had broken nights and a growing pile of messed-up sheets and pyjamas to contend with. This is the first 'proper' illness she's had, so I count myself lucky. Plus it will help with her immunity, little babies are bound to pick up the odd bug along the way.



So the past couple of days have been craft-free, but I did start working on a new bag at the start of last week. It's a variation on an old design, I'm hoping it will be something of an improvement design-wise. I also don't need much of an excuse to work with some of my favourite vintage fabric - a piece of Moygashel Pinto in lovely shades of blue, green and purple. I will blog more photos of the end product as soon as I get a chance!

July Tote Giveaway

I thought it was high time I ran another giveaway on my blog. Up for grabs is this bold and Summery Canvas Stripey Tote. made from sturdy canvas in shades of citrus orange, sunny yellow, lime green and pale purple.

Perfect for taking to the shops to stock up on provisions. Also makes a great knitting bag, book bag, gym bag, you can cram virtually anything into this handy tote.







How to enter:

mandatory - Leave a comment stating your favorite item from my Etsy store. This applies to both new and old followers.

Three additional ways to enter:
1. Become a follower of my blog. Leave a comment and let me know that you're new.
2. If you are already a follower of my blog (as of July 1st, 2010) and you choose to enter by leaving a comment, you will be entered twice in the giveaway. Although I've made a note of my followers, please remind me by stating 'I'm already a follower' when you leave a comment. This is a way to say thank you to everyone who's been reading my blog over the past few months!
3. Tweet this giveaway:
@pouchdesigns July Tote Giveaway http://pouchbags.blogspot.com/2010/06/july-tote-giveaway.html


**If you enter this giveaway, please state clearly your email address, OR your Facebook/Twitter/Etsy username, so I can contact you in case you win**

The giveaway is open to everyone in the world, and will run from July 1st 2010 through to Midnight (BST) on July 15th, 2010. I will pick a winner at random, and announce the winner on July 16th, 2010.

**UPDATE**
This giveaway is now closed, thanks to all who took part!

maroon and white mini messenger bag

This is a pretty, eco-friendly mini-purse
Made with recycled corduroy fabric and fully lined with vintage cotton fabric in shades of burgundy and white



This mini messenger bag has no visible seams, so it is reversible – making this two bags in one! The top fastens with a loop over a brown vintage button on both sides

Comfortable wide strap which wont cut into your shoulder
Features 2 internal pockets to keep your mobile phone, keys, lipstick etc
It also has an external pocket made from the same corduroy fabric

Pretty and stylish, great for year-round use
Treat yourself to skillfully sewn handmade bag

Come and check out our handmade bags at our Etsy store

Another addition to vintage fabric collection

Thick, heavyweight, vintage Irish linen
acid bright flowers on a chocolate brown background
Fab, vintage fabric, can't wait to use it!

Latest addition to the vintage fabric collection

I'm in love with my latest vintage fabric purchase!
It is vintage Moygashel fabric, in fab shades of blue, green and purple
The fabric name is Pinto and it was designed by Arno Thoner
I have lots of plans for this fabric :)

Ethical Expo 2008

The first Ethical Expo will be held on the 9th and 10th May 2008, incorporating International Fairtrade Day.

"Ethical Expo will help consumers make the right choices by bringing together producers, distributors, resellers and the public. Ethical Expo will cover three areas; Eating, Wearing and Living, with seminars, demonstrations, shows and stands."
"With 60 major exhibitors, a programme of seminars,workshops and key speakers all designed to educate, inform and enthuse the public, Ethical Expo expects in excess of 10,000 visitors over the two days."
Where?
Bristol, UK
9th and 10th May 2008
more info here:
Ethical Expo 2008

Pouch will be taking part in an ethical fashion show at the event on 10th May.
A number of our bags will be featured along with clothes by Adili, Boutique Ethique, Bishopston Trading’s new Lotus Collection, Chandni Chowk, Curious Tales, Ethletic, Green Shoes and People Tree
The show starts at 5.30pm

Fashion show coordinated by Oxfam and FLOCK Fashion

Earth Day – 10% discount in our Etsy store

22nd April is Earth Day
The movement was set up to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment

We are offering 10% discount on a selection of vintage fabric totes, so you can ditch the plastic bags and use something much nicer instead.





Please follow the links to see our discounted vintage totes!
Reversible purple daisy market tote bag EARTH DAY

Blue tweed vintage fabric tote EARTH DAY

Reversible sunny yellow market tote bag EARTH DAY

Large tree hugger tote with pocket EARTH DAY

Delicate flowers navy corduroy tote EARTH DAY

Big blue flowers vintage fabric tote EARTH DAY

Recycled distressed denim tote bag EARTH DAY

Tree hugger vintage fabric tote EARTH DAY

English rose vintage fabric eco tote EARTH DAY


Other Etsy sellers are celebrating Earth Day, see Hedgewitch's blog for further details:
Earth Day at Hedgewitch

Flock Fashion Show: Fashion Recycled and Rethought

At Pouch we are delighted to be involved with Flock Fashion's first show on the 8th March 2008.

Flock's ethos is:
"As well as putting on lots of lovely glamorous events, we want to raise awareness amongst the fashion industry, as well as amongst the public. we want to show that it is possible to look and feel great in what you're wearing, without causing any damage to the environment or creating unfairness within trade"
Some of exciting designers are taking part in the event, including:
Traid
Enamore
SI:SU
Dig For Victory
Ani Townsend Millinery


Please see the following flyer for further details.
Tickets are available from www.bristolticketshop.co.uk

Taking lots of photos

This week I have been taking lots of photos of our handmade bags to show the organisers of the Flock Fashion Show.
We are due to take part in a catwalk presentation on March 8th, I will post more details nearer the time!
Here is a small selection of new bags for 2008, all are made from vintage and recycled fabric.

green leaf vintage fabric

New addition to my vintage fabric collection. Simple, clean lines and great spring colours. Can't wait to create something with it!

Creating images with Flickr tools

Flickr tools is an incredibly useful website to help you collate your Flickr images together in creative and imaginative ways.
Here is a mosaic of our peg bags!



Find out more about Flickr tools here:
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/

New addition to my fabric collection!

This is the latest addition to my vintage fabric collection. I just couldn't resist buying it as the colours are so vivid. The photos I have taken do not do it justice and the amazing royal blue colour does not show up well in these photos. Even so, you can still see that it is pretty funky!
They just don't make fabric like they used to :)

Showcase November

Showcase November
Originally uploaded by pouch_designs

I took the plunge and bought a showcase spot on Etsy. Although people have not been happy about the increase in price ($15), You've got to speculate to accumulate as they say!
If it doesn't have much effect on traffic to the shop then I wont try it again, or I may try again in the Spring :)
It did give me a chance to spruce up the shop and make sure all the pictures were as good as I could make them. I think I aimed to make the items look more unified, for example, all the peg bags now face in the same direction. I know it sounds a bit OCD-ish, but I know how important good photos are on Etsy, so I didn't want the shop looking like a right muddle.
Since starting on Etsy, I have taken on board lots of advice and looked at loads of other shops. The message has got through to me loud and clear that good photos are key.
I used to sell on Ebay with the bags placed on plain white backgrounds, cut-out and manipulated in photoshop, now I use natural settings with natural light, with props such as antique chest of drawers and a neutral cloth underneath.
I am pleased with the overall effect now, there's still room for improvement, but it's good to keep learning and thinking of new ideas for photos and products.
I'm still enjoying the Etsy experience and that's the most important thing!
Come and check out our handmade bags at our Etsy store
www.pouchbags.co.uk

Welcome to our Blog :)

Welcome to our brand new Pouch blog

We started listing our handmade bags on Etsy in May 2007

So far we've both been amazed at the talent on Etsy and love being part of the community. Everyone is very friendly and helpful and the chat forums are very addictive!

Come and check out our handmade bags at our Etsy store