Wren

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If there is one word that stands out as a common thread between all the speakers that I saw at the Design Indaba Conference it is…

“  S h a r i n g  ”

There is a cultural shift from owning to sharing, working individually to working together and sharing in knowledge and experience. We all want to help and have fun and I’m up for it. I think that this is very exciting.

Although Jedd McNeilage’s work (an Emerging Creative at the Design Indaba Expo) is not exactly about sharing in the same way as I mentioned it above, but I love this work and perhaps we should take the sharing culture further and literally give.

Dogs just want to to feel apart of things, they just want to be loved and have fun – is there actually much difference between them and us?

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When I was in Milan I came across the most gorgeous scissor collection. Using this as inspiration I have redrawn my favourite scissors and stylised them into a one-colour screen print for a Coffee Clutch Design.

Black Scissor Cuts Coffee Clutch Set

The new ‘Scissor Cut Coffee Clutch Set‘ comes in razor-blade black or old metal copper.

Copper Scissor Cuts Coffee Clutch Set 1

I have also printed two new colour-ways. The ‘Bird on a lace fence Coffee Clutch Set‘ in red …

Bird on a lace fence in red

and the ‘Soaring Seagulls Coffee Clutch Set‘ in cloud blue.

Seagulls Coffee Clutch Set

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The Design Indaba 2010 Conference & Expo was amazing. Here are some pictures of the Wren spot at the expo.

Stall

Zurina and Fatima (my two sample machinist from left to right below) came to see the bags in their lime light.

The ‘vertical draws’ that were build by Cape Town Timbers for this show worked very well. My space was a meer 2×1m which meant that I have to be creative in order to sell and replace with stock. The idea ‘behind’ these draws was that they had shelves. I could pull out a vertical plank or “drawer” and take the products from behind whilst still maintaining a facade that was easily transportable, affordable and did not distract from the product.

Sand Blasted

The surface of the plank or “drawer” was sand blasted by Millroy Artysands. Some of them came out very beautifully but unfortunately this got a bit lost by the flat light in the exhibition hall. It was also very difficult to take a photograph to show you the raised grain.

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This is THE bag I have been itching to share for months…
The much awaited PPC cement laptop bag

This laptop bag is made from unused Pretoria Portland Cement paper bags.

To make the paper strong, all the layers are fused with calico so it is untearable and suitable for your laptop. It has also been scotchguarded so that it is water resistant. Friends in Switzerland have been testing the bag and it has even proven to last through long bicycle trips in the snow.

To close the bag there are two hidden magnets. One of the favourite things about this bag is the cement mixing instructions that you can read all over the bag. For example, for low strength concentrate mix one wheel barrow of cement, with 4 wheel barrows of sand and stone with 70 liters of water. The written instructions are also fantastic: “Do not leave on the ground.”

Inside there are two pockets and two sections. One pocket is large enough to carry laptop cables whilst the other is the right size for either an iPhone or mouse. The divider is padded and separates the laptop from notes or other belongings that would be carried in the bag. The base is also padded as is the side that sits against your body.

As with all my bags, I try and use organic materials where possible. The strap of the PPC Cement Laptop Bag is made from Organic Hemp. This is also adjustable.

These bags will be for sale at the Design Indaba which starts tomorrow and in my online shop from the 1st of March.

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Persham Ribbon

Everyday something new is arriving and products are coming together. Today I got ‘Wren’ printed Persham ribbons.

Next week is the Design Indaba and although this leaves almost no time to get these new products together, it is going to be amazing. I hope you can come and visit Wren’s space (the tiny spot C29) but if not, then don’t panic, I promise I will share the new bag designs with you online.

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New Website

It’s hard to miss…. notice any changes?

The layout is completely new – from right to left to point out perhaps the most obvious layout change. If you haven’t noticed yet I think I will bring it to your attention that there is a link for THE WREN SHOP. This is not up-and-running yet but don’t panic becuase it will be soon and then it will be worth the wait. Here is a sneak speak snap shot to wet your appetite.

Till then, you can visit and purchase my bags from etsy.

Basically what has been achieved (and I think quite successfully but let me know what you think) is that the page(s) are easier to navigate around and the layout is cleaner. Visit my updated ‘about Wren‘ page and ‘about me‘ page.

Lightspeed have done an amazing job – thanks guys. If anybody ever wants to do anything with Wordpress – Lightspeed are really amazing at what they do.

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I remember visiting Zimbabwe when I was young (thats me above in the yellow jacket) and the streets were literally covered with gold (as the coins melted into the tar). Seven years ago I visited it again and no shop was open and going through the border was very frightening. It was like a ghost country as we passed through to stay in Zambia. Since then the stories that travel from Zimbabwe have gotten progressively worse and this breaks my heart. That is why I was so excited when I found this Zimbabwe Coffee bag (see it here) becuase it is an opportunity to help.

All the funds made from the sale of this bag will be donated to aid in Zimbabwe.

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Medica making a map bag

Early this morning I spent time with a few very enthusiastic workers from Original T-Bag Designs (more about them later). The idea was to show them how to fold the donated maps I had organized into Wren gift bags with the hope that they would be keen to make them.

Russel and Timon and Headman

Like with most people, the maps and the places on them drew them right in. Russell (above in the blue shirt) found a town far away that he was fond of on the very first map he took from the pile. He had no problem at all folding this one up – he was a natural at it.

Rachel and Elaine and Peggy

Working in small groups and pairs they are taking on this project as a way to supplement their income which is exactly what I hoped this project would do. I am very excited about this new wren expansion becuase not only do I think the product will be fantastic (I have a huge variety of maps and I have designed a special ribbon and swing tag for them which I hope will arrive soon), but becuase it has the potential to make a difference in people’s lives.

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New Year Changes

Snow on tree

It’s the new year and I am back from my wonderful holiday in the cold and have landed on a treadmill. I haven’t had much time to relax since getting home and accidentally prematurely opened my shop. I also must mention that I got engaged over the holidays (which is very exciting) but this has meant a lot of phone calls and congratulations. Slowly this is starting to cool down and I am able to focus on Wren and share some of the big NEW YEAR changes.

—-

Linen Bags

>>PRICE CHANGE<<

I have relooked at some of my prices. This is generally good news especially in the Antique Linen & Leather Bag example. I found a new supplier of Antique Linen Grain sacks that is a lot cheaper and as you can imagine this is making the overall price of the product a lot less and I would like to pass on this saving. I hope that this means that more people can enjoy this wonderful material now that is is more affordable. However, for the people who already bought, please do not feel left out and done over because I will be contacting you with a voucher for the difference because I feel that is only fair.

—-

SALE Bags

>>DISCONTINUED DISCOUNT<<

Sadly I must announce that the Small Town Bags, Big Town Bags and Ashleigh Bags are on their last run. I have been working with the English Linen & Cotton fabrics for almost two years now and I feel it is time to move on and forward. I adore the bags as do many of you but I feel that is is a good move and leaves space for new and exciting creations. In celebration of this, all the remaining Small, Big and Ashleigh Bags will be marked down. Click here to see the last of these bag styles.

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On Holiday

Pye Lazing About

I’m taking a break, closing my etsy shop and heading for the snow for a short while. I doubt I will be doing much resting like Pye above but it will definitely be fun. I plan to soak up as much inspiration as I can and come back energized for 2010. Thank you to everybody who bought a Wren bag, added a comment to a blog post or even just hearted my shop – it is thanks to you that Wren is what it is and that it will be here again, with lots of new and exciting creations, next year. Can’t wait….

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

P.S. I will be back on the 8th of Jan.

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Bags for Christmas

Linen 7h

It’s that time of the year again and as always before you have time to blink, yikes, it’s Christmas.

Travel 8b

Christmas is less than 5 working days away which means that if you want anything to arrive in time, it needs to be shipping via EMS (Expedited Mail Services. Delivery to your door in 4 working days). *All the Coffee Travel Bags (and products purchased with a Coffee Travel Bag) are upgraded from normal airmail to EMS for FREE until the 22nd which is when I will be closing my shop for the holidays.

 Silk Birds Ashleigh Bag

See and buy my bags from my etsy shop.


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Cafes Do Brasil Coffee Travel Bag

It has taken me over a year to make the Coffee Travel Bag and finally, after many hurdles, it is finally complete. Getting the right peices to make this bag was complicated: the brass fittings had to be imported becuase I wanted a wide shoulder strap, the fusing had to be sourced and then ordered (becuase the burlap must be strong enough to make the bag useful) – this was complicated becuase after I had done the testing, the factory closed and disappeared. Then the webbing had to be just the right weight so that it could be sewn and held. All in all, to cut a very long tale short, this bag has been a real struggle but I think, worth it.

Clean Coffee Travel Bag

One of the benefits to this bag taking so long was all the advice and requests shared: please can there be a waterproof pocket, please can it be the perfect hand luggage size, please can the zip open both ways, please can there be a cardboard base, please can there be more than one pocket inside… all this feedback was applied.

Vespa Mercanta Coffee Travel Bag

For me this bag is a huge breakthrough in Wren design. It is unconventional yet practical, unique and stylish.

Mercanta Coffee Hunters Travel Bag

Because Christmas and the end of year holidays are just around the corner, I am offering a FREE SHIPPING upgrade to express courier for any Coffee Travel bag bought before the 22nd (when I go for on a short holiday). This postage option delivers to your door in 4 days! Normally, express courier costs about $20 extra.

Ethiopia Coffee Travel Bag

To see and buy the bags in my etsy shop click here.

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Photo shoot

My neighbours must think I am mad. If I had a neighbour like me, I would. This is a photograph of me taking photographs (using the remote with the camera on a tripod) of my bags in the car port with the washing on one side, the canoes stacked behind me, a varnished ladder and a dining room chair. The wind was too vicious to take photographs outside (I kept having to chase after the bags). What a funny sight!

I have just added these new bags to my etsy shop. Go and check them out.

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The Purple Cow

Memory, our family char, is currently in Zimbabwe collecting lobola. She is getting a cow for her daughter. Gift, her husband, is thrilled but Memory is far from impressed with only one cow. When the Merry Go Round topic came up this is the story that popped into my head – so what’s my cow I wondered and what’s Wren’s purple cow?

Purple Collage

I think that to my mom, getting me out of the house was her version of getting a cow. But thats not what the Merry-Go-Round Purple Cow is about. It is asking what is special about Wren that makes it a purple cow (i.e. unusual and remarkable). Being deep, I think I am the blue cow and Wren is the red cow and if you look from far we merge into a purple cow. Wren is a part of me – you cannot separate us and I think that is what makes it so unique. I put my heart into every product, there is not a single Wren product that has not had my personal attention. Every fabric is selected, every coffee sack is carefully pulled out from the pile and the combinations are always highly individual. This is not time efficient at all even though I am a fast worker. My weakness, but perhaps my ‘purple cow’ quality, is that I get very absorbed (even lost sometimes) in what I am doing. I start with a few ideas that I must try, these grow into another few and before I realise, I have tried a hundred ideas all in pursuit of the perfect solution. In conclusion I think you could say that I am the blue dye that when mixed with the red dye of the Wren bird makes a purple cow. What fun!

Read about the other Merry-Go-Round Purple Cows:
Jenny at Jenny Karlsson design, Sara at Sara’s Texture Crafts, Charlotte at Fancy Picnic, Marian, Florcita’s Art, Agathe at Le Bar du Vent, Fabienne at Easterya, Ruth at Birdland Creation and Lily at Lily Pang Art.
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Antique Linen and Leather Bags in a row

The newly arrived antique grain sacks have been made up into Antique Linen & Leather Bags and I cannot pretend that I do not have a favourite. I tried something different and used the suede side of the nappa leather for one. I did not know if it would work but I had fallen in love with the almost fluorescent orange that was on the reverse side of the red leather and put together with the orange/red woven stripe and creamy oatmeal linen…it was too perfect a match to ignore. Now, made up, it is even more beautiful than I expected. See it in the middle? I also tried a metallic blue finish leather (look at the bag on the far right), a red-brown leather for the wide red stripe (second from the far right) and a new stripe: a red and blue combination.

*These bags will be listed in my etsy shop next week. All but one of these bags has already been sold. If you have your eye on one, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can reserve it for you.

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