I specialize in combining vintage textiles, salvaged items, ugly neckties, old buttons, patches and zippers to create one-of-a-kind and custom messenger bags and purses. This page will feature coupons, special offers, articles about sewing with vintage supplies and links to a blog about sourcing materials and designing the finished product. Worldwide shipping is available through the Etsy shop at the lowest rate possible. Click on the “shop now” button to view current inventory. The materials I use come from combing through thrift stores, sifting through random merchandise at yard and estate sales and swapping items with other hoarders. I regularly rescue items like empty feed sacks from a one-way trip to the landfill and incorporate them into my designs as well. Taking advantage of the abundance of supplies that other people no longer want or need allows me to create products that have little to no environmental impact. I am continually amazed at the useful items that are considered garbage in the United States of America. Many consumers are turned off by the thought of wearing or using secondhand goods as well. I’m not one of those people. Let’s face it; old stuff is better quality and just plain cool. I’ve been honing my scavenging skills for years and now it’s finally paying off with my vast Etsy empire (not really). Ask anyone. I freak out about visiting the Volunteers of America thrift stores around central Michigan on half-off day and hauling home giant sacks of mystery fabric. Here’s a huge thanks to the folks in the sorting room for not chucking the tacky polyester into the Dumpster. I can often be found next to a pile of textiles or a box of new-old-stock sewing supplies at a yard sale asking, “How much for all of it?” My first instinct is to raid the closets at an estate sale. There’s no telling how many vintage towels and sheets I might be able to lay my hands on. Once I get it all home and sorted by color, fabrics get tossed into the washing machine and stashed in my sewing room until I pluck them from the shelf and make something fantastic from them. While my vintage fabric and tacky necktie stockpile is massive, quantities are limited. Sometimes, I score a few yards of a particular fabric, other times I only find a measly scrap. Hopefully, you are feeling a sense of urgency right about now. Act fast! Don’t let the bag you want get away! Before sewing a new piece, I plan out the color scheme I want to use. Sometimes, I use primary or secondary colors. Other times I go with analogous colors, but I try to not make anything too matchy matchy. Fabrics and feed sacks may be repeated, but no two messenger bags are ever the same. As I assemble each item, I take care to incorporate small details like decorative stitching, contrasting thread colors, vintage necktie labels, and different colored product tags. There’s always the option of a custom order if you don’t see exactly what you are looking for in my Etsy store. I get it. Plaid mixed with polka dots isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve read this far, your style is probably similar to mine: a bit unconventional. And that’s a good way to be. Thanks again for swinging by. Hit the like button and keep up with what’s going on in the world of repurposing discarded and pre-owned materials into unique merchandise. Feel free to shoot me a message if you have any questions or would like additional information.
- Amanda
