A bevy of Bags

Since finishing the Art Expo show, I've had a little time to concentrate on the bag/jewellery side of things while waiting for the next round of painting 'mojo'.

Here is a selection of bags - Vintage Japanese kimono, Vintage teatowels, Chinese brocade and Indian sari fabrics.  Just in time for the Sydney summer.

New tote bags

Some of the new bags I have made for my online stores at etsy  and Andable.  

Vintage kimono fabrics, tapestry, a piece of amazing bird printed fabric found by my friend Maria, and recycled tablesloths, dressmaking offcuts and batiks.

There will be more in the next few days so be sure to check back.

Gabby Malpas at Andable

I'm pleased to share that Andable has now launched.

I first met Rupal Ismin when she came by my market stall at Kirribilli in 2011.  She and her team have put together an online marketplace that sells lovely products with a social conscience.

But aside from that, they have a really cool community and family vibe about them all which makes me so happy to be involved.

Yay! Andable!

Japanese vintage kimono fabric tote bags

I love the artistry that goes into Japanese kimono fabrics.  The colours and designs, although traditional and quite old, are so fresh, clean and modern in design they are absolutely timeless.

Here is a selection available at etsy, and coming soon to Andable, an ethical, online store for independant merchants from all over the world - due to open later this month.

Have a good week.

Bags on the Mango Frooty website

It has been a long time coming and I do apologise:  Tote bags are now available to purchase from my website. 

I have been working on a new batch with beautiful new fabrics - some hand painted.  Pictures and details to come soon....

The kindness of strangers

While at the PYD design markets, a woman bought one of my bags made from recycled barkcloth curtains. She took a card and said she would get in touch as she had been collecting barkcloth fabric over the years and would I like some....

Fast forward to yesterday.  I picked up a parcel from the post office.  Imagine my surprise and delight to unwrap these beautiful fabrics.

Over the years I have been the lucky recipient of kindness from complete strangers but yesterday's gift was just outstanding.

Thank you Janette Morris from Hornsby, Sydney.

More bags for the markets

As you may know, I unleashed my Mango frooty bags on the unsuspecting public of Kirribilli earlier this year.  I'm still refining my product and also sounding out which market is a good fit.

To this end, I will be coming soon to Bondi Markets and will be at the PYD Designer markets from 26-27 November. Above is a selection of my latest efforts.

I can't WAIT!

See you there!

Mango Frooty bags - tried and tested

Since my quest to make the perfect Mango Frooty bag, I road test them.  I took one of my 'choiceland bro' bags on our holiday to Cambodia earlier this month.  I had it with me daily.

It did beautifully - not too heavy and just the right size to carry around water, spare shoes, things for the day and with room to put unexpected purchases into.  It was also exotic enough to be seen in some nice places.

As you can imagine, it was very hot and sticky.  I got it home and it looked in need of a good wash so I put it in a bucket with a bit of napisan (decided not to risk the spin cycle in the washing machine with the tiki!), and it came up looking as good as new - in fact, I think the colours on the teatowel are now brighter than before.

So I can definitely vouch for these bags being: wash and go!

Kirribilli Markets: Saturday 23 July

So my first market stall selling bags was on today.

And right on cue the heavens opened and rained and rained and rained.

Please come back and visit on 14 August.  I will be there rain, hail or sunshine...

bags with pom poms and tikis

I'm getting into the groove with these bags: pom poms and plastic tikis for that slightly kooky and out there touch....

Aussie destination bags

So here we have thre 'Aussie destinations' bags.  Made from souvenir teatowels, recycled fabric and recycled banner vinyl (that's what makes the bags sturdy and able to sit upright), with silver metal gromits and shoulder straps so they can double as a tote or a messenger bag.

I wish I'd seen these up in Cairns....

bags of attitude

Here are some of my new bags.  They have PVC inners (made of recycled printed banners).

I want to push personality, attitude and some humour in these bags - look out for the kiwiana 'choiceland' bags and some  'onya' aussie versions.

I am using worn shells I have picked up in NewZealand and Australia.

coming soon to etsy...

beach bags

Beach bags... now with added stiffener, in a variety of tropical sarong and batik colours.

bags bags bags

I've been mulling over fabric bags ever since I got back from Bangkok with a suitcase full of cotton sarongs in printed tropical Thai colours and Indornesian batiks.  I also bought some fabric stiffener and not knowing how to use it, it's taken a couple of months to make these up.

The pink ikat fabric is actually from Uzbekistan - via ebay.  It has batik fabric handles with plastic tubing inside to make it more comfortable to hold.  Other handles are of thick cotton cord for a total beach look.  All bags have a patch pocket inside to hold your keys and wallet - the large ones are perfect for the beach.  the smaller ones surpirsed me with just how roomy they are - big and strong enough to carry a bottle of wine and a large sized plastic lunch container.

Oh, and did I tell you?  They go in the washing machine.