Ethnotek Bags: Celebrating and promoting world culture one bag at a time.

It's been far too long since I've posted again...sorry!  I'm being sucked into the Thanksgiving-Christmas-Kids'-Birthdays vortex that is fall & winter around here!  But, today's post is just in time if you are still looking for a fabulous Christmas gift for, well, anybody who is cool or wants to look cool...

It's about time I finally do a post on Ethnotek Bags, a company started by a fabulous fellow designer friend who served in our local chapter of IDSA (Industrial Designers' Society of America) with me years ago!  Ethnotek makes high-quality backpacks and messenger bags that incorporate hand-made ethnic textiles purchased directly from the artisans from around the globe. 

The main front panel of each bag (below) is removeable so that you can change and customize your bag on a whim.  Ethnotek calls these unique textile pieces "threads," and for just $29 you can support another artisan and swap out your thread, transforming your backpack or messenger bag into a whole new look. 

Check out the Ethnotek website , find them on Facebook, and be sure to check out their adventures on their blog!  It's really cool to watch their videos and see photos of their adventures as they scour the globe in search of awesome textiles! (And by the way, Jake, sorry it took me SO long to finally post your suh-weeeeet products!!)

Karen Heddens Designs: Beautiful Hand-Felted Work Made From Reclaimed Wool Sweaters

I am in the process of sharing what I saw at this year's Junk Bonanza in Shakopee, and for my first vendor highlight I would like to share the work of Karen Heddens Designs. 

This was the only item I brought home from the Junk Bonanza, although I would have bought the whole dang event if I had the cash and storage space! ;-) I have always been drawn to hand felted items and this bracelet really caught my eye.

Karen takes unwanted, old wool sweaters and hand felts them, and then uses the felt to create a variety of beautiful items, including slippers, handbags, and jewelry like this.  These felted beads are securely attached with wire between two buttons with a bead on top, then attached to a bracelet chain.  I just love the color combination in this particular bracelet, and also like that the chain seems nice and sturdy and the clasp really clips nice and tight.

I can't wait to wear it out on the town!  Okay, with two little kids, it'll probably be a while until I have another night out on the town.  But when I do, I'm wearing this! ;-)

Organic Baby T's by Zebi

I love these super cute organic baby tee's by Zebi!  (via Inhabitots)  This of course makes me think about how I could make some myself too...you could totally recycle some funky old patterned clothing, curtains, tablecloths, whatever, by cutting out animal shapes and sewing them on a t-shirt...another fun way to make something old into something new!

Bears made from recycled clothing

I just love these cute bears from Bubs Bears, made from recycled baby clothes...not just any baby clothes, but YOUR baby's clothes.  Send them your old baby clothes and they'll turn them into a beautiful keepsake. 

You can also have them made from other fabrics of sentimental value...your old wedding dress, your grandpa's flannel shirts...whatever you just can't bear to throw away (no pun intended) or don't feel up to sewing into something else yourself.

I thought this was a pretty neat idea and a unique variation of the memory quilts we've all heard of! (via Baby Gadget)

Gatherer Jacket

I haven't posted in a couple days as I've been having too much fun working on my guest blogger project for Eclectic Products' blog! I'll be sure to post a link when I finish and they post it. I've also been working on some new Junk Mail Gems products, and getting a little more cloth diapering experience, including some poopy diapers. So far so good still...I'll post more comments once I place my next order for things to try and I've given them a whirl!



In the meantime, check out this cool Gatherer Jacket by Merrell (via Inhabitat). Need a little more insulation? Simply un-zip the jacket and stuff with whatever you have on hand. Might I suggest shredded junk mail? ;-)

Belt chair

Check out the awesome chair made out of woven fabric belts. This looks like it would be really fun repurpose-ing project...all thrift stores have that aisle of out-of-date belts and old chairs! Yet another project to add to my list. Visit the artist's site here! Found via Design Milk.