What's new?

Oh, where do I begin?!
I've been making and making and have had no time to share. But, yesterday was photo shoot day at MAKE.GOOD studio and that means new bags in the shop! Yippeee!
What do you think? See one you like?

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I was so inspired by this cute girl's outfit, I decided to try to wear my own version!
How did I do?

(Via Cup of Jo)

My watercolor drawing.

If I were a French Girl...

Getting dressing in the morning is a daily ritual for us all. It's that moment in the day you decided how the world will see you for the next 24 hours. On most mornings it's a relatively easy task. I pick out a good pair of jeans and the rest just comes together. But on other days I stare at my closet for what seems like an eternity wondering why it feels like i have nothing to wear when there is a closet full of clothes right in front of me.
On those days I have a little trick I use to get me going. I ask myself, "If I were a French Girl, what would I wear?".  Voila! I've just reframed the problem, and given it context. It's like the "blank canvas" in art. Once you make the first stroke, the rest comes much more easily.
So, what would a French Girl wear, anyway... It's subjective, I imagine, but if you need a starting point, her's my list! What's on your list of go to items when your in a dressing pinch... I'd love to know! Leave a comment below!

1. Jeans, jeans, jeans
2. flats in the summer, booties in the winter
3. Iron it!
4. Always add a scarf
5. Sometimes add a broach
6. When in doubt, STRIPES!
7......and above all an AMAZING COAT!

Done! Happy dressing.

1. Flared jeans are always very chic (via The Sartorialist)

2. flats! (via Zappos)

3. I want this iron (via Panasonic)

4. This is good scarf. (via A Ride A Day)

5. I have one of these. I'm wearing it in the image at the start of the post... and I love everything EmmersonMade.  (via EmersonMade)

6. There is nothing easier than a striped top! Maybe a little cliche, but it works! (via Petit Bateau)

7. Love this coat from French Connection!

An addition is born.

As the title of this post suggests, we designers often think of projects as our "little children". From the moment we meet with a client until the day a line on paper become a wall in space, we love them and nurture them as we would a child. And like children, they require all our attention, keep us up at night, and in no way can fend for themselves. But, each step in the process is another step closer to becoming the freestanding project that lives in the world contributing to society independent of it's creators.

As the say goes, "It takes a village...". You know the rest. This saying also applies to a fledgeling design project. There are the parent architects, the cousin interns, the aunt structural engineer and the cranky great grandfather contractor that hates the entire family on principle.
In the coming months I (and my wonderful intern Lisa) am working on an addition to a house for a lovely couple with two children of their own. My little creation will help this family live a life with a bit more elbow room. Seemingly a simple problem, there are many things to consider. The first order of business on the proverbial design table is scale and form.

In the photos above a soldier row of models sits obediently waiting to be tested in context.

There is also never a shortage of drawings, lovingly crafted by hand to ensure the relationship between parent and child is as direct as it can be.
I love the design process and the idea that I can create something from almost nothing, take care to delicately help it evolve and grow, and then see it standing in the world on it's own foundation.

A girl, some bags, a camera, and her dog.

Good morning dear readers.  If you have been wondering where I have been, wonder no longer. I'm back!
It has been a hectic couple of weeks with Holiday Markets to attend, student work to grade and a giant pile of laundry to wash...oops, that one still needs work, but it's on the list for this afternoon. But, first things, first. Blogging!
I had planned to blog about all the markets from these past weeks and showing you yet another photo of my lovely, ever evolving booth. But I decided you may have had enough of that.
So instead, as the title suggests, I'm taking you behind the scenes to my latest photo shoot.
After all the selling was done this past weekend at SOWA Holiday Market I had a few lovely bags still hanging on the rack. A photo shoot was in order.
Now, understand, during daylight hours on most days it's just me and the dog working away in my little home studio. So when I decide it's a good day to shoot some photos of bags, I have an instant problem on my hands. Who will model? Well, the dog isn't much help in that category, nor is she particularly agile with a camera. No opposable thumbs, you know. So, it's all me. I'm the photographer, the stylist, the model, the editor, the lighting director, wardrobe coordinator, the caterer, and yes even the one in charge of lint brushing the bags so they don't appear all speckled in the photos.
You are starting to get the picture. (Pun intended).
You will find the refined fruit of my labor on my updated website and online shop. But, I thought I would share a few of the more humorous moments of the day. Enjoy!

 I'm not entirely sure what happened in the shot above, but I suspect the next two shots may explain something...

 This one was getting close...

And, finally, this sums up the day. Lot's of shots where the timer went off before I was able to reach the designated location. Ugh, models, they just don't move fast enough.

Color and Line

Yesterday, as I scrambled around trying to find some good quality drawing paper for a project I was midway thorough, I stumbled across long forgotten drawings and paintings. They were neatly tucked away precisely where I had stored them a while back. I pulled them out, one by one, and to my surprise, time and distance has somehow made them better.
I had painted them two summers ago at a class I took at Mass College of Art. It reviewed the technique of layering drawing and painting to achieve a hybrid image that was neither drawing nor painting, but something in between. I recalled the professor, Patrick, a sandy haired older gentleman that never sat down, walking energetically from easel to easel passionately talking about how the line and the paint work together to build the drawing. He would pick up one of my pencils and show me how it was done, but in a way that never made me feel inadequate or that I was doing it wrong. The nude model stood silently, lit by the sun as our eyes and minds learned the line of her figure and the tone of her skin.
It was an electrifying week! For five days, 8 hours a day we drew and we painted, and we listened to Patrick knowing that if we were distracted only for a moment we would miss it.
Yesterday, when I pulled out those drawings, it all came back to me. I remembered the way it felt to just draw all day and think of nothing else, to be immersed in line and color for so long that when I went to sleep that night I sill saw the image imprinted in my mind.
I also don't remember thinking my drawings has turned out great. But, yesterday as I scanned them with my eyes and my memory I felt differently. Regardless of their technical merit, they are so honest and free. I see them now and know they are exactly what they should be.

See all the color and line drawings here.

Is that me in the window?

A couple of days ago, strolling down Center Street, window shopping my favorite spots, I look up and see my Saddle Bag perched on a "man"-equin's hip, peeking out from under a very cool jacket! Of course, I know my bags are at Salmagundi, my favorite shop in JP, but seeing one there in the window was unexpected and so exciting!

If your wondering, 02130 is the zip code in JP! Fun and graphically cool too.

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As fun as it is making handbags, it's the moment you put them out into the world that really gets me excited! Yesterday my lovely and talented friend Kennan and I styled a photo shoot in Boston's Back Bay. We had bikes and gray sweaters, beautiful wrought iron and lots of old Boston brick to set the mood. It was the perfect spot to showcase the Hip Bag and the Saddle Bag. Both are so practical for when you are ridding in the city, but stylish when you lock up the bike and stop for an Americano. So when will these be out in the world, you ask? Stay tuned...MALA handbags will be featured at a great event in September! 
More details to come...

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Another saddle bag is ready! The gently worn leather bag I found just keeps providing great inspiration and material for this collection! Let me know what you think.

Come back to see how these bags look when you wear them! Photo shoot coming soon...

Eames.Love

I am in love with these Eames House Blocks!
They are simple and beautifully graphic without all the plastic typical of kids stuff. It seems to me that the imagination is pretty involved when playing with this toy and, bonus, it will look great sitting on a dresser or bookshelf!
Is there a little one (or big one) in your life that would love these?  I know I would love a set. It's never to early to start shopping for Christmas (hint, hint).

(Image House Industries)

Hip.ster

I have been hard at work developing a line of MALA handbags for a little shop in JP!! Can't reveal all the details yet, but here is a little peak... The design is based on the ARMY MARKET COLLECTION I recently released for Summer 2010.

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You may remember this project from a few months back.
I don't want to reveal too many details for the concept, but the images below are of the architectural proposal...with a few particulars left out.
I hope the images speak for themselves!

summer.totes.2

ARMY MARKET collection / summer 2010 is here!!!!
The past few days have been all about getting the new collection ready for release.
It's the first time I've put out a seasonal collection of handbags and no wonder, it's a ton of work. There was, of course, the initial design phase and then production and finally the website, marketing and online shop. I'm very proud of this line of bags and am so excited to share it with you.

The concept for this collection came from my fascination with unexpected combinations. I started with 100% Linen which, to me, is the quintessential summer feminine fabric, but I chose colors that are earthy and on the masculine side: Deep gray/green, red cross red and silver/gray. This color palate seemed beautiful and durable at the same time.
This is where the contradictions started to play into the design.
I then began working on the stencils, out came my love of numbers and letter. As I experimented I began to see a military/army vibe, so I ran with it.
ARMY MARKET is about exactly that, a bag inspired by military garb, but designed for the exact opposite...a trip to the market. MILITARY INSPIRED, FARMER'S MARKET BOUND.
Next step, the photo shoot!

I asked my friend Kennan for help (that's her above). She's a talented photographer/architect/artist...and sometimes model. I chose Allandale Farm as the site for our shoot. It's the last working farm in the Boston area, so what better place to drop a couple of girls wearing city clothes? 

Yep, that's a cow, chickens and Kennan and I in our city girl uniforms.