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Article: From leather wristband to own bag workshop

Van leren polsband naar eigen tassenatelier
Ambachtelijkheid

From leather wristband to own bag workshop

Love for craft

Sometimes it's love at first sight. That's how it felt when I bought my first handmade leather wristband and belt in Ibiza. The belt was made of various types of leather and beautifully finished.

Handmade leather wristband and belt from Ibiza

The price? 300 guilders for the belt; 30 for the wristband. I thought that was a lot of money at the time, but they were so beautifully made and finished that I couldn't resist. I wore that wristband for years, until I lost it. Years later, I found the maker via Facebook and was able to reorder it. It might seem simple now, but about 20 years ago, it was quite a quest!

The start of my bag journey

Bags have always held a special place in my heart. For me, a bag must perfectly complement my outfit , as an extension of what I'm wearing. So yes, I have a decent collection. I love classic simplicity : no unnecessary details, but beautiful materials, timeless design, and a high-quality finish.

Thanks to my Spanish grandmother, Andrea, who was a seamstress for luxury clothing brands, I already had some experience with beautiful materials and designs. My first attempt at making a bag myself began during a workshop in Amsterdam , where I first learned to work with leather.

As soon as the workshop began, the smell of leather and craftsmanship greeted me. Large work tables, machines, tools: I didn't know where to begin. The first challenge was choosing the leather. Brown, black, or something else? Overwhelmed by all the impressions, I opted for a safe option: chocolate brown—always a good choice!

Then came the cutting of the pattern . It seemed simple, but with a knife in hand and a large roll of leather in front of you, it suddenly became exciting. Where do you begin? How do you cut without making mistakes? But once I got started, I felt a deep love for the craft. My grandmother's lessons came flooding back, and piece by piece, the bag took shape.

After three hours, I held my first handmade leather handbag in my hands. From that moment on, I began to see bags in a completely different light. So many steps, so many details, and above all: so much passion and time!

First handmade leather clutch by Nina

After this workshop, I was hooked, and now I work daily in our own leather workshop on the Vinkeveense Plassen lakes. Here, too, the scent of leather, wicker, and craftsmanship greets you as you step inside. It's a wonderful place where I work every day on my passion: handcrafted leather bags and small leather goods . Wonderful!

Italian perfection

Not so long ago, I attended several workshops in Italy , where I worked under the strict supervision of an old master. To master the classic "old" techniques of leatherworking. A true celebration of craftsmanship!

Every step in the process was meticulously assessed. If it wasn't quite to my mentor's liking, I kept going until it was. With tons of tips, tricks, and old techniques .

Was it good? Then I heard his proud compliment: " Bravissima! " But I had to earn it! It made me realize once again the value of perfection in craftsmanship.

Nina at work in Atelier in Florence with gluing and finishing

The magic of a handmade bag

Since my first workshop, I've seen bags in a completely different light. I'm always curious about how they're made, what techniques are used, and how all the details come together. My passion for bags has only grown since then. A skillfully crafted bag is not only a feast for the eyes but also a joy to use.

From my first leather wristband to designing custom bags in our own studio, my love for craftsmanship and timeless designs continues to grow. With every handmade bag, I share that craftsmanship and passion with you.

Do you also want a bag that fits you perfectly?

Then choose a custom-made bag from our workshop, handmade from sustainable leather and finished to a high standard. You choose the leather, the style, and the details. Each bag is made with love and craftsmanship, entirely to your specifications: timeless, durable, and unique.

Would you rather learn to make a bag yourself?

Then join one of our workshops ! Experience the charm of working with leather in a real studio and go home with your own handmade bag.

1 comment

Wat leuk dat je nu blogs schrijft ga door met je reis Nina je bent super leuk op pad 👍👋🏻

Mike

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