Indie Designer Spotlight - Stitch & Swash

Leather so soft, it looks like it would melt with the slightest touch of your fingers.



This is what Seattle-based designer Angie Bowlds uses to create the beautiful, one-of-a-kind bags, coin purses and card holders for her line, Stitch & Swash. Angie sources this leather from dated, damaged and unwanted jackets that she finds in thrift stores.



She was taught how to sew at an early age by her mother and started specializing in bag-making a few years ago. A graphic designer by trade, Angie sees making her bags as the perfect way to combine the two things she loves - screenprinting and sewing.



Angie decided to make leather her material of choice because of it's strength, durability and ductility. She manipulates the creamy leather to create soft pleats, and the rich, neutral-toned leather makes an excellent background for Angie's brightly coloured, modern, screenprinted designs.



Angie runs Stitch & Swash from her basement studio in Seattle and has set up an Etsy store where she aims to offer products in a variety of colors and styles. Since Stitch &Swash does not offer wholesale items, she is able to keep the prices low so that her products are affordable for everyone. Currently, price of items range from US$6 to US$55.



Angie also has another store called The Crafty Devils which was started by her and friend Nicole, and it offers bags made out of new leather which she sells wholesale to a few shops. However, she finds it more rewarding to collect and recycle the soft, vintage jackets rather than use new leather because it gives them "new life as a bag that someone will love to have."

In the future, she plans to transition completely out of using new leather and also expand the Stitch & Swash line to include more tote and purse styles, men's wallets as well as new screenprint designs.




Click here to go to the Stitch & Swash Etsy store to see what other great items they have for sale!

Pile on the chains

A few nights ago while watching the CW show Privileged (a must-watch for those who love cute, feel good shows), I noticed plenty of sparkly jewelry beautifully draped around the necks of two main characters, Sage and Laurel.

It was interesting to see how these ladies, despite being two generations apart, managed to wear the same trend but in ways that were more suited to their individual styles.

Sage, the young socialite, accessorized her trendy outfit with a stylish silver multi-chain necklace while her grandmother, Laurel wore gold chain necklaces to achieve a look that's more classic and elegant.

photos courtesy privilegedfan.com

For me, the ultimate inspiration for multi chain necklaces has to be the Givenchy F/W 08 collection (below). Layers upon layers of gold chains with dangling crosses, coins and other charms were worn over dark, tailored pieces. The result was nothing short of fierce.

photo courtesy designscene.net

It would take me quite a while to accumulate the masses of assorted chains and pendants necessary to recreate that kind of awesomeness, but these options below would make great (and more wearable) substitutes.

Silver and Hematite 7-Chain Necklace
Price: US$14.00

Layered Pearl Necklace
Price:US$7.99

Knot Chain Necklace
Price: US$28.00

Fierce Necklace
Price: US$26.50

Gold Multi Strand Necklace with Pearls
Price: US$10.90

Cream Bow and Pearl Multi Chain Long Necklace
Price: UK £20 (US$31.24)

Black Crystal Multi Chain Necklace
Price: US$36.00

Multistrand Necklace
Price: US$6.80

ASOS Mid Length Beaded and Multi Chain Necklace with Filigree and Drop Pendant

UK £16.00 (US$25.60)

Speaking of chains, I finally found a quilted purse with chain strap, which has been on my wish list for quite some time now. I bought this vintage one from a garage sale on Saturday and it only cost me $7.50.

(the colour is actually closer to the shade below)

It's not authentic Chanel of course, but that doesn't matter to me - I just love the colour and style of this bag. Some day I hope to own a real one though...

I also found a few other great bags that I plan to sell in the store. I'm so excited!

Sale Alert - Dorothy Perkins

Dorothy Perkins, the British women's clothing retailer, is currently having a Summer Sale with up to 50% off selected items. Prices have been lowered on a limited number of dresses, skirts, shirts, bags, shoes and more. Maternity, Tall and Petite clothing are also available at reduced prices.

Below are a few of the items currently on sale.

Purple Crochet Voile Skirt

Price: UK £12.00 (US$23.52)
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=126484&parent_category_rn=51643&productId=695987&langId=-1

Chocolate Stud Leather Belt
Price: UK £15.00 (US$29.40)
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=68439&parent_category_rn=51643&productId=705983&langId=-1

Cream Ditsy Ruffle Dress
Price: UK £20.00 (US$39.21)
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=113747&parent_category_rn=51643&productId=697818&langId=-1

Stone Linen Trousers
Price: UK £15.00 (US$29.40)
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=20&viewAllFlag=false&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=68428&parent_category_rn=51643&productId=597282&langId=-1

Mint Bow Purse
Price: UK £2.00 (US$3.92)
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=68439&parent_category_rn=51643&productId=641233&langId=-1

White Star Sequin T-Shirt
Price: UK £7.00 (US$13.72)
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=68417&parent_category_rn=51643&productId=685462&langId=-1

Grey/Yellow T-Bar Sandal
Price: UK £15.00 (US$29.40)
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=68434&parent_category_rn=51643&productId=651883&langId=-1

Click here to visit the main Summer Sale page.

What I got - Saturday Shopping

Today I went on my regular Saturday thrift hunt and while the sales weren't as abundant as the last time I went, I still got some good stuff. This was a case of quality over quantity I guess. I'm on vacation now (whispers a silent thank you prayer) so I have a lot more time and energy to devote to retail therapy.

At the first sale I got a skirt and also a leather bag that the owner told me she bought for over $100 but never used it. Pity, but it's mine now haha!

At the second sale, I got a hat and a little purse from what I thought was a sweet old lady until she tried to sell me a mini April 2008 Marie Claire magazine for $5, non-negotiable. Fat chance! Yeah, I'm that ...ahem...frugal. At most garage sales I go to, used and much larger magazines sell for around 50 cents.

I took my hat and purse and left a happy woman with my $5, which I used later to buy a ring from a store.

Ah well, I still ended up spending it.


N.B BDS $1 = US $0.50

Pleated black and white skirt - BDS$3

Red and silver cocktail ring - BDS$5

Green netted hat - BDS$5

Navy houndstooth purse - BDS$5

Hieroglyphics Leather Purse - BDS$10