Hey Everybody, we’ve whipped up some bags for this great new shopping site: Good Egg Industries!!

While it may sound like a vegan egg replacer product by the name, the site is chock full of great handmade products, all of which are made in Canada. The Good Egg mandate is to promote Canadian design talent, and the ladies have put together a super good mix showcasing products from coast to coast.  I’m really honoured to have had our bags chosen, and I hope you like what we’ve made. Plus there’s a really funny picture of me, another good reason to check it out……  goodeggshop.com
Enjoy!! Janna

We’ve been doing our best to keep things cool at the studio: Summer is in full swing finally!!

I’ll admit it– hot sunny days make it hard to get things done, but we’ve still managed to get boxes out the door to a retailer near you:

Paper-Ya here in Vancouver, Whirled Arts in Victoria BC, Propaganda in Toronto and Meese in St Albert, Alberta, all with fresh, summery goodness.

The sad thing about summer is that eventually it turns into fall….. so stay tuned for news about our annual Fall Open Studio Sale….. I haven’t quite picked the dates yet, but it will be early September-ish. We should have new products in our expanding online shop by then too…… It’s still a bit away, so if you haven’t already done so, sign up for my newsletter in the contact part of my website and I’ll keep you in the loop.

Enjoy your summer!! xo Janna

It’s been pretty busy at the studio recently, so I feel like I could do for some extra limbs these days, like this purple guy I snapped a picture of on a recent trip to Portland, Oregon.

We’ve been working on samples for Fall this year and Spring next year (let’s just say, you’ll want extra arms too, to be able to model all the new styles!) But if you can’t wait, that’s okay too, we’ve also shipped lots of stuff to our retailers, including a couple new ones that we are really excited to be working with. We’ve been working on super fun clothes for Fall that I really can’t wait to wear, as well as lots of new stuff for an expanded online shopping site, which will launch in early Fall as well…… there’s lots going on, so keep checking back for the latest and greatest here at Astrosatchel. xo Janna

***We’re happy to introduce our line to these new shops:

Blue Banana Market at 250 Augusta Avenue in Toronto Ontario

The Butterfly Tattoo at 36 North 9th Street in Columbia MO

***Check out the recently restocked inventory at these shops:

Vancouver Art Gallery Store here in Vancouver BC

The Lounge Collection in Tofino BC

Homework in Prince George BC

Unfurl in Manzanita OR

Re-Soul in Seattle WA

Fast and Furless Vegan Boutique in Minneapolis MN

If you’re visiting Vancouver, or if you’re a local, there’s lots more Astrosatchels to be had in town….. We’ve recently sent some lovely vinyl goodies to Paper Ya on Granville Island, Pleasant Girl, Motherland and the Lip Lounge on Main Street and Occupied on Abbott Street in Gastown. We’ve also restocked Room 6 in Deep Cove and Red Tulip Gifts in Lynn Valley, so get on your bike or your bio-diesel camper, and check out the selection of fresh work while there’s lots to choose from, you’ll be glad you did!!

It seems to me that a lot of customers lately are really excited when they find out our bags are Vegan friendly. That makes me really excited too, because I think there’s a real movement happening, which is a really good thing. I’ve noticed a number of other companies advertise their bags as being Vegan, but that’s all they say on the matter…… So I really feel it’s important to let you know that I walk the walk, talk the talk and eat the tofu. It’s not just advertising to me, it’s the way I live. I realize it’s not for everybody, but I think it’s important for people to know that I put my marketing where my mouth is, and I encourage other companies to do the same.

I’m really happy that our line is 98% Vegan, and that our products are bright and fun, durable and handmade. The other 2% of our line that’s not Vegan is made with recycled wool and cashmere, which we rescue from the thrift pile and give new life as scarves, hats and sweaters. I’ll be adding some Vegan versions made with recycled cotton this fall that everybody can enjoy, regardless of what they choose to put on their plate.  Here’s to health and happiness, and a cute looking purse!! xo Janna

It’s spring time here in Vancouver, which means that it’s raining and snowing pink cherry blossom petals. I love the scent that cherry blossoms create, and the pink blooms brighten up my daily walk through Strathcona to the studio. Cherry blossoms signal the delivery of our Spring Clothing Items, which we’ve sent to Twigg+Hottie and Pleasant Girl in Vancouver. I’m really happy with these items, have a look and let me know what you think:

Wrap Dress, made with recycled sheets so each one is either unique or one of only a couple made, so the chance of running into someone in the same dress at the next barbeque is pretty much zero….. I like those odds!!

Wrap Top, also made with recycled sheets. Both the top and dress have little pockets to hold your bus ticket or candy, and the prints can’t be beat.

Picnic Top, made with new fabric. This top has an adjustable bustline thanks to the shoulder tie, and a pocket for your phone or keys. I test drove this top in Hawaii earlier this year, and I’m really excited to wear it again.

Tie Shoulder Top, a combo of new fabric and super cute sheets that it seems everybody has at the cottage….. this top is super easy to wear, and looks cute too!

Mushroom Top…… I don’t like the flavor of mushrooms, but I don’t mind them as a big print!! Super striking in black and white, this one’s nice with skirts or jeans, and you could sneak it into work under a blazer or cardigan.

Enjoy the new clothes, and the cherry blossoms!! Janna

We’re back from Toronto!! The Clothing Show was fun, and we met lots of great people at the show, despite Vancouver-like weather (RAIN!!) Friday and Saturday. Thanks to all who came out and showed their support, I’m sure we’ll be back soon!!

When we come back, you’ll find us saddled up to a table at Sadie’s Diner, perhaps the best breakfast place ever, and decor to steal my heart. Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, but when you don’t eat eggs, it can be hard to find something to really fuel the tank….. After 3 days of grease, muffins and crappy coffee, we gave Sadie’s a go, and returned faithfully every morning until we left TO…… if only they could mail order their tofu scramble and organic coffee!! Check them out at the corner of Portland and Adelaide, I miss Sadie’s already!!

I’m a bit sad at the moment….. our studio looks like it has been ravaged by locusts, and we are down to the bare walls. Bins and shelves are empty, and all our fun stuff is packed away, which is good news for those of you in Ontario— We’re coming to Toronto!!

Just a weekend affair mind you, but it promises to be fun fun fun!! I spent hours carefully packing up as much of our wares as possible, no easy task or light load and there’s still production to be done so we can bring you our absolute best. You name it, we’ll have it:

Medium totes and 12 Inch totes for everyday hauls
Friday purses, Downtown totes and Sash totes for a more fashion forward look
D-ring wallets, Lipstick cases and clutches to keep small stuff in check
Flat wallets and Snap wallets for cash and plastic alike

Remember, we’re in booth 501 in the Boutique section (the show is huge, but we’re right at the front!!) and we’ve tried our best to bring the Astrosatchel studio experience to you….. So come and visit us if you’re in Toronto, or up for a drive…… you won’t be disappointed!! And we can’t wait to meet you all, so see you soon!! xo Janna

There were some sweet deals and sweet times this weekend, thanks to everybody who came by and visited the studio, ate a cupcake and had a look at our fun new stuff for spring.

In case you missed out, we recently sent new stuff to Riot on Commercial Drive and the Vancouver Art Gallery store here in Vancouver, and Herbivore down in Portland. We’re off to Toronto in 2 weeks…. I can feel the palpitations already, but I think it might be from all the sugar…… xo Janna

Rain is falling, that’s nothing new here on the coast, but we have some exciting news to have you grabbing your wellies and heading out the door……

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Come and visit us at the studio, April 11+12— it’s our first open house for 2008, and it promises to be a good one! As always, we’ll have walls of bags to choose from, wallets by the basket load, cute cute clothes for Spring and Summer, and stuff not available yet in the shops. We’ve been doing some spring cleaning, so there’s a bunch of sale stuff too….. head over early for the best selection:

Friday April 11: 12pm-10pm

Saturday April 12: 10am-5pm

Also opening their doors are our friends Red Flag Design, so it’s bags bags bags, and something for everybody, including the fellas!! So come on down to 339 Railway Street, you’ll be glad you did.
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Hey Toronto, we’re coming to you, May 2-4!!

We are (literally) packing our bags and coming to Toronto, so get ready, this is going to be big!! We’ve never taken the show on the road so to speak, but when our friends at the Clothing Show said come visit, we couldn’t resist. We don’t travel light either, so you’ll enjoy lots of selection at the show: Medium and 12 inch totes, D-ring wallets and Lipstick cases, Clutch and Foldover wallets, Friday bags, Downtown totes and Sash totes….. I think we’re gonna need an extra large suitcase!!
So mark those calendars, it’s a big event not to be missed:

The Clothing Show at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Friday May 2: 3pm-9pm

Saturday May 3: 11am-9pm

Sunday May 4: 11am-7pm

We’re Booth #501, in the Boutique Section, and we’ll be accepting cash, or credit card, and there’s ATM’s onsite for your shopping convenience.
For more information, advance tickets and directions to the show, check out the event website:

theclothingshow.com

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We have recently shipped a bunch of orders, so if you’re not in Vancouver or Toronto, you can still get your hands on some of our fresh goods at these fab shops:

Glam to Go in Chicago, Illinois

Lunar Boy Gallery in Astoria, Oregon

Cameron Rose Gifts in Sidney, BC

Naka in Ferndale, Michigan (mid-April)

So even if it’s pouring rain, there’s still a bit of sun on the horizon, and an excuse to wear really cute boots!! xo Janna