It’s definitely springtime here in Vancouver, which means it’s almost time for a new crop of Astrosatchel bags. I feel like I’ve been a bit slow coming out with them this season, but it was really hard to be creative when there were so many Olympic-sized distractions…. If it helps though, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s worth the wait. See you soon!! Janna
Vancouver is slowly recovering from hosting the hugest party ever…. and things are getting back to normal around the studio, or as normal as they ever are around here. I’ve been working on shiny and bright new things for spring, which is good because cherry blossoms and tulips are all over our beautiful city…. I’ll post some pictures shortly, I promise, but for now I’m heading out into the sunshine. See you soon!! Janna
Hey Everybody!! I’m back in Vancouver after a week’s rest in San Francisco, having seen and done it all: record shopping at Amoeba, cocktails at Bourbon and Branch and coffee at the North Beach outpost of Caffe Treistre. Plus hours of wandering aimlessly through the Mission and Fillmore neighbourhoods….. just what a girl needed!!
It’s good to be back in the studio though, I’m just going through the ton of email I got while I was away, so I’ll get back to you all soon, maybe after another cup of coffee!! XO Janna
I’m a big fan of going for it, no matter what the occasion. Right now, I’m going to San Francisco, no real itinerary, just the need to see and do new and exciting things for a bit. If you order anything online, I won’t be able to ship until I get back, at the beginning of February….. I’ll be just in time to see Vancouver go for it, when everyone will be in town for the Olympics….. More on that later, and see you soon!! xo Janna
Hey everybody, it’s now 2010!! I’m generally pretty optimistic about things but I really have to say I think 2010 is going to be a good year…. It’s always nice to wipe the slate clean and start afresh, so I’m super excited to see what the new year will bring for both myself and Astrosatchel. There’s lots of stuff on the horizon, but I think I’ll take it all in and enjoy the journey this year. Sometimes it’s not where you go, but how you get there.
I’m back in the studio now after a nice and well deserved break after the pre-holiday long hours and sales events. If you have any post-holiday exchanges, drop me a line and I’ll do my best to accommodate you….. See you soon, and Happy New Year!! XO Janna
It’s almost time for Shiny Fuzzy Muddy 10, then our “last chance” open studio, and that’s it for 2009…. I must admit I feel like a sixth grader at the beginning of June with Summer Holidays in sight, with some obvious exceptions: it’s the coldest week of the year and I’m not in sixth grade anymore….. but the sentiment is there!! I love what I do, I meet great people and it’s lots of fun, but I really don’t want to work for a bit, it’s been a long journey, with lots of bags to show for it!!
So bundle yourself up, grab a coffee to go and get yourself to Heritage Hall on Main Street this weekend, December 12+13th….. 24 super talented artists and makers, selling their own high calibre work. Hours are 11-9 Saturday, Sunday we’re 11-5. What could be better?? Check our lineup for this year: shinyfuzzymuddy.com
I’ll have lots of stuff in tow, perfect for gift giving, including extra cozy recycled cashmere hot water bottle covers, arm warmers and scarves, as well as all your favorites….. See you soon!! XO Janna
It’s a good news, bad news situation: the bad news being that Main Street has lost even more independent business to the huge fire that happened a couple weeks ago. A few years ago a huge fire wiped out most of the east side of the 2500 block Main Street, and now the same has happened on the west side of the street.
I worked on that block for years, and met many friends there for the first time. Everybody loved the neighbourhood on that particular strip of Main Street, and all supported one another. Hopefully Slickety Jim’s and the other businesses will find other locations elsewhere, but it will be really hard to top the magic that the area had. I’ve also lost my accountant, Tom, who’s business was also destroyed in the fire….. hopefully he’s up and running elsewhere soon too.
But the good news, if there is any, is that Militant Penguin has come through the fire with only smoke and water damage….. While the store is being reno’d, Lawrence has relocated to his previous Pleasant Girl location and set up a sale shop, so you can still get your Astrosatchel fix on the block, at 2541 Main Street.
Also on Main Street, I’ll be participating in Shiny Fuzzy Muddy 10 December 12+13 at Heritage Hall….. More reasons to catch the #3 Bus….. See you soon!! Janna
You don’t always have to be in a rush to get someplace, particularly this weekend!! The 13th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl kicks off Friday night at 5pm, and ends at 6pm Sunday, so there’s plenty of time to make it to the studio. I’ve been putting out new stock and tidying things up so it’s looking pretty good around here these days….. See you soon, whenever you get here is fine!! XO Janna