It seems like that time again, the weather today was a bit cooler here in Vancouver, and we’ve seen some rain again lately…… so I guess the rumors about fall might be true!!

We’ve been making lots of Fall stuff lately, and finally we’ve got some of our new items for sale online….. there’s lots more coming soon, but check out our new bags for now, including the ever-so-fall Toggle tote.

There’s new stuff to be had in the shops too, with fall orders arriving at Plenty and Brier’s here in Vancouver, Tartooful and Room 6 on the North Shore, Funky Monkey in Squamish BC, Wisteria Chic in Sisters OR and Amita Art of Gifts in Seattle WA. Lots more on the way as well……. we’ll keep you posted!
If you’re in the Minneapolis area, remember our Fast and Furless Trunk Show coming up in September, and we’ll be doing something at the studio again soon too, we need a reason to clean the place up every now and again!! XO Janna

Hey Everybody, our Fall collection is here!!

I know everyone has been patiently waiting for our new Fall products…… have a look and let me know what you think!!

Falling Ginko Leaves….. we always know it’s fall when these cover the streets in Chinatown, that and the rain comes back!!

Ginko Branch…… where the Ginko Leaves come from!!

Pine Cones!! These always remind me of trips to the woods by my Grandmother’s house in Ontario. For added effect, you could put a pine air freshener in the bag for a pine fresh scent!! Or maybe not.

Night Trees….. These moody trees remind me of camping…… I can almost smell the campfire. Anybody up for a S’more?

Hoot Hoot….. it’s an Owl!!

Stitched Tree. I love the simple shapes and random yet orderly stitching detail….. and yes, I do get a bit cross-eyed when making this, thanks for asking!!

New Poppies!! I just love poppies, don’t you? I’m loving the rich colours and organic shapes on this applique, I have to decide what bag I want this on……

Sometimes we want to mess with perfection, hence our Toggle Closure Medium Tote! All the fun of our other medium totes, but with plaid fabric detail and adorable wooden duffle coat style closures. This one is both sassy and smart, and perfect for the person who can’t pick an applique to save their life!!

Wool Friday bag!! I love how lumberjack-chic this purse is, with it’s recycled wool flap. I can’t wait wear mine with tall boots and a chunky knit sweater…… I’m sure that time will come soon enough!!

It’s Scarf time again, sort of!! We have been busy gathering cashmere all year, and now it’s been made into one of a kind, super soft scarves that combine luxury with ecology: each scarf is made entirely of recycled cashmere salvaged from the thrift pile. This year we’ve added 100% recycled cotton as well, for our vegan customers….. Now there’s scarves for all!!

Saving the best for last……. we’re now making hats!! We have lots of different fabrics available, and this item as well as everything else we have just updated will be for sale online super soon– I promise!! I’ll be having another open house soon too….. stay tuned for details!!

I’m sure you’ve all fallen in love with fall now, but let’s enjoy the rest of the summer while it lasts! Bye for now!! Janna

My cat OC (the Other Cat, get it?) is neither fast nor furless. She would rather sleep away the days on the couch than do any sort of activity…… and at 15 years of age, I don’t really blame her. I work, so she doesn’t have to……. which has led to a bit of a diva complex, which we are working on.

What is keeping me so busy these days you may wonder…… I’m getting stock ready for our first ever trunk show at Fast and Furless Vegan Boutique in Minneapolis MN. Mark those calendars, it’s Saturday September 27…… We’ll be sending lots of stuff for this event that isn’t available in the shop normally, and it’s all vegan!! The items won’t be there long, so better to get there early: 2615 E Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis MN. The website for the shop is fastandfurless.com for more info. This is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this, and I’m really excited to show everybody in Minneapolis our complete collection. You don’t have to be vegan to shop at Fast and Furless, so check it out if you’re in the area, there will be something for everybody!!

Okay I’m off to work, but first I have to spend some time with OC, followed by some time with a lint brush!! XO Janna

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!!