BTS of our Bucket Bags

One of my favorite design aspects to think through when I’m sketching out a new product is versatility.

I want your bag to be incredibly USEFUL.

I love thoughtful pockets, especially for easy access to your keys & phone.  

Shoulder straps that you can put on with one arm, knowing you’re hands - like mine - are usually full : )

And several ways to wear the same bag so you can get as much use as possible.

One of my favorite hidden design features to include is being able to switch a smaller crossbody into a shoulder bag.

I worked on this feature on our new Bucket Bags through several iterations of samples to get it just right.

But when the second small batch arrived after the first small batch sold out within days, the bags came with the adjustable holes on the wrong side of the strap.

This meant they were adjustable as a shoulder bag (which typically is one size fits all) and not as a crossbody (which is where height really comes into play & therefore different straps sizes for different bodies).

So I made a video explaining to the artisans just that.

One of the Co-Founders was actually in Austin early this summer & after a lovely coffee meeting he took the bags back with him to get the straps fixed.

When the new small batch arrived later this summer, the strap holes were still on the wrong side!

So I whipped up this sketch to try to be as clear as possible.

I had to triple check to make sure the design was right.

I got a video back from one of the artisans saying we were now on the same page & he suggested that I for this current batch that I buy a leather hole punch & he’d teach me how to punch the holes to make the crossbody style adjustable.

And y’all, it’s been really fun! I put on The Mindy Project & started measuring, marking, punching & slicing.

It’s been a great & humble reminder that working with leather takes years of training & practice.

Can you tell which ones I did & which one the artisans did?

These now adjustable strap crossbody / shoulder strap Bucket Bags are finally available in Caramel Brown & in Black Leather.

They’re such a perfect summer to fall bag & I’m sure this small batch won’t last long this time around, too.

The other take away is that if you need a different size on the adjustable strap of your purse (or belt even), a $15 leather hole puncher is a quick fix!

Better yet, if you’re local to Austin, join us at our Second Saturday Open Studios (2801 S I-35 Suite T6) on September 14th from 1 - 4pm & come use mine : )

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xoxo,

Jen Lewis | Founder of Purse & Clutch

P.S. Interested in taking my ethical manufacturing course so you can find quality,  artisans to truly partner with? Let me walk you through each step to create your own product line while supporting long term partnerships!

I’d love to offer you $100 off! Use code P&CNEWSLETTER by Sept 30th.