Mar 31, 2017

Leerbewerken workshop leathercraft for kids a.k.a. #personalchallenge

For English scroll down

Werken met leer met kinderen. Workshops op de basisschool en een #PersonalChallenge.
Nee, het is dus geen nieuwe collectie maar wel een erg leuk project. Het heet de Talentencarrousel en moet de talenten van ouders verbinden met kinderen op de basisschool. Zeer intensief en daarnaast ook heerlijk om weer eens anders te kunnen denken en creรซren, om buiten het kader van de strakke lijnen van mijn collectie te kunnen stappen en .. om dat het leuk is om met je handen te werken. Sorry Dutchies, De tekst is in het engels, na 10 jaar Etsy teksten in het engels gaat dit me echt beter af in het engels.




WORKSHOP New collection? No?!?! Last week I started an intense period of 6 leatherworking workshops in 3 weeks for 2 primary school groups. I spent a few evenings making examples and Pauline did most of the pre-cutting / pre-knotting / pre-punching ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ This picture shows the phone case which the oldest kids will be making in the following 2 lessons. It is so inspiring to see how handy they already are, if they take the time.. as most of the boys could concentrate for about 4 minutes ๐Ÿ™„ so I will now divide the group into 2. One group will start working on the iPhone case while the others will draw and cut leather feathers for a necklace or keyfob. Now you might wonder -- a phone case? Yes, I asked them (the group of 8-12 years old) what they would like to make after their first leather working trial with a leather bracelet, some carving and handsewing. The main answer was -- phone case. I realized that the kids whithout a phone were quiet, so there will be other projects to make for them.

MODUS OPERANDI // I need to share some words about my experience in that classroom -/ After those 4 minutes the boys became so loud, I could not talk or think anymore. What has happened to habits, to social behaviour? Rules in the classroom? Listen to each other? Boy .... what a job; teacher ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ . It was also a reflection on the way I prefer to work, the atmosphere I create when I need to be productive -- CALM is the magic word. I always try to set up a quiet place to work by myself or even with my kids around we have a Modus Operandi all together. In a classroom with this noise it would be impossible for me to produce anything. I realised I am blessed with my 2 calm kiddo's. Or is that DNA ? Well it' s good to know I have a few #PersonalChallenges ahead, at primary school :) // 

leather craft kids primary school challenge handwork

DNA And .. back to the leathercraft: Do you recognize our family DNA in these pieces of art? Miss P. made the triangle case in this last picture. 

DIY KIT If you are interested in this kind of leather craft or would you like to receive this as a DIY leather craft kit please let me know. I am looking into the possibilities of setting this up as a new product so I'd be happy to hear your thoughts! 
​- Annemieke

Jan 18, 2017

Etsy Sales Map and an inward focus.

All over the world! Showing you -once more- a map of my Etsy sales. Such a nice feature. It makes me smile.
People here in this dull little village often wonder what I do - they ask me if I can shorten their curtains "you have a sewing machine don't you"  because the sewing studio nearby is so expensive ..(that one made me cry a little) On the other hand, when people find me through the internet they are amazed with how small my studio is compared to the
 ​image they get from my website and collection. So it's good, all good. I need the web AND my little countryside village to get the work done. The postoffice and school are nearby and so are all our friends and family. It's the perfect inward focus for my business - I can sell worldwide and I do not need to have a large stock or production spaces. I do not even have to leave the village. Ah such a boring life (not). Looking forward to adding many more orange dots on the map! Yeah! 

Add: To All Etsy sellers: here's the link to the Etsy sales map app:
​http://www.etsysalesmap.com

Dec 9, 2016

Christmas gifts and express shipping for the holidays

While you are shopping for christmas presents I was shopping for express shipment options! I am so glad to tell you that I finally found a way to offer worldwide express shipping - for a third of the original price. Transit time for the US is 2 businessdays and for the rest of the world it takes 2-3 businessdays. Yes, it does cost some extra but I can tell you - in the week before christmas I get many request from people all over the world to please deliver on time. And now I can! Express shipping is available as an upgrade for all items purchased in our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WestermanBags Please bear in mind that delivery estimates are calculated from the time of despatch, rather than from the moment you place your order. As each product is carefully made and packed by hand, these estimates can vary, particularly during busy times of the year. So if your order isn’t despatched straight away, don’t panic! We’re on it. Are you looking for A Very Personal Gift for That Very Special Person? Did you know that all of our felt cases and bags can be personalized with custom initials? It makes a unique present. The initials will be carved into s small patch of leather and this will then be sewn onto the felt case, in the lower left corner. It is detailed and precise excercise. The leather monogramming is available as a seprate listing. How does this work: You will need to purchase both the item of your choice and the initials. This way you will see 2 items in your shopping cart. The initials listing can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/248510705/monogram-personalise-your-case-customize






Jun 27, 2016

Etsy Craft Party Amsterdam 2016

Wil je handgemaakte spullen verkopen? Begin je net met je Etsy shop? Wil je de stap zetten maar heb je nog veel vragen? Kom dan naar de Etsy Craftparty op 2 juli. Dat is aanstaande zaterdag al! Ik ben er ook, als "expert" (uche uche) om vragen te beantwoorden en te luisteren naar je plannen (en om stiekem te genieten van al die inspirerende mensen). Je kan ook workshops volgen van andere Etsy verkopers en er zijn natuurlijk mooie handmade en vintage spullen te zien. De tickets zijn gratis maar een donatie wordt op prijs gesteld.
Voor meer info & ticket reservering:  https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/tickets-craft-party-25778163180
Tot zaterdag! - Annemieke

Etsy Craft Part Amsterdam 2016 Flyer

Jun 20, 2016

Kadobon / giftvoucher nu ook te koop bij Westerman Bags!

Inmiddels is onze collectie zo gegroeid dat we best begrijpen dat het moeilijk kiezen is. En helemaal voor iemand anders! Daarom hebben we nu de Westerman Bags cadeaubon gelanceerd. Je kan de bon online afrekenen en direct uitprinten (voor de echte last minute kado's) of plaats een bestelling en dan maken we er echt iets bijzonders van, met voorbeeld materiaal uit de collecties. (Vilt en leer natuurlijk) En je kan ook nog kiezen voor een sfeer: De Colour Collection of New Heritage. 
Klik hier om de vouchers te bekijken en te bestellen!

Giftvoucher westerman bagsgift voucher westerman bags

Jun 16, 2015

Summertime - protect your ereader!

With the summer season ahead it's time to protect your ereader from beach sand and moutain dust.. New ebook devices have been released and yes I have the stuff to protect them in style! Both Kobo and Kindle have a new top model: Kindle Voyage and Kobo Aura H2o...of which the case of the latter happens to have a very nice review in our Customer Gallery.
This classic case with leather closure is also available in my Etsy shop.

The cowhide leather of which the leather strap closure is made, is a natural product and it can differ in colour and texture. I now have new stock of this thick natural tanned leather!

Felt case for the new ereaders - Kobo Aura H20 and Kindle Voyage.