Sneak Peek at The Amazing Large Tote

Working on The Amazing Large Tote for my friend Creek Van Houten!

Box bottom corners...

Inside-out...

Looking like a bag...

Right side-out...

The lining...

Lining in bag...

Heavy-duty nylon bottom...

Olive drab strap...

Or black strap...

Perhaps a twist lock...

Stay tuned for chapter two...

Embrace Your Boho

Boho style on the runway

The layering of hippie, folk, romantic, flowing cotton blouses, beaded necklaces, leather and metal accents, and ethnic-inspired textiles is everywhere. The bohemian look has come and gone many times, each reincarnation with a new twist. Boho Chic reigns again in 2012.

Traveling to the Mideast, my grandparents, Fran and Harry, brought back wonderful carpets and kilims. Growing up with these rugs under my feet influenced my gravitation toward textural graphic textiles and designs. My grands were also savvy in the modern design department. I have their well-worn Eames-style lounge chairs—they would be fun to recover, boho style, like this one at bokjadesign.com.)

Eames, meet Boho

I joke a little when I say "I make hippie bags," but as unique as the tradition of weaving, each bag in my Caravan Collection is made from one of a kind kilim prayer rugs. I am at peace with the spirit of bohemia—a sense of adventure, a modern riff on tradition, and for me, a feeling of home. Hippie bags are OK!

New bags from my Caravan Collection
© 2012 Heather Graef/Gstudi

A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE KILIM

The kilim is believed to have its origins in the tribal flatweaves of Central Asia. While kilims may have been in production as early as 3,000 BC, the slitweave technique seen in Kilim rugs is thought to have originated around 1,000 BC, related to much older flatwoven textiles discovered at Fostat in Egypt.

Scorpion

Before Kilims became decorative items they were an essential part of life in tribal communities. For practical purposes, they were used as floor coverings, protection from the elements, and to store grains and other goods. However each was woven with symbolic imagery, telling a unique story in the life of the weaver. Modern kilims still incorporate many of these symbols.

A KILIM FOR YOU!

Select bags from the Caravan Collection will be available at local events, and in my online shop by the summer.
Click here to like my Facebook page for updates.

Channel your inner-Boho sooner, and click here for some lovely kilim wallpapers for your computer screen:
http://www.kilim.com/wallpaper/index.asp 

References: kilim.com, letsgoturkey.com

Heather Goes Hollywood

When I first started sewing bags, I would walk next door and show them to my neighbor Malinda, who said "Those girls in Hollywood should have your bags!" In 2011, I joined The Artisan Group, in hopes that maybe someday this notion might become a reality. This month I submitted my name to 'gift' a special item to a huge movie star, and to my utter astonishment, I was selected as one of 50 artisans to participate. Drum roll, please...

This week I'll send off my new custom-designed handbag, to be included in the Exclusive Celebrity Gift Bag for none other than Drew Barrymore!

Ehem. I'll say that again, and make it bigger this time in case it didn't quite sink in the first time: 

Drew.  Barrymore.

I've always been a fan, so this is really exciting news—but I can't lie: Deciding what to give a free-spirited movie star who's style crosses over from boho to perfectly put together was a challenge! I think I drove my family nuts showing them all of my ideas, and all of us guessing what she might like. From what I've been able to tell, Drew goes for eclectic fashion, neutral colors, and metallics (hot for 2012).

Ruched Silk Crossbody Bag, inspired by Drew Barrymore,
to be included in Drew's exclusive gift bag, in association with The Artisan Group.

From the beginning, my goal has been to design simple, casual urban bags and accessories for women who want to feel and look good on the go, so I went with my gut and created something just for the occasion. I think my new, subtly shimmery bronze silk crossbody bag fits the bill. This bag is functional, unique, and somehow a little sci-fi, which reminds me of Drew's first blockbuster debut, ET. I hope she likes it!

This bag will be made in the future in silk, and other great fabrics. Please contact me through my WEBSITE or on FACEBOOK.

About The Artisan Group:
In association with The Artisan Group, artists from around the world have the opportunity to show their best handmade work at luxury Gift Lounges leading up to The Academy Awards, The Golden Globes, The Primetime Emmys, MTV Movie Awards, and other major events. TAG also arranges exclusive celebrity gift bags, delivered directly to A-list celebrities and movie stars, including Tom Cruise, Katy Holmes, Sarah Jessica Parker, and more. For more information about The Artisan Group, visit their website: www.theartisangroup.org

To order my bags, find me on Etsy or contact me directly. 

Drew Blyth Barrymore became a Covergirl in 2007

Talented, free-spirited, and one-of-a-kind, Drew Barrymore has been a silver-screen star since her debut performance in Steven Spielberg's ET: The Extra-Terrestrial at the age of 7. Since then, she's gone on to become one of hollywoods most sought-after actresses and producers. Career highlights include Never Been Kissed, the Charlie's Angels franchise, and her directorial debut, Whip It. On being a Covergirl, Drew says, "Who you are, you should feel beautiful. And you should never be made to feel that what is naturally and truly you is not perfect." (Source: Covergirl.com)

Fresh Start

Heavy rain and wind two days ago yielded to a crisp, cold, sunny Saturday. It is a rare novelty when it snows around here, and reports say they had some in the valley of West Marin last night, but no evidence here on the Sausalito waterfront. Its looking like a good day to open up the studio and get organized again after hibernating for the past couple of weeks. I have two new-to-me Viking Husqvarna sewing machines, waiting to be used!

See my new collection of new wine/gift bags on Etsy!

Fabric with Flourish

Hang with this fun textile through the last days of summer, and into the holidays!

Shop: Available at my Etsy shop  
More: Click here to see more of the new Mios

The New Mios

Life's a beach! Click here to see more Mios on my Etsy Shop

Save the Date for the Grand Opening!

Some of you already know about Roots Collaborative, a new gallery/gift shop in Mill Valley. The shop features the work of about 40 artists, including myself!

Roots opens its doors next weekend, and there will be two Grand Opening Night Events, April 30 & May 1. I will be there on Saturday, May 1, from 5-8:30.

I hope to see you there to celebrate!

Roots Collaborative
A Local's Market for Everything Handmade
84 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
(click the Location link below for a map)

Design and Print Your Own Fabric!

All I can say is "wow!" If you ever wanted to get your own design on fabric, this looks like a great way to do it, and for a relatively low cost per yard. I am definitely going to try this out for my Gstudio bags in the future! Thanks, Ellen, for sharing this on Facebook for us!