Thursday, July 22, 2010

thing-a-ma-jig making + using

My creative space this week has involved making and using this ...


I love large, sturdy, gussetted shoulder bags (with long straps) to carry my groceries etc, but they were impossible to print nicely without a thing-a-ma-jig - a raised printing platform that I adpated from something similar I saw here. A bit of measuring, some mdf, a few bits of timber I had in the shed, some screws and leftover felt, and I was in business. It doesn't look very pretty, but it works beautifully so that now I can easily, and consistently, print these new bags ...


Artichoke Market Bags (made from hemp/cotton fabric) now in the shop

Many more creative spaces at Kootoyoo (and, incase you've ever wondered (like me), find out what the name Kootoyoo really means in a great interview with the creative queen herself here!)

27 comments:

Tammy said...

Oh gorgeous Nic! Will we see any of these in Shop handmade up here?

Beck said...

Lovely Nic. Will you be making any more with different designs? I love bigger bags like this, I'm sure they will be a hit xo

Kylie said...

Clever woodworker/inventer you, lovely print!

Christina Lowry said...

Fantastic! Necessity is the mother of invention isn't it. :)

Kirsty said...

Best ever & I bet you got to use the powertools. Ace!

Anonymous said...

such a gorgeous bag, great invention too!

Chasing Purple Dreams said...

What a sensational thing-a-ma-jig, I think it deserves a name. How about Aaron, that sounds like a nice dependable, helpful sort of name.

midge said...

brilliant versatile crafty ability

Chicken Willow said...

Very creative Nic. Love the bag.

mel @ loved handmade said...

Clever you! Your bags look amazing.

Christy said...

How good it is when we solve creative problems. Lovely bag

Sandrine said...

Very clever and love your print!

belinda marshall said...

lovely to see a problem solved and success! your bag looks really great :)

Gina said...

Oh, that tote looks excellently sturdy. Great problem-solving re printing as well.

Unknown said...

Love it! You are so clever! I would never have thought of making that platform!

Steph said...

You clever lady!! Your bags are brilliant! Hope you're having a wonderful week :)

Brenda said...

I could use a few thing-a-ma-jig's around my house!

What a clever invention!

by marie-nicole said...

Fantastic... a thing-a-ma-jig is always handy to have around.

The totes look great!

Anca Pandrea said...

Good job! I will have to make courage and build some tools for myself, also. Buying them is too big of a fuss.
Good luck!

Michelle said...

Ooh. Ooooooooh!! I love them!!!!!

LeelaBijou said...

Great job!

74 Lime Lane said...

great DIY work! and the bag looks great, so glad you are stocking them in the shop now, will you do more styles?

Nick said...

Good on you girrl! You are so organised and they look fabulous.

Spin Spin said...

Nothing like a good jig to get things printing right!

byebyebirdie said...

how cool... and that you made it yourself. well done

june at noon said...

Aha, very clever! I love the artichoke tote!

Cherie said...

Gorgeous and extremely clever too - what else would we expect ;-) xo.