A Spark of Joy

I saw someone with a bag the other day - the simplest, most no-frills, leather tote bag - It sparked something in me. I had to make one myself. I don’t even use a tote bag, but this was a must for me. Over Thanksgiving break, I found myself obsessively staring at everyone’s bags as the Connell clan sat on the train or wandered through the Hirshhorn and the botanical garden. Aunt Lisa got an interview where we determined a good clasp or small closable compartment for valuables, thick enough straps to not cut into someone’s shoulder, and a place to attach a leash for keys were “must haves.” I was trying to figure out the perfect happy medium between all the essentials that make a bag great and a bare-bones construction simple enough for my skill level.

When I lived in Vermont, I had my first real run-in with leather. It was hunting season, and through my affinity for odd jobs I ended up with a few hides I planned to tan and turn into… something. Maybe in another post I’ll go over that whole process, but fast-forward to now: I’ve made a tool roll for my carving tools, a few wallets and card holders, a couple of sheaths, but nothing intensive.

So when I got home from D.C., I dusted off my leather scrap pile (shoutout Turnip Green in Nashville) and pulled out the tools. I decided to warm up by making a cast-iron handle cover. I mostly used my box cutter for cutting and my diamond punches for the holes - nothing fancy. I used Florian Gadsby’s hardcover book “By My Hands” squeezed between my knees as a makeshift stitching pony (thank you again, Matthew, for the surprise gift). And the little handle cover turned out fine… it just didn’t spark any joy.

So, in the spirit of Marie Kondo, I sought out something more joyful, fun, and more challenging.

And honestly? I’m probably going to skip the practice pieces and just make the bag.
Yeah, I think I’ll do that.