A tote bag with personality may be just your thing
Today we look at a tote bag with personality, well to be specific, with MY personality. That doesn’t mean to say that you can’t have one that expresses a trait that is just right for you. Or, just right for the day or moment!
I absolutely LOVE fonts and graphic statements on clothing and accessories. Whether it’s trendy or not, wearing something that is a reflection of who I am is fun. Especially when there’s actually a label screaming that something for the world to see.
This isn’t getting too deep about the problem with putting labels on people. It’s simply a fun and playful way to break the ice and start conversations.
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what’s your label?
Recently, we held a booth at a local wedding expo. I made several bags that said “BRIDE” and the attendants loved it. Nothing makes them happier than for people to ask about their wedding details and offer congratulations.
accents a simple cosmetics bag.
Three ladies won cosmetics bags that I made for the event and gave away as a drawing. Two said “BRIDE” and the third was plain. I made a plain one just in case one of the family or friends of the bride won the bag.
As likely, three brides won the bags. All three asked to have a bag with the label. I had to disappoint one by telling her that she would be receiving the blank one (I made it first come, first serve). You can see the post about this bag HERE.
Not to end this little anecdote on a bad note. The winner, Karla, sent me the most appreciative email.
Ali- I received the bag in the mail yesterday. Thank you! I absolutely love it! It’s beautiful, awesome quality, love the inside print, and the size!
Thanks again, Karla
The point is that A LOT of people love to share pieces of themselves with the world. It may be a hobby, trait, occupation, hometown, etc. In this case, I made myself a spring bag with one of the personality traits that I don’t mind sharing completely unapologetically …
I’m a home-body … and have been since before it became cool (or mandatory)
This fact about myself is top of mind right now as I’m writing this post during the COVID-19 pandemic. All schools, restaurants, bars, gyms, malls, etc are closed to the public for the most part. Last night California announced that all residents (with a few exceptions) are to remain at home until further notice.
My middle daughter, who should be in college right now, joked that the self-quarantine doesn’t really change my life too much. Well, of course, that’s an over-simplification but to an extent she’s right. I’m most happy at home with my family.
With this in mind, I decided to design a tote that is suited to have an applique with the text of YOUR choice to make a statement about who you are … or are working to become. It’s all about manifestation! lol.
Most graphic totes like this are basic without a lot of features. They’re fun packables that are meant to last only a short while. It’s great how they make not only the user smile but anyone who relates with the statement smile.
Here are some examples from Amazon:
I choose to make a design that I think a lot of people, hopefully, including you will like and will keep in rotation for years to come. Here are my notes on the design:
So do you want on this tote if I make it for you? I found a fun list of words in a post by Prep Scholar and adapted some of them to fit on a tote bag. They need to be short bites of one or two lines. Sometimes this takes a little bit of creative license with spelling and phonetics. This might get your wheels turning.
- ADAPT or ADAPT ABLE
- AUTH- ENTIC
- BALANCE
- BRAVE
- CALM
- CHEER
- COMMIT
- COMMUNITY
- CONFI-DENT
- COOP-ERATE
- COURAGE
- CREATE
- CURIOUS
- DARE or DARING
- DEDI-CATE
- IT’S THE-DETAILS
- DRIVEN
- EASY-GOING
- EN-COURAGE
- ENERGY
- ENTRE-PRNR
- EXPER-IENCE
- EXTRO-VERT
- FEAR-LESS
- FLEX-IBLE
- FRIENDS
- GENUINE
- GOALS
- HARD-WORK
- HONOR or HONEST
- IMAGINE
- INDPN-DENT
- INNO-VATE
- INTE-GRITY
- INTR-NTNL
- INTRO-VERT
- ARTISTIC
- LEADR or LEAD
- LOYAL
- MEDIATR
- MIND-FULL
- MOTI-VATE
- MULTI-LNGWL
- OBSERVE
- OPEN-MIND
- OPTI-MIST
- ORGA-NIZD
- PASSION
- PERSIST
- POSI-TIVE
- PRO-ACTV
- PRBLM-SOLVR
- QUICK
- SELF-STRT
- SKILLS or SKILL-FULL
- STRA-TGIC
- TEAM-PLYR
- TECH-LOVR
- TENA-CHUS
- UNIQUE
- UPBT
- VERSA-TILE
- VISION or VISIO-NARY
- WORLDLY
Of course, there are also (as mentioned early) tons of options when you look at your hobbies, nationality, career, and so much more!
tote bag with personality
The base of the tote bag is a 9.3-ounce natural canvas. The accents are saddle colored leather and gold hardware. Lots and lots of accents were used so the price of this specific design does add up as a result. It can be made with a lot fewer bells and whistles.
I selected an interior fabric that also speaks to features that I feel are reflective of who I am with an open-palm, heart, and butterfly (nature). It’s a fabric with a Scandanavian look that really works with my aesthetic. You might prefer something completely different. Florals, stripes, checks, and more might work really well yet think first. Does it work with the sentiment on the front of the bag?
If you want “BOSS BABE” on your bag then you can select a fabric with strong colors or as a contrast, one that highlights your feminine edge. Be you without apology.
and a cut leather cord tassel.
ready for your tote with personality?
This bag was a lot of fun to design and make. I can’t wait to take it out with me shopping and running errands (as soon as the stay-at-home orders are lifted. ugh).
While this one isn’t for sale, one like it will cost approximately $175.
If you’re a home-body like me, you might enjoy the books that I have pictured in one of the bag highlight photos. These are some I like:
That’s it for this post. Now it’s time to design my next bag? What should I make? Comment below or send me an email!
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Stay healthy and be well. XOXO, Ali.
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