Elemental Threads Blog » customized bags

New Fabric: Modern Brown and White Chain Link Canvas

emily — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:38:28 +0000

We have discovered a few new delicious fabrics and wanted to introduce them to you before they launched on the site! Meet one of my personal favorites, one I like to call “Modern Chain Link” because the pattern reminds me a bit of a chain link fence (in the most fashionable way of course.) This fabric is brand new and already sold out – we had to buy more! The deep brown background complements the white highlights and the canvas fabric is quite soft. We love to add anything red to the design – lining, handle, zipper – to give a lovely accent. If you like this fabric, you can design any of our bags with it before it’s launched on the site! Contact emily@elementalthreads.com and tell her you want your new bag in this fabulous new fabric!

New Fabric: Red and Cream Woven Damask

emily — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:20:16 +0000

We have discovered some delicious new fabrics and wanted to introduce them to you before they’re officially launched on our site! This fabulous new fabric is made with red and cream colors that are woven into a damask pattern. The best part about this fabric is that it’s reversible – so you can design a bag with both sides of the fabric and create a unique, versatile look. For example, in the Ruffle Tote below, the body and handles are made with the red side of the fabric but the pull ties are made with the cream side! It’s a subtle difference that makes the bag really stand out. If you like this fabric, you can design any of our bags with it. Contact emily@elementalthreads.com and tell her you want your new bag in this fabulous new fabric!

Updated Bag Design: The Pouches

emily — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:37:25 +0000

We are updating all eThreads designs in 2010 to be sleeker and stronger. We started with the popular Large Tote, and now we’re updating the eThreads classic, The Pouches! Offered in Small, Medium and Large, The Pouches are a staple in any accessories collection. They are great wallets, makeup bags, travel pouches and casual clutches. With our new updated design, The Pouches are even more versatile! Now you can add a Wrist Strap or Clip-On Ring and carry the bag as a wristlet, clip it to your belt loops or combine all three for the ultimate convenience.

New Bag Design: The Ruffle Tote

emily — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:28:18 +0000

Meet a new design in our family — the Ruffle Tote! This fabulous bag features drawstring ties on each side of the bag, so you can cinch it small or expand the bag to a massive 22″. There are two secure interior pockets and a loop to clip your keys. The padded handles are 27″ long and anchored by 4 grommets. Take this bag for a day of shopping, a trip into the city, a beach excursion, or use in your daily grind to fit in everything you need — books, bags, jackets, the kitchen sink — whatever!

I road-tested this new design on a recent trip to L.A. and loved it. It carried everything I needed to go from day to night — jacket, sweater, scarf, book, notebook, flat shoes — PLUS all my usual stuff — several pouches for my wallet, camera, purse oddities, etc… On the days I carried less stuff, I just cinched the tote smaller and it looked like a cute little bag!

You’ll be able to design your own Ruffle Tote by Summer 2010. Can’t wait until then? We understand. There are samples for sale in the Blog Shop or design your own; contact emily@elementalthreads.com for more details.

December Special: 10% to Charities

emily — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:06:08 +0000

eThreads is a socially-responsible custom-made handbag business. We use eco-friendly fabrics, participate in the carbon offset program ShopGreen, use recycled packaging and all products are handmade in Boston, MA. To further our mission, we are thrilled to announce our December Special in which we are donating 10% of sales to select charitable organizations!

Every organization has a referral code, and for every order using the code, we’ll donate 10% of the sale to that organization. We have many wonderful organizations participating in the December Special and we urge you to use one of these referral codes with your next purchase!

View the list of organizations below and click their links to read more about the groups and their mission. If you wish to support the group, place an order, checkout with Google Checkout, and use the referral code. You can design your own bag or choose something from our Blog Shop. You get a fun new accessory, the charity gets a donation. Everybody wins!

Do you know of an organization that would like to receive donations? Send an email to emily@elementalthreads.com and we’ll be glad to help!

Amnesty International/Boston College Chapter: Code: BCAmnesty. Amnesty International is a non-profit, grassroots activist organization that seeks to protect the human rights of all people in all places at all times. BC’s Amnesty chapter seeks to make students aware of the power they have to influence world events – and protect human rights – through political activism. Click here to read more…

Brady’s Smile: Code: BradysSmile. Brady’s Smile, Inc. was created by Annie and Matt Hinton in memory, love and honor of their son, Brady. It is their mission to help make life easier in the newborn and pediatric intensive care facilities for patients and their families. Click here to read more…

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) – Northern Essex County/Kappa Alpha Theta Boston Metro Alumnae Chapter: Code: CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a national organization that trains and supervises community volunteers who are appointed by court judges to represent the best interest of children who have been abused and neglected. Click here to read more…

Deviated Theatre: Code: DeviatedTheatre. Deviated Theatre is a dance/theatre company founded in 2008 in the Washington DC metro area by Kimmie Dobbs Chan and Enoch Chan. The company performs all original works, created and choreographed by the Chans, which have been described as “operas of movement, rather than song.” Click here to read more…

E The Environmental Magazine: Code: EMagazine. E Magazine, the Nation’s only independent, non-profit environmental publication, was founded in 1989, with the goal of educating and inspiring individuals who want to know how they can make a difference. Click here to read more…

Friends of El Faro/Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage: Code: FriendsofElFaro. Founded in 2000, Friends of El Faro visit and support the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. Children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected have found a home here, a place where they are safe and cared for, nourished and loved. Click here to read more…

GENAustin (Girls Empowerment Network): Code: GENAustin. GENaustin (Girls Empowerment Network) is a nonprofit organization in Austin, TX that equips teen girls with the skills to navigate growing up female and to make wise choices. They don’t just build strong girls, they build girls of influence! Click here to read more…

Greater Boston Kappa Delta/Mary’s House Family Shelter: Code: GreaterBostonKD. Kappa Delta Sorority, founded in 1897, is a national organization for women committed to providing opportunities and experiences that inspire women to greatness. They support Mary’s House Family Shelter, which provides temporary housing in central Waltham, MA for up to one year for eight homeless families. Click here to read more…

Health Awareness Services of Central MA: Code: CURE. Since 1976 Health Awareness Services has been providing health care and social support to the people of Worcester County and the Metrowest Region. All services are accessible, affordable (in most cases, free) and client-centered. Click here to read more…

The Lesley Environmental Club: Code: LesleyEnviroClub. The Environmental Club at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, was started in 2006 when students wanted an organized way to encourage the campus and community to become more aware and active in our growing environmental issues. Click here to read more…

The Lesley Running Club/Margaret Fuller House: Code: LesleyRunningClub. The club’s mission is to motivate students and faculty from the community to train for local 5k races that support charitable causes. This year the club is working with the Margaret Fuller House in Area IV of Cambridge, MA an inclusive community house that hosts many local events like community breakfasts and a tri-weekly food pantry. Click here to read more…

Win a FREE Bag!

emily — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:39:43 +0000

We are running a giveaway with The Fashionable Gal in which you could win a FREE Ring Pouch or Medium Pouch of your own design! Imagine the possibilities. The contest ends 11/20 at 11:59 pm EST. Good luck to all!

The Ring Pouch clips to your belt loops or bag handles for a hands-free way to carry your essentials with style. Design your own at www.elementalthreads.com!

The Medium Pouch is lined in nylon for durability so it’s great for cosmetics and travel. Design your own at www.elementalthreads.com!

November Special: 10% to Charities

emily — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:20:09 +0000

eThreads is a socially-responsible custom-made handbag business. We use eco-friendly fabrics, participate in the carbon offset program ShopGreen, use recycled packaging and all products are handmade in Boston, MA. To further our mission, we are thrilled to announce our November Special in which we are donating 10% of sales to select charitable organizations!

Every organization has a referral code, and for every order using the code, we’ll donate 10% of the sale to that organization. We have many wonderful organizations participating in the November Special and we urge you to use one of these referral codes with your next purchase!

View the list of organizations below and click their links to read more about the groups and their mission. If you wish to support the group, place an order, checkout with Google Checkout, and use the referral code! You can design your own bag or choose something from our Blog Shop. You get a fun new accessory, the charity gets a donation. Everybody wins!

The Fashionable Gal/Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Code: TFGBCRF. The Fashionable Gal is a blog about beauty and has partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to raise money for research. Click here to read more…

Friends of El Faro/Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage: Code: FriendsofElFaro. Founded in 2000, Friends of El Faro visit and support the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. It is here, where children, who have been abandoned or abused or neglected, have found a home, a place where they are safe and cared for, nourished and loved. Click here to read more…

Native American Student Organization, Wellesley College: Code: NASOWellesley. NASO was first founded by Native students at Wellesley College in 1996. NASO works to both support students entering Wellesley from reservations or other Native communities, as well as engage the campus in dialogue about contemporary Native issues. Click here to read more…

Just Arrived: Eco-Friendly Felt!

emily — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:14:55 +0000

eThreads is a socially responsible business that strives for environmental sustainability. We offer eco-friendly fabrics, use recycled packaging, introduced a reusable shopping tote, participate in the carbon offset program ShopGreen, and now we use environmentally friendly felt in the construction of our bags! This ecofelt is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and provides a wonderfully soft structure for your custom-made handbag. We are proud to be using ecofelt and will continue to seek out environmentally friendly materials for eThreads’ custom-designed bags, jewelry and accessories.

Custom eThreads rePurpose bag: Kateri L.’s State Radio t-shirt

emily — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:20:59 +0000

We recently launched eThreads rePurpose, a new service in which we turn t-shirts, jackets, blankets, etc. into bags! For more information or to see examples of our rePurpose bags, click here. You can purchase t-shirt bags on our blog or our Etsy page. In addition to using salvaged t-shirts, we welcome custom-made orders so that you can turn your favorite t-shirt or jacket into a new bag!

Kateri L. sent us a t-shirt autographed by her favorite band, State Radio. She wanted a bag that included the logo of the band and the autographs. We had to create a new pattern size for the Large Pouch that was big enough to fit everything. Ta-da…the finished product…

Kateri was really happy with the bag:

Emily! The purse is FABULOUS! I love it! The purse looks so so good- thanks so much! I have gotten so many compliments on it already!

Thank you Kateri! What a fun bag. If you would like to repurpose your favorite t-shirt, email emily@elementalthreads.com.

Win a FREE Bag!

emily — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:34:34 +0000

We are running a giveaway with LeslieLovesVeggies in which you could win a FREE Ring Pouch or Medium Pouch of your own design! Imagine the possibilities. The contest ends 11/1 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Good luck to all!

: The Medium Pouch is lined in nylon for durability so it’s great for cosmetics and travel. Design your own at www.elementalthreads.com!

: The Ring Pouch clips to your belt loops or bag handles for a hands-free way to carry your essentials with style. Design your own at www.elementalthreads.com!