4 new messenger/field bags

Erika went on a tear yesterday and cranked out 4 wild new messenger bags.  They use repurposed hemp and cordura packcloth, neckties, leather scrap, and an old hunting jacket from the Chester Thrift.

Dragonboy art prints adorn two of them, and 3 have reflective strips to keep you and your bike out from under bus wheels or errant artcars.

4 new messenger/field bags

Erika went on a tear yesterday and cranked out 4 wild new messenger bags.  They use repurposed hemp and cordura packcloth, neckties, leather scrap, and an old hunting jacket from the Chester Thrift.

Dragonboy art prints adorn two of them, and 3 have reflective strips to keep you and your bike out from under bus wheels or errant artcars.

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Dragon patch

Fire Hose Belt with Serious Hardware

Here’s a couple different view of a new interactive piece.

 I spotted a bundle of these painted brass key plates in an antique store, and knew we could clean them up nicely.

Used the trusty grinder with a brush wheel.

I found this big disc (antique water spigot handle) at the same store, and the finished belt was so heavy, I weighed it just to see (only 4 lbs.). 

Here are some close ups  of the finished belt 

Notice the leather straps unsnap to release the key and chain. 

something silky

When I went into the studio on Sunday I didn’t feel like working with fire hose. Even though it seemed a bit passé, I started to dig through our tie bin. Here’s the result.

 

What are they? Why, neck wraps! We’ve got a theme this season of using random hardware in our wears. So I thought these plumbing washers (or something like that) from the ReStore might look nice on some choice ties.

 

 Conchos and belt ends seems to fit well too with the hardware. 

First I traced the hole of the washer on the fabric and cut it out. Then I zigzagged in a circle so it wouldn’t fray so bad. Then I attached the washer with embroidery floss (I hand sewed it, a nice change).

 

Yep, you guessed it, we’ve got a bin of embroidery floss (otherwise know as colorful string). I’m still in possession of my collection of friendship-bracelet-making string from the late ’80’s. Some friends and I even sold bracelets one week the summer of 10th grade. (this is Erika, BTW; Zeke made lanyards, but not friendship bracelets). 

 

This one is fairly short, so I’ve attached a magnet that grips to the washer so the whole thing stays on better.

 

Here’s how it’s supposed to look.

A close-up of the magnet. 

And finally, a picture of a few on a real person.

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Toolbelts

Starting to make utility belts again. They are going to feature scraps of printed fabric and our usual industrial collage.

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Corset On Model

The fire hose corset has made contact with a real person. We tried it on two very different bodies, and we’re pleased with it’s adjustability.

Thanks to our friends for being trying it out. Of course, we recommend wearing this item without any clothing underneath?!?!?

 

Corset On Model

The fire hose corset has made contact with a real person. We tried it on two very different bodies, and we’re pleased with it’s adjustability.

Thanks to our friends for being trying it out. Of course, we recommend wearing this item without any clothing underneath?!?!?

 

Burner Very-Mini-Skirts

Here’s another look at what we’re making for Burning Man. This is the making of a very-mini-skirt, made out of fire hose, leather and lace.
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I took pieces of embossed leather scrap cut in to organic shapes, and added reflective tape behind to make unique reflective elements for our clothing. We want burners to get some glow out on the playa.

The finished product is slightly tapered to fit around hips. Garnished with rivets on top and lace below. Snaps in the back and is adjustable. Sorry this isn’t the best quality pic!

Fire Hose Corsets

Back into the shop!

We are finally in gear to build up inventory for the Burning Man rush.

Last year we realized that our friends in the City weren’t very into our hillbilly camo collage cutoff shorts and coverall jumpsuits, but the fire hose utility belts and Mad Max body-armor fire hose miniskirts sold out, so this year, no WT theme.  Just post-apocalyptic desert survival fashion… and CORSETS, of course.

Starting point – a dress form with duct tape mold/pattern. 

Fire hose – this one is based upon a form that we made of our friend Katrina.  It will have a separating zipper up the front when it is done, and optional/detachable hip pouches of the same material.

Lacing – the duct tape is for a pattern, and is not part of the corset.

 

We like our rivet details.  This one has about 60 of them.

We can make one of these in any size, email us if you are interested!

 

We are going to be vending as part of a fundraiser party for the Chico Urban Artists Collective artcar project, at GRUB on 7/23 see you there!