The hand painted messenger bags are what I like to call “The Original Üka Bag” because it was the very first bag design I created when I started this company. It’s also the bag I get the most compliments on. You can read more about these here. These bags are special which is why I like to do a little write up about each one. Like fine pieces of art, a lot of time goes into their construction. I begin painting the bag flap, (lately I have been inspired by a tree motif). The canopy of the tree is created with circles of printed fabric that are appliquéd above the tree branches. I like mixing and matching patterns using a similar color story to tie it all together. I use beautiful embroidery thread, often metallic to sew borders around the circles. I then let the colors and design of the bag flap inspire what comes next in the design and fabric choices for the body and interior of the bag. I recently completed 2 of these bags, one sold the day after I posted it in my store but I’d still like to highlight it, since I hadn’t had time to do a write up. The first is shown below made from canvas, faux suede and a variety of cotton prints treated with Nikwax.

The latest one has quite a bit more stitching detail. In addition to painting the tree design I stitched a border around it in metallic silver thread to give it a little more sparkle. The color story is more subdued, using only three colors: black, white and a shimmering deep turquoise. I also included some really high-end fabrics like organic hemp canvas (love this stuff but it’s pricey) and a lovely designer print by Alexander Henry (one of my favorites). In fact this bag is completely lined in this designer print making it beautiful inside and out. The circular motif in the tree canopy is mimicked in the silver stitching on the circles that give texture to the silver base of the bag, (yes I actually stitched those circles on the fabric). I felt it added a really custom element. This latest creation is shown below and is currently for sale on Etsy for $175