Sasaki Bags: March 2008

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Deluxe Omiyage

The "Omiyage" bag has been extremely popular at the Kona Mountain Coffee Company. So last week I came up with a larger version of that bag. I also added grommets that the cotton webbing straps are suspended from and a large outer pocket. This one is big enough for taking home all sorts of gifts while visiting our Island. Once home, it will make a great shopping bag, or book tote. The deluxe Omiyage is even large enough to make a good sized beach bag! I am working on fresh designs all the while trying to keep up with current favorites. Stay tuned! Aloha!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Deluxe Shopper

Aloha!

Well, the wonderful gang at Kona Mountain Coffee Company keep me posted as to what their customers are requesting me to make. I created a large shopping bag with a solid bottom for the store to use as a shopping basket while the customers are browsing. It seems that people wanted to buy them! So Mark ordered a half dozen to have in the event anyone else inquires. I also made this version which makes it more of a "purse" since it has a flap on it. March has been a good month for me at the coffee shop. Everytime I go in there, they are sold out of atleast one of the four styles of bags I designed for them. I must get busy!

About me:

Sasaki Bags are made in Hawaii by me, Barb Sasaki. I have been an entrepeneur at heart as long as I can remember. As kids growing up in North Idaho, my sister and I were always figuring out some way to make extra money. At times we collected discarded glass bottles to redeem for cash. We would take our loot and go to the nearest bowling alley. Our money would usually pay for one game of bowling, which we split, and one pair of shoes so we would just keep trading off the shoes for who ever was "on deck". Being the youngest, meant the bowling shoes were usually 2 sizes too big!

I have made Hawaii my home since July of 1994. In 2006, I was injured at work. I had a pretty hard time accepting that I was physically unable to do the work I had done before. I guess I had always correlated my self-worth with my income so when that dwindled, so did my self esteem. While recovering from surgery on the second shoulder, I decided to take my future back into my own hands and find a way to make some money and a little self -worth at the same time. I had come to realize through the extended time away from the workforce, that women sometimes need to buy themselves something just to make them feel good. The 'ole "retail therapy"!

Being a woman whose weight is always up and down, purchasing clothing was merely depressing but buying jewelry or a handbag could cheer me up. I got to thinking that I surely wasn't alone. Other women must enjoy affordable "treats" too!

At first I began making the wristlet which has become my signature bag because I could not carry a shoulder bag following the surgeries. Then I discovered that they held pretty much everything I ever needed to carry. I found joy in creating bags that made me smile. That is why you will see so many novelty bags in my line. When I make a bag that cracks me up, that is a good day! (*see my watermelon bag!)

I also love making the elegant evening bag. (*see Sienna) Adding silk and feathers to a simple design and watching it come to life. That is how my Diva collection was born. Some bags just ask to be given a name and a proper birthday. I don't name "my girls" until they are completely finished. Some of them I labor long and hard on. Some come a little easier...but they are all a part of me.

I hope you enjoy Sasaki Bags. I am always seeking inspiration in everyday life. If you have a hobby or profession you would like to show off to the world...let me know about it and perhaps I can translate it into a one of a kind bag...just for you.

Aloha,
Barb Sasaki

Sasaki Bags

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Deluxe Omiyage

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Deluxe Shopper

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