Walter Omundo crafted a sleek, elegant small bag for Christina, perfectly blending soft leather and suede with practical space for essentials on her evenings out. What's your wish?
A request by Christina from Berlin-Mitte, Germany
I would like to order a small bag that I can carry on a night out. Mainly black with soft leather and suede detail. It should have a long strap so that I can wear it across my body. It should have enough room for a wallet and phone and should have an inner pocket.
The Journey of Creating Custom made small bag – black – soft leather – suede detail
Negotiation & Planning
Custom made small bag – black – soft leather – suede detail - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hello Christina,
I'd like to make an offer for your idea. What is the height, width and height of the bag you have in mind? I would like to suggest the below measuremnts and it will be made of suede material as requested and incorporated with nub buck leather :
Length of 52 cm
Height 27cms
Width 15cm
I've attached a photo of a bag I've done before. What do you think about this design?
Regards,
Georgina
Hi Georgina
I mentioned that I want a small bag for going out at night. So nothing bulky, just something cute where I can throw in my money, phone, keys etc. So it has to be much smaller than the measurements you suggested.
So I would suggest the following measurements:
Height: 15 cm
Length: 22 cm
Width: 6 cm
I have attached a picture as a suggestion.
Hello Christina,
Thank you for your feedback and for the measurements.
The photo you sent also helps to identify the product you would like better.
Kindly, have a look at the attachment I have sent as well and let me know your thoughts.
Also what kind of lining would you like for the bag on the inside, I could use Ankara fabric if you like.
Looking forward to begin making your bag.
Regards,
Georgina
Hi Georgina
Yes I like the idea with the ankara lining. Did you send two attachments? I only see a picture of the big black bag. It looks good and I like the combination of suede and soft leather. But yeah in this case I would prefer a smaller version in a curvy shape and not as geometric. You indicated 240 working hours. What does this entail?
Regards
Christina
Dear Christina,
I hadn't attached any item but from your suggestion, I have added curvier like designs for you but please note they are only designs. Also, the suede on the photo is the leather fabric as opposed to suede material which costs about €55. I have indicated the costs of the soft velvet leather you would like in the price section.
For the 240 hours. I usually take a week to make a bag from start to finish. This is because:
1. I have to head to the tannery and it takes about 6 to 7 hours to get there and back to the workshop.
2. Map out the design on paper as per the measurements are given and then cut out the pattern of the bag both the inner and out parts.
3. Stitch the parts and then bring them together.
4. Place accessories such as zips and let the bag air for about 12 hours.
5. Stuff it and see how well the zips hold to ensure they are sturdy.
However, I would also like to recommend if the bag may be made of a different type of leather texture such as Nub buck leather (orange in color like the bag attached in the picture) or oily pull up in tan or dark brown as other options of leather. This will cut down the material costs to €29 bringing the total cost of production to €67.
With Kind Regards,
Georgina.
Hello Georgina
Thank you for the detailed explanation and for offering the different leather options. The other options sound good too but I already have three bags in different variations of brown so I need a change and I was also looking for something neutral that goes with everything. So I‘ll stick with the black.
There‘s one part that I didn‘t understand. In the paragraph
(Also, the suede on the photo is the leather fabric as opposed to suede material which costs about €55. I have indicated the costs of the soft velvet leather you would like in the price section.)
Did you mean that you would be using velvet instead of suede?
Dear Christina,
Thank you for your feedback.
I have some good news. I am able to get the black suede leather which is currently on offer for €46 from the tannery for the size of bag you would like with the long strap.
Also, yes I meant to say the bag in the picture I sent is made of velvet and as opposed to leather but the material I will use for your bag is leather (black suede).
Hope to hear from you soon on beginning the work as we will be soon closing for Christmas.
With kind Reagrds,
Georgina.
Dear Christina,
I hope you're well.
I have managed to look at several ways to reduce the cost of making your bag and I'm delighted to give positive feedback.
The handle of the bag can made in such a way that is connected as shown on the photos I've recently attached. This helps reduce the cost of the leather hence will help reduce the cost of materials significantly. Looking forward to hearing from you.
With kind Regards,
Georgina
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom made small bag – black – soft leather – suede detail – work in progress
Dear Christina,
I look forward to beginning making your bag.
Unfortunately the festivities have begun and I will embark on beginning it on the 27th of December but complete by the 31st of December. I'll also be able to send photos and a video then
Looking forward to making your idea a reality.
Kind regards,
Georgina.
Ok thank you.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Thank you. Will begin working on hiit bag tomorrow.
Dear Christina,
I look forward to beginning making your bag. Unfortunately, the festivities are still ongoing on my end and I am forced to wait for the tannery to open on the 2nd of January to get the leather for your bag. I also hope to have them grant me the discount they had offered on the leather I would like to use tod to making your idea a reality. If not, I will definitely communicate on change of material costs from my end which I do not think will be significant.
With Kind Regards,
Georgina.
Hello Georgina.
Thank you for the feedback. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Dear Christina,
Hope this message finds you well. I am sorry I have not gotten back to you sooner in regards to your order. I am working on getting materials for the different vendors I use locally and I am hoping to finish it by the 23rd of January. Please bear with me as I ensure your bag idea becomes a reality.
With Kind REgards,
Georgina
Dear Christina,
Hope this message finds you well. I am sorry I have not gotten back to you sooner in regards to your order.
I am managed to get the materials and have begun making your idea a reality.
Please bear with me as I also have been unwell and are currently under malaria treatment.
However, I am ensuring your bag idea becomes a reality by the 23rd of January as earlier indicated.
With Kind Regards,
Georgina
Ok.
I hope you feel better soon.
Regards
Christina
Dear Christina,
Please have a look at pictures of your completed bag.
Let me know your sentiments on the final product.
With Kind Regards,
Georgina Sande
Hello Georgina
Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately I'm not really convinced yet. From the pictures the bag looks very faded, not like a brand new bag that has just been made. And I had posted a picture of a brown bag I own to show the size and shape I would like, but I didn't imagine you would make one in the exact design even with the front flap. Also it looks quite plain so far. Is there anything designwise or accesorywise that you can add to make it more chic? As I said I want a bag for going out. It doesn't need to be a lot but just something to make it pop or make it special.
And as I recall we had also discussed adding ankara fabric in the inner lining.
Christina
Dear Christina.
Thank you for your feedback.
In regards to the feedback of the size and design, you gave the measurements of
Height: 15 cm
Length: 22 cm
Width: 6 cm
Please let me know if you may have changed your mind in regard to that. I will be sure to incorporate all the other requests you have mentioned.
WIth Kind Regards,
Georgina.
Dear Christina.
I am most grateful for your feedback.
In regards to the leather being faded, I used a flash while taking photos with my phone hence the poor look quality. Please have a look at the other photos.
In regards to the feedback of the size and design, you gave the measurements of
Height: 15 cm
Length: 22 cm
Width: 6 cm
Please let me know if you may have changed your mind in regard to that.
I also apologize for not incorporating Ankara that was a huge oversight on my end therefore I shall make the bag again. With this in mind. It will take me about another 3 weeks to get the new bag ready. Please let me know if this timeline works well with you or if I may hand over this order to another artisan so as not to delay the delivery time on your end.
As for the design or accessory wise so as to make it more chic, kindly could you send me photos of what you have in mind.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
With Kind Regards,
Georgina.
Hello Georgina. I have no problem with the measurements I had suggested, just with the design. I would like to pass the project on to another artisan as it has taking longer than expected. Thanks for your time.
Regards
Christina
Hello Christina,
Thank you for the opportunity and I totally understand the timeline issue.
With Kind Regards,
Georgina.
Hello Christina, am Walter and I'll be working on your order from now on.I have uploaded pictures of plain leather and suede finished leather. Am planning to do suede on the bag flap and the rest parts of the bag be plain black leather.
Hello Walter.
Ok Thanks. Please update me on the process as you go along. And please note, the bag I had uploaded was only to show the size and not that I want a bag exactly like that one.
Hi Christina, I have uploaded pictures of patterns and the cut pieces of the bag. Am doing suede on the flap and the rest parts of the bag are black soft leather. Also I'll be using black cotton lining for the inner part.
Hello Christina. The bag is now ready. I have uploaded pictures of stages of production and the final product. Kindly have a look and let me know what you think about it. Thanks
Hello Christina. The bag is now ready. I have uploaded pictures of stages of production and the final product. Kindly have a look and let me know what you think about it. Thanks
Hi Walter
Thanks for the feedback. It looks good on the outside. For the inside I had askd for ankara lining. Secondly is there an inner pocket?
Hello Christina, thanks for the feedback. I'll be working on replacing the lining with Ankara. The bag has zipped pocket inside and phone pocket
Thanks. Looking forward to seeing the end result.
Hey Christina
I've made the adjustment, the bag is ready.
Ok. It looks good.
Thanks
Ok. The product can be delivered.
Final Delivery – The Completed Piece in Photos
Customer Photos After Delivery
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON001427E-10666
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
34.84
|
| Cost of labour |
39.43
|
| Cost of packaging |
2.02
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
0.92
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
77.21
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
7.72
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
7.72
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
15
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
20.45
|
| Total |
128.1
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
Each price shown is based on a unique, custom request. Final prices may vary depending on materials, effort, and delivery location.
