Virginia Kariuki crafted a sleek, robust wallet for Philipp, elegantly combining practicality with understated style. Each thoughtful detail brought his vision to life. What's your wish?
A request by Philipp from Berlin, Germany
I would like a men’s wallet, ideally with the following features:
– up to 10 compartments for cards
– one coin compartment
– a double compartment for papers, banknotes, etc.
– but still as thin as possible
Therefore e.g. made of linen, maybe reinforced with some leather to make it robust.
A little color is okay, but not too much pattern, rather plain.
(And by the way many greetings from the 5th floor to the neighbours of the Urban Change Lab!
The Journey of Creating Custom made wallet
Negotiation & Planning
Custom made wallet - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hi Phillip,
My name is Virginia and I am looking forward to fulfilling your order.
I would like to suggest using canvas instead of linen cause it's tougher and will give you more service.
What's your take on this suggestion?
Say hi to them as when you pass by 🙂
Regards,
Virginia
16 Sep 2018 9:56 pm: Philipp
Hi Virginia,
thank you for your feedback - this sounds like a good idea!
Looking forward to seeing your work!
All the best from Berlin,
Philipp
Hi Phillip,
Since you said you'd like a bit of colour, what do you think if we used this blue canvas and we can mix it with this tan brown leather for reinforcing and also a bit of aesthetic?
Regards,
Virginia K
19 Sep 2018 11:11 am: Philipp
Hi Virginia,
that's a very nice colour for both the canvas and the leather. Thanks for this suggestion, let's go with these two!
Kind regards and greetings from Berlin,
Philipp
hi Phillip,
I was looking for a photo of the design I was thinking of but I will incorporate the coin pocket I just wanted to illustrate how we can use the leather and the canvas. I was thinking we use leather to make the 10 card holder slots and the coin pouch and the outline of the wallet then everything else in canvas to keep it slim and minimalist. What do you think,
Also, here's the budget.
Lovely weekend 🙂
23 Sep 2018 4:52 pm: Philipp
Hi Virginia,
thank your for the illustration - this all looks excellent! I like the idea of a leather "frame" with the blue main parts in canvas. Maybe something similar is also possible for the coin pocket, so there is also a little bit of colour inside the wallet? I let you decide about that - if it's too complicated, we can keep the inside in leather without canvas.
The budget is fine, thank you!
All the best,
Philipp
Hi,
We can definitely try making the coin pocket in canvas then see how it works out.
I'll be off to the tannery today so I'll start on it tomorrow. I hope that's fine.
Warm regards,
Virginia
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom made wallet – work in progress
Hi Phillip,
Sorry I got overwhelmed by something else but I'll work on the wallet next week.
Lovely weekend,
Apologies for inconvenience
06 Oct 2018 2:25 pm: Philipp
Excellent, no problem!
Hi Phillip,
I started on the wallet, this is the progress so far. The brown parts is the lining. The other part with blue is how the wallet will look on the outside. Am still working on the pocket. I'll give you an update tomorrow.
Lovely evening
13 Oct 2018 6:08 pm: Philipp
Thanks Virginia, this looks very promising! It's fascinating to see how the project is progressing!
Hi Phillip.
So I prepared and finished the pocket. This is how it turned out. I also prepared and glued together the other parts with the card holders so all that's remaining us to saw them together.
17 Oct 2018 12:06 pm: Philipp
Hi Virginia,
thanks for the update on the progress - I'm very much looking forward to seeing the wallet when it's ready 🙂
Hey Philipp,
Hope you've been well.
Here's how it looks like including the 2 cash partitions.
Am yet to stitch up the last partition in case you have any changes.
25 Oct 2018 9:44 pm: Philipp
Hi Virginia,
this looks perfect to me, thank you!
I don't think there is anything else to change or add.
All the best,
Philipp
Hi Philipp
It's done!!! Finally. What do you think?
01 Nov 2018 8:36 pm: Philipp
Thank you so much, this really Looks great! Exactly the way I imagined it 🙂
Am glad you like it. Will hand it in today so it can get shipped.
It was a pleasure working with you.
Regards,
Virginia K
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON001832E-6324
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
12.59
|
| Cost of labour |
10.91
|
| Cost of packaging |
0.84
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
0.84
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
25.18
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
2.52
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
2.52
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
10
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
7.64
|
| Total |
47.86
|
*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.
