For Bärbel, Isabell Mathenge created a timeless little handbag that matched her wish for simple elegance and everyday ease. What's your wish? →
View material & custom-made details
This tailor-made small black leather handbag showed how a simple custom request became a finished everyday bag with clear dimensions and a personal interior detail. Isabell Mathenge made the bag in black leather with an African print lining, making it a useful example for anyone considering a compact custom leather handbag.
- Request: The project started as a small black leather handbag with a specific shape and a clean, classic look for everyday use.
- Final result: The finished bag was made in black leather and completed in a compact size of about 9 inches long, 6 inches high and 4 inches deep.
- Design details: A colorful African print fabric was added on the inside, giving the bag a distinctive lining while keeping the outside understated and versatile.
- Process: Progress photos showed pattern sketching, cutting, gluing, skiving for thinner seam lines, and final stitching, which helped document how the handbag was built.
- Helpful for: This Item Journey is useful if you want a custom small leather handbag and need to see how size, leather choice and lining details can be agreed before the final piece is completed.
Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?
This design was custom-made exclusively for Bärbel. Let it inspire you: customize this design to fit your vision or start with a completely new idea. You chat directly with our artisans, and we handle the secure process.
A request by Bärbel from Fraureuth, Germany
I would like a small black leather handbag
The Journey of Creating Tailor-made small black leather handbag
Negotiation & Planning
Tailor-made small black leather handbag - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hallo Barbel!
My name is Isabel and I am happy to give you an offer for you idea.
Taken note of the bag design and shape from your attached image.
This is all possible.
Please find the attached leather black sample for your review and let me know if this is ok.
Otherwise I would be glad to start when you confirm.
Best regards
Isabell
Yes, I like the leather,
I confirm the order of the bag.
Love greetings
Bärbel (Automatic translation)
Hi Barbel
Thanks for confirming the order.
I am exited to start.
Many thanks
Isabel
Crafting Process
How to make a Tailor-made small black leather handbag – work in progress
Hi Barbel
Thanks so much for confirming the order.
I will start working on this project now.
I will keep you updated!
Best regards
Isabell
I am already looking forward
Love greetings (Automatic translation)
Hi Barbel
Trust you are doing fine.
I have working on the bag and I need you to check the following
1. Got this beautiful African print Fabric for the inside kindly check if I can use it for the inside of the bag. Find attached.
2. The bags dimensions. I propose it to be As follows
Lenght 9inch
Heigh 6inch
Depth 4inches
Hope this will be the right dimensions but incase you need me to adjust kindly let me know so we create a bag that you will love!.
Looking forward to your feedback!
Regards
Isabell
I like the fabric very much and the measurements are almost like the brown one,
Glad me
Love greetings
Bärbel (Automatic translation)
Hi Barbel
Please find attached project photos on the bag.
We have sketched and cut out the pattern , then glueing , skiving is done to help make the seam line thin and neatly finished.
Next will be stitching up and finishing the bag. 🙂
Thanks
Much greetings
Isabell
Very good
Glad me
Love greetings
Bärbel (Automatic translation)
Hi Barbel
The bag is now done!
Please have a look and let me know what you think.
Regards
Isabell
Super
I like very much
Thanks
Great
Love greetings
Bärbel (Automatic translation)
Hi Barbel
Wonderful! Am exited and contented that you are happy with the bag.
I love it too!
If you can confirm i am now ready to ship it to you.
Much greetings from here!
Regards
Isabel
Yes please send them,
Thank you Isabel
Many greetings
Bärbel (Automatic translation)
(Automatic translation) 27 Apr 2022 7:28 pm: Bärbel
(Automatic translation) 27 Apr 2022 7:28 pm: Bärbel
Yes, please send them,
Thank you, Isabel
Many greetings
Bärbel (Automatic translation)
Final Delivery – The Completed Piece in Photos
Customer Photos After Delivery
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON006415E-34682
Cost structure of this project
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
28.33
|
| Cost of labour |
20.24
|
| Cost of packaging |
1.62
|
| Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off |
3.24
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
53.43
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
5.34
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
5.34
|
| Total (excluding shipping & taxes) |
64.11
|
- Secure: Transparent ordering & approval
- Personal: We support you at every step
- Fair: Direct local value creation in Kenya
Note on shipping & taxes
The cost breakdown above shows how the value of this individual project is composed.
Shipping costs and any applicable taxes (e.g. VAT) depend on the delivery country and the specific setup and are therefore not shown as fixed amounts here.
All additional costs are communicated transparently before placing a binding order.
If you have any questions, you will find our contact details further down this page.
