Forest City Portage

Sailcloth Hand Bag

2011-03-21T23:05:00.003-04:00

I am really pushing to use as much of the fabric in my shop as I can. I have lots and lots of smaller pieces of fabric and I am always trying to come up with ways in which to use them. I have also been spending more time making totes and hand bags and the such and fell in love with this little number as soon as I was done!

Asymmetric Backpack

2011-03-21T22:38:00.004-04:00

Bizarre Bazaar is over, the holidays are past, and custom bag orders are getting caught up on. That can only mean one thing, prototyping. I have been struggling to find a backpack design that I am completely in love with. I have, however, found myself in like with this new, more traditional two strap bag. It features a single vertical zipper that serves as a more messenger-style access port giving the wearer access while still on the shoulder. It is also covered in scotchlite reflective tape, features a waterproof zipper pocket and a nice big pocket with flap on the front.

Ride of Silence, Access for All, and Hops Hops Hops

2010-12-20T19:09:00.004-05:00

In an effort to honor the life of a friend and fallen cyclist, Sylvia Bingham, a group of cyclists rode clad in white along the route she had taken that tragic day. We stopped briefly to pay homage at the ghost bike that was placed on the intersection by the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op one year earlier and left the bike covered in a bouquet befitting the fallen.
Not two days later, a group of cyclists committed to normalizing bicycle safety and complete streets in NE Ohio's regional development discussions hosted a great event trying to raise interest in passing complete streets legislation in the city of Cleveland. There were several bands, reduced food and drinks, plenty of information on what is in the works and how to get involved, and a great chance to see the beautiful Progressive "I really mean the Jake" Field without a baseball game. I donated the Cle bag as a raffle for those who signed up to receive emails about upcoming cycling events and volunteer opportunities.
Finally, a coworker of mine and musician/home-brewer was in need of a new bag for carrying around music and other bits. The result is a pretty big bag that features a giant hop bud and the symbol for resistance. I really like how the muted colors came together.

Late Summer

2010-12-20T18:50:00.003-05:00

While summer was flying by and the bar was keeping me from my shop, I did manage to do a little work and was able to complete a really fun project for Cub, a little man with a big love for bikes. His father, a courier, has the little guy flying around town and the two of them enjoy a daily ride to school together. The final product is a two part bag. The main bag is a traditional courier bag and is large enough for a full-sized human carrying a full days worth of books while the second bag is a tiny bag for him now that can hold a book, maybe two, a folder and some pencils. This one is appliqued with characters from the Scooby Doo series and features the 10,000 Volt Monster, the Tar Monster and the Creeper. This smaller bag has a unique design in that the strap is removable and the bag can be strapped onto the larger bag, acting as the front pocket. In doing this, Cub will be able to enjoy both bags as he grows out of the smaller one. Thankfully, it wasn't all work and no play and I was able to spend some time on the Goodtime III on the Cuyahoga River for a friend's birthday and was able to get some great shots of downtown Cleveland from a somewhat unique perspective.

Lynn's Backpack

2010-12-15T10:44:00.003-05:00

Summer was continuing to be hectic with family trips to Boston, MA and the Berkshires where we ate and drank like kings and queens and enjoyed the beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, a pond, an apiary and an epic garden. Somewhere amidst the travels and the bike rides I was able to work on another new product: the traditional backpack. Having already designed and tested two much larger and more burly "messenger style" backpacks, it was time to tackle new territory and Lynn had been looking for a backpack she said so I took it upon myself to try to help here out. While I have some pattern adjustments to make so as to decrease puckering around the zipper, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. The design is minimalistic but functional and I think the overall bag can be a success for those interested in a water resistant sack without all the bells and whistles of the larger offerings. Now I just need to get it to Lynn who has been patiently awaiting the delivery for some months now. It seems that as Summer turned to Fall, I ramped up my time in the studio and this little huni found its way into the corner as she so gingerly pointed out this past weekend!

Pannier Prototype 1

2010-12-15T10:14:00.005-05:00

First of all. I'm finally back to the blog, (let's hope for good), and am excited to announce the launching of http://www.fore stcityportage.com! It still has a few bugs to be worked out, some text needs to be changed and some more pics added, but all in all I'm just excited that its up. Now that that announcement is out of the way I shall proceed in updating everyone as to the events of the past six months.

Made in the 216 was a really great time, Room Service and the Pop up Space were packed to the gills and the weather couldn't have cooperated any better. Then summer broke into high swing and between the lack of staff at Melt Bar and Grilled keeping me at the restaurant more than I would have liked and the call of patios, I was a bit scattered in my appearances at the workshop, (the persistent 95 degree days in a room with a wall of windows didn't really help much either). I did find some time, however to make a fun city pannier for my friend Nina. The simple design features only webbing and velcro for mounting as I tried to focus on ease of use, cut down on costs (a nice Ortlieb mounting system can run $30-40/pr alone), and cause I didn't have a bunch of pannier hardware lying around when she asked.

The final product, while somewhat rudimentary, turned out really nice and I think that I would make some more (although probably with a decent set of mounts as the ease of use was not as high as I had hoped). The sailcloth exterior is super durable and the post consumer waste vinyl liner is light and keeps things waterproof. In the end, a pretty nice bag for a twelve pack and some clothes on a crummy day.

Sorry I've Been Gone!

2010-06-03T00:28:00.004-04:00

Hey People of the Blogosphere! Sorry I was absent for so long... Between winter lethargy, the lack of a full-time computer, and the ease of Tumblr, I have been lax in updating this little huni. To follow is a litany of what I've been up to at the shop. I'm keeping it in chronological order to make it easier to follow in the future. Thanks for your understanding. Look for the website in less than two weeks, Jon Bobel is doing amazing work! Also, hats are in the works, pics to come soon(ish if my updating gets crappy again!).

Wallets/Coin Purses

2010-05-31T01:14:00.000-04:00

These little babies are awesome. They have a clear vinyl ID window that will hold about 5 cards and another pocket on the reverse side for more cards or money. The middle is a velcro secured pouch for coins or cash and has a little leash with a key ring for your house key or bike lock key while you're out making for a light load.

Made in the 216 2010 Hip Packs

2010-05-30T01:11:00.000-04:00

These are some of the hip packs that I've done for the even at Danielle's store! You may recognize the patch from an earlier post!

Made in the 216 2010 Tool Pouches

2010-05-25T01:06:00.000-04:00

Its June again soon and that means Made in the 216 is happening at Room Service in Detroit Shoreway again. This year looks to be bigger and badder and I have been working like a dog getting things together for it. These are some of the tool pouches I've been working on.

John's Crooked River Bag

2010-05-20T01:03:00.000-04:00

This bag was months in the making and is maybe the most complicated bag from a design standpoint. The panels were cut and printed from linoleum blocks onto Sailcloth by Alex Nosse. These panels represent the aspects of the Cuyahoga River: agriculture, industry, and recreation.

Dave's Piggly Wiggly Bacon Bag

2010-05-15T00:58:00.000-04:00

Prototyping is over and the Big Boy Backpack is ready to hit the streets. Featuring the zippered document pocket, split shoulder strap, side pockets, compression straps, you know, the works, this behemoth deserves to go to the guy who did the testing in Chicago with its father, the camo pack. Dave wanted a pig with bacon crossbones and I'm pretty sure I hit the mark!

Sparrow Hip-Pack

2010-04-27T00:56:00.000-04:00

Inspired by old school tattoo imagery, this sparrow bag is the first of its kind. Not only does it feature the normal fittings of a hip pack, but it also has a zipper in the flap for keeping money, keys, whatever sealed away.

Cleveland Tweed Ride

2010-04-19T00:52:00.000-04:00

Alex and Brian put on Cleveland's first Fabulous Tweed ride and I took the bait and started working with wool to make some prizes for the event. The result was hip packs and tool pouches made with rich salvaged tweed! This has started a bit of a salvaged fabric craze at my shop.

Katie's Ohio Bag

2010-04-10T00:51:00.000-04:00

This plain little number has a cute little ohio and star on the lower right hand corner. Chicago here we come.

New Machine

2010-03-11T00:48:00.000-05:00

I finally bought the machine I've been looking at for over a year. Its a compound walking foot machine with self oiler and reverse. Now I can applique on the Pfaff and do the burly construction on this without switching out thread every 30 minutes! Thank You Uncle Sam.

Jess's Elephant Family Bag

2010-03-04T00:46:00.000-05:00

This is one of the most endearing bags I've made to date. It features mommy and her two babies walking. The detail is just enough and the colors look great!

Molly's Millencolin Bag

2010-02-22T00:44:00.000-05:00

I made this little pink number for Molly. It is an ode to one of her favorite bands Millencolin.

Go Patches

2010-02-10T00:41:00.000-05:00

Alex Nosse made a great lino cut a few years ago and during some testing with a two-part screen printing ink decided to print a boatload of patches on sailcloth and salvaged vinyl coated vinyl.

Tool Pouches for St. Louis Lock-In Polo Tournament

2010-01-15T00:32:00.000-05:00

Cleveland sent a carload of hooligans to the "Show Me State" for the lock-in tourney. Of course they won at everything as always, but mostly they took a few tool pouches with them to share with the crowds.

www.forestcityportage.com

2010-01-11T22:12:00.002-05:00

Jon Boble @ www.jonathanbobel.com began construction of the website and soon to be permanent internet home of Forest City Portage today! More pics of bags to be taken this week and testing should be happening soon... Look for updates and new products in the coming weeks!

Fatty's Daddy Baggy

2010-01-05T00:35:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Brian welcomed his baby girl Clover Jane into the world recently and to celebrate the birth, his loving wife got him this rad baby baggy. It is special for a few reasons. First, it utilizes magnetic snaps instead of velcro for the closures to eliminate that obnoxiously loud noise which can easily wake your baby after hours of trying to get her to sleep. Also, the interior features a series of removable pockets and pouches including a bottle holder and a dry bag as well as a movable divider for partitioning the insides. Not only do these make organizing babies things easy, but since they can be removed, the bag can double as a courier bag during and after the baby bag part is needed. Finally, it has a series of D-Rings and Clips for toys, pacifiers, etc.

Painting at the Shop

2009-12-29T16:05:00.002-05:00

As fall turns into winter and business slows down and sewing becomes less frequent, fun chores at the shop arise such as reorganizing fabrics (check), overhauling machines (check), and painting the walls to spruce up the bones of our old factory we call home. My dear friend Alex with whom I share space, helped paint and design the accent wall on the West wall of our shop. We used old paint he had around for his mural projects and just went to town making fun colors and bringing some vitality to the space that had been dominated by pressboard and metal studs. We still have a few hours of painting left to finish the wall but I think it is already starting to look amazing.

Sugar Skull Hip Pack

2009-12-29T15:55:00.002-05:00

This sweet Hip Pack was a little late to its owner, but I think it turned into a nice X-mas gift in the end. The design is really intricate and took some time to complete but the final product is awesome! Thanks for your patience Gregg.

Wallet

2009-12-29T15:52:00.003-05:00

The boredom of winter has led to the latest and greatest: recycled sailcloth wallets. They are super lightweight, bombproof, and cute. Soon to be available in inner tube as well, wallets are $12.

Big Boy Backpack

2009-12-29T15:46:00.003-05:00

This has been months in the making and the free time of winter has allowed for the completion of the first ever full on backpack. This thing is big, brauny and bold. It could use to be a little taller and to have a bit more flap on the top for rolling purposes, but it is comfortable as all hell and surprisingly pleasing to the eye despite the desert camo. It features a split shoulderstrap on one side and a zippered file pocket along the back for easy access to those important papers. Look for a final design by spring.

"Casual Encounters" Back Pack Prototyping

2009-12-29T15:27:00.002-05:00

So I have finally finished the first few rounds of prototyping for the around town backpack and the results are great. There is a 3d exterior pocket with pen pouches and a wallet spot along with easy-ats on both sides. The straps are seatbelt webbing and the exterior fabric on these two are sailcloth. The one with the red V is I and the tree is II. Moving the straps to the back of the bag really helped tie it all together and I think the final design will incorporate a simple yolk of some sorts when all said and done.

Tool Kits

2009-12-29T15:22:00.001-05:00

I have had some extra time lately to develop some more products fully and the Tool Kits have been a huge part of that extra time. These bad boys are made from scraps of vinyl, cordura, and sailcloth and are quite handy for keeping all your little bits in one area. Soon to be out are roll-up pouches as well.

"CLE" Hip Pack

2009-12-29T15:18:00.002-05:00

This little ditty was the final third of the Cleveland inspired bags for the ArtWalk show and it kind of an amalgamation of the Hopkins call letters and the skyline.

"216" Task Bag

2009-12-29T15:14:00.001-05:00

The task bag is my new favorite here at the shop. Though I have already made some adjustments, this bag was so killer that I kept it for myself. Added since this bag were buckles and straps and slight angle adjustments on the straps, but other that that... Perfection. It is smallish, sleek, comfy, frill free and MINE. Hard to believe, but I have only a few bags from my own shop, and most of them are prototypes that I'm not really in love with.

"You Are Here" Musette

2009-12-29T15:09:00.002-05:00

Perhaps the most iconic of the flaps to date, this medium musette is a longtime hipster tattoo design and a great signifier of your love for the great green city on a blue lake. The muddy banks of the Cuyahoga seem a little more inviting to those who like this design.

"Om" Tote

2009-12-29T15:03:00.002-05:00

The time has come for Totes. Not only are they easy to make and fun, but they are a great way to avoid using plastic bags at the grocery store, and are versatile enough to be bookbag, purse, and shopping bag interchangeably. This small tote stays with the Sanskrit theme and has already found a home in the hands of a budding yoga instructor.

"Om" Yoga Mat Bag

2009-12-29T15:01:00.002-05:00

Since my participation in the Tremont ArtWalk was through a Yoga and Pilates studio (Studio 11) I figured it was only appropriate to feature a bag for people to haul around their mats in. This simple tube design features a pocket for a wallet or checkbook, a leash and clip for keys, and a cinch top that doubles as the straps.

"Cascading Circles" Musette

2009-12-29T14:57:00.002-05:00

The musette has become a favorite of mine recently as it combines the great comfort of an over-the-shoulder civilian bag, with the bike-a-bility of a courier bag. They have simplified straps that work best when walking around, but leashes and adjustable buckles for when jumping on your stallion. This one is a small and is so darn precious!

"Fast Forward" Bag

2009-12-29T14:55:00.002-05:00

A medium bag with the new strap design featured on it, the fast forward bag has been on my list of to do's for some time and the opening at Studio 11 for the Art Walk was just what I needed to kick my butt into gear.

"Checkerboard" HP

2009-12-29T14:53:00.001-05:00

I love the simple color scheme and classic design. The white background really highlights the color gradients.

Cleveland Skyline Bags

2009-12-20T11:44:00.002-05:00

A family friend ordered a pair of task bags for her boys. The result
is two nice bags that are identical in design but divergent in color.

"Biking is Free"Day Bag

2009-11-30T17:10:00.004-05:00

A new bag style at Forest City Portage is the Task Bag... It is basically a stripped down bag that has most of the elements of the traditional bags but less fuss. The idea here is to create a bag for the casual cyclist that is functional, but doesn't force them to pay for the features of a bag built for year-round, on the job couriers. It has the same 1000D Cordura exterior and the floating 18oz. Vinyl liner. It also has a padded split strap and a leash. It has a giant exterior pocket with pen slots and a wallet slot on the outside, and a double-wide pocket just inside it. There are no pockets on the interior of the bag making the main compartment a holding zone more than an organizing area. Gone is the double layer base and the straps for closure. This bag is not meant to be overfilled, but it will do the job for trips to the market or class. Also, a new strap design featuring fins that are similar to those found on backpacks which really increase the comfort when carrying odd-sized and smaller loads.

"Cog" HP

2009-11-30T17:07:00.002-05:00

"Om" Hip-Pack

2009-11-14T21:56:00.002-05:00

A nice and simple design with the Yogis in mind!

Fabric Logo Tags are Here

2009-10-29T17:54:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the people at Cleveland Printwear the tree tags have
arrived. Finally all the creations at FCP will feature the emblem of
its creator!

Laptop Case Prototype Done

2009-10-06T11:01:00.002-04:00

For the "I am Panda" bag, I included a laptop case for a 13"macbook. It has 6 fully padded 1/2" memory foam sides and a velcro closure. The neat part about the design is that it features exterior velcro that has a mate on the inside of the bag. This keeps everything nice and secure when on the move and centers the laptop in the bags compartment.

Panda Bag is Done

2009-10-03T18:16:00.001-04:00

I Am Panda Bag

2009-10-02T02:52:00.001-04:00

Inspired by one of her favorite drawings, this cute panda bag is both
feminine and edgy. The pink and teal accent colors are a nice pop of
color without being overwhelming.

Backpack Prototype

2009-10-02T02:48:00.001-04:00

So it's been a long time coming but I finally have a backpack in the
works. Digital desert camouflage isn't my most popular fabric and I
had a bunch of it from a bulk remnants purchase a few months back. The
neat part of this bag is the waterproof side pocket which is 12"x15"
and can be accessed without removing the whole bag. It is meant to
hold flat objects as it runs along the back of the bag. Look for
finished photos in the coming weeks!

Guy's Cog Bag

2009-10-02T02:43:00.001-04:00

A fellow polo player requested this simple bag featuring an 11 tooth
cog. Plain but classic.

Lynn's Hip Pack Round 2

2009-09-29T17:19:00.001-04:00

While she loved the first hip pack I made, Lynn had to find a shorter
version that would allow for use while sporting a child on her back,
the new design is slightly smaller, but more functional for her needs.
It also has a GM buckle for quick removal and a fun plaid pattern that
is subtle yet still playful.

Product Photo Sample

2009-09-28T14:10:00.001-04:00

Peter Jennings has agreed to do some press photos for me and the
samples look great, look for the website in a month or two once the
rest of the pics are done!

Sylvia Bingham Memorial Bike Ride

2009-09-22T12:42:00.000-04:00

In loving memory of our friend, family member, and lover Sylvia, over
150 cyclists gathered at her former home on West 11th in Tremont and
rode to her former employer Hard Hatted Women on Prospect. The silent
memorial ride was graced with a police escort and stopped briefly to
place flowers at the white "ghost bike" which was customarily placed
at the site ofthe accident by the local bike safety and advocacy
organization, Ohio City Bike Co-Op located on Columbus Rd in the
flats. A heartfelt thanks go out to those who helped make this a great
tribute and to all those who helped us pay homage to a wonderful young
woman.

Sylvia Bingham Memorial Ride

2009-09-19T12:30:00.003-04:00

In honour of the passing of Sylvia Bingham, the Ohio City Bike Co-Op has placed a Ghost Bike on the corner of the tragic accident. Please help support the friends and family of Sylvia, celebrate her life, and promote bicycle awareness and safety this Tuesday, September 22 at 7:30 am next to SouthSide Bar on W. 11. Further information is available at http://iridefor.blogspot.com/.

Todd's Sunburst Beastmaster Bag

2009-09-09T14:53:00.001-04:00

Fatty's Colnago Spade CLE HP

2009-09-01T22:29:00.003-04:00

Alex designed this simple take on the Colnago Spade design for our polo club, Pedal Republik of Cleveland. It has the World Championship stripes on the classic white background and has the hand embroidered CLEVELAND at the bottom.

Baby's Carrier

2009-09-01T14:30:00.002-04:00

Daniel really wanted a new bag and loves his chihuahua "Baby" so much he wanted a bag that he could take her around with him. This civilian style messenger bag will have a special door on the side so Baby can watch the action as Daniel strolls around town. To make the unicorn extra magical, the horn is appliqued with silver spectrum rayon thread that is really sparkly.

Junkyard Lovin'

2009-08-31T19:02:00.004-04:00

A recent trip to the local salvage yard yielded a bounty of webbing and some great chromed GM safety belt buckles. Cio scored the biggest find from a late eighties Oldsmobile!

Colleen's Hedgehog Love Bag

2009-08-31T19:00:00.005-04:00

I absolutely adore this cartoon inspired bag. A simple picture of a hedgehog with a thought bubble featuring a heart. It's perhaps the perfect design: simple, adorable, and centered.

Sean's CLE Bag

2009-08-31T19:00:00.004-04:00

Austin, TX has become somewhat notable in the last decade for its "indie" music, lively night life, and eccentric attitude, all which helped the tourism board come up with "Keep Austin Weird" as its official slogan. Sean was in need of a new bag and thought Cleveland's under-the-radar scene deserved and under-the-radar slogan... Thus was spawned the "Keep Cleveland Less Than Normal" slogan.

NASA Hip-Bag

2009-08-13T00:20:00.002-04:00

Ryan was looking forward to a LeBob James style Colorado-Ohio Bag but decided on something that was a one-of-a-kinder from my shop. He decided on the iconic NASA logo. The logo itself was intricate, but the stars were the most interesting part for me... Trial and error prevailed and I'm pretty happy with the finished product.

Green City Blue Lake Hip-Pack

2009-08-06T00:47:00.001-04:00

Well, I know mother's day was forever ago now, but I finally got around to delivering on my promise to the best woman in the world (second best if you ask my girlfriend). She wanted the GCBL (an amazing organization that works towards environmental sustainability in making Cleveland a premier city again) logo which contained some colors that I am unable to source providing me with an interesting challenge. To solve this issue, I was able to find some great thread from Gutterman that matched perfectly, and some creative use of straight stitching allowed me to replicate the gradient color scheme of the logo to some success. I also was having an interesting time with the free-hand embroidered lettering which was a first. I'm so happy with the way it turned out and think it is worthy of the woman that wears it! I love you mom XOXO

Deluxe XL Full Moon Bag

2009-07-31T00:25:00.001-04:00

This was by far the most complicated bag I have done to date and was finished just in time fort the August 1 opening at Melt. It features the double layer of Cordura on the base, and is the first to feature a stash pouch. It is so massive (21Wx16Hx11D) that it required 2 front pockets, side and bottom compression straps, and the X-Strap, a stowable second shoulder strap that, when used in conjunction with the leash, keeps the bag tight to the body and provides additional support. Finally, there is a piece of padding on the bottom strap and both sides feature stays, often found on backpacking gear, that allows the user to keep the additionl fabric close to the body when empty and provides some additional support when full by pulling up slightly on the shoulder straps. Also, this was the first time I really tried to draw with thread. The tree, wolf, and moon are all done freehand and (I think) turned out great!

Rising Cog

2009-07-29T00:13:00.001-04:00

In Preparation for a show at my "Day Job," Melt Bar and Grilled, I got this little huni worked up. This is my "basic" bag to say the least. Gone is the padded strap, the double layer of Cordura on the base, and the exterior "easy-at" pockets. The nice part about losing the extras is that the price comes down considerably, and if you aren't a full-time cyclist the bag will treat you right. The sunburst wraps all the way to the bottom on the back of the bag as well.

Bird Hip-Pack

2009-07-27T00:24:00.001-04:00

I really like city-scapes and birds and this HP encorporates both! The pink really pops against the teal and blue and the clouds provide a little more depth to the scene. This was the first to utilize a velcro belt that is fully adjustable and has a FC Portage Tree Logo on the belt. The logo is a piece of salvaged vinyl that I stamped with a white pigment ink and covered with an acrylic, spray-on sealer. I think down the road I will have someone screen the logo on the vinyl since the stamp is wishy-washy and the acrylic tends to be super sticky!

I made this HP for the

Business Cards

2009-07-23T17:21:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Alex and Bobby the cards are done and back from the printer.
They are black on 100% recycled chipboard and the stitching, while
time consuming, really ties everything together.

MOTO Bag Revisited

2009-07-21T23:08:00.001-04:00

So, the original bag I made for MOTO sold at the opening and I finally
got around to making a replacement. In fact, since they are so much
work to make I am making 2! Also, these twins are the first bags to
come standard with a U-Lock holster, a double layer of cordur on the
base, a D-Ring for your keys, and a super velcroed interior pocket to
keep things where they belong. Look for zippers in the not too distant
future.

Dave G's Squid Vicious Bag

2009-07-11T18:20:00.002-04:00

By far the most complex design to date, I love the old school design
and I think it is turning out nicely, just a few details left before I
can move on to the actual bag construction.

Made in the 216

2009-06-26T19:10:00.001-04:00

The event is a huge success already. Tons of people are making their
way to Detroit Shoreway for shopping and entertainment and are
enjoying the glorious weather that has graced the opening.

Made in the 216 bag 2 of 2

2009-06-26T14:35:00.002-04:00

Well, I dropped off the last bag at 12 today, a mere 4 hours before
opening. Late? Yes, but definitely done right. The subtle colors are
elegant and cool while the bright blue liner pops just a bit. A single
2" buckle was used for closure because of the small size. I really
like this bag and thought about keeping it for myself. It is slightly
taller than I had been making and yet is still small enough to be
suitable for an afternoon fun ride.

216 Hip Pack 2

2009-06-24T14:31:00.001-04:00

Finally got the 2nd HP done for Made in the 216 this Friday! One bag
left today! Hope to see you at Room Service on Detroit for the big
event.

Moon and Stars Bag

2009-06-07T19:44:00.001-04:00

Hot off the presses is the midnight bag for the Room Service event at
the end of June. Three stars accompany a crescent moon and the dark
shell is highlighted by a light blue liner. This bag also sees the
return of the salvaged seat belt webbing and buckles.

MOTO Gallery Hip-Pack

2009-06-02T20:29:00.002-04:00

The new hip-pack for the moto gallery features a flame design to make
you feel a little more masculine on your moped. A red liner
complements the yellow trim well and the contasting thread really
helps the flames pop off the black body.

Made in the 216 Hip-Pack #1

2009-06-02T14:21:00.001-04:00

The first of two hip-packs being made for the annual Made in the 216
event being put on by Room Service on Detroit and W. 65th street in
Detroit-Shoreway is done! A slight modification has been made to the
design creating a larger mouth on the opening of the bag for greater
ease when accessing it's contents.

MOTO Gallery Opening

2009-05-19T09:05:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday the Moto Gallery officially opened to a huge crowd of friends, family, and regular joes. I was really excited to see my work on display and hear the buzz as people checked out my bags. The final moto bag turned out great, the 216 bag looks bangin, and Bob's hip-pack rounds out the offerings for the first week of business. I plan on producing a few more bags for the shop in the coming weeks but my queue is backlogged again (hooray) and it may take a while to catch up. Check back soon for updates. Also, Ned, fresh out of design school at Cazenovia in New York, worked me up a little poster for the gallery which looks great and captures the industrial urban grit that characterizes Cleveland and me. Great job Ned!

216 Bag

2009-05-12T16:40:00.001-04:00

Another bag in the works for the MOTO Gallery is this nice tribute to
Cleveland. A beige base with burgundy numbers is accented with cream,
light blue, and navy stripes. The pockets will be a nice muted green
and it will be lined in black.

Nick's Tower Flag Bag

2009-05-12T11:15:00.005-04:00

Nick designed a flag for the DIY show space known as the Tower few years back and since he will be leaving the tower and it is no longer going to be putting on shows he requested a bag that would keep the flag alive for a very long time. The result is a bigger than average custom bag designed to hold 33rpm records. I made it extra wide so he could carry an entire nights worth of vinyl to a gig along with a bunch of other goodies. Because of the added depth I included compression straps to bring things in when out for a leisurely ride.

Lynn's Hip Pack

2009-05-12T11:10:00.004-04:00

This was the first of the new design with the curved flap edges. She wanted something simple so I rocked the wavy lines with white and light blue thread.

Kelli's Owl Bag

2009-05-12T11:02:00.005-04:00

This bag was an absolute joy to make. The big owl on the front flap has white thread for texture and big blue reflectors that are bolted onto the bag and glued to secure for eyes. The back has a pair of little owls on it that I designed using fine tip sharpie.

MOTO Gallery Bag

2009-05-09T14:10:00.001-04:00

Mark, Ben and Eric are opening up a gallery and scooter shop in
Lakewood, OH and are going to be carrying my bags so I thought I would
make their shop a little tribute and encorporated their logo into the
flap design. Still a long way to go on this one, but I'm really
excited for them and can't wait to see their faces when I drop this
baby off on wednesday.

Matt's Bag is Done

2009-05-09T12:36:00.001-04:00

Hot off the machine, Matt's Wind Bag is looking hot. Besides the usual
array of pockets, his bag is the first to include a string of 5x5
pockets along the inside front section of the bag. Perfect for a pair
of tubes, a patch kit, a four pack of Old Raaputin, or whatever other
smallish things you might want to keep from littering the bottom of
your bag, these pockets are just another way to maintain order when
you're on the go!

Matt's Bag

2009-05-04T14:35:00.000-04:00

This design has been in my sketchbook for over a year and when I
showed it to Matt he fell in love. Still a lot of work to go but I
think it's looking good so far!

Andi's Bag

2009-05-01T02:53:00.001-04:00

Ready to ride again after months of snow, slush, and cold, Andi and
her husband were in need of a bag that would be suitable for both of
them. The plaid is a subtle design that breaks up the monotany of 23+
inches of cordura while not being too gender specific. The powder blue
grosgrain trim is a nice contrast to the burgundy fabric.

Joey's Punk Rock Cleveland Bag

2009-05-01T02:40:00.003-04:00

Joey took off to LA last week and asked for a special bag for travel. Its extra big with a nice 1000D cordura liner and a waterproof internal pocket for toiletries. Inspired by George's Cleveland bag, Joey wanted a smaller design with some edge that captured his sentiment for Cleveland. The result is a pretty nice Heart and Crossbones with a city skyline inside the heart.

Pedal Republik of Cleveland Tournament Prize Bag

2009-05-01T02:25:00.006-04:00

Last week saw a flurry of activity including bags for Joey, Andi, Kelli and Nick, not to mention the prize bag I provided for the Pedal Republik of Cleveland regional bike polo tournament on the 18th. Posts of the other bags to follow.

Hip Pack for LeBob James

2009-04-30T14:06:00.002-04:00

An Ohioan through and through, Bob has spent much of his life in
Colorado and is set to move back in August. This pack is a tribute to
the two states in his life.

New Hip-Pack Options

2009-04-30T01:47:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I designed a pack for Karate John that had a fixed strap.
Having never done it before I think it turned out pretty nice. The
wings give the pack a chance to settle to your waist nice and snug and
when combined with salveged seat belt webbing comfort is amazing.
Things need a few tweaks here and there but I plan on offering these
on all hip packs and might try them out on a full sized bag soon.

George's Cleveland Tribute Bag

2009-03-30T00:46:00.004-04:00

This bag was designed for my dear friend George and is a tribute to the great "Forest City."