Mewsette and Mimi model the new tote.

A Rework for My Tote Bags

Mewsette and Mimi model the new tote.

Mewsette and Mimi model one of the new tote bags.

Just like all the other products I make, I took some time this spring to go over the issues and snags I’d encountered with my tote bags last year, and did my best to resolve those issues and streamline my production.

The Tote Bag Rework

I had found a lightweight canvas for my tote bags that was available in white, navy and black, just right for my tote designs. But I discovered that fabric isn’t always available in all three colors, and it was hit or miss after last autumn and this winter. No luck at online stores. This meant sometimes not having tote bags to sell.

I considered changing the design to eliminate the panel at the bottom of the bag. The front of the bag, then, would be only the artwork, and the bag would be about 11″ tall instead of 14″, but I could back the bag with another print, or with any variety of solid color fabrics.

I designed this bag with that bottom panel because I didn’t like the shorter but wide bag, and I may use that size for other totes, but for now I wanted the solid panel at the bottom because it’s just different.

The other thing I didn’t like about that canvas was the weight, nominally a 7 oz. canvas, it just felt too thin, so I wanted to find a new fabric too.

Tote closeup

Tote closeup

If I still wanted the white, black and navy fabrics, then, I needed to find a substitute that is available all the time. The other fabric that is similar, heavier and available in all three colors is bull denim, a nice, soft, medium-weight twill denim, heavier than the canvas, but a good weight for a nice, sturdy bag.

I need to raise the prices just a little  for the changes, though. The new price will be $25.00 per bag purchased from my website, $20.00 per bag purchased in person.

Tote bag designs

I will continue to make the five feline designs I’ve always offered, but I’ve decided to hold on the flower designs for now. They really didn’t sell well except for “Market Flowers,” and while I have a few ideas for other nature and wildlife tote designs (chickens, anyone?), I will put my efforts on the flower designs into purses.

So I’ll see how popular these designs are, and I also have other ideas for designs that might work. Let me know what you think and if you’d like to see a certain design.

Where to find the tote bags

You can find them all on Portraits of Animals on the page for Totes, Accessories and Purses.

Other items with the same art or design To find all items on this site with the same art or design, use the search box for the name of the artwork and you'll find all that's available.

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