Latest News

Bespoke Bridget bag

janehopkinsonbags — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:53:41 +0000

The Bridget shoulder bag / work bag in red ostrich print and black has just been made. The Bridget needed to work as a smart bag for the office and work bag but wanted something with a flash of colour other than black so the red ostrich print highlights this really well and love the striking red handles..

Made to order bespoke bags

janehopkinsonbags — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:43:13 +0000

A lovely selection of some of our made to order bags for our customers.
The Petal shoulder bag in vibrant white with black trim a graphic look for the summer.
The Riley clutch in peppermint ostrich print, this particular leather is limited edition
and the Wedge shoulder bag very chiq in black with cream edging a real classic look.

A special order for Mother of the groom

janehopkinsonbags — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:28:49 +0000

A special occasion bag for mother of the groom, the Ruby in turquoise to pick up the colours in her beautiful dress.

New anaconda split suede prints have just arrived

janehopkinsonbags — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:10:07 +0000

This beautiful anaconda split suede printed leathers have just arrived in rich plum, a fabulous royal blue and mustard yellow. These would look fabulous in the Tamara tote.

A great bag for the summer especially in the royal blue and mustard yellow!

Last 2 weekends Art in Ditchling

janehopkinsonbags — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:45:50 +0000

Don’t miss Art in Ditchling this weekend. PARK HERE FOR FREE at the Turner Dumbrell Workshops, start your Art in Ditchling Trail

Experience a wealth of arts and crafts in Ditchling for the next 2 weekends in May, Ditchling opens there houses and studios to the public. With 17 venues for you to see as part of Brighton Artist Open Houses. Click here to find out more

At the foot of the south downs is where we are situated half mile out of Ditchling at The Turner Dumbrell Workshops a creative hub of studios. See the artists and makers at work as hands and tools combine to create beautiful pieces to treasure.

Smell and see the leather as you walk through OUR studio door. Gain a true understanding of how and where these beautiful leather bags are handcrafted.

Meet the other artists and makers in their studios. Visit Auricula Jewellery for contemporary fresh water pearl jewellery by Natasha Caughey. Philip Dunn paintings famous for his deck chairs, Geoff Plant for his retro lino cuts and beautiful art works from Rosemary pavey.

Different leathers – Did you know..

janehopkinsonbags — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:38:33 +0000

Different leathers – Did you know…

Leather types

Nubuck / Oily nubck – This leather is an aniline dyed leather which has been lightly abraded on the grain surface to create a velvety finish or nap. The nap is very fine because of the tight fibre structure in the grain layer. Nubuck can also be made with an oily top to give a ‘distressed’ or worn look used mainly on casual boots and shoes. The oil gives a temporary waterproofing effect until it wears off or dries out.

Pull up (also known as - waxy or oily pull-up) This leather has had a surface finsh of a dark wax, when the leather is creased or moved the top colour lightens to give a ‘worn’ or used look.
Split suede – This is the underside of the skin , split away from the top grain, dyed and fine buffed. Suede split can be made into many different effects, from oily worn look to imitation snake or croc or simply a soft fine nap. On occasion it can be the full substance skin, buffed on the flesh side, this is usually only on calf skins as the flesh side of older animals is too coarse.

Leather terms
Sides – Generally half a whole hide is a cow hide, cut down the back bone
Bellies - Taken from vegetable tanned, the flank. This article is smaller & narrower in cutting area, it gives the user a classic veg leather at an economic price.

Butts – Is part of the hide, it is usually vegatable tanned, and below the shoulders. Generally the leather is thicker, less marked and longer & wider in size, suitable for cutting items such as belts.
Bend – This term used for sole leather which denotes a half butt, vegetable tanned and rolled flat and hard for use in soles and heels.

Shoulders – Generally these are used in both heavy vegetable form for insoles heels etc or in lighter weights for leather goods, we offer dyed through shoulders from 1.6 to 3.0mm suitable for all leather goods applications.
Different finishing effects
Aniline
This type of leather is dyed exclusively with soluble dyes. Only the skin is dyed, the surface is not coated with a pigment, a dye coat top is sometimes applied to give a more even colour. It’s lack of cover means it is the most attractive, supple and expensive leather, it also the leather which needs the most care.

Semi-analine
This finish is more durable than aniline it still retains a natural appearance and the light pigment top coat gives a more consistent colour.

Really excited to be in the Mid Sussex Times

janehopkinsonbags — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:56:20 +0000

Really excited to be in the Mid Sussex Times and part of Art in Ditchling supporting local crafts and Ditchlings Heritage. Enjoy the art and crafts in Ditchling, an eclectic mix of leather bags jewellery and paintings.

What top five bags you should use for the office and why?

janehopkinsonbags — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:39:44 +0000

N01: The Handmade leather Bridget lap top / work bag

Why? You can place a small i pad or lap top, she has a pocket on the outside for tickets for when you are travelling on the underground, the leather is light, there are two inside zip pockets for all those little extras, she is super stylish with contrast top and handles and will be the talk of the office.

No 2: The Sophie handmade leather shoulder bag.

Why? The Sophie has a clever side fastening which turns her from a cute bowling bag into a roomy shopper with space for all you need for a day in the office and an A4 folder. Plenty of room for your i pad, make up bag and all your other essentials or even a day out. Her outside zip pocket is nifty for when you are on the tube and travelling about town. With her jaunty detailing and two in one designs, you will not be disappointed with this design.

No 3: The Linden, across the body leather bag and shoulder bag.

Why? The roomy linden can hold your books and remain comfy all day thanks to its unobtrusive soft shoulder strap. It is a great document bag and perfect for an I Pad or Kindle which is designed to fit in the back zip pocket, making it extra secure for when you are travelling. She has double pockets under the flap, which is great for tickets and all those extras. The Linden can be transformed from across body bag to the perfect shoulder bag so you can take her from day to night.

No 4: The Stella across body bag

Why? The across the body bag Stella. She is perfect for work. She can be used three different ways with her adjustable and detachable strap, she can be worn across the body as a satchel bag or as a shoudler bag and a smart case. The Stella has two different sections, one to carry your i pad and the other for all those important extras for meetings. You will super stylish carrying this into an office meeting

No 5 The Saddlebag Rucksack and Shoulder bag

Why? The Saddlebag is our version of everyone’s favourite – the rucksack. The red Saddlebag rucksack has a drawstring opening so you can fit plenty inside. The Saddlebag has two open side pockets, good for tickets and other extras when you are on the go. It has a good zip pocket on the back which is great for security. The straps on the Saddlebag can be adjusted so that you can wear them as a rucksack or a shoulder bag.

A special order for one of our ladies

janehopkinsonbags — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:11:29 +0000

A special order for one of our customers, navy and white medium riley, with a beautiful navy print flap, all handmade and designed in Ditchling Sussex.

If you are looking for a different colour combination or a special bag to match an out fit, we have an array of different leather for you to choose from..

What a fabulous combination..

janehopkinsonbags — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:37:49 +0000

I had to take a photo of this combination doesn’t she look fab in all her limes! The Lottie handmade leather bag complements this perfectly!