June 28th 2008

So somehow it’s June.  And in a few days it’ll be July.  I’m not too sure how that happened. I’ve made a few new purse designs, but I have yet to put up on the site.
Most of my time has been taken away from my handbag business because of contract work that I’ve happily come across... and let me tell you, how nice it is to actually be paid for my time and effort.  But I’m still working on Love Handles- on the hour commute to work, and on the hour commute home.  During this time I’ve been creating new designs and making previous designs better. My goal for the next year is to create as many new styles as possible, oppose to being forced to make the same styles in hopes to pay my rent.  That and the fact I feel like I’m always working on my bags during the season they’re meant for. Which is a little backwards. Anyways. Here is a little Love Handles Photoshoot that I had done. And there are much more to come. :)

April 13th 2008

Talented classmates of mine made a Love Handles commercial for me. If I was more knowledgeable when it came to making websites, I would post it here... But I’m not.  So I’m going to link you to youtube... here!

March 7th 2008

Guess who finally made some Career Suicide bandbags!?  Yes That would be me. I really like the way they turned out even though it was semi-last minute.  There are only 4 of them in circulation right now- and I’m hoping they all remain in Calgary where CS is headlining a Rock For Choice benefit this weekend.
I will be making approx 30 more for their upcoming Summer US tour. But they will be different!

February 28th 2008

Can anyone tell me where February disappeared to?  All I know is that all the sudden I have two essays due, and the last time I thought about them I was like, ‘oh I’ve got all of February’. I guess that happens when you have five jobs... yes, five jobs.
With that said, I will be making the Career Suicide silk screens this weekend.   I am excited. Know what else I’m excited for?  Spring. I love all the snow we’ve been getting. But I’m not so down with this -26 with windchill (surprise) weather. It doesn’t matter how many times I am told to brace for it... I never remember how cold anything below -5 feels like until I venture outside. Also, that’s -26 Celsius for all those American readers who just pictured Toronto as the Arctic Tundra. 
Sigh, now I know I’m just procrastinating.
Back to essay writing... but I promise there will be new purses as soon as I get these essays out of the way!

February 11th 2008

ATTN: I have one cursed purse left for sale. Thanks to everyone who has purchased one!  Well, I should state that there are a few others that are half made- however! the screening I did on them didn’t turn out all that great so I probably wont ever sell them. Alright... look forward to the Career Suicide Handbag as well as the new Fucked Up Handbags!

 February 5th 2008

I’ve acquired more band t-shirts!  and I’m beginning to feel like a packrat... which means people have to purchase more vintage band bags.
Here’s the new tshirts I have: 3 inches of blood, cancer bats, unearth, mikoto, cursed, i hate sally, the video dead, protest the hero, the secret, the bled, and kill the 8.
Chances are if you like metal or local bands- you’ll enjoy at least one of these purses.

ps. view the entire tshirt list here...

January 29th 2008

Unhealthy Food Cravings? This website will help you make the right decisions...
http://naturopathyworks.com/pages/cravings.php
...So here’s hoping I’ll never bake and eat 18 chocolate cupcakes in one weekend again. 

 January 26th 2008

If anyone has a picture they’d like to send me of them + their love handles, I would love to put it up on the website!
( lovehandles.handbags@gmail.com )

And I purchased a bunch of new/used band tshirts that I would love to turn into purses for someone... murder city devils, strike anywhere, dropkick murphies, the stars, the matches, bayside, and a saddle creek tshirt.  So please check out the tshirt  list, I will recommend which fabrics I think suit the tshirt- but you’ll have the final say.

As well I have two CURSED handbags left. And they are both sitting in the record store HITS and MISSES in Toronto. If you live outside the city I can mail them to you. Speaking of Cursed, I can’t wait until III comes out on picturedisc. and I really can’t wait until I see them play a show again... and in this public space I will state that they are my favourite band.  So thanks to everyone who has loved them as much as I have, to purchase the cursed purse.

December 24th 2007

Happy Holidays everyone! I’ve been working on my spring/summer 2008 line. And by working on, I really mean picking out the fabrics when I have spare time. There will be some 2007 repeat fabrics with the vintage bags. But they’ll be in new  shapes.  So here are a few words to describe the fabrics I’ll be using...
Teal, burlap, blue, navy, anti-drug and windsurfing foxes. -  and yes. there will actually be windsurfing foxes somewhere within.  I swear the things I find...

I’m also working on some big plans for new Fucked Up bags. - think Louis Vuitton inspired. And I will be making a small run of Career Suicide bags that they plan on taking on their Summer US tour.  I’m excited, but like really excited.
Anyways, let me leave you with a t-shirt I recently turned into a purse.

December 9th 2007

Hi everyone! I’m done for craft fairs for this year.  And everyone who has ordered a handbag from me, should be getting them sometime this week, if not already. :)

Secondly, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone and live in Toronto- I HIGHLY recommend taking a walk to Kensington Market... specifically the Nassau & Bellevue corner where you’ll find Heart on Your Sleeve.  Everything in there is made in Canada and is made out of sustainable fabrics- so organic cottons or reused materials. You can find anything from Yoga Mat spray, to tights, to scarves, to coats... and of course handbags. Please support this store, and while you’re at the corner of Nassau and Bellevue... I also recommend checking out Left Feet (the only Vegan + sweatshop free shoe store in Toronto... Canada??) and One Paw Ahead (pet supply & organic treats store).

Thirdly, if you love to support DIY, and creative individuals, please check out Thumbelina Card Company.  Emily hand makes ridiculously cute cards.


And good news on the Band Bag front- I will be making a few bags for Makeup-Junkie which is a really great and informative place to keep updated with the latest makeup trends. I also will be making a run of Band Bags for a Toronto band that will remain nameless- But with this bag- I will have covered all my favourite Toronto bands. :)
Oh. and I’m also working on purchasing fabrics for my Spring & Summer Line... It’s going to be a lot of revamping of last year’s line- plus great new fabrics with lots of texture. I’m excited!

November 25th 2007

Okay, So I have a ridiculous amount of band/vintage T-shirts that I’ve collected over the years. All of the T-shirts that I’m willing to part with are listed here in the textiles section.
They will be made to order, which means you can pick the handles, and interior fabric depending on the size of the tshirt.

Email me at lovehandles.handbags@gmail.com And I can let you know what design & the condition of the Tshirt, And all band/vintage T-shirt bags are priced at $60, unless I specify otherwise through e-mail.
You’re also welcome to send me a T-shirt to make into a handbag for you.
And I will give discounts on Handbags, with every Band T-shirts donated (depending on Band & condition).

And a reminder that I’ll be at the CBC Craft Fair on November 29th, from 10 - 5pm.   Located at Front & John.

November 9th 2007

For anyone interested in purchasing handbags for Christmas/holiday gifts, please email me your order by December 1st to make sure the handbag you want will be available to ship.  I’m currently running very low on handles, so if you would like to customize a bag, you better email me quick!  I’ll be making more handles, but that will not be until my semester’s done on December 4th. 

okay. enough procrastination out of me... back to my essay on poverty in rural Mexico.

November 7th 2007

A little while ago I was interviewed for the toronto.com online holiday issue.
They felt Love Handles Handbags would make a great holiday gift & is a great way to support a local entrepreneur. (that’s me!)
So please read the article... and then I hope you’re convinced to take a walk down to Heart on Your Sleeve, to pick one up for a loved/very-much-liked one.
 

October 27th 2007

CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE!
Love Handles will be finding itself a lovely table at this year’s CBC Craft Sale on November 29th from 10am - 5pm.

The sale’s located in the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, @ Front & John St.
I’m really excited about this sale because 100% of the Vendor’s Fees are being donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
And if that wasn’t enough incentive to support this craft sale, anyone in attendance can win Door Prizes donated by the vendors.

It’s kinda funny, because since I’m in my last year of a Broadcasting Degree, I always figured I’d find myself working in the CBC building... but not by selling handbags.

October 23rd 2007

Hey everyone, I’m currently working on the prototype for a small makeup/clutch bag.  So look be sure to check back to the site in the next two weeks to see what they look like.
Also, a little reminder that Christmas is 2 months away... so what better gift for your wonderful self, than some Love Handles? And I don’t mean the -I just ate five slices of chocolate cake- love handles. I mean the Love Handles that you can hold beside your hip to hide the -I just ate five slices of chocolate cake- love handles.

Speaking of good uses for Love Handles Handbags such list follows,
1. For the superstitious, you can use the handles to ‘knock on wood’ in order to make sure what ever you say remains true. 
2. Muscle building; some people pay for a membership at the gym so they can lift weights. I just walk around carrying my handbag.
3. If you hold it a certain way, It’ll help give you a little more personal space. Good for crowded subways, crowded bars,  crowded concerts, and crowded streets.
4. Guys now compliment me on my Love Handles.

I think that’s all I can think of... for now.

October 10th 2007

Here’s some of the new Autumn & Winter Handbag Designs!  More pictures to come once I take better photos of them!
And pretty please add Love Handles Handbags to FACEBOOK & MYSPACE. Merci!

October 9th 2007

Bonjour! I’m back from Montreal. Thanks to everyone who came and looked at my bags at the Puces Pop Fair, and especially to all those that bought bags!  I hope you all love them very much.
Also a very big thanks to Modi who helped out for most of the weekend... I brought the handles, and he most certainly brought the love to the table.
Also. I should mention that I have now napped in the Montreal Bus Terminal, a park and a very lovely restaurant... But that is what happens when you take the midnight bus from Toronto.  I did however sleep like a baby on bus ride back... and I think there will be many more future trips to the beautiful city of Montreal. 
 

& I will post pictures of the new fall bags soon!  But first I must attend to Thanksgiving Lunch.

September 26th 2007

On October 6th & 7th Love Handles Handbags will be in Montreal at the Puces Pop Fair.  I’m terribly excited because I’ve never been to Montreal, nor has Love Handles ever been in a craft fair!

Love Handles Handbags’ Vintage Bags will be (more than likely) on display at the York University Eco-Friendly fashion show that is happening October 4th.  Even if Love Handles don’t make an appearance, you should go and show your support to Ecologically friendly fashions!

And with that said, I have returned to my final year of University... and my life is busier than it’s probably ever been.
I’m in the midst of making the fall handbag line that I will be bringing to Montreal with me.  So soon there will be so many new handbags online to choose from!

I have also purchased some wonderful Organic Cotton Fabric that I’ll be integrating into all my purse collections.
Oh! and I made a new type of handle... it’s big enough to fit onto your shoulder... get excited!

August 16th 2007

My friend's store HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE was featured on pg 15 on Eye Weekly this week...
and as a result there's two pictures of one of my bags! 
I'm so proud!
You should look for it!

ps. Heart on your sleeve is located on the corner of Nassau and Bellevue, just west of Augusta.
pss. My mom’s totally going to put the article up on the fridge. haha. seriously.


In other news, the handbag prices go up today. So I hope you didn’t sleep on them!
And I have almost all the fabric picked out for the Fall Line. Basically... Yellows, Reds, Purples and Browns.
I am excited!
And Thanks to everyone who’s supported me this summer. I reallllllly appreciate it!

Alyssa

August 9th 2007

New HANDBAGS!  Made For CHICKADVISOR.COM !

 

This is a really great and helpful website that will give you information, testimonials & advice on new and old products, restaurants, clothing... basically everything. And it keeps you updated with sales going on around the city.
What more could you want from a website??? OH and it’s Canadian.
Seriously, check it out! www.chickadvisor.com

The SUMMER SALE ends August 16th!
All orders taken by August 16th, will receive the 40$ sale price.
...after August 16th, the price will be going up to 55$

So you should get LOVE HANDLES now, just in time for winter!

-Alyssa

July 22nd 2007

I fixed up the web site. It’s a little more professional looking... I think. 

SALE! all handbags priced at 40$.  So buy your handbags soon before the price goes up!

July 14th 2007

I just finished three new handbag designs for Love Handles Handbags!

July 6th 2007

Hey! I made four Dangerloves purses for the east coast US weekend tour.  Here’s hoping that kids in Boston like the bags!

I will be making more, that will be slightly different in the near future! These were a last minute idea that turned out ABSOLUTELY fantastic. I’m really, really happy with the way they turned out!!  And I promise I’ll be making more because I didn’t even get to make myself one!

ps. please checkout this band from Toronto!  They’re really really good... and have members of the Bayonettes, Career Suicide and Terminal State!... and sometimes. if you’re lucky. I play glockenspiel & tambourine for them... and by sometimes, so far only once.  hahaha. Dangerloves !

-Alyssa

June 19th 2007

Add Love handles to Facebook & myspace.


thanks!
- Alyssa

June 17th 2007

This is the handbag that is currently in production.

The Cursed Handbags are 12” across the the top.
13” across the bottom.
and 17” tall (including the handles).
and 4” wide at the bottom.
They fit 12” records.
Only 21 will be made.
The Outside material is black thick cotton canvas.
With black on black silk screened ivy, a white silk screened hegoat on the back. and the word CURSED silk screened on the front.
There are four interior linings to choose from.

These handbags can also be reversible incase you find yourself at your grandparent’s house or something.

-Alyssa

June 13th 2007

SO this is the new web site.
Everything new in the world of Love Handles will be updated here.
Especially new pictures of the Handbags that are on sale.

I’ve been working on this web site all day... and I couldn’t be happier that I didn’t get into web design! This stuff is harrrd.

Anyway. Take a look around!

- Alyssa

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