Craft Your Bag » The International Connection Collection

The story behind the International Connection Collection project

Here we are … 2020 began dramatically. Nobody imagined such a situation and not even that the same thing happened all over the world. It is as if we have all been taken prisoner in a strange, new and surreal parallel dimension. But this time it is not a film, which lasts a few hours, is reality … or not?

Despite everything, something good always happens in difficult and incomprehensible moments. All this has erased any distance or diversity, it has created new friendships and strengthened others. I think this is a great miracle, which makes us understand that we can do so much good for ourselves and for others.

And so, in this new dimension, where we met in 2020, I thought that we, creatives, can do something beautiful and unique, great and significant. We joined together, first of all, in the name of friendship, and then because of our different skills and experiences, to create and make things together.

This is the purpose of our International Collection, an idea that is born and then fulfil it, through the work of wonderful and talented people all over the world.

Shannon Monique, Kris McIntosh and I had the idea of putting together our skills to give a sign of unity, to offer three ideas of bags designed and treated in detail, so that they can be made at home, while we are closed in our domestic reality.

Creating helps to get rid of negative thoughts, helps to feed positive energy and good feelings, helps to believe in life again, never ceasing to hope for a better tomorrow. After all it helps to maintain a good mood!

The Curvy Clutch and the Felicia – The International Connection Collection

The Hullabaloo and The Felicia – The International Connection Collection

How did we meet?

I met Kris a little over a year ago, we had the opportunity to work on a project together and a wonderful friendship was born. We had long chats and got to know each other deeply even if the geographical distance between us is great. It has been an intense year, which has seen us change in front of even deeply sad and dramatic events. But all this has only strengthened the precious relationship between us.
Kris is a very good designer, her favorite material for creating bags and patterns is cork or imitation leather (in addition, of course, to fabric). She has a great creative ability as well as organizational qualities that, I think, everyone envies!! His Hullabaloo is truly one of a kind and it was a real pleasure to try to make it also in leather, so we shared different techniques to make it a little different.

Shannon and I have known each other for five years, still in the days of Craftsy (what a nostalgia!), when we were still “learning” the art of leather and creating ingenious models. Every now and then we wrote each other to keep up to date with our progress and to comment on each other’s works, in my case still quite naive.
Time has passed and each of us has made great strides. After a few years of hard work, we found ourselves sharing this passion, even stronger than before. Shannon created many bags, one more beautiful than the other and decided to create a pattern for one of them: the magical and sparkling Curvy Clutch. A bag that can be made in a few hours, but that gives incredible satisfaction!

Here are our three amazing bags!

Here are the three protagonists of this project! Felicia, the multi pocket hobo which is offered for free (yes!!!! It’s right!! FREE!!!) for a limited time (offer valid until 21st July 2020), in a bundle with “The Hullabaloo Hobo” by KM Designs and “The Curvy Clutch” by Shannon Monique. The two bundles are separated and you can find the links below.

The offer is really fantastic, it is a great chance to get three designs at a super affordable price!! Wether you decide to buy the Hullabaloo or the Curvy Clutch, you’ll have the Felicia for FREE!!!

Get the Curvy Clutch and the Felicia here!

Get The Hullabaloo and The Felicia here!

Also for a limited time, those who purchase this bundle will have access to the International Connection Collection Facebook group where you can learn new techniques, ask questions to better leather handbag making skills, collaborate, and just have fun.

Connection Collection Sewing Pattern Group

Join us in this adventurous journey and experience friendship, laughters and love all around the Globe!!

Felicia, the multi-pocket Hobo, by Simona Businelli Creations©:

Felicia is a classic that adapts to any outfit, an evergreen that can be part of any moment of the day. Its slightly rounded lines soften the sober and essential design, underlined by the particularity of the base lengthened along the sides and by the shape of the upper part.

The Felicia has a series of pockets inside that eep organised all your bits and pieces, it’s a fully functional bag, a trusted companion for any occasion.

The hobo is the perfect size to carry all your important items and, at the same time, keep them very visible any time.

The Hullabaloo Hobo by KM Designs by Krisy Kreations©

A versatile bag for a wide range of styles! The Hullabaloo Hobo offers a ton of pockets, a padded sunglass case on the interior of the bag, it’s comfortable to carry, and can be dressed up or down depending on your personal preference. You can use a wide range of textiles with this bag: leather, vinyl, cork, or fabric – the possibilities are endless with this highly customizable bag!

The Hullabaloo and the Felicia Bundle

The Curvy Clutch By Shannon Monique©

She’s small, she’s sophisticated, she can be the perfect companion of a night’s out or for an elegant lunch. She can also be made like an everyday small clutch when you don’t want to carry all that weights too much.

A lovely small clutch for smart and fashionable girls, that can be done in one single afternoon! Why not making one for every color we need????

The Curvy Clutch and The Felicia Bundle

Here is a short bio of my two lovely friends!

Kris McIntosh – KM Designs by Krisy Kreations© (handmade accessories), author of the awesome “Hullabaloo Hobo”

Hi everyone! I am Kris McIntosh. I am the owner, designer and sole creator behind both KM Designs Pattern Co and KM Designs by Krisy Kreations (handmade accessories) – based in Vero Beach, Florida.

I work from a “home studio”. In the last 5 years it has evolved from one collapsible craft table to a room with dedicated work areas. I mainly made custom quilts until one day my mother asked, “Could you make me a purse?” and my vision shifted from quilts to handbags and wallets.

When I was young, I would watch my mother and grandmother sew. Other than Home Economics in high school, I have no conventional training. I have learned everything from other makers and from a lot of trial and error. Nothing about this has been quick or easy but it has been the most amazing journey.

Now, I devote all my free time to designing, creating, and writing patterns for unique handbags and wallets made mostly from Cork. When I create designs for patterns, I strive to write them so that anyone can create them. I want everyone to be able to make their own beautiful handbags and wallets. And, if you need any help, just ask me, I am here.

Shannon Monique – Leather Handbags and accessories, author of the Curvy Clutch

The beautifully detailed, luxe leather work of Shannon Perkins – founder of Shannon Monique – is the hallmark of her designs. Shannon is the visionary and sole creator for the brand and her designs are a tangible expression of her creativity. Each exquisite finished item has been imbued with her artistic spirit and her personal touch. Born in New Haven, CT Shannon Perkins, an artist and Registered Nurse, is currently living in Conyers, GA. She openly shares the details of the transformational journey that ultimately led to the creation of her brand. From her initial exploration into the art world which began humbly in Art Therapy at Skyland Trails, to a local Hobby Lobby oil painting class which blossomed into her love of portraiture and the creation of one-of-a-kind masterpieces, Shannon’s artistic path gives you insight into her strength, dedication and creative spirit and her story will inspire and guide you on your own personal quest. After studying at the Accademia of Riaci in Florence, Italy, and doing an internship in New York City with Anthony Luciano, Shannon began to design and produce her own luxurious, quality, handmade, leather handbags and accessories. She continues to explore and expand her art under the mentorship of Michelle LaLonde, formerly a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology accessories program in New York City where she helped further the curriculum for 10 years.

The widest thank you to all the testers that could make all this possible!! You all put your talent and effort into this project with your hearts and minds!!!!

Rebecca Hansen