http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpringGreenHandbags

Spring Green Handbags, 370 Lang Court N, Saint Petersburg, FL (2026)

03/22/2021

Day 22: ✨Hands On✨

I almost always have black paint under my nails. It’s a hazard of the I-hand-stencil-every-bag business.

After making the very first burlap and billboard tote prototype, a friend said, “Why don’t you put something on it?!” So I looked around and found some leftover paint from a house project. 6 years later, that’s still the type of paint I use. Exterior house paint. Doesn’t fade or chip, soaks in nicely to the burlap and I can almost always find some in the “oops paint” section at hardware stores.

And yes, I could just wear gloves. But it seems so wasteful 🤷‍♀️ and kinda unnecessary, not to mention hot and sweaty 🥵

💚💚💚

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03/16/2021

Day 12: ✨In Use✨

Seeing one of my bags “in the wild” is simply the best! I love when someone buys a tote at the market and immediately puts it to work carrying farm fresh veggies and other market goodies. It just does my heart good to see my bags looking great while being so dang functional! That’s always the goal.

That said, here’s a pic of me carrying one of my tote backpacks that wasn’t as functional as I had hoped 🤷‍♀️ I was pregnant with two little ones, so hands free was essential. But this was an evolving design and I learned a lot about making it more functional. Although this is still the bag I carry today, the ones available on my shop are more streamlined and even more purpose built. “In use” = real world testing.

Side note: the first pic was taken at the fabulous Chapel of Jimmy Ray Gallery in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. (A must visit if you’re in the area). However, we were there when the pandemic sh*t hit the fan. March 2020. Oy.

Pic 2.) Happy customer at a recent market 😎

Pic 3.) Another happy customer/turned friend sporting her custom leather tote on a trip up north! I do miss those fall colors living here in Florida (even though my husband says it’s the color of death, “the leaves are DYING” 😂 He hates cold weather...)

💚💚💚

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03/15/2021

Day 11: Portrait. Whoops, missed a day (or two). It was bound to happen 😂🙃

This is me, Danni, short for Danielle. Everyone calls me Danni with the exception of my parents, who insist they didn’t name me that 😂 (even though it’s been my nickname since 3rd grade)

Turns out I have very few pictures of just me. Lots of me with kids, some of me with husband, but hardly any of just me.

This is me goofing around by our beautiful little azalea bush that’s planted squarely in the only place that can’t be enjoyed from anywhere except the rarely used side gate. But it’s gorgeous and I can’t get enough of the color!

We have found our forever home in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, and absolutely LOVE living here. I met my husband in Washington, DC - I was working on Capitol Hill and he at the Pentagon. Then I convinced him to quit and drive the PanAmerican Highway. After 18 months of driving our 1995 4Runner down to Patagonia, we landed in St. Pete.

I took that transition in life as an opportunity to try out this purse making thing that had been bubbling in the back of my head for years. (The idea first hatched while traipsing around Southeast Asia during my 22 month post-college-travel-jaunt). And now, 7 years later, Spring Green Handbags is in full force 💚

03/11/2021

Day 10 - Small Detail

The Double Zipper. The mightiest small detail.

Oh, how this detail has so wonderfully changed things! It only took me five years to figure out... must be that polisci degree and being mostly self taught...

I make all my own patterns and like to tinker around before YouTubing anything... so it took me AGES to figure out that the best closure for my totes required me to 1.) buy “zipper tape” by the yard and cut it down (I was so intimidated by this!) and 2.) add two zipper-pulls per zipper. Did you know a zipper-pull can go either direction on a zipper?! I mean, of course it can, but all zippers can be turned into a double zipper by adding a second zipper pull 🤯🤯🤯 That fun fact flipped my design process on its head. In a fantastic way. My patterns are easier to sew up and now all my leather and sail cloth bags have double zipper closures at the top.

A small, but mighty, detail indeed 💚

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03/10/2021

Day 9 of Today’s prompt:
☀️ Learning Curve ☀️

Whew! What hasn’t been a learning curve?? I have a political science degree and worked on Capitol Hill, now I make handbags. Quite the 180 🙌 😅 🙌

Shockingly, my poli sci degree didn’t include entrepreneurial tips or retail psychology (is that even a thing?) One of the steepest learning curves has been “How to sell at markets”.

My solution, LOTS of trial and error!

Although I have an Etsy shop, the vast majority of my sales happen at markets/craft shows. 7 years in and I think I’ve tweaked my set up and spiel every which way - but now I feel confident in my set up and how to approach customers.

Nothing in my booth set up is arbitrary. Everything has a purpose to help make customers feel comfortable and to showcase my items. I have tricks to not seem too pressure-y.

Those bags displayed at the edge of my tent/booth? They allow “shy” customers to browse without feeling the pressure of my gaze. The space on the table next to the stack of map items? It’s planned to be the perfect spot for your coffee as you look through alllll the choices. And no sunglasses! Big believer in eye contact.

Maybe this is obvious to business/retail folks, but I was clueless. Zero retail experience. It’s certainly been a learning curve, but I’ve enjoyed it! And I’m happy to share any tips I’ve picked up along the way. Hit me up with questions! I’ll try to answer 🙃

Pic is of my first market back after months of lockdowns, with my 3 month old 😅 I was outta practice!

03/09/2021

Day 8 of challenge!

Today’s prompt: Work In Progress

☀️ It was a beautiful day for cutting up a MASSIVE sail in my rather non-massive back patio. It’s huge! At 50ft, this thing has to be cut down to be stored. Cutting it into 36in wide strips makes it manageable for laying out and pattern cutting in my studio. The size of some of these is almost too much for my little back yard, but if I do it slowly and with a plan it can get done 💪

⛵️ I’ve become quite fond of this type of sail, a racing sail with strips of Kevlar bound into the fabric. Incredibly strong and so wonderfully durable. Practically indestructible.

This sail will eventually become totes, wristlets, and coin purses. Swipe to see a similar tote💚

03/07/2021

Day 6 of challenge!

It’s technically a “free” day in the posting challenge, but I thought I’d tell you about some of my favorite tools. My scissors. I have jusstttttt a few. But, as I think about it, my most favorite pairs were free. Ha! Look at that dovetailing nicely...

✂️ All sewing folk know the value of good scissors. We horde them. We hide them. The thought of someone using them on ANYTHING except fabric makes us cringe deep inside. When sharp, they truly work wonders and make everything So. Much. Easier.

✂️ About those free scissors... my favorite scissors. There is most definitely a tiered system to all these scissors. At the top are the all metal ones. The true vintage, old, solid metal scissors.

✂️ One of my vendor friends from the markets is a knife sharpener (Conover Sharpening). Not only does he work wonders on knives and garden tools, he also finds garage sale items to sharpen and sell. And over the years he’s gifted me several incredible pairs of scissors. Old ones that’s he’s taken apart, reset, and sharpened to incredible precision.

✂️ In the second pic, I’m holding the first pair he gave me. They’re huge! Had he not gifted these to me, I would have NEVER thought to buy such massive scissors. They seem ridiculous! But oh how I love them. I use them every single day. They can lop off a super thick French seamed burlap gusset (that’s some jargon for ya 😂) and trim the slightest of rouge threads. They’re amazing. Thanks Terry! (And maybe someday I’ll be able to tag you on Insta 😜)

03/06/2021

Day 5: NEWEST MAKE challenge!

Newest make = Rain Coat Wristlets! And rain coat coin purses and rain coat crossbody bags 💚

One large rain jacket (swipe for the before!) transformed into 16 coin purses, 6 wristlets, and 4 cross body bags 💚

I found this classic yellow rain slicker at the thrift store and instantly knew it would make the most awesome bags. Colorful, durable, and waterproof 👌

Lined with upcycled sail cloth and accents of genuine leather, I love how they came out!

I’m aiming for a shop update at the end of the month. Keep an eye out for these to be included!

03/05/2021

Day 4 of the challenge!

What’s 🧵🧷✂️

Also, for fun 😂 (my three daughters are incessant photo bombers 😍)

Here’s my “desk”. Her name is Eleanor. She’s strong and elegant, fierce and a wee bit finicky. An industrial Singer sewing machine circa 1950s. She came to me by way of a small mom-and-pop leather shop in rural south Texas. She has a clutch motor which means she can go from zero to 1,000 without warning. At some point the presser foot was altered to make her even more dangerous. But she’s a workhorse.

I have so much respect for this machine. It’s a simple straight stitch, but also does reverse! (uncommon for old industrial machines). The clutch motor was quite the learning curve. It can so easily get away from you. My mom, who taught me to sew, won’t go near it. But over the years, I’ve learned Eleanor’s quirks. The specific clatter when oil is needed. How to reset the clutch. When I can rip the thread out of a jammed bobbin, verses delicately tweezing it out. The sheer strength of this motor has enabled several of my creations to come into this world. Sewing book covers and THICK burlap just wouldn’t be possible without her. I loath the day I will sew through my finger 🤢😫. It’s bound to happen. Until then, I will keep her oiled and hope she continues in for another 70 years 💚

03/04/2021

Day 3 of organized by

Today’s prompt is 🌎☀️ Beliefs and Values☀️🌍

It’s pretty easy to discern I strongly believe in working to reduce waste, being a conscience consumer, and trying to help out where/how you can.

And in that vein, I’m a sucker for giving donations to non-profit auctions and fundraisers. School fundraisers, LGBTQ orgs, enviro orgs... I’ve never been asked by a cause I don’t support. I feel fortunate to be able to contribute in some way.

I also see this little business as something I can leverage in order to give back. I know how to make handbags. And although making handbags most certainly won’t save the world, I can sell them to raise money for orgs that can save the world. Or are at least making it a better place. That’s in my wheelhouse. And by making and selling specialty items, (always with 100% of proceeds going to the cause) together, we have supported immigrant rights, refugee rights, the Urban League, and Black Lives Matter.

So, basically, values and beliefs = be a good human. Be kind. Support your community, near and far. And treat others the way they want to be treated.

💚💚💚

03/03/2021

Day 2 of organized by the talented

Today’s prompt is 🌿☀️ STYLE ☀️🌿

This one has been tough for me to wrap my head around. I make all my own patterns and my product line is just a taaaaddddd varied. But whether I’m using leather, burlap, maps, antique books, sails, billboards, or silk neck ties, my goal is for no one to *know* it’s upcycled until I tell them. I want the upcycling to be a surprise. A, “Wow! How cool is that?!” sentiment. I want my creations to look like a designer bag, but secretly be saving the world 🤓. Or at least keeping some tiny bit of material out of the landfill.

I also love color! And simple, yet functional styles. Nothing too busy. A simple, brightly colored purse can become a neutral and “go with anything” if it isn’t over-designed. Straps must be sturdy and if it transforms from tote to backpack, even better.

Materials on display here are: sails, coffee bags, billboards, leather from a couch (and leftover upholstery remnants), a 1981 works atlas, maps from a 1950s atlas, a curtain, and blanket, even plastic bags. Some are easier to spot than others

03/02/2021

I’m jumping on the challenge! Day 1: Brand Introduction

This is me, Danni, the owner/designer/maker behind Spring Green Handbags!

💚 Everything I make has a bit (or a lot) of upcycling going on. Burlap coffee bags and vinyl billboards turn into totes, world atlases become briefcases- their maps become luggage tags, pouches, and passport holders. Scarves, dresses, and curtains get a second life as pocket-linings, adding a fun pop of color to my leather totes. Sails and raincoats get repurposed as water-resistant wristlets. I’m always searching out fun materials to repurpose.

💚 Every Bag Has A Story. It’s not just my tag line, but a fact! And I LOVE telling the stories. I primarily sell at markets and craft shows (a tough slog during Covid) and I thoroughly enjoy interacting with people and telling the story behind each bag.

💚 Spring Green Handbags is in its 7th year 🤯 and I LOVE what I do! I actually look forward to Mondays. I’m fortunate enough to work my own schedule and *attempt* the balance of work/mom of three wee ones (5, 3, and 7months).

💚 I’m often seen cruising around town on my wonderful cargo bike, kids in tow. All my upcycled creations are lovingly cut, sewn, and designed in sunny St. Pete, Florida.

💚 Upcycling isn’t just a part of my business, it pervades my life 😎. I can almost always find a second (or third) use for some random thing I find in the alley. I hate the thought of things ending up in the trash and have been known to hold onto seemingly odd “dumpster finds” for far too long - here’s looking at those old, bare bike wheels which I think would make an awesome chandelier one day.

💚 Stay tuned... more fun Meet The Maker posts to come all month long 💚

Spring Green Handbags

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