Re/TOTE
Hand crafted, up cycled tote bags uniquely styled using thrift store finds. No two bags are the same
28/09/2024
Sweet new messenger bags in ready for Fall colours. Under the decorative flap is a zip top close for security. Fully lined with interior pockets. Adjustable strap can be worn over the shoulder or crossbody. See these and more on www.retote.ca.
21/09/2024
Hello lovely people! Well I haven’t been posting lately but I have been creating! Just updated the website with dozens of new designs. All made from unwanted leather sofas, thrift store belts and linens. Like these new shoulder totes and many more. Have a browse www.retote.ca.
this weekend! Sunday is the last day to see our new designs all made from unwanted sofa leathers. Here are some backpacks each one if a kind www.retote.ca.
02/08/2024
All set for this weekend! Bringing new designs all made from unwanted sofa leathers. Totes, crossbodies, work bags and market bags each one if a mind www.retote.ca.
03/07/2024
Re/TOTE will be at this weekend. Don’t miss this beautiful market. The garden setting is not to be missed plus shopping incredible local makers and artisans! All new Re/TOTE designs.
14/05/2024
Our next market in a glorious garden setting!
28/04/2024
New origami bag in caramel and very cherry red. Soft and ready for your spring style! $125. See it today at . Here til 4PM with over 50 other local crafters and artisans. Www.retote.ca.
27/04/2024
Brand new market totes at I made just for the market. Beautiful leathers salvaged from old sofas, tapestry and some hardware bling. $125 and one of a kind. Beban Park, Nanaimo today from 10 - 5 pm. Come for a visit!
It’s time for A Handmade Soring Makers Market today 2-8 PM, Sat 10-5 PM, Sun 10-4 PM at Beban Park Nanaimo. We are excited to be here! Perfect weekend for a browse while it’s a little rainy outside. Www.retote.ca
20/04/2024
New shoulder totes ready for next weekend. View these and all my new designs www.retote.ca. Then come see me at the market!
17/04/2024
Ready for in Nanaimo! Re/TOTE will be there - grab your friends and make a day of it.
04/04/2024
Ready for this weekend! Re/TOTE bags are all made from old sofa leathers and these new designs are all heading to market. Get to know Re/TOTE on www.retote.ca or follow on Facebook to see each new design before they go on the website. See a bag you might like- message for more details. See you at the market! Ready for this weekend! Re/TOTE bags are all made from old sofa leathers and these new designs are all heading to market. Get to know Re/TOTE on www.retote.ca or follow on Facebook to see each new design before they go on the website. See a bag you might like- message for more details. See you at the market!
31/03/2024
New backpacks ready for next weekend in Kelowna. These bags are not in the website yet, they are fresh off my work table and making their way to market. If interest PM me. Both fully lined, zip top close under the flap, adjustable shoulder straps and plenty of pockets. Red leathers salvaged from old sofas. $155. www.retote.ca.
28/03/2024
Hi Friends! My home town Elliot Lake, Ontario is a finalist in this years Kraft Hockeyville competition. The top prize is $250,000. Winning is incredibly important as they have been dealing with a closed arena due to structural issues. This means no hockey or skating in a community that is all about hockey and skating. I skated in that arena and want every Elliot Laker to have this wonderful rink back up and running. This award will make that happen. Now to win, we need VOTES!
It's easy, anyone in Canada, just go to https://hockeyville.kraftcanada.ca/ #/landing
register - then tomorrow on March 29 and 30th you can vote, multiple times! So register today and tomorrow and Saturday vote for Elliot Lake as many times as you can. Pass this along and help my home town win!
SEE THIS YEAR'S FINALISTS Check out this year's Kraft Hockeyville finalists.
26/03/2024
New waist/sling bags in two sizes all ready for . Small is $95 and medium
size is $125. Fully lined. All made from old sofa leathers. More designs on www.retote.ca. See you in Kelowna!
21/03/2024
Beautiful brown, tan and caramel coloured leathers with plenty of character, fading and rustic wear. All Re/TOTE designs are made from old sofa leathers, each bag is handmade and one of a kind. The messenger style features an adjustable crossbody strap, zip top close under the flap, fully lined and plenty of pockets. $155. The boho crossbody is all about the rivet detail along the curved front pocket. Slim with suede interior $ 130. See more on www.retote.ca.
14/03/2024
Excited to be heading to Kelowna soon with all new Re/TOTE designs! Made of repurposed and discarded materials including unwanted furniture leathers, thrift store linens, hardware and leather belts. Each bag is recrafted into a new story. Come see me at Craft Culture Spring Market! See more on www.retote.ca.
06/03/2024
New vertical designed messenger crossbody bags - all handmade from old sofa leathers. Handy open pocket on the back of the bag and adjustable crossbody strap in matching leather. The decorative front flap with colour blocking and belt/buckle accent. Fully lined in a neutral colour with interior pockets and a zip top close for security. Measuring 12” wide x 13” tall fits a 13” computer plus all the extras. $155. Shop these and more on www.retote.ca.
29/02/2024
Saddle brown leather tote with a little extra flourish on the shoulder strap. Carved leather straps make this Re/TOTE pop! Plus it’s fully lined with interior pockets, zip top close and handy front pocket for quick access items. $155. Made from unwanted sofa leather. Earth friendly fashion! Shop for this tote and more on www.retote.ca.
24/02/2024
New shoulder tote designs, all made from unwanted sofa leathers. Handy open pocket on the back, zip top close and fully lined. Sized to fit a computer plus all the extras. $155. See these and more on www.retote.ca.
Re/TOTE
Hi. I’m Wendy. Re/TOTE is my post retirement career. While vacationing in the UK, I saw a woman wearing a great tote bag. I'd never seen anything quite like it before. It was made of a traditional fabric but in a stylish modern shape. I could not stop thinking about that bag. I had to have one. So by the time I got home I knew I'd make one, but, with my own design twist, using repurposed materials, all sourced locally, (translation: I spend a lot of time shopping at thrift stores to find the elements of each bag.)
Re/TOTE's feature characteristic is the use of linens, suiting and upholstery fabrics to create its classically chic look.
The majority of each bag is made from repurposed materials. Handles and straps are from old purses, or belts are combined into an elegantly mismatched pair. Hardware is mainly repurposed curtain rings or belt buckles. Zippers and magnetic closures are deconstructed from old purses. Colorful linings are repurposed thrift store items like, duvet covers, curtains or shams. Leather elements are from old jackets sourced locally.
Each Re/TOTE bag is unique. No two are the same.
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