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Liz O’Halloran
Fat Cat Designs By Liz
Bags of bags: Beautiful & unique hand-made bags designed and created by Liz O’Halloran
I love fabric – the textures, the colours and patterns; the promise of transformation into something exciting and sometimes unexpected. I trawl charity shops for off-cuts and good quality items which can be upcycled. Friends bring me parcels of unwanted fabric, knowing that I will find it a good home, like some kind of textile rescue centre.
My bags are practical as well as beautiful – what my husband calls functional chic! I pride myself on attention to detail. I make each bag by hand to my own design, therefore each bag is unique.
I take my inspiration from Nature and from Art, both of which surround me every day. The flora and fauna on our smallholding and the surrounding countryside where we live and the art of my husband, an inspirational artist printmaker, as well as the many other artists and craftspeople I admire.
I make all my bags by hand using upcycled fabric and trimmings wherever possible. Therefore no two bags will ever be exactly the same. This means that any bag you buy from me will be unique
The Tabby Cat shoulder bag
Price: £40
A practical and stylish shoulder bag available in a variety of different fabrics.
This bag is fully lined in and has a button-down flap closure to keep your belongings safe.
There are two internal pockets. One pocket big enough for your phone and with a button fastening to keep it secure. The second pocket has slots for pens, pencils or that elusive nail file and a larger section which could be used for a notebook or diary.
The main bag is large enough (and sturdy enough) to carry an iPad or an A4 sketchpad (or both) and will still leave room for your hand bag essentials.
The Calico Cat cross-body bag
Price: £35
The bag is semi-circular with an integral button-down flap. It is fully lined and has one internal pocket with three slots for pens or pencils and a larger section for other things, such as your keys or a small notebook.
The main bag is deceptively spacious so there’s still plenty of room to lose things!
The strap has a slide buckle and is adjustable, making it possible to wear the bag comfortably across your body or on your shoulder, as the mood takes you. Available in a variety of different fabrics.
The Moggy duffle bag
Price: £45
I have based this design on the duffle bags I remember from my youth, although they were never as stylish as this one! The opening of the bag has a drawstring closure with a leather slider to keep it closed. I have added an adjustable strap so that the bag can be carried on the shoulder or, with the strap lengthened, across the body. The base and some of the fixings are made from black leather.
There are two vertical internal pockets. One has two slots for pens or other writing implements, and a slightly larger section – for something slightly larger, such as a power-pack. The other would fit a phone or something of a similar size.
The Lap-Cat laptop bag
Price: £45
Stand out from the crowd with this stunning laptop bag in an eye-catching African themed heavyweight fabric.
Handmade by me to my own design, I have padded this bag with recycled wool wadding to give your laptop extra protection and I’ve lined it with fabric from my friend Pauline’s curtains (I don’t think she’s noticed they’re missing yet!). The flap is secured with a magnetic catch and I’ve added two carrying handles. Please note – there is no shoulder strap on this bag.
Inside the bag there are two pockets which can be used for peripherals such as cables, mouse and mousemat.
Fat Cat Purses
Price: £9.50 each
Hand-made fabric coin purses, with contrasting lining and zip. Each purse is unique.
Purses measure approximately 150mm wide by 90mm high.
All work for sale at Liz’s Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FatCatDesignsByLiz or by contacting her direct by email at ianandliz@gmail.com