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Doing Good Through (Laptop) Bags

There are two amazing bag projects that I wanted to share with you: Bags for Zaza and the Darfur Project.

I first read about Bags for Zaza through the blog Profy.com where the founder, Jennie, was interviewed about grassroots fund raising.  Jennie is creating cool bags from fabric she already has in her stash as well as from friends and is selling them on her blog (via an auction model) with all of the monies going to her brother and sister-in-law for costs associated with adopting a little girl from Columbia.

In reading the interview I was impressed with Jennie's take on current fundraising models as well as her personal desire to give people something for their donation - but something made from materials she already had.

I ... embarked on a journey into the dusty closets and corners of my home and started gathering all of my fabric into one handy location, my living room. I'm a terrible packrat and as I sorted through my finds, I projected that I could easily make 20 bags with the materials on hand (I realize now that I can make more than that). I made a pattern from my Darfur Bag with a few little modifications of my own. I sewed together 8 bags and built my blog site before I even mentioned the scheme to my in-laws. I told them what I was doing, then launched my site the next day. I sent out emails to friends and family and sold my first batch of bags within a couple days.

In less than 4 weeks I reached my initial goal of raising $500. However, if you know anything about adoption expenses, you'll know that this is just a drop in the bucket. Gosh, I could go on forever, but I'll wrap up this little history by saying that my sister-in-law (Zaza's momma to be) is sewing up a storm now and other friends and family have also helped with the sewing. It looks like we're going to keep going on this until Zaza comes home.

In a nutshell, inspiration for the scheme came from my desire to support Zaza's adoption in a substantial, but feasible way. And the Darfur Project certainly provided a great model to build on. Another family was raising money for their adoption by selling t-shirts. The project was called "Saving Dowensky" and I've certainly thought of them a lot through this.

Bags for Zaza is modeled after the Darfur Project, another online bag auction started by Joyce to raise funds for the unimaginable situation in Darfur.  Joyce has this to say about her project:

It has been an unbelievably fulfilling ride to combine several passions in this project. Listening to the small, still, easily ignored voice of God. Combining a passion (compulsion) for thrifting with a passion to create with needle and thread. Using reclaimed fabrics rich with imagined history and sending them back out into the world to begin anew.

Now skirts, jeans, curtains, quilts, tea towels, kitchen aprons, flour sacks, couches, belts, neckties, bedspreads, and table cloths are being casually slung over shoulders from across the prairies, over the mountains, and over oceans. The joy and connectedness spreads right around the world.

From off my shoulder and through my heart, welcome to the Darfur project.

The bags created by Jennie and Joyce are beautiful and unique works of art.  Now they aren't always suited for laptops, but sometimes we need to leave that laptop at home!!  Jennie names her bags after different books which is delightful.  I encourage you to check out both sites and maybe buy a bag (or two) for two wonderful causes!!

King Single Laptop Backpack from Crumpler (Review)

Did I mention that I started reviewing more laptop backpacks?  Well, I'm mentioning it now :)  More and more I've heard from commuters and students, particularly women, who want something that won't cause back problems and doesn't make them look like they just stepped off the trail.

We've got reviews up of the Velocity Matrix from Slappa and The Pixie from Lexie Barnes.  The latest review: the King Single Laptop Backpack from those fun folks over at Crumpler.  From the review:

The King Single was definitely up for my urban Eco-Challenge. The backpack is tough, durable, water-resistant and weather proof - the black zips are heavy-duty and have weather covers to protect the bag's contents from the elements. It's great from a security point of view too - with its sleek design and covered zips, no one is sneaking into the King Single.

It's also a very well balanced bag - when I had to stand on the train, the King Single sat on upright on the floor, solid as can be, leaving me free to sip my coffee and judge my fellow passengers' inferior backpacks.

Read the full review of the King Single Laptop Backpack from Crumpler.

Parkside Laptop Case - Retro Style with a Modern Feel (Review)

Keeping us in style this fall is the retro chic Parkside laptop tote from Clark & Mayfield.

When the lovely Lauri from Clark & Mayfield sent the Parkside Laptop Bag for review, it evoked many of the same nostalgic feelings. The white leather and silver-studs! The buckles! The leather zipper pulls! The cheerful striped lining! The little fringe detail on the front pocket! If Olivia Newton John had carried a laptop bag in Xanadu, it would have been the Parkside.

Crafted of white Napa leather with silver stud detailing, the Parkside is a nicely structured and beautifully made bag. The Parkside also boasts unusual hardware and fun details; the handles and shoulder strap are both attached with big silver hoops and the zipper pulls are covered in the same white leather as the bag. The Parkside has four little silver feet on the bottom under the front compartment, to keep the bag balanced when your laptop's inside. All it's missing is a disco ball keychain! Fortunately, I have one. Xanadu!

Read the full review of the Parkside laptop case.