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Wine Bags and Totes by Wine Diva Designs

Friday, April 25th, 2008 | Wine Gifts | 4 Comments

One of the many things I love about the Internet is how you get to meet really cool people that you might not have otherwise. Such is the case with me and my friend Linda Blakely. Some time ago we “met” on the photo-sharing Website, Flickr. Honestly I’m not positive how I even came upon her photos (I think we might have had a shared contact, but I’m not sure). At any rate, I loved Linda’s wine photography and learned that at the time she and her husband owned a small wine shop (Southside Cellars) in Jacksonville, Florida. Instant connection!

Linda took a very popular series of photos entitled “Fun With Corks,” in which she recreated popular scenes (and sometimes landmarks) with corks. Her clever ideas and amazing photography skills won over many people.

Unfortunately, last year Linda and her husband had to make the difficult decision to close Southside Cellars. Their small mom-and-pop wine shop was yet another casualty of big box wine stores. One of these large liquor stores opened  near their shop and cut into their business. (So please people, support your local merchants!). After the shop closed, Linda decided that she needed a creative outlet. And so she started up Wine Diva Designs. I asked her how she decided to start making these great bags. She said:

“I’ve always loved sewing/quilting, photography, wine and humor. I wanted to do something that would incorporate all those elements, and the wine gift bags featuring my “Fun With Corks” photo series seemed to fill the void.

I started printing the photos first with iron-on transfers, but I didn’t like the way the photo felt. It was too stiff and didn’t really transfer all that well. I found this specially treated fabric online (gotta love the Internet!) and switched to using that. After I had a whole group of wine gift bag samples, I wanted something to carry them to vendors and to shows, so I made a tote bag. Then I figured I could incorporate my photos into those as well.”

Yes, add sewing and quilting skills to her list of talents. Linda sent me two sample bags: a tote bag and a wine bag. First I’ll talk about the tote.

This is a really generously-sized tote bag. It measures approximately 18″W x 16″H and the body is made of cream-colored denim. The straps are cotton osnaburg. The photos are printed onto cotton poplin and sewn onto fabric. I examined the photo area of the bag very closely and it was very securely attached. I can’t imagine that the photo area of the bag would separate from the body with normal use. I plan on using this as my “Farmer’s Market” bag this season because it will hold quite a bit and it is very sturdy. The tote bags retail for $50.00 (free shipping within the continental United States) and you can choose the photo you’d like on the bag. Unless she has one in stock, the bags are made to order and are shipped within 2-3 days of completion.

 The wine gift bag she sent me was really cute. I have seen all manners of wine bags (including one or two I have knit myself), and this bag is among the nicest that have come my way. Just as with the tote bags, the photos are printed onto cotton poplin.

Quilting fabrics made of 100 percent cotton are pieced around photo and the bag is lined with cotton muslin. The bottom is 100 percent cotton batting sandwiched between muslin to make it sturdy. The seams are finished using a serger to keep them from raveling and the bag is colorfast.

I think it would be a lovely hostess gift (with a carefully chosen bottle of wine inside, of course!). The wine bags retail for $25.00 (free shipping within the continental U.S.). As with the totes, you can choose the photo you want on the bag and unless she has one in stock, the wine bags are made to order and shipped 2-3 days after completion.

Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away and either of these would make a unique way to present your mom with her favorite bottle of wine. For more information, please visit Wine Diva Designs online: www.winedivadesigns.com.