Ohoh, it's been too long... But it's good to be back, both at home and on my blog.
I had a lovely time in Thailand and today I would like to take you with me to an interesting project in a neighbouring country: Laos.
It's a bag from Nature Bag - I bought it a couple of years ago when I was in Laos. I sometimes use it as yarn bag when I'm abroad, because it's flexible and lightweight. It's from made of the natural, strong kudzu fibre which is traditionally used in Laos (and other countries) for making bags and baskets. Kudzu (also known as Japanese arrowroot, as Wikipedia kindly informed me) is a climbing vine that is native to Laos and many other parts of Asia.
On the occasion of posting that photo last year I was contacted by the kind Terry from Nature Bag. Nature Bag is a fairtrade project based in Laos. They make these traditional tote bags with a modern twist from the JungleVine as they dubbed the amazing fibre that is destined to be turned in a Nature Bag. We agreed that I would style and photograph more Nature Bags. The results of which you see here! I loved doing this because fairtrade has my heart.
Despite their lightweight nature and delicate looks, the bags are very strong, capable of expanding to carry heavy cargo. (I loaded mine with books!) The bags are knotted, not woven or crocheted, so in the unlikely event that a hole develops, the bag should not unravel. I wish I could say the same about my crochet. ;-)
If you'd like to see all styles of bags and meet the people who craft these lovely bags click here to go the Nature Bag website. (They have a webshop.)
In my next post I'll show you a bag I crocheted with JungleVine. I'll also share my pattern!
Okay, that's it for now. I hope you'll enter the giveaway. [Edit: now closed] If you do: Good luck!
Many thanks for your visit and I wish you a most lovely week.
♦♦♦
They look like truly wonderful bags.
ReplyDeleteIk wil heel graag de tas winnen. En ik ben ook erg benieuwd nar het patroon. Duimen maar....
ReplyDeleteOh, zou heel graag de tas willen winnen voor m'n wolletjes...
ReplyDeleteI love the look of this bag and you did a great job photographing it!
ReplyDeleteIk zou de tas wel heel graag willen winnen ....
ReplyDeleteGroetjes Renate
This bag is great!!! <3
ReplyDeleteWonderful bags I would love to own one x
ReplyDeleteOs sacos são lindos.
ReplyDeleteAdorava ganhar um deles.
Lovely bag, I remember using the arrowroot in macrobiotic cooking! Thanks for the giveaway. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteLove the bags and their natural look! You did a great job on them and deserve the praise from Nature Bag. Love the blog, I have been following, it's nice to see a post from you. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Crystal
Crochet, A Day In The Life (find me on Bloglovin)
http://krystlewv.blogspot.com
LOVE these bags, I have saved the link to the Naturebag website as I am thinking they will make great Christmas gifts for everyone this year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great bag!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful bags, useful and fairtrade just perfect!
ReplyDeletePerfect bags and I will love to win one of these!
ReplyDeleteThose bags are great! Love their look!
ReplyDeleteWat een mooie fotos weer! Ik zou heel deze tas willen winnen!
ReplyDeleteWow wat fantastisch mooi..!!!! Helemaal verliefd op die prachtige tas! Ik doe dus heel graag mee! Liefs Lisanne
ReplyDeleteHi Haafner, these bags are great! I'm quite intrigued how the knotting is done, and also how you got on crocheting with the yarn so I look forward to your post on that. Yes I would like to win the bag of course but I think I will pop over to the website anyway to see what others there are :o)
ReplyDeleteHave a super day! Sam xxx
Hi Haafner, thank you for the information on the bags, I've not seen them before and they look delicate yet strong. It will be interesting to see your bag and how easy it was to use Junglevine.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog, you have some wonderful work on here. Cheers, André
I like the look of these bags... and I like the delicate yet strongest as that suggests the bag wouldn't grow like my home-made string bags! Lovely giveaway...
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely bags, and I love the pictures you took of them.
ReplyDeleteTrying to de-clutter I guess I should not try to win new stuff, but then having this bag would allow for getting rid of all the hideous plastic bags swarming our house, and not having to accept them anymore when shopping for I will be bringing my own (which will be much nicer than the refundable Zeeman ones I carry in my purse now).
Love, Pauline
Hi! Neat bad and I love Fair Trade as well. Thanks for the giveaway. stairwayheaven11@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI LOVE you natural fibers. This would be a great bag to take to the Farmers market!
ReplyDeleteI recently read that in England or the UK, shoppers provide their own shopping bags and most stores sell them. I've wanted to purchase a Jute market bag but I live in the states and the only one I seem to find come in large bulk orders sold for retailers or come with some logo.
ReplyDeleteI love the style and materials for these bags. thanks for the link - and the giveaway.
Wat een mooie tas, ik zou dan ook graag mee willen doen
ReplyDeleteThose bags look awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect bag for yarn storage!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag to carry on everything everywhere. Thank you for the giveaway!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag to carry on everything everywhere. Thank you for the giveaway!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful giveaway,bags looks amazing!Love it,thank you for the chance to win it.Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThese are perfect for me! The weight of anything I carry is urgently important because of severe injuries and surgeries....I just cannot lift heavy things...It is perfect to have a bag that is so attractive, yet strong to carry - whatever! This looks like it could even be used for groceries.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful opportunity!
I'd sooo love to win this! Thank you, Nature Bag! and thank you, too, for offering this to us.
Love the fiber for the Nature bag,Its SUper Sweet,and can hold my pattern book and yarn,Thank you for a giveaway
ReplyDeleteI like to join in the giveaway. The bag looks really practical! I also like that its 'green' and reusable!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with this bag and I'd be happy if it came to me.
ReplyDeleteI see they are in OR. Is this contest international?
ReplyDeleteYes! I will send it from The Netherlands.
DeleteSupporting these ladies in Laos is fantastic! Thanks very much for this giveaway, the bags are great! Pati x
ReplyDeleteLovely bag for yarn! Looking forward to seeing the pattern you created. {hugs} Maize
ReplyDeleteThose bags look so nice. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI love it. Thanks for giveaway. I am so glad I found your blog.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this bag!
ReplyDeletethey are so cute
ReplyDeleteSuper mooi!! Ik doe graag mee!
ReplyDeleteHoi Haafner,
ReplyDeleteOntzettend leuk dat je door Nature bag bent benaderd. Het past inderdaad ook bij jou! Mooie outfit heb je trouwens aan op de foto.
Vind je het erg als ik niet meedoe? Ik heb al zoveel tassen. Dan is het leuker als je een ander er een plezier mee kunt doen.
Fijne week en goede Paasdagen!
Madelief x
These bags look soo soft but durable! I like the striped one
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that these bags are made from something natural instead of plastic. I would love to own one. Thank you for doing this giveaway so I have a chance to win one. I live in the states and have never seen one of this type. They are just awesome.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of this bag. I'm sure it is very versatile and could be used for many things. I love the natural look and fibers used. I followed on Bloglovin' -- name: Marnie Guffey. Email: marnieguffey@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHello Haafner, I've popped you into my sidebar and will be a regular visitor from now on. Thankyou for the chance to be entered into this lovely giveaway. This bag is beautiful and as our cottage is full of wood and pebbles and old stone walls I have to admit to being rather excited by the natural style of it.Did you hear the news about our Comic Relief Crafternoon total? Wonderful no?
ReplyDeleteMy daughter could use a bag like this for her yarn.
ReplyDeleteLove this bag!! <3
ReplyDeleteThese bags are fabulous! This would be great for so many uses and it's cute too!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Instagram for all your great pics, as justjerseystyle.
This bag looks so nice! I can think of so many uses.
ReplyDeletebethelderton59 at gmail dot com
i follow by GFC and email
ReplyDeleteThese bags look lovely. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Beautiful bags.
ReplyDeleteCute bags!!
ReplyDeleteI follow via email schutzme37@gmail.com
My wife would love the bag it is lovely. I follow via email. cooladam1 at live dot com
ReplyDeletei follow via GFC and bloglovin'
ReplyDeletei loved looking at the blog with all the pictures of the village and villagers! very inspiring!
kmcgrew213@aol.com
I am so glad I found Your blog! Wow, it's from Netherlands :) I also would love to win this elegant nature bag!
ReplyDeleteI am following You on Bloglovin' via name: fiona nuyen
Thank You for the chance
Fiona N
iceyogurt(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a GFC follower (katja9_10). This is such a cute bag. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLes Johnson
katja9_10 at Hotmail dot com
Great Bag.... Love fun bags
ReplyDeleteI follow GFC as Angela Saver. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteandysavi.mom@gmail.com
I follow you on GFC. The bag is lovely and would make a good place to hold my yarn so my cats stop running away with it!
ReplyDeletelshumack at gmail dot com
I follow on GFC as Pockets =) Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDelete