HELLO! WELCOME AT
STUDIO MACNAS
Transforming: from material to design
POPULAR SHOP ITEMS
Wrap € 40,00
Small pouch. Handmade, original design. Made out of naturally tanned leather. Can be used for small things like glasses or pencils. The cord wraps around the pouch, hence the name!
The Mare € 275,00
The Mare/ female wild horse
This model is has a special design and is very handy for everyday adventures.
It is spacious enough for glasses, telephone, drawing book and pencil case with drawing materials. The shoulder strap can be removed if you want to use the bag as a handbag. The handle is nice and short so that it can easily hang on your bicycle.
The bags are made out of naturally tanned leather.
Size (outside without handle - width x depth x height): 25 x 10 x 16 centimeters
The Mare - Backpack € 325,00
The Mare, which means female wild horse. Backpack edition.
The bag is spacious for laptop, books, sports wear or other stuff that needs space. The bag can also be carries as a tote thanks to the design of the handle.
WHAT DOES MACNAS DO?
DESIGN FOR YOU
Material with a story
Do you also want an unique Macnas bag? Esspecially for you? Have you been looking for a bag that completely matches what you want and need? Can't find this bag? Looking for a bag of plant based or innovative materials. I would like to design it, with you.
Based on a previously made Macnas bag is also possible. Or based on a Macnas bag with adjustments in the dimensions.
Do you have a leather bag or jacket with sentimental value? Would you like to use it, but it's not your style or size? I can transform it into a new bag for you.
MATERIAL EXPLORER
Bio degradable
My focus at the moment is experiment beyond reuse. Making things without a footprint by using biodegradable materials. Bury in a garden after (long-term) use and you get flowers in return! Thankful slow design.
Current experiments include cactus leather, appleskin, mango leather (Fruitleather), linoleum, grapes, mycelium and kombucha leather from a scoby.
ABOUT MACNAS
Handmade - Play - Long lasting design. Macnas uses a combination of traditional craft and modern technology.
Belinda is the lady behind Macnas, she designs and makes the bags. Macnas is Gaelic for playful, flirty, sensual. The name is a reference to her Irish roots. It also refers to design, what bags can do for someone. Falling in love with a bag and wanting to wear it, cherish it, because you love it so much.
Rooted in Utrecht, she promotes the Utrecht style with her designs. Urban, local, playful, down to earth with care for earth. With a great fascination for making products without a footprint. By using biodegradable materials. This mission makes her a material explorer. Current experiments include material from cactus, appleskin, mango leather (Fruitleather) and kombucha leather from a scoby.
Connected to the community in Utrecht, her aim is to work together locally. You can recognize her bags by the black haberdashery and asymmetrical handle.
Interested? Let me know and we'll make an appointment!
Sparkling, creative, artisanal.
Those three words summarize professional Belinda.
The process of designing a bag together what a party,
and the result is fantastic.
I love my Macnas bag.
- Evelyn -
I thought it was very special to be included in the creative process and to learn everything about the sustainable materials and the origin.
Very nice to be involved in the making process at the Macnas location itself. I really enjoyed being kept informed of the progress in the meantime and then not at the end... that is always very exciting.
Very happy with the end product and the nice collaboration.
- Nicole -
Portfolio
For my full portfolio check the Macnas Instagram account.
See below for the last 6 posts.
Check out this new model bag for everyday! It raises the bar in fashion. Made out of @malai.eco it is fully compostable after removing the reusable strap and stick. Its unique closure is joy to use. #compostable #unique #raisethebar #malai #bagdesign #madinutrecht #handmade #petit #handmade #sustainablefashion #rethinkfashion #lesswaste #buyless
DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN FESTIVAL BAG I love the concentrated vibe in the studio when makers enter the making zone! Like these two friends, working on their festival bags. They made these in the studio in two mornings. Have you ever wanted to create your own small bag? Do you have ideas and are your eager to try to make them? Is there a Macnas model you would love to learn to make? Join the Macnas studio for a bag-making course! Over 2 sessions, you'll learn the art of basic bag crafting, from using tools to working with materials and bringing your bag idea to life. Here's a sneak peek at what to expect in the two sessions: 1. Getting started: Get acquainted with the basics and learn about the tools . 2. Sketch and pattern: Begin designing your dream bag. You can use one of our Macnas patterns or create your own unique design. 3. Prototype + cutting: Test your bag's size and construction by creating a prototype before cutting and preparing your chosen materials. 4. Sewing + finish: Put it all together and leave with your very own handmade bag. If you need more time, don't worry; we offer the option of booking an extra lesson. These 2 sessions are 90 euro each. Booking extra hours is possible for 35 euro per hour. Know someone who'd be interested or keen to join yourself? Let me know or forward this post, and we can plan the sessions! #bagdesign #workshop #course #makewhatyouwant #makewhatyouneed #festivalbag #prototype #pattern #materials #makers #loveofmaking #sewing #stitching #dreambag @metiels @melissahendriksx
12 Animal Signs of the Chinese Zodiac 4 wallets 3 iterations 48 coins 48 birthdays 4 people Isn't it gr8? #chineszodiac #coins #wallet #book #plotter #cricut #laserengraving #handmade #tailormade #madeinutrecht
Check out my personal discoveries of @materialdistrict 2024! @lison_gueguen @karijndt @weareglobalgreen @fairf.duurzame.verf @_rezign Searious fish leather @agne.kucerenkaite @rietgoed @facingcarbon @gereon.wahle @_shaharlivnedesignstudio_ @fabulous_fungi @eversomdesign @studio_bycolor @missclazy @olipuf99 @studio_sarmite @rouaatelieramsterdam @biophilic_design_academy Last but not least @atelierbarb (no footage) A nature driven design studio with a focus on objects made of responsible materials, food art and installations…showed a sheet of algeas which made me want to make something with it ✨
Let me share a special project with you! Philip came to me with a request. Could I make wallets for his four kids. Over the years he gave them a coin for their birthdays. Now they all have a set of 12 coins with the images of the Chinese astrology on them. The thought that these wallets will be kept spread out over the world for the years to come is so thrilling. All the best for you Philip and your family. #chineszodiac #coins #wallet #book #plotter #cricut #laserengraving #handmade #tailormade #madeinutrecht
12 Animal Signs of the Chinese Zodiac We are nearly there! After prototyping and testing the end products are being made! Cutting, plotting, engraving, glueing, stichting and finishing edges. In the next post you will see the end results! #chineszodiac #coins #wallet #book #plotter #cricut #laserengraving #handmade #tailormade #madeinutrecht
WORKING WITH
Ethical fashion brazil
Ethical Fashion Brazil offers solutions for a more sustainable fashion system, connecting people and enterprises around the world.
Founded by the PhD researcher and fashion entrepreneur Luciana Duarte, the agency is based on deep expertise in the fields of Production Engineering and Product Design oriented to Fashion.
NOERRELUND UNIQUE
Noerrelund Unique is a Sustainable Fashion Marketplace
puha
Puha shop offers products for men and women made by mostly dutch and even local desigers.
kanaal 30
Kanaal30 is a create breeding ground in Utrecht where entrepreneurs, the business community and city residents meet. You can find Macnas bags in the shop, visit the studio and join workshops.
www.kanaal30.com
Testing
Testing new versions of the Leap sheets. By making a product with different kind of artisan techniques. Sharing insights with notes, pictures and film.
https://www.explore-leap.com/
Lectures
Lectures for students makers. Sharing is caring: Sustainability; what, how and why? lessons I learned and had to unlearn as a maker in fashion. What materials are available and to what extent are they sustainable or is there green washing involved? How do you deal with that? How to work with alternative materials and how do customers respond to them?
workshops
Creative workshops. While making sharing about creative entrepreneurship: what are you running into? How do you start? What do you do in a day? How do you determine a price? Are there other ways to get money besides customers? What can you do with social media? How do you deal with sustainability? Selling to friends and family? How does collaboration work?