cha cha

Designer Labels

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 20:20:00 +0000

new bags.

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 17:41:00 +0000

I have been cutting and sewing away. I will be adding new bags to the shop each week.

The interns and I painting.

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 17:26:00 +0000

Turning this into something. Not sure what yet?????

Sample Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:00:00 +0000

Hey there!

I have two boxes stuffed full of handbags and sweatshirts and they all need new homes asap! Prices start at $10 so now is a great time to stock up on some one of a kind pieces that will not be me remade.

CHECK IT OUT!!!

Giving New Life to Past Purchases- Working with Recycled Leather

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 16:12:00 +0000

New bags, tiny shoes and looking for new ways to work with what we already have. It's become so natural for us to always want something new, forgetting the trail of garbage our disposable life creates. Making something brand new out of something 'old' or 'used' is so much fun. It's the kind of challenge I can really feel good about. www.chachalifestyle.com

Sketches & New Bags

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 15:49:00 +0000

Starting to add new bags to the shop today. It's often a big process for me because I take it way to seriously and probably add 10 hours to what should be a simple job. So to make it fun for me I will be slowly adding them to the shop all day today and tomorrow. Be sure to check in every now and then to see what has been added. Off to take pictures now!

Drawing, Sewing & Sunsets

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 12:51:00 +0000

Today in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 22:21:00 +0000

Well, Hello There.

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 17:07:00 +0000

I spent many evenings walking these beautiful valleys throughout May. Green became my favorite colour.

I passed! I can officially teach yoga, give me a call anytime. Purna was the first friend I made at the Ashram. She lives in the garden, enjoys long walks and trying to scare the local cats. We were tight.

This is Steve, the resident goat. JK. His name is not Steve and I am pretty sure he is a she. But Steve just suits him/her.

A perk of my new job at the Veggie place and my favorite topic- Food.

I was gone. Now I am back.

In the lat year and a half I have been searching for things a little beyond my sewing machine. I LOVE creating and always will, but I felt something was lacking. So I started to look for places outside of my studio that I could help. I love the excitement of small business and felt I had some experience in this area that I could contribute to another company. First I started working with a Mens clothing company and did so part time for about a year. It was interesting, I learned some things, they learned some things but at the end of day it for the most part was me creating ads and marketing strategies which were all driven by sales, sales, sales! I wanted to find something a little deeper, so we politely parted ways.

Time went on, I continued to sew and searched for a new place I could help. I decide to volunteer. I thought maybe a new "job" would find me this way. I started with what I love-food. I became a part time cook at my local hospice and became an un paid employee at an organic veggie delivery place. This was a new company that was working to get healthy food into as many homes as possible. Both were a great fit. It allowed me to step out of my comfy sewing comfort zone and explore other passions I have. But at the end of the day, I am not a rich lady and as much as I would love to volunteer my life away, I need cash pay my bills. Luckily, my wish to work with another start up company was granted and I was hired part time by the Veggie place to help with all kinds of random stuff that a new business requires. It has been a great fit and its a job I can feel really good about.

So up until now, I have CHA CHA, Veggie place job and my volunteer chef (using this term loosely). I am diversifying and I am definitely not bored. But I want to add one more element to the mix. Yoga.
I have been practicing on and off since I was a teenager and in the last few years have really grown a deep appreciation and understanding of its benefits that are far beyond physical. So I decide to become a Yoga teacher. I want to be able share this amazing practice with others. On May 1st I flew to California where I stayed in an ashram for 31 days and completed my Teacher Training Certificate at the Sivananda Yoga farm in Grass Valley. It was intense, difficult, fun, exciting and definitely out of my comfort zone. I am happy to say that I passed and I am currently using friends and family as guinea pigs as I get this teaching thing down.

So thats it, that is where I have been and what I have been doing for the last 18 months or so. I am excited to be back in my sewing room, listening to library books on cd and watching ridiculous amounts of Netflix documentaries while I sew up a storm. I look forward to sharing progress pictures with you over the next two weeks. I will try to be more social media savvy and post pics on my Instagram and Twitter accounts.

I am always surprised by the amount of emails and messages I get from customers wanting to know where I am and when new bags will be available. I am just one small women in the crazy world of online retail and I am SO SO grateful for the love and support you all show me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Lori Cha Cha

Cleaning up for Spring with 40% off

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:49:00 +0000

I am getting ready to launch a brand new line of Cha Cha handbags on June 14th. This new line will different then anything I have done before and I am really looking forward to it.
To make room for my new little creations I am have a sale.
40% off all bags when you use code 40 at checkout at chachalifestyle.com

Before & After- Distressed Leather is the Best

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 15:09:00 +0000

I was excited to stumble upon this leather. It is rare to find a distressed leather jacket. This one had been broke in perfectly. I was only able to get one bag out of it but I have a little bit left that I am hoping to make a clutch with . Check out the SHOP for more pictures.

Winter Food- Roast Carrot & Fennel Soup

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 18:53:00 +0000

Soup is my go to winter food. It is easy to make, keeps you warm and most importantly it fills you up in the healthiest way. I made this Roast Carrot & Fennel Soup on my lunch break today.

Ingredients: Measuring is over rated, I just throw in what I have.

- carrots
- fennel
- garlic
- veggie stock
- salt
- pepper
- chilli fakes

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 450. Place carrots, fennel and onion on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 20 min, then add garlic cloves and roast for another 20 min or until vegetable are soft.

2. Remove the papery skin from the garlic and throw everything into a pot with vegetable stock. Add some salt, pepper and chilli flakes for a little warmth. Bring to a boil then blend until completely smooth.

3. Save the tops of the fennel plants to chop up and add right before you serve for a little extra fennel flavour.

Before & After- How many handbags can you get out of one jacket?

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:27:00 +0000

The answer is usually two. Working with a waist length leather jacket I was able to make 2 slouchy shoulder bags and one leather Bear. I have been trying to figure out what to do with all the scraps and bits and pieces I have been hoarding for the last 7 years. I have always held onto the bins of scraps because I feel like one day I will find them a purpose. The scrap experiments usually go to Winston who then carries them around the house.

More Pictures of the Two Tone Slouchy Shoulder Bag
More Pictures of the Brown Slouchy Shoulder Bag

Before & After- Slouchy Tote in Chesnut Brown

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:49:00 +0000

I could not sleep this morning. So instead of staring at the ceiling, I got out of bed at 3am, ate a mango and made this lady. The jacket was older but well taken care of so the leather is soft with very few scuff marks.
Say hello to your new BFF.

Fold Over Clutch in Faux Leather & Real Canvas

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:22:00 +0000

Clutches do not need to be made of leather in order to be luxurious! This oversized, fold over clutch is made from repurposed faux leather. It used to be a VERY long jacket. Think Wesley Snipes in the movie Blade. It was time for an UPDATE.

CHA CHA Backpacks

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:16:00 +0000

Until recently, all of these backpacks had previous lives. A 90's leather jacket, a tweed cape, acid washed jeans, and a pair of Levis.
I worked my magic sewing tricks, took them all apart, and put them all back together. So I present to you…. Backpacks.

Before & After- From a Pile of Scraps to the Perfect Handbag

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:38:00 +0000

I had some bits and pieces of 2 different jackets left over and I wasn't sure if there was enough to make anything of it. But with a little creative pattern placing and fancy stitching, it came together beautifully. This slouchy leather bag has one exterior slip pocket, three interior pockets and is lined with cha cha silkscreened canvas. Four hours ago this little lady was nothing but a pile of scraps, now she is ready for a NEW HOME!

Day Dreaming

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:01:00 +0000

Isla, you are so pretty.

Winter in Cha Cha Land

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:53:00 +0000

Winter in Canada. Hibernating and sewing. Changing things up over here at Cha Cha, nothing stays the same forever. Still sewing, still taking old to new. I will keep you posted.

LAST ONE! Isla Tote in Basket Weave Black

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:06:00 +0000

I only found enough of this leather to make 3 Isla Totes in Basket Weave Black. Now there is just 1 left!!

FREESTYLE FRIDAY- 010814

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 21:28:00 +0000

I am so happy it is Friday! Some weeks just seem long for no reason in particular.
In week two of Freestyle Friday I bring you one of my all time favorite styles, The Clutch.
Clutches dress up any outfit and sometimes it just feels good to carry less. I can't tell you how many pens, extra t-shirts and random utensils I carry around in my larger everyday bag for no reason.
So in honour of out aching shoulders, let's love a clutch.

Freestyle Fridays- Handbag of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 18:23:00 +0000

Every Friday I will add a new handbag to the shop. This bag will be a one-off and will be the outcome of my weekly experiments and inspirations. I would LOVE some suggestions as well! If you have a handbag or accessory idea please let me know. If I choose your handbag design I will name the style after you and send you a little something as a token of appreciation! Send me an email if you have a style you would love to see.

This week is a dark cherry tote made of repurposed leather and hand painted canvas lining. This light weight slouchy tote is perfect for travel or as a roomy overnight bag. All stitching has been reinforced, you would never know this bag used to be a jacket. Click HERE for more pictures.

Before & After- Leather Shell Satchel

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 16:47:00 +0000

This jacket was ready for a new life and after a little cutting and sewing I gave it one. I found the decorative shell hardware years ago at a vintage shop. I have been holding onto it trying to find the perfect bag to pair it with. I think it adds just enough shine to this bag to make it unique. I only had one little shell, so just one bag made. More photos here.

Before & After- Denim Satchel

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:07:00 +0000

I have been trying to find a way to use denim without having the end product look like a D.I.Y gone horribly wrong. I wanted to use the fabric because its soft and durable but I did not want it to look like I sewed the leg a some jeans up and threw it over my shoulder. I'm not sure if you have browsed Etsy lately, but there are PLENTY!! I think I managed to stay clear of that look. CHECK HERE for more pictures.

Summer Reads- The Good, The Bad & The Fantasy

noreply@blogger.com (cha cha) — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:07:00 +0000

This summer I have got myself into the bad habit of reading 80% of a book then abandoning it. I am not sure if it is because of my some what chaotic attention span or if it is because I simply loose interest in the book. While I do have a stack of partially read books, I have managed to finish a few.

1. Farm Sanctuary by Gene Baur
Over the years I have become increasingly interested in food production. From how the fruit and vegetables we eat have been grown to how the animals we eat are treated. Farm Sanctuary gives you an in-depth look into factory farms in North America without being shocking for the sake of sensationalism. This book is insightful, honest and really makes you think about the food we feed ourselves and our families. The days of cows grazing in the pastures are long gone for the animals that end up in most of our groceries stores today.
I think this book is a interesting read for everyone, vegan- meat lover. It's important and responsible to know how what we eat is effecting the planet. Highly recommend.

2. #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
I have watched Sophia's career sky rocket from her days as a vintage eBay retailer to an online super star in a very short time so I was very excited to see this book come out. She shares her rags to riches story in an easy to read, fun way that allows you to read this book in one sitting. It was enjoyable and I did jot down a few interesting tips or inspirational quotes as I read, but I would not call this a book a guide to success and I am not sure that was her goal anyway.
After reading her book I headed to her online store, like a sucker and did some shopping. As soon as my order arrived I felt duped. The quality of the items I received was horrible, less then I would expect for your average fast fashion retailer at the mall and far more expensive. I quickly returned my purchase only to wait a month for a refund that happened after 3 phone calls to customer service. Not what I was expecting from a store owned by someone who wrote an entire book about how wonderful her product and customer service was. In the end I feel like I bought into the hype.
But the book was fun and had a few helpful tips for business owners. I would suggest borrowing it from the library and skip the online shop that made her famous.

3. Porter Magazine
This new magazine is powered by Net-A-Porter.com, the high end online retailer. To be honest, I like this magazine on a very simple level. It's pretty. The garments are all so far out of my budget that there is no room for jealousy, this one is straight up fantasy for me and I need a little of fantasy in my life.

What are you reading this summer????