Meet the Artist: Boonlell Bags

Introducing Boonlell Bags, where every artisan bag is hand crafted with love and attention. From her home in the scenic Sapphire Coast, NSW, Catherine crafts incredible handmade bags from phone slings, wallets to clutches, crossbody to totes. Each item is meticulously hand cut and stitched in her home studio sanctuary.

Find out why Catherine started making bags and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.

Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.

My creations are for everyday women who love handbags and colour! Especially bright coloured nature based fabrics. I love mixing these with genuine leather and canvas. I create my products on my industrial sewing machines in my home studio. I have two of these - one is a little more heavy duty mainly for leather and thicker seams.

There’s lots of materials that go into creating my bags. Apart from the outside fabrics there is the cotton lining inside and also interfacing between the inner fabric and outer. This helps to give the bag structure. Then there is the bag hardware such as O rings, zippers, zipper pulls, strap adjusters, rivets, magnetic snaps etc. So I have a lot of hardware on hand as well as rolls of canvas and leather hides.

Australian Handmade Bags using sustainable Cork

Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.

One day, about 12 years ago now, I was on the internet and came across a simple handbag sewing pattern. I downloaded it and quickly became addicted to bag making and buying PDF sewing patterns! I have three big folders of patterns now and have grown and evolved so much as a handmade artist.

What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?

Nature is a big inspiration for me. Especially Australian native flora and fauna. We are so fortunate to have so many native plants and animals here in Australia.

Where did you learn your craft?

I’m a very creative person and love all things home made and crafty. So I did sewing all through high school. Even making a wedding dress later on. So I’ve always been a sewer. Mum made our clothes when we were little so I was exposed to sewing from an early age!

Discover Cork and Leather Handmade Bags

Why is handmade artistry so important to you?

Handmade artistry provides so many with a creative outlet. In this world of disposable mass production, it’s so important to keep handmade alive. People love buying handmade items knowing they’ve been created with love and not by a robot in a factory.

Catherine is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Home of Australian Handmade ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Catherine already, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!

Introducing Australian Handmade Bag Artisan - Boonlell Bags

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Fold Over Bag in Green Leather and Australian Flora - Double SidedIMG_5140
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Patchwork Boho Crossbody Bag with Blue Canvas and LeatherIMG_4892
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Patchwork Boho Crossbody Bag with Tan Canvas and LeatherIMG_4895
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Tan Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Wild HorsesTan Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Wild Horses
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Cross Body Handbag in Grey Canvas and Blue Indigenous FabricCross Body Handbag in Grey Canvas and Blue Indigenous Fabric
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Canvas and Tan Leather Shoulder Bag in Bush FloraIMG_3767
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Tan Canvas with Native Seed PodIMG_4041
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Grey Canvas with GumnutIMG_3848
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Green Canvas with Pink CockatooIMG_3844
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Grey Canvas with Protea PopIMG_3837
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Tan Canvas with Bush FloraIMG_3846
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Green Canvas with WaratahIMG_3850
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Grey Canvas with BanksiaIMG_3852
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Cross Body Phone Sling Bag in Tan Canvas with Moonlight FloraIMG_3841
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Crossbody Phone Sling Bag in Tan Canvas with CockatooIMG_3854
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Grey Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with OrchidsGrey Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Orchids
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Canvas and Tan Leather Shoulder Bag in Mustard Flannel FlowerIMG_3766
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Canvas and Tan Leather Shoulder Bag in Sunny FlowersIMG_2399
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Tan Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with WildflowersTan Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Wildflowers
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Grey Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Rosella FabricIMG_3593
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Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Firework FloraIMG_2361
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Canvas and Tan Leather Shoulder Handbag in Ginger UtopiaIMG_3433
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Zipper Clutch Phone Wallet in Natural CorkIMG_2972
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Zipper Clutch Phone Wallet in Light Green CorkIMG_3617
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Zipper Clutch Phone Wallet in Coral CorkIMG_2986
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Zipper Clutch Phone Wallet in Navy Blue CorkIMG_2989
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Zipper Clutch Phone Wallet in Rose Gold CorkZipper Clutch Phone Wallet in Rose Gold Cork
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Canvas and Black Leather Shoulder Bag in CockatooIMG_2402
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Canvas and Black Leather Shoulder Bag in Firework FlowersIMG_2378
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Canvas and Tan Leather Handbag Shoulder Bag in Blue Moonlight FloraIMG_2405
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Canvas and Tan Leather Shoulder Bag in CockatooIMG_2393
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Canvas and Black Leather Shoulder Bag in ProteaIMG_2396
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Canvas and Tan Leather Shoulder Bag in WaratahCanvas and Tan Leather Shoulder Bag in Waratah
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Grey Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Pink Boho DesignGrey Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Pink Boho Design
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Tan Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Australian FloraTan Canvas and Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag with Australian Flora