Featured Yellow Flag Chamber Member
The Gabriola Chamber would like to introduce you to Anita Jackel of Indian Summer Leather Design!
My name is Anita Jackel and my business is Indian Summer Leather Design.
I am passionate about creating colourful, versatile, multifunctional soft Leather Bags and Purses, that become your cherished companion for everyday life adventures. Ever since I was a little girl I loved the feel and the smell of genuine leather. I used to sneak into our local tannery to pick up leather scraps from their dumpster. The love for the tactile, smooth material never left me.
I have been creating uniquely designed Leather Bags for over 25 years. I came to Canada from Germany on a sail boat in 1994. In Germany I studied Fashion Design, and with this background I started designing and making my own line of soft Leather Bags and Purses here in Canada. In 1995 I applied to the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver in the artist day vendor program. This is where my first designs were juried and accepted. This opportunity started the beginning of my career as a bag designer. Over the years I have expanded to other venues like the Circle Craft Show in Vancouver, the Filberg Festival in Comox, Inner Harbour Night Market in Victoria, Studio Tour on Gabriola Island, Harrison Hotsprings Festival of the Arts, and many Craft Shows in BC, Alberta and across Canada.
In the past years my partner Brian and I have been travelling a lot with my work, selling at Craft Shows, but I am always happy to come back to my peaceful place here on Gabriola Island. I call Gabriola my Island home for over 22 years. I love living and creating on Gabriola. Nature’s Beauty, surrounded by ocean, beaches with beautiful rock pebbles inspired me to use them in my designs as unique rock closures. The vibrant artist community on Gabriola influences my work in many ways. As a Libra, I am drawn to Beauty, Balance and Artistic people. Travels to Europe and Asia and exploring my gipsy kind of lifestyle are my inspirations for colours and shapes. Visiting Art Shows, and talking with customers about their needs all come together in my work.
I love talking and showing the versatility of my bags to my customer, I am also happy to customize my designs to fit their needs. After all I learn a lot by listening to what my customers have to say. Often we create something new together.
You can find Anita in the Gabriola Visitor Guide, Indian Summer Leather Design is P67 on the map!
Website: https://www.indiansummerleather.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiansummerleather/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianSummerLeatherDesign/