Jena Coray's Pansy Maiden Bag

**Every Monday now through December 10th, I'll be profiling a woman whom I have taken either design, business, or vegan-activism inspiration from (sometimes all three!) since launching Pansy Maiden and will give you a peek at what she stows away in her Pansy Maiden Bag. I'll also be 1) offering a different promo code each week, good for that week only, 2) giving a free gift with every purchase that uses the promo code, and 3) donating 10% of each purchase made using said promo code to the inspirational lady's chosen charity. Please share my posts on whatever social networks you frequent so we can raise some serious money for do-good charities!**

Jena's Promo Code: {InJenasBag} for 20% off all orders >$100 (+ a free gift!) good now through 11/25/12, 11:59pm. In addition, 10% of all sales will be donated to Charity Water (learn more about Charity Water in tomorrow's post). Visit our FAQ if you need help figuring out where to enter the code. 

I was first introduced to Jena's popular blog, Modish, in 2008 when I was researching how to successfully launch my own creative, handmade brand. Article after article, Etsy forum post after Etsy forum post stated that Modish was on THE short list of hip, beautiful, well-written, eco, indie-design focused blogs to get your stuff seen on. So, it was with much anxiety and excitement on March 24, 2009 when I wrote a pitch to Jena about my first collection of bags. In fact, here's my original pitch: 

Hello, Jena. My name is Laura Collins and I make handmade bags under the name Pansy Maiden. I would love, love, love to be featured on Modish. I think that my Spring/Summer Collection (just debuted today!) would fit well with all the other lovely things you feature. My design philosophy could be whittled down to a simple "less is more" statement. I strive to achieve a balance between sleek, elegant, practical, and durable. You can find links to my website and my etsy shop below in my signature. Thanks for your consideration :)

Four days later, she accepted! Pansy Maiden was going to appear on Modish!!! It was my first major blog breakthrough and it felt so good! I was filled with so much confidence when I saw my post on Modish which was so important in those early days (let's not lie, still is). Over the course of the next couple of years, Pansy Maiden was featured on Modish a couple more times and each time, Jena was super sweet and always approachable. She's the classy, stylish, boho, fun, chill girl you want to go shopping with and then discus the glories of making your own compost for your own vegetable garden.

Modish, now known as Miss Modish, is now a blog that focuses on creating strategies and providing motivation for small, indie businesses. It's been so nice watching Jena carve-out her own career path over the years. If something isn't working for her, she's not afraid to make some changes (which is so very comforting to someone like me who has treaded on a few different career paths myself). In the years since she's been self-employed, she's been a: design blogger, jewelry maker, graphic designer, consignment boutique owner, copywriter, vintage seller, marketing guru, PR rep and most recently- a writer & a coach. Now she just calls herself, a “mojo-maker.” Perfect. Title. 

Time to see what this beauty carries in her Petite Hobo: 
 

I LOVE my Pansy Maiden bag!! I've been showing it off to all my friends and they all think it's leather at first- I love that it's not, as a 10+ year long vegetarian. The waxed canvas is so awesome- the bag is soft and light and the perfect size for me- feels smallish but holds a ton! And there's so many pockets! I could never find anything in my old bag, I love being able to organize all my stuff. And I didn't actually realize just how much stuff I carry around with me until I was asked to take a picture of it- hah! 

In my awesome petite hobo I carry with me: my keys with a #4 keychain (my lucky #) and kitty key cover - a little toy film camera and some film in a Pendleton pouch - an iphone and olloclip lens (I take a lot of pictures) - a journal from Pinball where I keep track of things I'm grateful for with my fave le pen - some local Portland beeswax chapstick and Korres lipbalm - delicious hand lotion from Tokyomilk so I always smell like chocolate - a Pendleton wallet (most of these things were gifts from my hubby I'm realizing :) - some fingerless gloves that I've been wearing for 15 years cause my hands arealways cold - and some Ray Bans I stole from the hubs. 

 Thank you for everything, Jena! xoxoxoxoxo