About Anita Jackel
Hi, my name is Anita, and I am passionate about designing colourful and unique soft leather bags and purses with a West Coast touch.
My designs are inspired by nature, art, travel, and you – my customers! You inspire me and challenge me to grow as a creative. With your input and ideas, we create something special together that will make you feel more confident and content.
Our collaboration is a very personal exchange of energy that results in a trusted companion for your life’s adventures for many years to come.
For over 26 years, I have assisted you to find the most comfortable, stylish, and uniquely designed soft leather bags and backpacks that work for you: your body type, your needs, and your lifestyle – without compromising on design. Maybe we have met in person at various craft shows and markets across Canada, and you have watched me demonstrate the versatility of the many styles I offer.
My studio is located on beautiful Gabriola Island, BC, referred to as the “Island of the Arts,” where I am constantly inspired by the natural beauty of its trails, and pebbly beaches. It is here that I collect rocks to use for the signature rock closures on my purses, each one as unique in its design as my customers are in their nature.
I am a big supporter of the slow fashion movement, and every piece of every bag goes through my hands. Each bag is sewn and finished individually by our small team to the highest quality standards.
My designs are timeless, and their unique character and versatile design are meant to outlast your travels for many joyful and challenging memories to come.
Credentials
In 1994 I arrived in Vancouver, Canada after a 14-month trip on a sailboat from Germany. On this long voyage, I made the decision to create something to share my talent and gifts with others. My heavy-duty Pfaff walking foot sewing machine was shipped to Vancouver shortly after to start my new venture, originally named Indian Summer Leather Design.
My European background in fashion design is the foundation for creating and finishing leather bags to the highest standards of workmanship and longevity. I source high quality, sustainable materials from Canadian companies, including genuine top grain cow leather, which is a by-product of the food industry. Our hardware comes from Italy.
In the past 26 years, I have been selling my bags in the following venues:
Granville Island Public Market - Vancouver, BC
Circle Craft Christmas Market - Vancouver, BC
Filberg Festival - Comox, BC
One of a Kind Show - Toronto, ON
Art Market - Calgary, AB
Signature Shows in:
Edmonton, AB
Calgary, AB
Regina, SK
Saskatoon, SK
Winnipeg, MB
Harrison Festival of the Arts, BC
Ships Point Market, Victoria, BC
First and Last Chance, Sidney, BC
Kris Kringle, Nanaimo, BC
Farmer’s Markets:
Duncan Farmers Market, Duncan, BC
Cedar Market, Nanaimo, BC
Gabriola Farmers Market, BC
Silva Bay Market, Gabriola, BC
Gallery stores:
Circle Craft Store, Vancouver, BC
Pier Gallery Artist Collective, Gabriola, BC
Cactus Flower Fashion, Sechelt, BC
Mussels and more, Campbell River, BC
and more.
AJLD is a small, personal business and my bags are proudly created in British Columbia using locally sourced detail materials such as the rocks used in our closures. Each finished bag represents a lifetime of love, creativity, and personal development that is found from creating a new life and living out a dream in a new place.