Yes, Its UpCycleD
Finding Inspiration in Every Coffee Sack
Burlap is durable, naturally water-resistant, and has endless potential for creative repurposing.
Our upcycled totes, handcrafted from reclaimed coffee sacks, are a perfect example of this philosophy. Each tote tells a story—not just of its origin as a humble sack that once transported coffee beans, but of transformation, sustainability, and creativity.
By preserving the unique textures and prints of each sack, we ensure that no two bags are alike. With hand-sewn appliqués added, each tote becomes a personal, one-of-a-kind piece. Beyond being durable and practical, they embody our commitment to eco-friendly craftsmanship, showing that beauty and purpose can come from everyday items.
Each tote represents the story of thoughtful design, style, and a step toward a sustainable future.
Sustainable style
Upcycling is a powerful way to reduce waste and promote sustainability by repurposing materials that might otherwise end up in landfills.
Unlike recycling, which often breaks materials down into their raw components for reuse, upcycling transforms existing items into something new and of higher value.
This process not only saves energy but also reduces the demand for raw materials, thereby lessening the environmental impact of manufacturing. By turning discarded coffee sacks into useful and beautiful totes, upcycling conserves natural resources, cuts down on pollution, and significantly reduces waste streams.
Hello,
I'm Bianca
Doer. Creator. Changemaker. Possibilitarian.
"I repurpose coffee bean sacks and blend them with beautiful printed fabrics, breathing new life into the burlap sacks to create gorgeous, eco-friendly, one-of-a-kind tote bags."
I started using burlap to honor this great material by upcycling and recycling not only as one-of-a-kind tote bags but also in our gardens and home.
The first bag I made was a basic midsize tote, with no lining, and a simple handle.
I wanted a Frida Kahlo bag, but I couldn't find any bags just the way I wanted.
I had a few coffee sacks I had picked up at our local coffee roaster and some leftover Frida fabric from an upholstery project so I decided to try and make my own. I cut out Frida's shape from the fabric, fused and sewed it onto the burlap sack. And ...voila! I had just made my very first appliqué!
Surprisingly, friends and family loved the idea. With every exchange, feedback on my bags was warm and encouraging. People kept asking to see more and were curious about what new designs I had to offer.They loved knowing I was using coffee sacks destined for the landfill and turning them into something useful and beautiful.
So I started thinking - What else can I do with this fabric?
From that moment on, I never stopped coming up with new ideas.
I made myself a cool set of placemats, that we now use on a daily basis, a nice variety of throw pillows, and even a couple of frame-wrapped wall art and I have sold most of it all, except for a few pieces I kept for myself.
About Me
I was born and raised in Brazil, to parents of both Italian and German descent, and for the past 17 years, I’ve called Washington State home.
I love gardening and have been a gardener for many years now. As a young girl, I always watched my mom tending to her garden beds – She had the most beautiful garden beds, and I remember almost every detail of what was planted where. The sight of geraniums, hydrangeas, and bougainvilleas always brings me back to those moments. It was through her that I learned to find joy in nurturing plants, and watching life grow from the soil.
My mom was always sewing. She made my sister's and mine dresses on her little green Elgin treadle sewing machine. Some of my earliest memories involve sorting buttons from her button box, and standing next to her while she sewed, fascinated with the needle that went up and down as the treadle rocked back and forth.
She never really took it to teach me, but she knew I was watching her closely and as it turns out those moments watching her were the best, most treasured lessons. I remember her making a shower curtain out of clear plastic milk bags (Milk was sold in clear plastic bags back then. You placed it in a pitcher and snipped the corner of the bag). She was always resourceful, especially when times were hard.
When I made my first upcycled bag, she smiled and said, “I never thought you had it in you.” It was a full-circle moment, showing me that the lessons she quietly taught had taken root.
I also have a passion for giving old furniture new life. Over the years, I’ve refinished and sold pieces like dining sets, coffee tables, and kitchen hutches. There’s something deeply satisfying about restoring things that others have discarded.
I love cooking and trying different food from different cultures.
Growing up in a very frugal household, I learned to cook based on what we had in the fridge, pantry, and garden. Even in the most difficult of times, my mom would invite people into our home to share a meal. "There's always room for one more," was her philosophy.
She taught me that food is culture and traditions, but mostly, that food is love.
I believe there is no life without grief, no love without loss, no story without challenge, no happiness without pain, and no gain without burden.
No mud, no lotus.
Grief, I have learned, is not something we can shun or pass through. It is something that is a part of us and longs to be embraced. We grieve because we love. How lucky we are to have experienced that love.
At the end of the day, I try to live by the simple philosophy that what we put out into the world comes back to us. I believe in KARMA.
I want to make the world a better place and to do so I believe it starts with me.
Carpe diem.
Why Frida?
“I paint flowers so they will not die.”
– Frida Kahlo
Many people ask why I chose to use Frida Kahlo's images on my bags.
Frida Kahlo's life and art have been a huge source of inspiration for me. Her unapologetic expression of her identity, even in the face of adversity and societal expectations, resonates deeply with my own values.
Frida was a woman who unapologetically embraced her Mexican heritage and individuality, even when it defied conventional norms. As a Brazilian, I deeply connect with her bold celebration of cultural identity. Like Frida, I take pride in the richness of my roots, and her fearless expression of her heritage inspires me to incorporate my own background into my work. Her ability to turn what made her different into a source of strength resonates with me, especially as someone who also comes from a vibrant culture that shapes my creativity and worldview.
To me, she represents strength, resilience, and the power to turn personal challenges into something creative and beautiful. Frida wasn’t just an artist—she was a woman who, despite enduring so much pain in her life, used her art to express her soul and never lost sight of who she was. She reminds me to be passionate and authentic in my own work, and to create things that stand out, just as she did.
Frida was truly a woman ahead of her time, and her legacy continues to inspire me in everything I create.