Wear your patterns on the outside
Project Description
Beenanza Design is a studio in Burlington, Vermont that was established solely for the love of design & pattern by me, Bethany Andrews-Nichols.
With over 12 years of graphic design experience, I specialize in print and pattern design with a focus in block printing. I strongly believe that the power, creativity, and compassion of women all over the world is what will bring about PEACE. I am a small piece of a powerful movement that is creating a deeper appreciation for things ethically made by hand.
The Beenanza Backpack is the epitome of me. I love wearing backpacks and being hands free without the constant shoulder strap adjustment. All the backpacks styles I was drawn to were only available in a solid-colored canvas, possibly with a fun pattern on the inside... And that’s when I decided, I want to wear my patterns on the outside. Inspired by a Boy Scout backpack from the 60’s combined with my obsession with pattern and my love for the ancient Indian art of wood block printing; the Beenanza Backpack was born.
Having traveled to Jaipur, India to learn more about this craft, I gained a deep appreciation for this ancient art, and am now on a mission to promote this unique slow fashion movement in Vermont. This backpack was fully designed by yours truly in my little studio here in Burlington. I am collaborating with a block printing cooperative of artisans in Jaipur, India. They are wood block-printing my designs onto canvas and assembling the backpack - all by hand.
The bags will be available through my website & at a growing number of stores in Burlington, Vermont. Once established, I plan to set up a fund that will donate a portion of the proceeds from each bag toward the purchase and installation of household water filtration systems for families within the city of Jaipur & hopefully beyond. Beenanza is raising money through iFundWomen to help purchase the initial run of backpacks & materials to get the bags into market, as well as fees associated with setting up the Water Filtration Fund.
Thank you so much to everyone for your continued love and support. Peace!
The Project FAQs
I am so proud to present the Beenanza Backpack in all its block printed glory.
You will be receiving one of the first Beenanza Backpacks to go to market. The wood blocks are carved by artisans in Bagru, printed by hand, dyed & laid to dry in the desert heat. The fabric is then washed several times and sent to the studio where the bags are assembled by hand complete with Buffalo leather accents.
Only 20 backpacks will be available through this campaign.
I will follow-up with communication to allow you to choose your pattern preference.
Let’s all wear our patterns on the outside.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are Unique & Colorful your bag should be too.
Thank you so very much!
Thank you so much for choosing to be part of this journey. Peace!
Custom diecut PEACE decal - great to stick on a water bottle, computer, or your car!
As well as a sweet 1.25" Beenanza Lasso Bee pin.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are truly a gem.
Thank you!
Vermont State Fruit Print - 16”x20” 3-color screen printed poster. Designed by Beenanza, and printed locally by New Duds in Winooski, VT.
You also will receive the PEACE decal & sweet 1.25” Beenanza Lasso Bee Pin.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are the apple of my eye.
Thank you!
I am proud to present the Beenanza Backpack in all its block printed glory.
You will receive one of the first Beenanza Backpacks to go to market. The wood blocks are carved by artisans in Bagru, printed by hand, dyed & laid to dry in the desert heat. The fabric is then washed several times and sent to the studio where the bags are assembled by hand complete with Buffalo leather accents.
I will follow-up with communication to allow you to choose your pattern preference.
You will also receive the PEACE Decal & 1.25" Lasso Bee Pin.
Let’s all wear our patterns on the outside.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are Unique & Colorful your bag should be too.
Thank you so very much!
3 HOUR Block-printing workshop for you and a friend at my studio in Burlington, VT as well as 1 Beenanza Backpack in your choice of available patterns.
The 3 HR WORKSHOP - Come to my Studio! I will walk you through the process of cutting a linoleum block to create a pattern of your own. We will print samples and experiment with pattern. By the end of the 3hrs you’ll each leave with your own block printed kitchen towel or tote. (all supplies included, travel to Burlington not included)
The BEENANZA BACKPACK - You will be receiving one of the first Beenanza Backpacks to go to market. Patterns & Backpack designed by Beenanza in Vermont. The wood blocks are carved by artisans in Bagru, printed by hand, dyed & laid to dry in the desert heat. The fabric is then washed several times and sent to the studio where the bags are assembled by hand complete with Buffalo leather accents.
I will follow-up with communication to allow you to choose your pattern preference.
Let’s all wear our patterns on the outside.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are helping spread love for the ancient art of block-printing & ethical fashion. With deepest respect & gratitude, thank you.
Rewards
I am so proud to present the Beenanza Backpack in all its block printed glory.
You will be receiving one of the first Beenanza Backpacks to go to market. The wood blocks are carved by artisans in Bagru, printed by hand, dyed & laid to dry in the desert heat. The fabric is then washed several times and sent to the studio where the bags are assembled by hand complete with Buffalo leather accents.
Only 20 backpacks will be available through this campaign.
I will follow-up with communication to allow you to choose your pattern preference.
Let’s all wear our patterns on the outside.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are Unique & Colorful your bag should be too.
Thank you so very much!
Thank you so much for choosing to be part of this journey. Peace!
Custom diecut PEACE decal - great to stick on a water bottle, computer, or your car!
As well as a sweet 1.25" Beenanza Lasso Bee pin.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are truly a gem.
Thank you!
Vermont State Fruit Print - 16”x20” 3-color screen printed poster. Designed by Beenanza, and printed locally by New Duds in Winooski, VT.
You also will receive the PEACE decal & sweet 1.25” Beenanza Lasso Bee Pin.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are the apple of my eye.
Thank you!
I am proud to present the Beenanza Backpack in all its block printed glory.
You will receive one of the first Beenanza Backpacks to go to market. The wood blocks are carved by artisans in Bagru, printed by hand, dyed & laid to dry in the desert heat. The fabric is then washed several times and sent to the studio where the bags are assembled by hand complete with Buffalo leather accents.
I will follow-up with communication to allow you to choose your pattern preference.
You will also receive the PEACE Decal & 1.25" Lasso Bee Pin.
Let’s all wear our patterns on the outside.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are Unique & Colorful your bag should be too.
Thank you so very much!
3 HOUR Block-printing workshop for you and a friend at my studio in Burlington, VT as well as 1 Beenanza Backpack in your choice of available patterns.
The 3 HR WORKSHOP - Come to my Studio! I will walk you through the process of cutting a linoleum block to create a pattern of your own. We will print samples and experiment with pattern. By the end of the 3hrs you’ll each leave with your own block printed kitchen towel or tote. (all supplies included, travel to Burlington not included)
The BEENANZA BACKPACK - You will be receiving one of the first Beenanza Backpacks to go to market. Patterns & Backpack designed by Beenanza in Vermont. The wood blocks are carved by artisans in Bagru, printed by hand, dyed & laid to dry in the desert heat. The fabric is then washed several times and sent to the studio where the bags are assembled by hand complete with Buffalo leather accents.
I will follow-up with communication to allow you to choose your pattern preference.
Let’s all wear our patterns on the outside.
You are helping to support women & artisans. You are helping spread love for the ancient art of block-printing & ethical fashion. With deepest respect & gratitude, thank you.