Long awaited, much requested... my design for the iphone wallet launched today. You can find it available in three different wool colors on www.byrdandbelle.com.
This little case has been in the works for quite some time. I had gotten requests for a card slot on my iphone case many times but I held off on adding a pocket to that design as it felt like... well, I'd just be adding a pocket. Instead, I wanted to do something that felt like a complete thought.
From a design perpective, this is about a simple as it gets but it took some time to get here. I started making prototypes early last summer and handed them off to people (mostly men) to test. I went through a few rounds testing different leather, different thread, different sizes and stitching. Here's a small pile of the prototypes...
When I had all the kinks nearly worked out, I made one for myself and took it on our trip to Seattle. Now, I'm not much for wallets and up until this point, I wouldn't have thought that I would choose to carry my phone and my cards together but since that trip, I'm kind of in love with this case for 3 specific reasons.
1. The way it feels in my hand: There is a weight to it that is very pleasing. It is compact and feels put together. The leather pockets on each side are made from a single peice of leather that wraps around the bottom. It does much the same thing the leather patch on the bottom of my laptop sleeve does by giving you a comfortabe place to hold it.
2. The way it works: Everything is open for quick access to my phone and the cards but the fit of the case is so perfect that I can hold the case upside down and my iphone doesn't fall out. I can throw it in my bag and the thick wool felt protects it from everything else floating around in there.
3. The way it looks: One smaller rectangle efficiently stitched on top of one larger rectangle. Contrasting materials of felt and leather. Clean & simple.
Thanks for stopping by. Back to work...
Hi there! I am in love with this creation of yours, but I'm afraid I do not own many things in black - I prefer the look of the brown prototypes much more. Will you be selling it any time soon with brown leather?
Posted by: April | October 17, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Hello April! Yes! I hope to have a few grey/brown and graphite/brown cases available soon. If you'd like to stay caught up on new releases, you can check back here or follow me on twitter @byrdandbelle. Thanks for your note!
Posted by: Angie Davis - Byrd & Belle | October 18, 2010 at 07:59 PM
love it! now i just need an iphone ;)
Posted by: Lisa Golightly | October 20, 2010 at 07:02 PM
hi! just wanted to say i love your products and also love to see these prototypes and how you got there. thanks for sharing.
Posted by: sarah | November 29, 2010 at 05:56 PM