Posted 3/29/25
Regarding Accounts, Emails and Invoicing
Making an account on my website is the best way to avoid having to reload your info each time and to ensure you will be contacted using the correct email.
I have FINALLY discovered how to erase email addresses that are not the ones you would like to be invoiced to. So if you don't already have an account on my site, and would like to increase your chances of getting the invoice to the correct email, it would be best to create an account with your desired email.
THAT BEING SAID, I believe that if you purchase something on my site without using your account, the email associated with your payment method will be automatically added to the contacts- and the problem of not getting your invoices will continue. So, if you have an account, please use it when purchasing things from the website.
And THANK YOU for being so patient as I learn how all of this stuff works.
https://www.northmoordesign.com/account/login
Posted 3/17/25
I'm very excited about how things are moving along. And I am especially looking forward to finally having some help with some of the more time-sucking tasks so that we can have more fun and get more creative!
That being said, there is one spot that REALLY slows me down: making Pipers and Pennys as add-ons to Custom bags. They take the same amount of steps, same amount of time, just smaller dimensions. Mytilus, Oyster Catchers and Pouches will remain eligible for add ons but Pennys and Pipers will no longer be considered elegible.
To make it up, I will be working on gradually including Pipers and Pennys into the standard bag offerings. The idea is that they will be part of the Collective process, as well as in-stock Events.
Sorry that I had to make this change but I do think it will be better overall when they are offered apart from Customs. Thank you for understanding!
Posted 3/9/25
When I first started North Moor, I did it because I LOVE bags, always have. But what I need and want from a bag is most likely different from others and so user design efficiency has been a learning curve. For instance, it NEVER occurred to me to care which way my zipper opened. If I carry it on my right hip, and the zipper pull is closed toward the back, it doesn’t bother me because to open my bag I typically pull it across my front. At that point it doesn't matter if you open from right to left, or left to right.
But as time went on I became aware that this was an important detail to others who have mobility issues, or other constraints that I don’t experience myself, so we crafted a way for it to be an optioned item.
Nearly the same dynamic is playing out with strap length. I started the strap length at 45" because it was the most requested, acknowledging that people would likely want longer or shorter but having to have a starting point. The word "standard" is unfortunate but I have trouble coming up with a word that means... "I dont care what length you choose but this is the most common" :) But alas what length works for one, may not for another for a myriad of reasons. And I honestly don’t love the idea of someone having to leave a Collective design because of an accessory. If double vs single zipper is a line in the sand for you, I totally understand waiting for the next bag since it is an integral part of the main bag design.
Anyway, I am seeing that there is enough of an issue that I should find a way to address it. As you know, the Collectives only work if the bag in production is 100% the same. Otherwise they charge a "sample" rate which is hundreds of dollars PER BAG. But I do wonder if I can find a way to accommodate this issue without running into higher costs.
Strangely I asked the sew team how much of a discount I would get if the bag had no strap (the difference was SMALL) and then I asked how much each strap would be if I did a run of just straps (their answer was three times more per strap). And remember that doesnt include the materials. The math isn't mathing. But I assume it has something to do with whether it is worth their time. Any time they are working on an order for me, it is blocking them for making a bag for someone else. So making just straps at the small rate is a terrible use of their time.
Anyway, this is all just to say that I am thinking about all of this, and I care about it. I want to be able to accommodate as many preferences and necessities as I can while still being able to offer the bags at the speed and price you are accustomed to. <3 I'll keep you posted.
Posted 2/28/25
Thank you all so much for your support and patience as North Moor grows and takes on more orders than every before! I can tell you are all sensitive to the busy state of things as many of you preface your messages with a nod to how I have my hands full <3 So I am including a list of ways that we can keep this moving efficiently so that everyone receives their order in a timely fashion.
I have a HORRIBLE time saying no to messaged requests such as the following, so this will help me so much!
- When asking for photos of leather/liner/hardware combinations, please try to limit the number of requests overall and perhaps try to consolidate the various combinations into one request if possible. (I realize this is hard as you design and new ideas come up but sample combo photos has been occupying a concerning amount of time as of late and I'm afraid I cannot accommodate this level of response going forward)
- Please try not message regarding leather/liner/hardware combinations if you do not have a Current Open Collective or Custom if possible. If you are building a Collective and have questions try the website first for colors, descriptions, photos etc. Also the instagram page mentions leather types on every bag posted as well. In addition, members in the North Moor Insiders page on FB are VERY helpful. If you really need to ask a question I do understand, Im just giving some other options on where to get info.
- Please avoid checking in about when your bag/collective is coming up unless you feel that it is outside of the listed expected wait time. This applies to asking for sneak peaks or early photos as well.
Thank you so much for understanding. I am racing to get as much done as I can before I close my studio for the summer. I hope to have ready to go bags to be released over the summer as well like last year but Collectives and Customs will be paused from June to August.
Posted 2/11/25
The current situation is that there are 18 Collectives in the Incubator totaling over 140 bags. I cannot process these collective before the current collective move through the system. This includes taking deposits (because I cannot guarantee all details such as material availability in the future.)
This means that effectively there is nothing that officially precludes someone from leaving the Collective if something changes in their lives, or they find a different collective they like better. As a leader of a Collective, you will have to decide what is best as things move along. I realize that it could affect your discount if you lose numbers, but you are not obligated to go through with the Collective prior to giving a deposit. We are all just doing the best we can, and we hope people will stick to the Collectives they choose.
I will try to do as many Collectives as I can, as fast as I can, before I head east in mid June (returning in August). Right now several Collectives are stalled due to a shipping issue with materials from China (we're going to have to get used to that I suppose) but my fingers are crossed that it will sort out soon.
Thank you everyone for your support
Posted 2/1/25
Lets talk about straps! I say "standard" is 45" because we have to start somewhere.... but unless you are purchasing a ready to go bag, strap length is up to YOU. This includes Collectives. If you have a member of a collective that needs a longer strap by a few inches, I encourage you to accommodate since you and the other members who like shorter can always shorten it. That said, straps over 50" can sometimes be difficult to make for a large Collective because it requires all the straps to be cut down the middle of the hide. NOT impossible, always ask
The reason we cannot have different lengths for each person is that I would have to make the straps myself but still pay the same rate to the sew team as if the strap were included. I literally dont have the hours to make this happen, money aside. The only way it works for production is to have all the details the same for each bag.
Posted 1/26/25
In Stock Event!
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2nd at 5pm PACIFIC
Mostly Heron and Egret bags this time. The next In Stock will have more Coskata and Plovers. Often we are trying to add last minute options so unfortunately we will not have previews of what will come up. But the intention is to have them list simultaneously and be easily located without having to search the site.
These go fast so in order to secure your purchase, please create an account by clicking Login on the top right of the main page. This will allow you to save your shipping address and payment info so you don’t need to do it while trying to purchase during the event.
Hope you love the selection! Enjoy!
Posted 1/17/25
Every once in a while I have to write this out so we're all on the same page.
No one, including me, likes the drops that sell out before you've even gotten to the cart, or how it disappears before you can pay. It's obnoxious and frustrating. It's also the inescapable reality of limited availability amidst high demand. (believe me, I am SO thankful for the demand and appreciate the enthusiasm and support.)
I have tried my absolute best over the last year to come up with ways to get reasonably priced, high quality bags to people who want them. I invented Collectives to let people have input on the design and still get them in under two months. I have done in-stock drops, limited run drops, custom drops and most recently a custom hide share. All in hopes that the people who would like North Moor bag have access without having to rely solely on scheduling availability or fast fingers. I am still getting routine feedback about how frustrating drops are and how the experience is turning people away. If you have ANY suggestions on how it can be made better, I am 100% open to hear them. I could hire someone but I would no longer be a lower priced option for hand made bags. I'm willing to consider that if people feel like that is what it takes, but I have really loved not having obnoxiously high prices. Another option is to accept everyone's custom request. But the last time I accepted 15 instead of 8 it took me 3 months to complete them (I still have one more)... and the demand is for way more than 15. The wait could be more than a year and honestly regardless of people’s willingness to wait, I would burn out so fast with an epic list like that.
So for full transparency, here is the current situation. Right now I have:
14 Customs (each often have 2 small additional bags)
9 Hide Share Customs
12 Collectives totaling 93 bags
This includes all design communication, custom sewing, purchasing, coordination of materials, tracking sales, invoicing and follow up, dropping materials off, picking bags up, packing, and shipping.
I'm serious about the suggestions. I mean it, if you have some insight or ideas on how to avoid the horrifying scramble of uploads please message me. I love this work, and I hope there is a way to keep people happy and continue to enjoy the process. <3
osted 12/28/24
Shipping
As you know, North Moor is piloted entirely by one person. This means that all communication, invoicing, packing, ordering, purchasing, materials gathering, drop-offs, pick ups, custom sewing, material research, etc is done simultaneously by one person who is also the default parent of two children.
The comparatively lower prices at North Moor reflect the fact that there is no payroll for additional hands and eyes while over 100 bags move through the system at once. It is of utmost priority that people have a positive experience ordering from North Moor, but part of that is having realistic expectations based on the above information. Please know that everything is being done to make sure you get a beautiful bag in a timely manner. Your positive experience is honestly very important.
Due to these factors, often labels will be created and not dropped off until I amass a number of orders leaving at the same time. This means you will receive a notification of shipment but it will not enter the system until a few days later. This is normal and expected.
Posted 12/16/24
Updated Collective Information
The process of moving from being a single maker to incorporating the work of a sewing production team is always a learning curve. It takes makers and their teams considerable time to establish near seamless communication and function with a consistently smooth maker/vendor channel. This is the case with all the makers who grew into big design studios. One thing I pride myself on is my transparency and willingness to make sure that, regardless of any hiccups, my customers are ultimately happy with their purchase. This is also why I have priced Collective Customs below $300 across the board, because I am aware of my relative newness to the Custom scene. If you are not feeling flexible or are worried about being part of something that is in progress, Collectives may not be the option for you and Customs created by me in my studio would be a better choice (though exponentially slower).
Posted 11/24/24
Changes at North Moor to begin December 1, 2024
ZIPPER DIRECTION:
Based on feedback I have received, we are going to create some guardrails around zipper direction as it can complicate the Collective process.
“Right Hip Carry” at North Moor is zipper closing from left to right when facing the front of the bag. This means the pull will be in front when the bag is closed and sitting on your right hip. The back zipper would mirror this front zipper so that both pulls are landing in front when on the right hip.
“Left Hip Carry” is closing from right to left when looking at the front of the bag. Pull will be in front when the bag is closed and on your left hip. Again any back zipper would mirror the front and the pull would be toward the front when on the left hip.
Collective bags have the following options:
All Right Hip
All Left Hip
Top Double Zip (+$5) + Back (and interior) Standard
Top Double Zip(+$5) + Back (and interior) Reverse
PREMIUM LEATHERS
As we all know, all leathers are not created equal. Lamb hides are smaller, and for those special hides like Bubble lamb, I only prefer to use the middle where the texture is optimal, which creates a lot of scrap that cannot be used to make the bags. Often it takes two hides to make one bag. Unfortunately, this leather is also one of the most expensive leathers offered. Therefore, bubble lamb leather will be moving to a 'premium' level classification with a nominal added cost depending on the leather. For example I am going to begin with a ‘premium leather upcharge’ of $10 for the Bubble lamb to see if that makes this bag more sustainable on our end. I do not anticipate having many leathers in this category unless there is a desire for more from customers.
STRAPS
While continuing to make an effort to keep my prices low, I am finding that I need to increase my fees on straps for a couple of reasons:
I leverage hides down the middle in order to get full length.
I also use high quality hides for the straps as well because I find that the lower quality hides produce slippery straps that no one enjoys.
Unfortunately, I am not a large enough outfit to order rolls of precut, pre-folded and often pre-sewn strapping as other bigger companies can. While it may feel like a substantial hike, I am still at least 50% less than other makers in this space.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
The base custom Heron + Egret + Coskata + Crossover + Southern Right + Northern Right + Cedarwood and Plover will now, by default, be offered without a strap so that you may configure as you please.
You can add a strap à la carte based on what you prefer. Bag prices have been reduced to reflect this change.
In stock bags will often be sold with a predetermined strap.
Collectives do not have the option of no strap due to production restrictions. While you cannot go strapless, you may add additional straps if so desired. As long as the straps are all the same dimensions. For instance people can choose to have a crossbody, or shoulder strap or both - as long as all the crossbodies are the same and all the shoulder straps are the same.
Strap Pricing:
Crossbody straps will be standard length 45" and can be 1.25" or 1.5" and are $50 (custom lengths available upon request and may affect price)
Shoulder straps are standard 21" x 1.5" and are $45
Grab Handles are folded leather and have a standard drop of 11” and are $50
Inlay shoulder straps are the same size as the standard shoulder and are now $55
Limited or Premium leather inlay straps will be priced individually based on leather.
NEW PRICING - BAGS
I have made some price adjustments for only two bags as the production and material costs have increased due to complexity.
COSKATA
Pricing for Coskata has historically been lower and with increase cost of materials and production, I am having to make adjustments while also introducing a new size to meet customer requests. Some names of sizes have changed as well.
Petite: (11x14) -Base bag price without strap $165
NEW SIZE Standard: (12x15)- Base bag price without strap $190
Large: (14x14) inches -Base bag price without strap $200
XLarge: (16x16) inches -Base bag price without strap $250
CROSSOVER
The Crossover’s dimensions have grown over the past year without much reevaluation on pricing, while using far more leather than other styles offered, driving product cost as well. New prices are as follows:
Petite (6x10x2.5) base bag price without strap $110
Medium (7x11x3) base bag price without strap $140
Large (8 x 12 x 3) base bag price without strap $170
XL (10x12x4) base bag price without strap $210
SHIPPING
New shipping cost is $15 because that is the average amount even without materials.