I have a love-hate relationship with the Maker's Bag. I wish it had a Poron top grab handle like the Co-Pilot, and a back stash pocket where I could have easy access to a file folder with my itinerary and tickets at the airport (bonus points if there's an o-ring back there where I could clip my passport pouch while I go through endless security lines), and had a bit more curvature, like the Parental Unit, to be more comfortable and body-hugging for those of us visibly blessed with hips. And as with all bags I wish it came pre-loaded with dark chocolate and converted to a backpack - the most reasonable requirement on the list.
However, like a bad penny, the Maker's Bag remains the bag that I just can't part with. My weak-sauce Craigslist ads aside, there are good reasons to keep it around:
1. I can open the flap and see everything in the main compartment. I "lose" things in other TB bags because I can't remember which awesome pocket I've used as a hidey-hole.
2. It is reasonably lightweight. My shoulders really don't like me to use it on a daily basis, but for short-hauls (concourse runs, parking lot to office) I can make it work.
3. The fact that the flap gaps somewhat usually works for me. That's where I roll up jackets and scarves once it's too hot to wear them, or last minute purchases that I have no other place for.
4. It can hold Lara Bars, my 22oz. Camelbak Chute, a regular and passport TN (simultaneously!), a scarf, mini DIY first-aid kit, the small Q-kit in which I stash my meds, AND my Side Effect. Props.
PLUS, as I discovered last night, on top all holding all those other things I can also throw a sizable number of Neulands in the back wall pocket to speed downtown with me where I pitched in with a friend's graphic facilitation. Lifesaver! I had a ton of nibs and colors to choose from without the risk of losing any of them, as I could securely zip up that back wall pocket even if the bag flopped open (which of course it did).
MORE PLUS: My friend is always teasing me for my lack of belt/holster to hold my markers for these events. To compensate for this last night, in a flash of brilliance I swung my Side Effect cross-body and put my go-to markers for the night in there. It worked beautifully!
It got me to thinking that the Small Cafe Bag would be a great "belt" bag for holding my Neulands next time. I have one in my beloved original halcyon/wasabi combo, but am thinking of going for a black one to hide the inevitable ink spots.
Pics of my setup are below. Images of the actual recording from the event are my friend's intellectual property; if he can share them I'll post some examples here.
![]()