Pinzat: recycled hand painted bags

Today, in Barcelona, we enjoyed a beautiful spring weather and I took a long walk through the city center. I discovered the work of a group of young artists from different countries who collaborate to make bags from recycled materials (PVC from banners and belt buckles from cars). Most bags are painted but they also produce bags with pieces cut and sewn as a collage. Each piece is unique but most of them have a strap that can be used around the waist or around a bike´s handle as well as a detachable purse. They are fun and made to last. Prices: €50-80.  

http://www.pinzat.org/

c/ Grunyi, 7, a small lane with c/Argenteria, not far from the Plaça Sant Jaume and Santa Maria del Mar. I also recommend the restaurant Senyor Parellada situated at c/Argenteria, where they serve traditional dishes at decent prices considering the setting and level of service.
Metro: Jaume I (Yellow line)

Zwilling Concept Shop: German inox

Zwilling is a German company, in business since 1731, producing top quality cutlery, kitchen gadgets, flatware, scissors and beauty tools. The Gemini star sign in the company logo is one of the oldest trademarks in the world.

Their products are sold worldwide but if you don´t have a distributor nearby at home, and you, your family or good friends like cooking, you can get some gadgets here. They also have a nice selection of manicure sets.

Zwilling is not cheap but they offer quality. A good idea for a cheap but original -and beautiful- present is the inox “soap” for the kitchen shown in the picture. It removes food smells from your hands without any chemicals. The Concept Shop is near the Cathedral and the Plaça del Pi, in the Gothic quarter.

Carrer del Pi, 16 (Metro: Liceu, Green Line)www.zwilling.es

Vaho Gallery: giving trash a second chance

Vaho is a company based in Barcelona and their products are made out of recycled materials. The colorful handbags made out of advertising PVC canvases are fun and practical, and they come in several designs conceived for different uses (large, small, shopping, travel, work,...). Although they repeat models and shapes, no two bags are exactly the same as Vaho reuses banners which have been hanging from the streetlamps advertising theatre, fairs, exhibits and other events. Bags are made by hand and most of the work is developed at the social rehabilitation workshops in the prison Model of Barcelona and a foundation which works with mentally handicapped people.

Plaça Sant Josep Oriol, 3 (Metro Liceu, Green Line)

Across the church of Santa Maria del Pi. one of the beautiful gothic churches of Barcelona.
Bonsuccés, 13 (Metro Catalunya, Green Line)
www.vaho.ws (online shop, English version)
www.vahogallery.com