MIO Bags

Crossbody Sling Tote

2011-03-24T15:54:00.000-04:00

New Bag!

I just love new bag days! I get excited when an idea finally comes together enough that I think it can be added to the MIO Bag line.

These bags are a roomy 12.5" tall by 12" wide and have a 45" strap that will sit crossbody!

They are big enough to hold what you need but not weigh you down - what more could you ask for?!

Love them!

Calender says Spring!

2011-03-21T12:36:00.001-04:00

Think Spring, Think Spring, Think Spring!

If I say it enough times, maybe the snow will stop! Gotta love Rhode Island weather!

These bags were delivered to a customer this weekend. Don't they just make you think of warm days! The customer wanted a set for a day at the beach, so we came up with these coordinating pieces. The Barrington, Extra Large Tote makes a perfect beachbag for one. The Eyeglass Case is large enough for sunglasses. The Pawtuxet, Wristlet will keep your cellphone, cash and cards safe and dry. And last but not least, the Snack Set is a great way to pack a lunch and have a clean place to eat!

Order yourself some of these today - Sping is here, Spring is here, Spring is here!!!

St Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T09:37:00.003-04:00

St Patrick's Day Special

One of my mother's favorite days of the year was March 17th. Helen Mary Kelly was raised in an Irish Catholic home on Mount Pleasant, Providence, RI. St. Patrick's Day was a national holiday. If my grandfather caught you wearing anything other than GREEN this day, you'd be wearing the wrong end of a sheleighly!

So, in honor of my family's Irish heritage and the fact that I had a vivid dream about my mom, can't believe she has been an angel for almost 2 years now, I am having a St. Patrick's day special. Use coupon code GRN20 and recieve 20% off your MIO Bag order today!

Danny Boy My Mother's Duet when she was in the St. Kevin's Choir

Irish Rovers Medley She also loved anything by Irish Rovers

For the Doggie Diva in Your Life!

2011-02-20T09:31:00.002-05:00

What does every well dressed petite dog need? A MIO Bags Paw-tuxet Diva Dog Set of course!

The set begins with the Matunuck Reversible Tote that is the perfect size to double as a puppy purse! It is 7.5" tall x 12" along the bottom x 6" wide. There is a snap closure and a leash attachment so you can safely travel with your furry friend.

The 3 Season Jacket is perfect to keep your little friend warm and dry. It is made from oilcloth and lined with microfleece. There is a harness attachment and has adjustable velcro closure at the neck and chest.

The coordinating leash is made from nylon webbing and oilcloth. It has a nickel swivel clip and a ring at the handle to hook your keys while you stroll about town. There is also a small travel foldaway dish when your sidekick needs a drink or a snack.

What more could you and your best friend ask for?!

A Slicker for your Diva

2011-02-05T07:50:00.002-05:00

I wasn't too sure about getting into the dog coat business. I was after all creating designer purses and totes. I have successfully made the first prototype for a little Jack Russell terrier named Honey from Wakefield, RI. It is oilcloth lined with microfleece that velcros at the chest and belly and has a harnass for a leash attachment. From the a rousing response this little coat has gotten, I see what everyone was so excited about.

I have made the "Matunuck", the small tote, into a small dog carrier before by putting a little leash inside to keep our little diva inside the bag! I guess a dog coat is a natural progression!

How adorable would your little "Honey" be in a matching MIO Bags Jacket and dog carrier!

Dreaming of Sand, Sun and Surf.....

2011-02-02T08:50:00.000-05:00

As I sit here on yet another snowy Rhode Island morning, Groundhog Day no less, I can only dream of the sun and the surf. The beach seems so far away, but knowing the warm weather will come is what keeps the hardy souls of the Ocean State going! Spring Break really isn't too far away - let's think about beach bags!

The Narragansett is a great bag for a day at the beach! At 26" across at the top, 8" wide and 18" tall, it is a very roomy bag with enough pockets to keep your things organized. There is also a secret little pouch inside one of the pockets to hide your cash and cards while you take a dip in the water! The Narragansett Beach Bag has a Velcro closure. It has extra long straps for comfort and, new for 2011, the MIO Bag hideaway crossbody strap.

The beach is calling....perhaps a new bag is in order...design one today at www.mamaios.com!

South Kingstown Wintertime Market

2011-01-29T07:21:00.001-05:00

The place to be on Saturday from 10am to 2pm is the Peace Dale Mill in Wakefield, RI. The Wintertime Market is busy affair - fresh vegetables (Yes still!) - local honey from South County Honey (have learned the many uses of honey from these wonderful people) - grass fed beef - goat cheese - fresh baked goods - salsa, dressing, jams and bloody mary mix made from the produce on Carpenter's Farm (Yum!).
Some weekends there live music and bunnies for the kids to pet and Jack and his kettle korn. You never know what you are going to find at the wintertime market!

Cosmetic Cases

2011-01-26T07:58:00.000-05:00

Let's have a new name that bag contest!

Remember all MIO Bags are named for a RI town or village - winner gets a set of these cases!

Post your comments here by February 5th! Good Luck!

New Year - New Blog!

2011-01-23T10:11:00.000-05:00

I have decided to get back to the blog!

2010 was a fabulous learning experience and MIO Bags explored and grew with everyday and new customers. In the next few weeks, I will be going over the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The first thing I learned was that I am truly blessed. I met all kinds of people by selling in the open air markets last summer. By offering custom bags, I was also able to modify bags upon request. The most eye opening thing that happened was the requests from parents and grandparents to make bags for kids that have medical needs. Oilcloth is a laminated fabric that can be cleaned and disinfected without loss of integrity in color or fabric. Perfect for bags that carry medical equipment.

I never knew some kids have to physically wear their Epi Pens because their allergies are so severe. The first encounter came on Block Island when a grandma brought her granddaughter to my booth to have a fannypack made for the epi-pens. Now up until then I did not make fanny packs, but we modified the wristlet. The little girl was elated that she did not have to wear a medical looking bag and she chose the super cute polka dot fabrics!

Another group were the kids that have Juvenile Diabetes. The tween girls don't want to the embarrassing stares when they open their bags to get out a tester or a pump. Custom oilcloth bags did the trick. They pick out the fabrics and I make sure they are stylish and their equipment is safe and dry!

These little encounters assured me that I had made the right decision to close the accounting practice and start MIO Bags. Thank you to the little angels that have crossed my path!

MIO Bags! featuring the Watch Hill

2010-04-26T08:01:00.000-04:00

Yoga bags

2010-01-21T18:07:00.000-05:00

I have been asked to come up with a yoga bag, so I am asking for your help. What type of bag is the most functional? What features do you absolutely need?

I have seen quite a few that look like my tote bags but are shorter and longer so it would be an easy transition. It seems as though I could put outside straps to hold the matt or do you want to carry it inside the bag? Should the bag be lined? or is unlined better?

I would like to have a few of these ready for the show Febuary 27th so the more design kinks we work out the better. Thanks in advance for you suggestions and ideas

Mama Io

Bag Bundles

2010-01-17T10:52:00.000-05:00

            Been working on a few ideas and one that I thought was a good one was to sell a grouping of bags that already exist as a "Travel Bundle."
            The Wickford extra large tote has already been used for everything from a gym bag, library bag, beach bag and overnight bag. The Perrryville tote was designed as a lunch tote, but it is currently being used for everything from an art supply bag to a cosmetic bag. The third bag is the Sakonnet was designed to carry a bottle of wine, but I recently had someone use one to carry her curling iron and travel hair drier in it to the gym.
            These three bags together make a nice quick getaway package. They are similiar in shape and style

This is the Perryville with an inside view - the pocket fits an ice pack for you lunch, but it is being used for many other uses. It has a 6" x 6" base and is 10" tall.

The Wickford Town & Country extra large tote is large and roomy. Has a small outside pocket and a large inside pocket. This bag has a 11" x 6" base and is 15" tall.

The Sakonnet is similar to the Perryville but has a 4" x 4" base and is 14" tall. There is a pocket on the inside that runs top to bottom.

Seperately these 3 bags are great, but I believe they make a wonderful package. Nice overnight set. They could also be used as bridal party gifts - wouldn't it be great to have everyone use them to get ready for your wedding and then have these great totes to use again and again!

My First Blog

2010-01-15T19:05:00.000-05:00

           This is my first attempt at blogging, please be patient and bear with me! I have launched a new web site for my business, MIO Bags -http://www.mamaios.com/.
    The history of MIO is long, so here is the short version. I, Beth Algren Iovino, have been left-brained right-brained challenged my entire life. I started designing and sewing for my "Baby Alive" doll when I was about 8 years old. At the same time, I would usually be the treasurer when my friends and I would have a lemonade stand. As it turned out, I went to college and became and accountant because it was practical and pursued that career for the last 25 years. All the while, I designed gardens, wedding gowns, curtains, clothing of all kinds. You name it and I was trying to figure out how to personalize it and make it my own.
    This past spring, major decisions were made and a change of career was in order. MIO Bags was born shortly before my mother passed away April 28, 2009. She would have loved them! MIO comes from the nickname my son's rugby team gave me - Mama Io. Originally the company was going to be called "Mama Io's Oilcloth" but then I thought we should shorten it and the initials in Italian mean my or mine. When I found that out it seemed fitting. MIO Bags - My Bags - Custom designed bags - make one your own!
    It has been an interesting journey to this place and I hope I can take you along on this new phase. See you soon!