Father’s Day Gift Guide ::  Keep Dad Classy!

We’ve been working hard to expand our gender neutral options here at Queen Bee and we think your Dad or fella will be pleased with what we came up with.  Both our new waxed canvas Harper Satchel and Billy backpack look great on men and offer an excellent alternative to a briefcase. Also check out our sleek, simple Minimo wallet, perfect for Dad’s good ol’ back pocket. 

Sweetpea + Queen Bee = bike + bag love

I had the pleasure of working with Natalie and Austin Ramsland of Sweetpea Bicycles on a custom waxed canvas musette bag for their brand. While I love the final product, the design and collaboration process was just as enjoyable. Natalie specializes in designing and building custom and semi-custom bicycles for women. Be sure to check out their website to see her beautiful work! Natalie was kind enough to answer a few questions for me…

1. What is your favorite part of what you do?

My favorite aspect of the work I do is designing bikes. I love translating all that I know about the woman I am designing for into a completely unique and intimate personal artifact. It may look like angles and millimeters, but I see it as putting a great relationship in motion.

2.  What is your ideal bike date?

My ideal bike date is a summer berry picking expedition on Suavie Island with Austin. Fixed gear, flat pedals, a patio with a pint of beer, then riding home side by side.

3. What would you like to be if not a bike builder and designer?

What job would allow me to read books, knit socks, operate an fMRI, play bassoon concertos, and pull adorable puppies around in a bike trailer? I guess I am the kind of person who just needs to write her own job descriptions!

4. Favorite music to listen to while working?

Many Sweetpeas have been built to the songs of Johnny Cash, but just as many have been built while I listen to RadioLab, Moth Story Hour, and New Yorker Fiction podcasts. And I’ve always got an audio book in the ol’ shop ghetto blaster. I mostly blast fiction. And popular science.

5. You recently became parents – what is your advice for owning a business and managing a little one?

You won’t be able to do everything you used to think you needed to do, but if you remember to love what you are doing while you are doing it, you’ll find yourself doing the most important work most of the time. But child labor also sounds like a smart idea.

Hello Gillian! This is my latest bag design in the waxed canvas. It is a great size for your basic daily needs. And those little pin tuck “gills” are nice to fondle. Check them out here!

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Introducing :: The Daily Tote!

The Waxed Canvas Daily Tote is named after the frequency with which you are likely to use this very useful tote. Lined in tough Cordura and equipped with two interior pockets, this thing will serve you and your needs while looking great (and even better with age), and standing up to the elements. See the (very limited run) selection HERE! As always, if you’d like to purchase something that is out of stock online, give us a ring - we may have it in stock in the shop: 503.232.1755.