About Us
TimberTote: A Story of Ultimate Collaboration Gone Exactly Right
Sometimes, art sets the tone for the environment, and other times, the environment creates the opportunity for art. That is exactly what came to pass when Jason Robinson and Chelsea Adler made the fateful decision to place their respective businesses within Proper Shops in December of 2022. A new concept for Tucson, Arizona,
Proper Shops is an open air, bazaar style market place that showcases local artist, small business owners, and entrepreneurs looking to grow their business and take their craft to the next level. Within months of opening in the heart of Downtown Tucson, Proper Shops was ripe with collaboration between the artists inside. The TimberTote just might be one of the most exciting things to come from the collaborative spirit that Proper Shops provides.
Jason, owner of Sport Class Customs, a wood working brand, and Chelsea, owner of Desert Mariposa Boutique (formerly Willow's Bazaar Boutique), a women’s clothing boutique that features her own clothing line, made the decision to put their creativity to work and combined skills in order to design a purse made completely from wood. Leveraging Jason’s engineering mind and Chelsea’s understanding of function and aesthetic, the TimberTote was born.
In a serendipitous meeting of craftsmanship and creativity, Jason and Chelsea managed to create something truly extraordinary—a wooden purse that seamlessly blends artistry with functionality. Their collaboration was born out of a shared passion for innovation and a desire to push the boundaries of their respective crafts.
With meticulous attention to detail, Jason brings forth the raw beauty of nature, showcasing the natural colors of the wood, as well as perfecting a wide range of colored stains that allow for vibrant colors while maintaining the organic elegance of the natural wood grain. Meanwhile, Chelsea uses her background in trends forecasting, her knowledge of color theory and design to infuse the purse with sophistication and style, carefully selecting fabrics and accents to complement the natural allure of the wood.
As they embarked on their journey together, they faced challenges and setbacks, but their unwavering dedication fueled their determination. They’ve gone through months of trial and error, experimenting with fabrications, cutting styles, and painstakingly peeling tape and glue, making the purses one at a time until their design and production process reached perfection. Through countless hours of experimentation and refinement, they perfected their design, creating a masterpiece that captures the attention of all who come across it. They’ve even taken things a step further and have expanded their ingenious collaboration to additional artists, including Jenny Burghard, a tattoo artist who designs graphics that are engraved on the outside of the purse, and Ignacio, a local muralist who allows Jason and Chelsea to print his artwork onto the fabric and leather that lines the inside of the purse. Through the workmanship between Jason and Chelsea and their growing network of artists, they have created something that is truly a one of a kind, fully functional, wearable piece of art.
Word of their unique creation has spread like wildfire, and within the first few months of business, their wooden purses have become coveted, sought out accessories, adorning the arms of fashion enthusiasts and art lovers all over the Tucson area, and even beyond Tucson as visitors and travelers often purchase them to take home to show off in their own hometowns. They have even caught the eyes of buyers from local boutique resorts and casinos, blowing the world of wholesale production wide open. The realization that what had started as a fun, collaborative project has so quickly become something people truly want and feel connected to has been more than exciting. It’s boosted their confidence as makers and artists, and inspired by their quick and sudden success, the duo decided to turn their collaborative project into a thriving business, setting their sights on global expansion and world wide brand awareness. In the way that anything is possible when it comes to color, fabric, and design of the TimberTote, so is the opportunity of sharing their art with the world.
With dreams where the sky is the limit, they have embarked on a new chapter, envisioning a world where their creations can inspire awe and admiration, spark conversation, and breathe new life into an industry that continues to grow. Like the trees they are made from, TimberTote has firmly planted its roots within the market, and between the unbreakable bond of technical engineering and creative artistry, the only direction for TimberTote to go is up, spreading its brand, its artistry, and its functional beauty as far and wide as possible.