Friday, October 28, 2022

Avatar "Ita-Bag"

Ever since Pandora opened at Disney in 2017, I was excited not only for the experience but some of the merchandise, too! I love collecting things. I don't buy a lot of what they sell, because it's too simple in design or too obviously meant for children. However, one thing I really love are the pins

Disney can pin so good. (Yes, this is intentionally bad English 😂)

When I got my first batch of pins, one of the first ones I got was a round one with an atokirina in the middle. It was all silver and said "Pandora Conservation Initiative" (PCI for short). The first day I wore it on a bag, it fell off and I lost it. YIKES! Never again, I thought. First, these pins are precious to me, but also they're rather pricey.

So, I finally found a solution: a Japanese "ita bag". These are bags you might have seen, a side bag or backpack with a clear panel, and people put pins in an insert (usually but not always included with the bag). This guarantees you won't lose your pins!

Today I received my bag in the mail, as a I found a fairly plain, black-leather one. I wanted something simple and no fancy heart or other shapes you sometimes find with these bags.

Lanpet Ita Bag Backpack Purse PU Crossbody Messenger Bag JK Uniform Shoulder Bags Pins Display Bag 3Way Use Daypack 

 Then I headed to a craft store to buy some thin carboard paper, because this bag did not come with any stiff insert for the pins to actually go on. I found black, which is what I wanted, making sure it was thin enough that a pin can go through it but sturdy enough that it'll keep its shape. But, as I was looking around I also found some gorgeous craft paper that came in many colors, and they were kind of shiny! I was torn between a deep dark blue, and a light blue. Finally I went with the light blue because I want this to really pop!

I carefully measured out pieces of each and cut them together, then decided on pin placement. When I was happy I started sticking the pins through both, without any gluing as it really would not be needed.

Besides pins, I also thought it would be nice to include my passport from Pandora! 

(Please click the image to enlarge it!)

Finally, a finishing touch is the keychain on the side. It's a souvenir paper fast-pass from a seller on Etsy. Sadly Disney doesn't do paper fast-passes anymore. Nonetheless, I got this one with the date I first went to Pandora -- July 7th!


I am really happy with the bag. I actually have a few more pins on the way, too!


As a final touch, I am getting a two-sided, black leather card holder to add the kaltxì (hello) card with Neytiri from the collectable language cards packs. So, this is both an Avatar-and-Disney pack. 

What's best too is I can wear it both on the side or as a backpack, or take off the long straps altogether. My geeky heart is happy! 

Maybe you will make an ita bag too?


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