Second-hand offerings have changed over recent years. Many charity shops put all the most attractive items online, and overprice what is left in their stores. Charity stores are becoming more like traditional retail, which is a bit of a double-edged sword for them. If they price too high, people may as well buy new from regular stores. Genuine bargains are still there, but becoming harder to find. You have to really look hard.
One section that most thrift store customers ignore is the wallet section. Sweden is almost completely cashless, so traditional older wallets and purses (in the UK definition of the item, namely the small leather item where you keep your money) are ignored. Among these I often find ring organisers. Fewer people recognise them these days, so they tend to end up with the wallets because of the credit card holders and wallet pockets. I have found some really lovely Filofaxes in these sections – for example a Tejus, several Yorks, multiple Kensingtons.
This planner was in a lonely little corner of a bargain bin the other day. I stopped to look at it because it had a very nice layout, a full-length wallet pocket, and pretty yellow lining with white polka dots. It was very well made, though no branding on the cover. I did find a label inside the full-length wallet pocket. Turns out it was by Danish brand Becksöndergaard, and made from deep sea eelskin (a byproduct of the food industry).
This is a bit of a puzzle because ring organisers are not that common anymore, and Becksöndergaard is an upper mid-range fashion brand that was founded in 2003. You don’t usually see ring planners from this type of company. I could not find any information about their planners online, but their bags cost about $200. I paid $5 for the planner. I was so happy to find another pocket planner because I don’t have very many, despite being in pocket-size for several years. Most of my beautiful planners are personal size.
This leather has a lovely soft smooth feel, and the planner is so well designed. Full leather, with a cotton lining.
There is a magnificent article about eelskin on a lovely site (also WordPress) called Hayley’s Handbags.
Some excerpts below, and a link to the full article above. I had no idea about eelskin before and this article taught me everything I needed to know.
I’m so glad to finally see eel skin mentioned. I’ve seen some planners in the past but was too nervous about the potential texture… I can’t stand reptile skin. This article has made me more open to giving it a go
This planner is smooth and silky but seems as though it would be pretty durable. I bought it pre-loved and it looks as good as new. Plus it has tumbled around in my bag for a while now without a mark on it. I have had alligator and lizard skin Filofaxes and it does not feel at all like that. When I spotted it in the shop I did not have a clue that it was made of exotic leather. Can recommend!
Really interesting and a lovely organiser