PlatypusMax

Nature-inspired accessories, and graphic prints

Lexington, Massachusetts 185 Sales On Etsy since 2017

5 out of 5 stars (25)

PlatypusMax

Nature-inspired accessories, and graphic prints

Lexington, Massachusetts | 185 Sales

5 out of 5 stars (25)

Shop owner

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Contact shop owner
185 Sales
81 Admirers
 

All Items

Rachel Summers

Contact shop owner

Rachel Summers

Announcement    Hello! If you are interested in bulk/wholesale orders on my handmade leather barrettes & earrings, please contact me at platypusmaxx [!at] gmail.com (note, that's 2 x's). Thanks, and happy shopping!

Announcement

Last updated on Oct 18, 2019

Hello! If you are interested in bulk/wholesale orders on my handmade leather barrettes & earrings, please contact me at platypusmaxx [!at] gmail.com (note, that's 2 x's). Thanks, and happy shopping!

Reviews

Average item review
5 out of 5 stars
(25)
See reviews that mention:
quality 5 shipping 3

About PlatypusMax

Sales 185
On Etsy since 2017
  • Unique lightweight leather earrings
  • Hand-embossed natural leather
  • At a show
  • Large leather barrettes, various colors and textures
  • Extra large handmade hair barrettes, various patterns and colors

Print Designs and Handmade Leather Accessories

At heart I am a designer and maker. Much of my work begins as a photograph or idea for a composition, which I then work out into digital or analog format depending on the aesthetic goal. I love using digitized photographic art to create beautiful or fun print designs for everyday use, including as wall art, legging prints and t-shirts. But I also love balancing this with physical products that I design, make and ship with my hands from simple, natural or up-cycled materials -- leather scraps, buttons, and various other cast-off bits.

My background is varied. I grew up working in my father's pipe organ shop, then studied product design and photography in college. As a young product designer, I worked on medical device interfaces and built full-scale product models, including a forklift made of styrofoam and scrap wood. I spent a over a decade working on digital magazine production and software development. I left my last regular gig to spend more time focused on my children, and have in the process found time to regain focus on my passion of making and designing.

I have fallen in love with leather and its unique ability to take to color and texture. My photographic love for botanical specimens has driven me back to ink and paper printing, ironically creating similar effects. Each new project seems to connect in unexpected ways to the last one. I especially love when my kids want to learn how I make things, and then after taking it in, share their own design ideas as I work out mine.

My shop is named for the elusive platypus, who is also an introvert by nature, and defies expectations with its unusual assortment of evolutionary gifts. I don't know that this describes me (nor do I have a duck-bill) but it's certainly inspiring!

I work from my home in Lexington, Massachusetts. My made-to-order printed products are made with the help of several carefully-selected and tested third party printer/manufacturers, ensuring high-quality, timely delivery. This allows me to offer a wide range of products that ship directly to my customers. It also means I only make what is needed, no more, for minimal waste.

Please message me if you have questions or see a design that you would like on different product, such as printable wall art, tote bag, mug, etc. For barrettes, I love experimenting with textures and colors so please share with me if there's something else you would like to see! Depending on the request I may be able to customize or create a new product based on your feedback.

Shop members

  • Rachel Summers

    Owner, Designer, Photographer

    It's just me! I craft with leather, buttons, ink rollers, take photos, do the graphic design work, and everything else on my handmade items and designs. Print-to-order items (shirts, mostly) are handled by a third party.

Production partners

  • Printing and printed textile cut/sew

    United States

    Printing, manufacture and shipping of my custom designs.

  • Printing and Shipping

    Charlotte, NC

    High-quality print-on-demand production vendor who prints my designs on various products.

  • Printing and Shipping

    San Francisco, CA

    High-quality print-on-demand production vendor who prints my designs on various products.

  • Laser Engraving

    Sioux Falls, SD

    Manufacturer of laser engraved cutting boards and printed products.

Shop policies