Although in Canada we have the Loonie and Twoonie, it always feels like I use more change when I’m in Italy. I’m not sure why, but one of the reasons could be that “caffe normale“, or “espresso” as we call it, is so good and ubiquitous. It usually costs less than €1 a cup (take that Starbucks) and I use pocket change to pay for it.
But speaking of Starbucks, if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have this very cool Italian coffee bag change purse.
At this point, you are thinking, “Elin what the heck are you talking about”? So let me explain. My friend Megan has a talent for turning coffee bags into wallets. This started a few years back when she was a barista extraordinaire at Starbucks. She kept seeing all those coffee bags going into the garbage and turned her creative mind into making something useful out of them.
The first wallets were Christmas presents for (older 20s) nephews. These were followed by co-worker requests, which were followed by coffee-lover requests and well all of a sudden an Etsy store was born, followed by the JavaSlimsWallet’s website [Updated Note: Megan, now sells JavaSlims by custom order only]. The JavaSlims Wallet lets coffee lovers show off their favourite roast. What originally started as Toronto roasts has turned into a showcase for global coffee brands as friends and family collect and send them from all over the world.
The wallets are super durable and are green. They are upcycled from coffee bags that have actually been used (you know this as sometimes there will be a crease/wrinkle/odd imperfection in the bag, and therefore the wallet, lending to the wallet’s charm).
Megan does custom orders, you can email her [javaslims at gmail.com], so when I bought this very cool golden bag of Gimoka coffee in Italy, I gave her the bag and she made a change purse for me.
Please note that these are meant to be “on the go” wallets – more for clubs (both gym and bars!) or when you are out for a run or bike ride – as they hold about 6 credit cards (Java SLIMS….). An added bonus? The wallets can prevent identity theft as the foil lining/material prevents thieves from scanning your wallet and gaining your personal information via Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID)!
Want a great idea for giving gift cards? For any present or a year-end present for a favourite teacher, instead of an apple or just giving a gift card (to a coffee house or another spot) as a present, “wrap” it up in a wallet! Beautiful presentation, identity theft protection and saving landfill sites! That really is coffee for change!
