Hi! My name is Ivonne, and I live in Barcelona with my partner, Lucas, and our two-year old son, Zowie. Our label is called Ada Blackjack.
Originally from Utrecht in The Netherlands, Lucas and I moved to Spain in 2008 to start a new life together. As with every new beginning, it wasn’t an easy start; we didn’t know many people and I didn’t speak the language. After some searching, I found a job at an Internet company doing digital marketing. That experience didn’t last long, and when I finally quit, I started making knitted accessories and handbags at home.
Before I knew it, I had a small studio in our apartment. At the time, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do; I kept trying out new things. Ada Blackjack started to become something I felt more and more passionate about, so in 2012 I opened my Etsy shop and launched my brand with a small collection of totes, clutches and satchels. In the meantime, Lucas went to Stockholm for work; there, he met the designer Tobias van Schneider, who fell in love with the story behind Ada Blackjack and helped design our brand identity. Slowly, we began to collaborate and think about future projects.
A lot of our inspiration comes from the materials we work with, which are both sturdy and sophisticated. In fact, most of the products we create are items that we originally created for our own everyday use, such as our backpack and cardholders.
Our process is pretty simple and straightforward. We typically start by collecting lifestyle images we like on Pinterest. Then I use pen and paper to sketch products and make annotations on how functional details should work. After I get my supplies, I start making quick prototypes, sometimes even using cardboard to make the first samples. When I’m happy with the result, I make final adjustments using canvas and leather.
Etsy has really helped me kickstart my brand. Starting a shop was so easy, and the Etsy community has been a big help. Thanks to the feedback I’ve received – and the positive reviews – I’ve been motivated to keep going. My goal is to work on a new collection of leather items, which is a craft all its own.
Follow Ada Blackjack on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram.
All photographs by Gaspard Fessy.
155 comments
Mariann from DreamyRaccoonSale said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! You have lovely and very admirable photography. All the success in your business!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 5 years ago
Love your items!!!
DeUno from DeUno said 5 years ago
Great shop! Congratulations!
grigritextile from GriGriTextile said 5 years ago
Your story is great, love the perseverence and, of cause, the backpacks are wonderful!
grigritextile from GriGriTextile said 5 years ago
And congratulations on the feature!
Charlie Williams from GeneseeRiverRustics said 5 years ago
Getting started on Etsy IS easy..but getting "found" seems challenging. I think the secret to your success is that you make things that you yourself really like and would buy. Your work is beautiful and I enjoyed reading your story. Nice organized shop. Stay with it and may your business continue to grow!
Alba Castellano from QuePinQuePanMagnets said 5 years ago
Lovely!!! Congrats!
Etrennes from Etrennes said 5 years ago
Beautiful creations! Wishing you all the Best for continued success!!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
Love your shop!!! Congratulations on the feature!!!
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 5 years ago
Great designs and they look durable. Thanks for sharing your success story. Congratulations Ivonne of Ada Blackjack.
Shulamit Raanan from ShuliDesigns said 5 years ago
Congrats on a great feature! You are so talented... I love your work!!!! :-) I wish you all the best in the future!
Richard from LeedsRadio said 5 years ago
What a great looking and bright work space.
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 5 years ago
Great shop, congratulations on your feature!
Kim from RiverHomeVintage said 5 years ago
Inspiring story...beautiful pieces!
katie prichard from KitAndCaboodleSupply said 5 years ago
I love this party of Etsy!
Megan C from AlaskaBagCompany said 5 years ago
Lovely items, congrats on the feature!
Norma Agron from NormasBagBoutique said 5 years ago
Great story on how you get started. It's great to be able to do what we love and it shows. You people deserve being featured. Your pieces are both very functional and beautiful. Wish you the best on your business!!
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 5 years ago
Nice designs! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 5 years ago
Thank you for sharing your interesting story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop and much success :)
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Great article and work! Congrats!
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 5 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature.Thank you Ivonne for sharing your motivation, talents and art with us through the inspiring story of a resilient woman. Blessings to your beautiful family. Peace.
Asma from AsmaOriginal said 5 years ago
How lovely! Congrats!
Helen Harwood from FatBerry said 5 years ago
Amazing ideas, items and creator! Thank you for sharing
Art Loft from ArtForLoft said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop!
Marcus Greene from GreenhousePhotograph said 5 years ago
Love your Backpacks and wallets; it's great how you think of every detail and how you combine the colors!. Congratulations on a well deserved feature!.
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 5 years ago
Great story and shop, wonderful items! Congrats on the feature!
Renata and Jonathan from RenataandJonathan said 5 years ago
Great shop. Congrats!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 5 years ago
Love your practical designs. Your story is inspirational; thanks for sharing your process!
Mike and Jess from JessiesOrientalRugs said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop, congratulations!
Diana from LeSeForYou said 5 years ago
Nice story! And very good products! ☆CONGRATULATIONS☆
Cyr Dion from CyrDion said 5 years ago
Your bags are unique in style. Keep it up.
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 5 years ago
Love your items!!!Great shop. Congrats!
Nick Nichols from NickNicholsArt said 5 years ago
Beautiful products and an inspiring story. Congratulations!
Amy S from AmyLouPaperDolls said 5 years ago
I am inspired by your story-- it sounds like your hard work has paid off!
Janice from StanfieldBags said 5 years ago
Great story. Great product. Congratulations on your feature and wishing you much success in the future. ;)
Quality Handmade Items from WhisperingOak said 5 years ago
I have enjoyed the story and the pictures of the beautiful, net open air work space
Amanda from MandaleighHOME said 5 years ago
Wonderful job! You have clearly put a lot of work into your beautiful items. Best wishes for continued success =)
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 5 years ago
You have a great story! Your feature is well-deserved. Congrats on the success!
Jenette Robert from OverTheMoonBridal said 5 years ago
Lovely items! Congratulations and best of luck to you!
Melissa Collins from adairya2 said 5 years ago
Beautiful designs, and adorable kiddo! Congratulations!
Liz and Phil Van D from lizystuff said 5 years ago
Lovely shop beautiful items! Congratulations on the feature, best of luck to you and your family! :-)
Anastasia Hedlund from Avaneska said 5 years ago
Nice Shop! Congratulations!
Adrienne from DabAndDabble said 5 years ago
Wonderful! Congrats!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 5 years ago
LOVE you simple design! Great work. Congratulations!
Julie Grzesiek from GlassLake said 5 years ago
Great shop! Congratulations on your success! :-)
Marta DQ from tribomo said 5 years ago
Great designs! Congrats on the feature!
Maria Singleton from VintageMoonStudios said 5 years ago
What an awesome story and beautiful designs. Congratulations on your feature and success!
Nancy from HerMajestysPug said 5 years ago
Bravo Ivonne!!! J'adore your shop and backpacks!!! Congrats on being featured!!! And here's to beaucoup more success!! Pugs & kisses
Shelly Daood from BoundtobeCreative said 5 years ago
Love your story and wonderful craftsmanship on your totes! Congratulations!
Adriana from Karavakishop said 5 years ago
Great work!! Congrats on the feature:)
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 5 years ago
Congratulations that you can find something that you love to do in life. It is not a easy thing for me. Great shop.
Kippy from KippyRose said 5 years ago
Great studio and story! Congratulations! :)
Lizzy from KittykatWorkshop said 5 years ago
Neat shop! Congratulations on the feature. :)
AGoodsMaker from TheGoodsMaker said 5 years ago
Good for you - congratulations !
Jafeth Moiane from handicraftafrica said 5 years ago
Bela tienda! Congrats!
Susan Gibson from brightgreentangerine said 5 years ago
I love your shop. Great photos ! Good luck .
Lisa from SundayOwl said 5 years ago
You have a beautiful shop. I love your simple designs. Best wishes.
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 5 years ago
Great shop and designs! Congratulations on the feature:)
BonTons from BonTons said 5 years ago
Nice designs. Congratulations on the Feature!
Cynthia from SewforYou said 5 years ago
I enjoyed reading your story and looking at your wonderful items! Congratulations on your feature!
Sibora Reed from AquarianAgeGems said 5 years ago
congrats on you feature!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 5 years ago
WOW what a great story. Keep up the great work and congratulations on your feature.
Natalia Snemis from expressyourself said 5 years ago
Nice work and great shop!
ThriftyLife from ThriftyUpenyu said 5 years ago
congrats - your work is beautiful
Stacy Cramblit from StacyOriginals said 5 years ago
What a fantastic name to give your son! Congratulations on your feature; I really enjoyed your story.
Tina St. John from TinaStJohnJewelry said 5 years ago
wonderful....Congratulations!
Girl Threads GirlThreads from GirlThreads said 5 years ago
So passionate and wonderful! Congrats to be featured in Easy!
Joshua Alexander from Holiskin said 5 years ago
Beautiful! Congrats!
Kim Cole from BeachDaisyJewelry said 5 years ago
Lovely design, great shop! Congrats on the feature, I enjoyed your story. Love your work space.
Terai from terainbDesigns said 5 years ago
Awesome shop! Love the items. Congrats!
Acquanetta Ferguson from OliveandBrook said 5 years ago
congrats!
abitofeclectic from abitofeclectic said 5 years ago
Great shop! Love your work!
Kelly from jackandjillwedding said 5 years ago
Congrats! Love your shop and your story.
Mary Jo and Rachael from SouvenirAndSalvage said 5 years ago
Great story and beautiful products! Congrats on the story and good luck with all your future endeavors.
Edwige L. from LeavesbyEdwige said 5 years ago
Congrats! Your items are great :)
Melanie Cassar from gost said 5 years ago
wow, you're very talented!
Zoui from XZOUIX said 5 years ago
great backpacks!!!!
Katerina Bitkovska from KatrinJewelryChest said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop, congratulations!
Penny from SnuggleWonders said 5 years ago
Congratulations, love your shop!
Tina from greenpapayaprints said 5 years ago
I love the classic pieces in your shop! They are timeless.
BeMyCharm from BeMyCharm said 5 years ago
Love your shop!!! Congratulations on the feature!!!
Gail Oliver from AttentionGetting said 5 years ago
The bags are wonderful!
Amy Gunderson from amysfunkyfibers said 5 years ago
I really love how functional, yet fashionable the work is- the best to you and your success!
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 5 years ago
what a fantastic shop! congrats on the feature :)
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 5 years ago
So many nice items!!! Great Job!!
Craig Neukirch from Turns2art said 5 years ago
looks like all of your risk taking paid off! Wonderful story and product. Congratulations.
Cheryl Mendenhall from EECustomHorseShoes said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop and items! I wish you continued success! Happy sales! Cheryl
Leliza Fosmoe from LelizaJewelry said 5 years ago
Congratulations on your feature! Great products. Good luck!
Rustic Spoonful from RusticSpoonful said 5 years ago
Congrats! Wonderful products. Wishing you the best with your venture. Sharon and Georgia
Sara from UrbanFarmhouseTampa said 5 years ago
Lovely creations and story!
DreamJewelrySupplies from DreamJewelrySupplies said 5 years ago
Fantastic Work!!! Congrats :)
Shelly Okun from ShellyClayspot said 5 years ago
I like your bags. Congrats!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 5 years ago
Very nice items. Congrats on the feature.
Maite from TamsyTrends said 5 years ago
Cool backpacks and cardholders! Congratulations on the feature!
ZvezdanaVintage from ZvezdanaVintage said 5 years ago
Love your bags! <3
Margaret from magszilla said 5 years ago
Love all the bags and lovely workspace. Congrats on the feature and wishing you much success!
Ketki Fadnis from KetkiFadnis said 5 years ago
Great story ! Nice designs ! Congrats on the feature!
Trang Dai from TDNCreations said 5 years ago
Love your designs! Congrats on the feature!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 5 years ago
Lovely backpacks designs! Congratulations on the feature!
Chotika Prasitsaeng from ChoArtJewelry said 5 years ago
Good shop++!!! lovely ;)
Carol from MasCollected said 5 years ago
Thank you for your story. The creative and entrepreneurial lifestyle is a great and powerful example of a life well lived for little Zowie. Best wishes for much success and joy!
Key Di from KoalitionStore said 5 years ago
Congratulations! And thank for sharing your story, understand how hard it is to start a new life at a new unknown place, as my partner and me doing the same thing right now=) Wish you success and interesting future projects! And did I mention that I absolutely love your bagpacks? You are doing a grat job!
Amy Winslow Wright from overthefenceart said 5 years ago
Fabulous shop and talent. Congrats!
AnyaLu from AnyaLu said 5 years ago
lovely!
irina chelaru from irinacarmen said 5 years ago
Beautiful!!!!!
Sumona C from ieclectic said 5 years ago
Aweskme shop... love your work!!! Congrats..
Terri Smith from DimplesDragonflies said 5 years ago
Lovely Story! And An Even Lovelier Product! Congratulations on The Feature!
Erika Morris from OLIXIAshop said 5 years ago
Lovely <3 Congratulations! :)
Oksana Bilous from NeedForStitch said 5 years ago
Congrats! You are awesome!
Laura from ItaLaVintage said 5 years ago
Beautiful Shop ! Congrats !! :-)
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 5 years ago
Wonderful. Congrats!
Jone Mikel from VintageJohnDoe said 5 years ago
Beautiful craft! Beautiful story! Great vibe all the way around! Salut!
Earths Path from EarthsPath said 5 years ago
Beautiful products from a beautiful family! Congratulations on the feature.
Becca Koopmans from wearlovenow said 5 years ago
Wonderful feature and beautiful shop. Thanks for sharing your story.
Rebeca from SecretDiamonds said 5 years ago
Bonita Tienda,Felicidades!
Avianti Jewelry from AviantiJewelry said 5 years ago
How nice! Congratulations! Wishing you all the best!
Vera Noritsa from CobraQueensGift said 5 years ago
Great story and amazing shop! Congrats on the feature.
Krasi Kids Art from gingerkidsart said 5 years ago
Very beautiful shop and story - happy making! Congratulations to you !
Carol Bender from BarnshopAntiques said 5 years ago
It's nice to see that you love what you are doing, beautiful work. Congrats on the feature.
Cynthia Loynd from RiverRugs said 5 years ago
The backpacks are so cool! And I love the sewing machine you use. Good luck with Ada Blackjack
Lubo from luboart said 5 years ago
Great shop! Congratulations!
Brenda Bordas from brendabordas said 5 years ago
Love your story. Wish you continued success
ArcanaAntiquities from ArcanaAntiquities said 5 years ago
great shop, congrats!
rb salon from rbsalon said 5 years ago
very organized! Love your works!
UNEMPLOYED Custom Orders Wanted USA Made Superhero Cufflinks Wedding Jewelry from boloties said 5 years ago
Beautiful products and inspiring story!
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 said 5 years ago
You bags are lovely, great story and congratulations on your shop!
Katie Anne from MiddleCoast said 5 years ago
It's so exciting when I see pieces like yours, because why would anyone want to buy "brand name" when you have such marvelous pieces such as yours! Love it!
Judy W from JudyHandmadeCreation said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature. Love your designs.
Alicia Zoe Garcia from gabrielandfaith said 5 years ago
Great designs! Congratulations on the feature and I look forward to seeing what you do with leather as you expand you line!
Michelle Motuzas from Oceanandearthstudio said 5 years ago
Beautiful!
Zeynep from ZeyJewel said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature!
T Carlson from ToTypeInBeautiful said 5 years ago
I love the authenticity here.
benna and hanna from bennaandhanna said 5 years ago
beautiful story, more blessings
Adriana Blake from HappyMomentsGiftShop said 5 years ago
Great shop, Yvonne! Love the heart of the message, keep trying! How rewarding to do something meaningful you care about and serves others around the globe. Having Etsy is awesome! The bags look stylish and sturdy. Great workmanship! Congrats!
Tahir Ismail from Barismil said 5 years ago
congrats. you have lovely shop
MariaAngela Ba from CocoBaLeggings said 5 years ago
Elegant & Unique! Love all your creations! :)
Vera Tempelmans Plat from ItsVera said 5 years ago
I love your items . Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. I'm origianlly from Utrecht, too.
KnotnStitch from KnotnStitch said 5 years ago
lovely shop and beautiful story. All the best!!
Ombretta from IndieLab said 5 years ago
what a beautiful story! and great creations: i like your modern country-urban style!
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 5 years ago
Love your shop! Congratulations!!
Ziva Javersek from VivasProject said 5 years ago
Beautiful post, gorgeous shop! Wish you happy selling <3
Purvi Desai from Zaaina said 5 years ago
Love the story. When you make things which you are so passionate about and would use it everyday, the life and love shows in the product. It's then visible to others as well. Lovely shop.
Laura Donohue from RustaveltWriting said 5 years ago
Great work in both the photography and story line! very inspirational
Noa Galler from ChoopaFashion said 5 years ago
great shop!
Melissa from adorablyimperfect said 5 years ago
Love your story. Beautiful family! Thanks for the inspiration.
Avianti Jewelry from AviantiJewelry said 5 years ago
That is pretty cute and very different! I would love that for my son in school!
Emily from beetleinkco said 5 years ago
I need some of your bags ASAP!
Georgia Bazakou from Giahandmade said 5 years ago
Η δουλειά σας είναι καταπληκτική. Συγχαρητήρια!
Greta e Federica from MaisonIvoire said 5 years ago
Great story, congrats!
Daisy xuchun from Sexy8baby said 5 years ago
Great shop!
leo sun said 5 years ago
like it !
PJ from PrintJunkiez said 5 years ago
Your bags are wonderful, I like the orange ones very pretty. Perfect for my sketch books and pens:)
Ionela Pascan from thesecretcolors said 5 years ago
Great work!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
such a nice story!! Congratulations on the feature and your work