Giveaway alert! Scroll down to find out how you can enter.
It was a bit of a winding path that led Gillian Pottinger to where she is today. She started out as an insurance broker, then moved onto creating one-of-a-kind girls’ clothing when her daughter was born. But it was really when she got back into photography that she was inspired to start Rhembein, a line of bright, fun and functional camera straps.
Having a camera often strung around her neck meant that she was well aware of how uncomfortable standard straps are that come with DSLR cameras. “The rubber backing was making my neck sweaty – ew!” says Gillian. She also saw some potential for adding a little flare – and was drawn to the idea of playing with fabric again. In addition to the neck strap, Gillian also makes a wrist/hand strap that allows you to cradle your camera in your hand while having it strapped around your wrist – and designed to just the way Gillian herself like to hold her camera. Neck straps sell at $25 to $30 and the Gilly wrist strap is available for $20 to $25.
A mom herself, Gillian is always looking for interesting items that are well-made and reasonably priced – “and washable!” Gillian adds. “It doesn’t matter how hard I try, somehow jam fingerprints show up on anything I really like.”
Rhembein camera straps are available online, but will soon be available at a few select locally owned children’s boutiques.
Rhembein
www.rhembein.com | Twitter: @rhumbein
Giveaway alert! Win one of Gillian’s Rhembein camera straps! Here’s how to enter:
- Check out her site on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/rhembein
- Pick one a style that you like.
- Come back to this page.
- Add your comment below and tell us why you think Rhembein is so fab!
I love the Bold Splendor design, very chic.
I just forwarded this article to my photog friends and said, “They finally make camera straps for girls!!”
All these fabrics are so fabulous and fun! The damask, paprika and kona ones really stand out for me.
I am really intrigued by the wrist strap as I have one now that only works when the grip is on my camera. I’d like something else for when I take the grip off.
I really like this camera neck strap: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40865972 Because its got my favorite color in it, and it looks really comfy
This makes me so happy– I’ve known Gyl for years now (since she was an insurance broker and I was a lowly financial wench)– she is an amazing, inspired and creative woman who always manages to come up with something unique and unexpected…All the best! (ps. please don’t enter me to win the strap– I just needed to ‘squee’ a bit about this article)
love the straps! i think the green algae one is my fav. keep up the good work!
love the fun patterns and yes, cloth is so much better than rubber!
Blushing splendor is so pretty and I’d love to try a wrist strap.
Nice to know someone who creates these who is local!
SO many beautiful ones to choose from! Love the simplicity of Baroque Scroll. Cheers!
I love the Vintage Butterfly Lace Custom Camera Strap and the thick wide strap!
I love the Vintage Butterfly Lace Custom Camera Strap and the thick wide strap
Aw, thanks you guys! I am glad people like them so much!
~gyl
WOW! I love them! So many fantastic bright colours!
Great job Gillian! Love your work.
My favs have to be either the Purple Mish Mash or Purple Kona. The wrist strap is a brilliant idea by the way! So clever and so useful! Love it!
Thanks!
Ooooo, I LOVE the Blue Urban Floral. So chic!
Wow– the camera straps sure make the camera look so funky and playful!
My favourite is the
Barnwood Floral Drop Custom Camera Strap.. It’s simple, yet bold enough that it’s very eye catching.
My favorite is the Paprika Paperweight strap. Its so bright and colorful!! It has been a long, cold winter in Minnesota and that strap makes me so excited for spring to finally get here!
I love the idea of personalizing my camera with a fun strap!
Nice work!
LOVE the Baroque Scrolls…Meadow Filigree is very pretty too.
All of them are so beautiful and eye catching!
There’s no doubt in my heart about it, that Baroque is my one true fave!
And yeah. Rhembein is fab because they’re a Vancouverite store. Go hometown go!
wonder when there will be new skirts?
Fabulous idea and great fabric – why always be mundane? Gillian has very expressive style, you should have seen her one-of-a-kind little dresses.
Who knows what she will come up with next – a talented woman to watch !