Artful Handbag

So, now I think I am a handbag designer. LOL. Lately, I have been obsessed with purses and handbags-making them.  What better way to feed your obsession than with Pinterest. Handbags are so personal to us girls. I think it is funny that we cradle them like a baby when it is raining-so they don't get wet. I also think it is funny that people spend thousands of dollars on designer handbags. I could never do that.....the most I have spent on a purse is about 400.00 for a Brighton purse-and that was a moment of weakness that I really needed something special. I could not do it alone-so I recruited my husband (via telephone) to give me his support on this purchase since I was emotionally spent during a work crisis.  But, I treat this object like a baby and I find myself protecting it from the rain.....any hardships that would hurt my baby. It is just weird......but satisfying. 

Every woman should have a purse/handbag that makes her feel special....secure and original. Lately, I have been looking at all the purses you all are carrying....and there are so many designs and sizes! I have this fantasy that I will be a handbag designer and make the perfect bag. Of course I will do a survey to find out what it is that you feel makes the perfect handbag.  Then, I will set out to make the perfect purse.....but only for the artsy girls. I can't make boring, "classic", one color shit.  I will find a way to figure out what the hippie girls, gypsy spirits, and creative souls want. That is the only way I can do it. 

Picasso said, "

That brings me to my next point. I don't really have that much experience to create handbags on my own....so I had to start with a pattern. I found a pattern to create tote bags and decided to just learn the basics so I could tweak on my own. I made two purses from this pattern by See and Sew. 

Love the tote, but I wanted something a little more original. I wanted to paint my own fabric.  I wanted to use leather or vinyl. I wanted to have something that mixed fabrics. So, I set out to paint some canvas with my designs. 

Then I had to figure out how to add the fabulous red vinyl material to this look.

I loved the look when I was done....and I was so happy that I did not follow all the rules. I started out learning all the rules of the pattern.....so I could break them like an artist! I am happy with my finished product. All a study in sewing, designing, and freedom of the creative process. Very happy with my results.