Miniature Handbag Earrings

Silk mini handbag earrings silver, a photo by b-a-boop on Flickr.

Dangle earrings in the shape of miniature purses, perfect for holiday or New Year’s Eve parties. In beautiful midnight blue silk or ultra-suede, each handbag is hand sewn and the chain handles are made from upcycled jewelry. Each pair is uniquely embellished with different kinds of beads. Some have silver findings, some gold. I hope to get more varieties made in the near future. Also great for gift giving.

Finally Sold

This was one of the first purses I made for my Etsy shop. After relisting so many times over the past 2 years, it finally found a buyer. I think it was mostly due to the fact that my pictures never did it justice. The white-on-white brocade made it difficult to photograph and even in this photo the color of the lining is way off.

It was made from a vintage 1930's McCalls pattern that was my mothers. I hope the buyer is please when she sees it. Thanks so much for your order.

Black Velvet Evening Bag

Black Velvet Evening Bag, a photo by b-a-boop on Flickr.

Another handbag ready for the Odd Duck Bazaar. Don't forget, next saturday April 9th at noon in Davie, Fl.

If it doesn't sell, after the fair, find it on Etsy.

Patchwork Purse for The Odd Duck Bazaar

Patchwork Purse a photo by b-a-boop on Flickr.

A new patchwork purse ready for the upcoming Odd Duck Bazaar. The patchwork fabrics are from the 70's. Back then I started forming small patches from a large box of scraps that were going to be a quilt. Eventually I decided some fabrics weren't sturdy enough for the quilt, so I just had a bunch of 4 piece patches. I added a corduroy lining with a pocket & a corduroy shoulder strap and accented it with old buttons. See it for yourself in 2 weeks at the Bazaar.

Now on Etsy too.

Gorgeous Fall Colors Wristlet Purse

I’ve created a new, OOAK wristlet from sample swatches of designer upholstery fabric. On the bottom, a gorgeous textured striped fabric in lovely fall colors. It is topped with a warm ruby colored worsted wool band & handle. I also added a lovely handmade fabric flower with a vintage button center, made from the wool and another small upholstery sample remnant. I used up almost every inch of my small sample fabrics.  Available now on Etsy & Artfire.

Latest Upcycled Handbag at the ReFORMatory

My newest handbag was made by upcycling a placemat I recently bought. I loved the colors in the print. I found a nice cotton quilt remnant from my mother-in-law’s stash that coordinated nicely. I incorporated it into the sides, handles & inside pockets. I also used a corduroy remnant for trim. Look for it on Etsy.

Latest Purse

Wow, this was more of a challenge than expected. The beige fabric on the upper part of the purse started unraveling before I finished sewing it together.  I had to hand weave it back together as it was all of the fabric that I had. Then once I finished the purse, the old recycled zipper I used got stuck and when I tried to close it, the cloth part ripped. I didn’t think I’d be able to get a new zipper in without taking the purse apart (couldn’t do that after fixing that fraying fabric). So I ended up hand sewing some Velcro in instead. Came out pretty lovely in the end & my sister-in-law really appreciated her birthday gift.

Good Times at the Etsy Craft Party

I had a great time friday night at our local Etsy Craft Party, hosted by the Hollywood Craft Mafia. They did a great job organizing the party (check out their meet-up schedule for future events). It was so much fun, over 50 people and everyone working away on making stamps and wristlets. I met so many interesting folks and it was a pleasure being together with other crafters. I forgot my camera, so I took a picture of my 2 unfinished projects. I have a little more sewing on the edge of the wristlet and still need to put some paint on my stamp & try it out. Hope to get back to them soon.

More Neckties and Bags – gifts cont.

The laptop bag was a b’day gift for my nephew, this time I upcycled a button down shirt and two neckties.



This purse was my sister’s b’day gift, she requested a purse & sent me some pics of bags she liked. This was by far my most time consuming project because I mixed so many small remnants (sorting thru my stash takes forever) & then I hand sewed the yarn borders and beads on & hand sewed fabric over a black plasticbuckle on the strap because the black was all I could find in a 2” buckle (recycled from an old camera bag).

And this cute little purse was a xmas gift for my best shopping girlfriend. I found the pin in a thrift store awhile back & bought it for her. I then needed to decide what to attach it to. At the last minute I came up with the idea of a small purse and threw it together that night. I may have to create a few more like this, but I only had the one pin.

Making Gifts

There are always so many birthdays and other occasions I need gifts for. More and more lately I’m hand making my gifts. Here are just a few I’ve created lately. A small handbag, a pair of button earrings, a hand painted hat and an upcycled totebag.

I created my 1st Treaury

I created my 1st Treasury on Etsy. It took a while to get settled down and wait for the 333 to pass, but it is fun, I think I'll get into this.
Good luck to all the creative designers I included.
Please check out these lovely Evening Bags by June 17th when my Treasury expires.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=64795

The Coral Rose Handbag

I made this elegant purse without a pattern. I used the coral color fabric sample just the size it was. I sewed up the sides and created a corner on each side to form the bottom. I thought it would look nice with a front pocket, so I looked thru my scraps & found the lovely floral fabric (left over from a round cushion I made). I cut out the pockets and flap and sewed them on. Then I realized I might have just enough scrap left to add a zipper closure across the top. My mother had recently given me a beaded necklace. I restrung one of its strands onto wire for the handle. Look for it in my Etsy shop.