More ideas for using photographs

There are ways to incorporate photographs into your purse that don't involve transfer to fabric.

For example, Red Camper sells bags made with vintage slides.

(link found via fototiller)

I can envision bags made with old negatives also.
Hmmmm....

Also, have you seen the magnets made from half marbles, with paper or fabric underneath?
Well, perhaps you could craft some with photos, and use them to embellish your bag.
Tutorial at Not Martha.
Or make them into charms by adding polymer clay. Tutorial

Or you could embellish your purse with photos placed inside bottle caps.
Tutorial using Modge Podge.
Amazing ideas using resin.

You can purchase shrink plastic for printers, and make charms from photos to embellish your purse.
Don't forget to hole punch before baking!
Ideas here.
Or you could print out the photos, then make the plastic itself (without baking) into a purse.
Use it as you would plastic canvas.

Perhaps you could laminate paper photographs, and sew these together as you would vinyl?
Tutorial for a laminated paper purse from HGTV.

Tutorial for cigar box purse, using decal paper, from HGTV.

More Collage Inspiration

I am so intrigued by collage.
You can applique, embellish with charms or beads, embroider...
Your purse would be a personal statement, and a work of art.

I love this fabric collage Self Portrait, by Beate Knappe


More goodness (click on images to go to the artist's Flickr pages):

Collage Embroidery ~ Best Friend
Originally uploaded by hens teeth

This one is dyed, silk screened, and painted

Originally uploaded by lisamariekingo

am i blue
Originally uploaded by identityseven

Fabric Collage

One of my personal favorite styles of expression is collage.
The current challenge of incorporating a photograph into your purse design is a perfect opportunity to consider collage.
I always am inspired by the creations of Bari J
Look at these amazing bags that were published in a recent issue of Belle Armoire


Equally inspiring is Calamity Kim.
Her tutorial on making a gnome house purse could easily incorporate photo transfers


And how cute is this journal page by Gooma8x that honors her dog, Cinda Lou Who?!
(click on images to go the her Flickr page)
The photo is transferred to fabric, and also incorporates collage with applique and machine stitiching.
Something like this would look great made into a bag.

Cinda Lou Who...feb26
Originally uploaded by gooma8x

She also made this "Tell me a Story", a photo of her pregnant daughter

Tell Me a Story
Originally uploaded by gooma8x

"Loose Ends", that captures trimmings under a layer of netting

Originally uploaded by gooma8x

and "Let's Celebrate", a photo transfer of herself and birds

Let's Celebrate 64 (#10)
Originally uploaded by gooma8x

Make a Messenger Bag Out of Trash Bags!

Off theme right now, but such a great tutorial, and a fun way to recycle.
Thanks to the commenter on Blogging Project Runway for sharing the link.

More ideas on using a photograph in your purse design

One place to look for inspiration for this challenge is in quilts.
Photos are often used on mourning and memory quilts.
You have to be careful that the project not look too, well....crafty
(if you know what I mean).
Perhaps I'm imposing my own tastes here, but it's a fine line where a project works, and where you want to hide it in the back of your closet.
Make something you'll love to carry around and show off.

Carol K has come up with a great example of how to use quilting techniques on a tote (I think this bag is lovely)

treasure textiles bag
Originally uploaded by Carole K

(click on images to enlarge)

Pink Bird Girl has done something similar on a small quilt, but the panel could easily be transformed into a purse

Caught in a maze
Originally uploaded by pinkbirdgirl

Ditto this multi-media piece by Sara Laughs
Note the techniques she combined: photo transfer, text transfer, embroidery, stamping with hand-carved stamps, fabric painting, found objects

What's a poor obediant Italian orphan girl to do?
Originally uploaded by saralaughs

Think of how you can turn the techniques you use making ATC's, scrapbook pages, etc, into something that could work on a purse.
Remember, you can always use paper and just place it under vinyl if you don't want to use fabric

I like how subtle this one is.

Velo a Paris, 2006
Originally uploaded by Tara Badcock

The background is a transfer of a map of Paris. It could just as easily be a photograph of a person or place of significance to you.
Yes, your photo may be a place, an animal, people, or all of these.
I just want it to have sentimental significance to you.

If you have the proper tools or know-how, you can transform a photograph into stitches (usually cross-stitch) or beads.
Kim C StL machine embroidered this photograph using special software

Or you can look at values and create an applique, like this amazing representation of Wyatt, by Ms. Sad
(click on image to read more about how she created this)

Wyatt's Gone to the Birds
Originally uploaded by ms.sad

Take it to the next step

The current challenge, to incorporate one or more photographs into your purse design...it's a, well, challenging one.
It's even difficult for me to find inspirational projects to get you going.
But you can look to projects that COULD use photos, and maybe that will get your juices flowing.

I really really want to get you to consider options other than using one big photograph for the front of your bag, or little pics across the front.
Go further.
Stretch yourself.
Let us all learn.

At least for me personally, photographs mean everything.
They speak volumes of time and moments and people who mean the world to me.
They are the essence of all that is sentimental.
How perfect then, to turn a photograph into a vehicle of meaning.
And into a work of art.

For example, what if this felt applique were made with a photo?

Red Wool Felt Purse with Ume Otaku Applique
Originally uploaded by innocentgirl

That could really be cute.
And special.
You could embellish it with embroidery or beading if you like.

Or what if you garnered inspiration from the amazing needlework of Stephanie of Nova Blossoms, and substituted fabric photos for faces
like on this shoulder bag

Or how fun is this recycled tin purse, with a bent spoon handle?!
The photos can be changed on a whim--they are magnets!

purse-magnetic
Originally uploaded by indygirl-cp

Of course it's easy to be inspired by Anne Taintor
Like this messenger bag.


Maybe it's time to learn cyanotype

cyanotype purse
Originally uploaded by andromeda*art

For those of you who are collage artists, perhaps you can be inspired by Prada's Fairy Bag.
You know, combine photos and paint and paper and make a bag out of your design.
In essence, make art, then copy it onto fabric.
You could have a bag that would be more valuable to you than the $2300 price tag on the Prada.

Inexpensive way to transfer photos

Thanks to Janet for giving me a heads up on this tutorial by Instructables for using freezer paper and your inkjet printer to transfer images onto fabric

Photo Inspiration

Real Photography used an Amy Butler pattern and some fun fabric to highlight a photo of her baby

Bogart of the Underworld
Originally uploaded by Paula Wirth

The lovely Paula Wirth collaged a bag.
Imagine this made with personal photographs!

Oscar purse Christmas05
Originally uploaded by gnarlyis3

Bag by gnaryis3 made from recycled man's jacket pockets. Read more here.

She has another bag with a private memento (the photo is on the interior)


Lazy Girl Designs has a tutorial for using photo sheets for your printer.

Rackycoo wove magazine images together into this amazing design, but I think you could use your own photos in a similar fashion.


What about making a purse version of a personal shrine?
You could incorporate family photos and memorabilia in little pockets or something.

Or you could make a spiritual statement using items of religious significance, charms, herbs, etc.
Ideas anyway...to get your brain moving.

Sis'ka Studios has a tutorial using Photoshop to make your image altered.
Then take that image and use it for your bag, as the fabric, or as an applique, or ????

Once remembered makes custom bags that might inspire you

New Gallery, and Theme #8

Okay, I posted the bag I made from a t-shirt to my woofnanny blog.

I received 7 entries for this challenge.
More than last time, but (sigh...) still far fewer than I had hoped would participate.
Even offering a prize didn't entice more people to try.
What, pray tell, is a girl to do?!

Actually, the prize is great for you guys, but it kind-of sucks for me because it is so so difficult to choose.
I mean, everyone's effort is excellent in its own right.
Ultimately, I decided to give Karen the prize this time.
Not only because her messenger bag is awesome, but because she has supported this blog from day one.
And I really appreciate that.

Karen, please go to Threadless and tell me which design you would like, the size, and where to ship it.

For those of you who didn't win, please be proud anyway.
I am so thankful to each of you. Really.
See the gallery here.

Okay, drumroll....
A new theme. Theme number eight.
I have so many ideas circling in my head that it's hard to choose.
Let's try Say Cheese.

Huh?

Make a bag that makes a focal point of something sentimental.
I would prefer this be in photograph form rather than someone else's clothing (this time. We'll do mourning type stuff in the future if I keep going with this blog).
Okay?

That means, reproduce a photo onto fabric and use that for the bag,
Or make shrinky plastic charms or buttons and embellish the bag,
or ?????

No it doesn't have to be cheesy (no pun intended).
I don't mean funky "mommy" brag bags.
I can almost see all of you backing away from the computer and shuffling your feet.
Hello! This blog is all about a CHALLENGE, remember?
Make something that you really would want to carry around, but with a sentimental emphasis.

Maybe take a bunch of family photos (transfers) and collage them, or cut them up and use the weird pieces.
Make the photos part of an applique.
Make the photos part of something else--like a three dimensional flower.
Print photos to fabric, then cut into strips and weave.
Or put real photos (like photobooth strips!) under vinyl (that could make fun stripes and add a design element).

Come on you guys--you can do this!

For inspiration:
Erin's bag with the horse photo memorializes her dad.
Her business, Pursue Your Art, sells bags that display your own photographs or art.
"Changeable art purse is a fun, fashionable way of expressing your artistic side. This purse was created to display your artwork, Artist Trading Cards (ATCs), greeting cards, photos and more. It's a miniature art gallery in a purse."

Another company,Art for Your Sake, makes photo montage tote bags because, "For some of us, photo purses are not fashion items, but a real physical connection to our loved ones."
We're talking really creative collages here--check it out.


HGTV has a tutorial on making a purse with a photo of its contents on the outside.
Not really sentimental, but pretty fun nevertheless.
Reminds me of an actor friend who used to work at an ad agency, and on the wall was a photo of the opposite wall. So when you looked at one wall, you'd be looking at the other. Ahem...yeah.

Oops

Well, I'm still not finished with my bag, and four people have contacted me saying they're not done either.
So how about if I post the gallery and new theme on Monday?
So that gives you a couple more days (though I'll always post your entries, regardless of what future date you send me a jpg).
If anyone has any ideas for prizes for future challenges, let me know.

Wow, is it already July?

Be patient with me, I'm going to try to finish my tee bag before I post the gallery.
Will hopefully post tomorrow.
Sewing on t-shirt is a little more difficult than I anticipated--I spent a good deal of time with my seam ripper last night.

Anyway, I thought I'd mention this fun idea I saw at the county fair the other night.
This is the Miche bag.

It is a black handbag (cute on its own) with interchangeable exterior designs that are magnetized.
In other words, you don't have to empty your purse contents to coordinate your bag with your outfit--you just change the magnet.
Another bonus is the magnets just fold up flat, so they're easier to store than an equal number of purses.

The fair was selling these, if I remember correctly, for $69.99, and it included three exteriors of your choosing--they call these shells.
Seriously cool.
Judging from the website (which is still, for the most part, under construction), the company sells distributorships.

The employees at the kiosk said the bags are also sold on QVC, but I was not able to find a link.

Last minute tee inspiration

Etsy is a great place to shop, to support DIY crafters, and to get inspiration.
Look at all the things you can make from a t-shirt!

Fabric tote with appliqued t-shirt design, by GetFEROCIOUS


Eye of Zion tote by NansRedesigns


The Magic Purse, by TangledDaisies
Also her cute drawstring bag


Lost in Music tote, by BluePlanetCreations


Sturdy England tote, by NerdBomber


Woven hobo bag (made on a loom!) from CourtneyCastle

Buckets

Let's go off theme for a second.
This technically isn't a purse, but I can envision possibilities.
Add a strap?
Shoot, just use it to store you purses.
All I know is that it's cute, and Jodie of Ric Rac has posted a tutorial.
(thank you, Wendy, for linking)

Speaking of buckets, containers, and totes, here's a fun recycling project: a bag over a bleach bottle

From Aleene's Creating with Plastic Bottles booklet, 1966

It used to be in vogue to crochet a top portion over a bleach bottle base (see the little green purse)

like in this leaflet of patterns for crocheted bags, from Coats & Clark, 1973

MineFull has posted a tutorial for her version

grandma's crochet bleach bag
Originally uploaded by MineFull

Here's a similar one by Dottyral
She says, "I just punched holes around the plastic bottle. Did a row of single crochets through the holes, then a bunch of double crochet rounds. Put the drawstring through it. That's it. I wish I had cut the bottle down shorter. I think it would have been cuter."

This one also uses a bleach bottle, but is made from cutting shapes from the bottle, punching holes in the edges, then stitching the shapes together.

Posted by Compact Collection, I do not know the year this was published nor it's source (though the name Betty Russell is printed on the page).

crochet cradle purse
Originally uploaded by wendycohoon

Wendycohoon crochets over a vinegar bottle base.

Using loom squares

I posted recently about making your own loops (from t-shirts) for a handheld loom, and here are some examples of what you can make




Weaving designs are posted on my Woof Nanny blog.

These are from vintage craft booklet, The Nelly Bee Loom Weaving Designs, 1945.
Who knew?!

T-Shirt Scrap Bag

t shirt scrap bag
Originally uploaded by inventacharm

(click on image to see detail)

t shirt scrap bag
Originally uploaded by inventacharm

How To: (by Inventacharm)
1.gather lots of different old t shirts or t shirt material.

2.first cut two big pieces for the front and back, regular tote size. (btw i didn't line the bag so i only used these pieces for the bag)

3.cut a bunch of stripes from all the different material. same width as the two main pieces. length depends on how long you want the fringe to be. mine were about 4-5in.

4. starting from the bottom sew stripes of fabric to big bag square piece. as you go make sure they overlap. repeat with other bag square.

5.sew the two main pieces facing the wrong side (what will be your inner bag) leaving top side open. make sure you tuck in any piece of stripe fabric peekin from underneath before you do this.

6.turn bag inside out.

7.cut all stripes to make fringes

8.make strap for bag. sew to the sides of the bag. (just like any other bag really)

**to make flower/puff ball/whatever you wanna call it

all i did was make a bunch of little stripes of different color t material and glued it on corner of the bag . keep gluing the stripes in different angles on top of each other until it looks like above. i used a glue gun for this.

it looks kind of funky and messy in the end but i guess that's what i like about it.

Flashbags

Off theme, but I discovered this company called Flashbags (wearable art handbags) that I think deserves a plug.

They can take your OWN photo images (how fun it that?!) and craft a tote from it,
or you can choose one of the designs they have available, such as this sea turtle by Don King


They also have famous art works from museums, and are partnered with several non-profit organizations if you want to work with them for a fund raiser.

Read more here, from a feature story published in the summer issue of Vermont Life Magazine.

Details

Since t-shirt fabric is knit, that stretch can be challenging to work with.
There's no reason, however, it can't be stabilized with interfacing and used like a woven.
Saltygal has a great example of applique on a tote.

Something like this would be a fun way to focus on some of the great images on tees.

Consider collage also.
Patchwork.
Embellishment with embroidery.
Pleating.
Any other ideas??? Go for it!

Tutorial for a T-shirt bag

Thanks to a suggestion from Meggiecat, I was able to retrieve this tutorial that I thought was deleted.

I like this bag by Craft_Wiki because it's a bit larger, with a flat bottom.
Check out how the neck opening is now the top opening for the bag.


This tutorial appeared on Craftacular in January 2007:

I made this bag out of some free t-shirts that were being handed out at a convention I attended. It's a nice size tote that is perfect for holding my knitting. I didn't line or interface my bag, so I'm careful not to load it up with heavy things.

This is more of a step-by-step of how I did it, rather than how to make your own. I just made it up as I went along.

Materials:
2- Tshirts (you could probably get by with just one, if you wanted) The size of the shirts depends on the size of the purse you want. Look at the neckhole to get a rough idea of the final size
Normal sewing supplies

Optional:
Interfacing
Lining fabric

I didn't line my bag, but I imagine you can figure out how to do it. Cut every t-shirt piece in the lining fabric and use the interfacing to stablize it.

Instructions:
1. Cut the t-shirt into a trapezoid around the neckhole. The neck won't be exactly on top, but rather pointing a little bit toward the front. The picture shows what it looks like when you unfold it.


2. Use the trapezoid to measure the size of the side pieces. I cut them wider on the bottom with a rounded top. I cut this from the second shirt.

3. Pin on the sides, and sew them to the front/back piece.


4. Measure the size of the rectangle for the bottom of the bag, and cut it from the left overs of the first t-shirt.

5. Pin and sew in the bottom.

6. Flip the bag right side out.

7. Cut off the bottom (the seam) of the second shirt. Then cut a strip about four inches wide.

8. Sew it along the side to make the handle. Turn it right side out.

9. Tuck the ends of the handle back inside (this will hide the edges), and sew the handles to the back of the bag (the shoulder blades, if you will). Make sure you stitch this well.

That's pretty much it. Not the clearest instructions, but that is more or less what I did.

More ideas

Wow, there are a lot of fun ideas out there!
When you find an online tutorial you like, be sure to copy it right away.
Sadly, so many sites disappear quickly.
I had several links saved that I was going to share with you, but they are no longer valid. Bumer.

This bag is so nicely done (by Ms. Ellemvee).
The yellow portion was a Blondie T-shirt.
This recently sold in in Ellemvee's Etsy Shop.


I can't get the photo to load, but check out the
Tropical tote by CarrieMe.

Here's an awesome video tutorial by Cara Hall, on how to make a rag rug.
I'm thinking you could make small panels and stitch them together into a tote???

Book inspiration

You can find inspiration in some DIY-style books.
This cute "Rock the Tote" is from Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt, by Megan Nicolay.

Also this hobo they call "Bag Lady", made from two tees.


Make simple bags, shown in Sew Subversive: Down & Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista, by Stitch Lounge (Melissa Rannels, Melissa Alvarado, Hope Meng).

Make your own potholder loops with old T-shirts***Tutorial

Make your own potholder loops with old T-shirts***Tutorial
Originally uploaded by bbmarie

If you don't know how to crochet or knit, you can always make loops from t-shirts and weave the loops on a potholder loom!
How fun is this?
Tutorial included (just click on the photo to go to the flickr page).

I'm not sure if you need to be a member of Flickr.com to view this.
If you do, it's super easy to join--and it's free.

Somewhere I have a vintage booklet where all the little potholder squares were sewn together to make a purse.
I'll look around for it and post the pics when I find the booklet.

MighTee fine inspiration

This bag recently sold at Spiceyart's Etsy shop
Her blog, Keetsa.
Note she not only pieced shirts, she also stenciled and stamped upon them.
Aah, we're a long way from sewing up a rectangle, eh? Yep, that's what I'm talkin' about!

I love this one on Craft Juice too.

This one is currently still available for purchase at Heidi Monkey's Etsy shop.

Now this is a fun idea:
Cara Johnson of This Recycled Life, used tees to applique flowers and stems onto a bag.

So cute!
She is working on a pattern to sell in her Beautiful Garbage Etsy shop, so keep an eye out.

The great thing about t-shirts is that cut edges don't have to have finished edges--knit fabric doesn't ravel.
Of course you can turn under or use decorative stitches to finish if you want to.
I mean, you can do anything you want to do.
That's the beauty here.
But consider taking several shirts and using pieces here and there.
Consider embellishing with paint or ink or embroidery.
Let your imagination go for it!

Just what is this blog anyway?

In case you're new to this blog, let me just explain what's going on here.
This blog is a reference for lots of tutorials and purse-related websites (the entire sidebar is filled with links), but it is also a challenge.
Every two months, I post a theme and ask readers to make a bag per the theme.
Participants send me a jpg image via email, and I post all the pics on Flickr.com, in hopes we are inspired and motivated by one another.
This challenge idea is based on the apron challenges introduced by Tie One On.

Tie One On does not offer a prize, but she garners lots of interest and participation.
I have had some difficulty inspiring people to play along here, so I have started offering prizes.

The theme for each challenge is posted at the top of the sidebar.
I aim to get people to try new ideas, to step outside the box creatively, and maybe learn something along the way.

Who said your tee had to be flat?

The current challenge is to make a purse or tote or bag (whatever shape or size) from one or more t-shirts.
Helloooo--this doesn't mean you're limited to sewing squares.

You can always cut tees into strips and make 'yarn' for crocheting or knitting.
Yep.

Lettie of Polka Dot Pineapple was nice enough to allow me to post her tutorial.
Just please keep this for your own use, okay?

She says you can really move this along if you use a rotary cutter.

She crochets rugs and trivets, but I know this can make great bags too.

Jana posted a similar tutorial on eLoomanator.
The method of cutting yields one long spiral strip (versus tying small pieces together).
She says she can get 20 to 30 yards of 'yarn' from one tee!

Read both tutorials and see which you prefer.
I figure the more information, the better.
I am thankful for both posts.

Please see the tutorial links I have listed in the sidebar of this blog under 'crocheted' and 'knitted'.
I would think this idea (using tees for yarn) would work especially well with projects intended from plastic bag 'yarn'.
For example, The Round Bottom Plastic Bag Tote from Marlo's Crochet Corner would be adorable done in tees.


Cindy from My Recycled Bags is amazingly generous with
her patterns, a number of which could work with tee yarn.
How about this shoulder bag?


Inspired?
I certainly am.

Visual Inspiration!

I don't know about you, but I get ideas and inspiration from checking out what other people have made.
Then my ideas just domino from there.
I love the hand-stitched details on this bag.
Crispin Bixler, purse from an Urban Outfitters t-shirt


Lots of inspiration on Flickr.com (links will take you to their Flickr pages)
Tinkerbell bag from Purseonality Bags
She sells her bags in her etsy shop


Wired Ware bag from Puck-Man


Cannoli Backpack from Fisheye3
It's for sale in her etsy shop


Fun bag posted by Gutstrings (see design info on flickr page link)
Note the ruffling and the zipper--this is a perfect example of thinking outside the box.


I love this Cherry Bomb bag by Trendy Wendy Crafts.
Note the hardware on the handles

Simple T-shirt Bag (video tutorial)

Thank you to ThreadBanger and Tiny Happy.

Tutorial

IMG_4802
Originally uploaded by smallyellowfish

This cute bag, posted by SmallYellowFish, is made from a tee shirt .

What makes this design different is that the sides of the tank top are shifted to become the front of the bag, then the sleeves become the handles.

The post on Flickr.com has a link to a tutorial.
You can garner a lot of information just from the pictures, but the text is in Greek.
Just use Babelfish to translate the text into English.

Finally, a new gallery and a new theme (with a great prize!)

Okay, I'm at a client's house so I have access to a computer.
Well, unfortunately the last challenge only brought forth three entries.
Sigh...
It was really difficult to choose a winner, but I did promise to offer a prize this time, and I can't afford (I wish I could) to send prizes to all three.

So I decided to give Kara the prize this time.


I am sending items that I think can be useful in purse-making: bodkins for lacing ribbons or elastic through casings, a marking pen, a magnetic clasp, and a purse-shaped cookie cutter (everyone needs a little sugar for energy).

The gallery is up on Flickr.
I want to thank all three of these ladies for offering continual support to this blog.

Okay, now for a new theme.
Let's try this one more time, shall we?
Tell all your friends--let's get some response this time, okay?

Summer is coming and we could all use some little beach bags, gym bags, or quick and easy projects.
The new theme is Tee Shirts!
Yep, recycle a tee or several tees into a bag.
And I don't mean simple squares--please try to think outside the box.
Send me a jpg of your bag to my email at barbian7(at)yahoo(dot)com.
You have until the end of June.
I will post a new gallery July 1.

For example, Smashley Bug made this adorable bag from two shirts--the main bag portion is from a tee, and the handles are from a tank top.


It's a great way to memorialize a tee you have sentimental attachment to, but it no longer fits or it's worn in places.
I'll try to find more examples to inspire you.

Pfeffermint_ish has a great tutorial for her yellow bag on Craftster that you might want to try.


And yes, I'll offer a prize to someone too--a tee from Threadless!

Where are you?

I am having some computer problems, so the current challenge will have to be extended another week or so.

That gives you more of you an opportunity to participate!

I have not, surprisingly, received many entries.
I have gotten several emails stating interest, but not completed projects.
If I do not receive more entries, I will have to discontinue this blog.
I think this is a great site with tons of info, but if people aren't participating in the challenges, I should be focusing my energy elsewhere.

Call for submissions

This from Stampington.

How do you carry it? That’s the question Somerset Studio would like to help answer through our new and exciting special publication titled Haute Handbags.
Whether we use purses, clutches, totes, portfolios, sacks, bags, or attachés, there are many styles made with an astounding array of materials emerging from all corners of the creative world – all vying to be carried and used with style.

You are welcome to construct a bag from scratch, or to purchase one that you embellish and alter with paints, beads, rubber stamps, ribbons, buttons, transparencies, and more.
(ahem, it sounds like the current Purse Project challenge....)

No medium or material is ruled out so use your imagination to make bags of leather, wool, fabric, paper, plastic, wood, glass, or any other materials that you love.

Deadline for artwork to be received: Bi-annually every November 15th, and May 15th.

Designer Spotlight: Enid Collins

Enid Collins designed whimsical purses, from 1959 to 1970 (when the company Collins of Texas was sold to Tandy Leather Corporation).
This wooden box purse is called 'Night Owls'

'For the Birds'

'Cock O' the Walk'


I'm more drawn to the wooden purses, and considering I just chose all birds themed ones, I guess I'm drawn to those too.
But there are several popular themes, including love, money, and astrological signs.

She made several cute bucket designs too.
I'm not sure of the year on this one, but from what I can tell it's called 'Cable Car'


This is a later model, Collins of Texas bag called 'Aces High'.
I like the cylindrical shape


Collins' bags included sequins, painted designs, and novelty sayings.
The bags are often dated and signed, and usually include the design name also.
According to Cool Old Stuff, bags signed with a lowercase 'ec' or 'e' were made during Enid Collins tenure.
Bags with a capital 'C', or labeled 'Collins of Texas' (without Enid's name anywhere) are less valuable as they are Tandy bags.

In the late 1960's, do-it-yourself kits were sold, called Sophistikits.
These are also not as valuable.
More info, from Sweetheartville.

The theme for this month's challenge is to refashion a readymade bag.
I've mentioned ideas including mosaic, and painting.
What a perfe