New Leather Earrings

I've been experimenting with different ways to use scrap pieces of leather and create some new earrings for my shop. This one is a really fun one, I like it. I am already thinking of necklaces and different color combos, possibly adding fabric into the mix.

Ladybugs!!

I've been pretty busy. Not much time to blog lately, but here is a peak at what I have been working on. My mother in law is crazy for ladybugs and I have been inspired by her lately. So lots of ladybugs will be arriving in the next few weeks, I am so excited! A photograph I took a few years ago of a ladybug in my garden.




And some photos of cases I've created.......
Stay posted for some new bags. Some of the first ladybug bags I have ever created are making a comeback!

Featured on Jumping Jack Designs Blog

Please stop by Jumping Jack Designs and see the nice post that she put together featuring some of her favorite pencil cases. You must stop by and visit some of the Etsy sellers in this one, there are some really good ones. My favorite one is the carrots!! and the cat! It blows my mind at how creative some people are! Click on the graphic to visit her blog

LEATHER - Small Raspberry Red Rose Purse with Leaf Accents

My latest leather bag made from strips of leather sewn in a circular pattern. This is my first one in leather in this style. Look for more coming soon.

This one is available in my online shop for $56 + 5.40 shipping. Purchase through Etsy or uses Paypal and buy direct from me.

Gift certificates are now available on my website
at www.uniquehandbags.net/gift.html

VINYL - Metallic Teal Rose Shoulder Bag

I have been working on some random things for my shop. The weather has been so beautiful, I dont want to be inside sewing. But I must! Must keep on creating. When I cant be with the flowers outside, bring them in right! Here is yesterdays creation inspired by roses! I used some teal blue green metallic vinyl and cut it into strips and attached in a circular pattern. I love the texture that showed up with it, the background already has some texture, so it worked out very nicely. I will be working on more colors in upholstery and a mixture of other fabrics. Leather is also coming soon! Right now this one is listed at $55 + shipping.

Handmade Applique Zippered Cases

I haven't posted in a few days, I've been busy with the kids and took a day off for my birthday on Friday. Its been nice to just take it easy and has allowed me to get some things done around the house that I have been putting off. Today I am back to work, working on a bag for a charity and designing some new cases. Here are the latest few that I posted over the weekend. These were fun to create, just taking random pieces of scrap fabrics and designing as I go. No definate plan in my mind for each of them, and I am happy with the results. They are now listed in my etsy shop for sale. They are each $28 +2.5 shipping. Tracking and delivery confirmation included in the US.

New Eyeglass Cases

Something that my shop has been missing are a few eyeglass cases. Of course they would also be great for cosmetics or id, money and cards as well. I will be making some of these with inside slip pockets this weekend and staying within the same design range but will be changing the colors out for more variety. If you want to see this case in my shop you can view it here

Photo Challege to Applique

Have I officially lost my mind?! I am beginning to think so. This is more of a meditative thing for me than anything. I do challenge myself and take on way more than I should at times, but the great part about that is I am constantly learning. I am to create a bag using all scraps, using painting and stitching for details and accents. I hope this turns out and doesn't end up in the trash. So far I am liking it. The story on this challenge is that I received an e-mail this morning from National Geographic and photos of cherry blossom trees, I loved this photo the most and wanted to create something using it as a inspirational tool. I am still in the process of rearranging and cutting out the artwork so lots may change between this photo and the next. More progress photos coming soon.

Red Blossom Tote

Just listed a few minutes ago. I was thinking of a cherry blossom tree when I created this one. This one just sort of developed as I went. I started cutting scrap pieces of dark green leather for the branches and then continued with the flower petals. This is the type of thing that I really like, utilizing the tiny scraps of leather and making flowers out of them. Its fun to see the final result.

Newest Creation ~ Zipper Top Blossom Totes

Its been awhile since my last posting. Things have been a little hectic lately, I have been searching for a job and doing some freelance photography on the side as well as all the normal everyday things that come along with life and having a family. I am going through some interesting changes in my life right now and wonder how it will all work out, I battle with the thoughts of quitting my art and moving into something full time. But I know that whatever I do, I must not quit my art, Really! I have done it before and its not something that can be quit. Its part of me. I don't feel complete without it. Well enough of my rambling on about things....Breathe!! Here is a photo of my most recent work, which I just love! I will be creating a variety of these in different colors and random scenes. The first one I created is in a beautiful yellow upholstery fabric which has a very heavy weave texture to it. I cut some orange leather flower petals and applied them to the background and used contrasting yellow thread to sew them down. This one is now available in my shop here. uniquehandbags.etsy.com

Last night I started working on a red flower tote using a green upholstery background. I will post the final photos later today.
This is a progress photo which gives you an idea of the colors and what the bag will look like.

Random Tote From Scraps

I wanted to utilize some of the brown vinyl scraps left over from the latest sunflower tote bags I made and decided that the vinyl would make a great looking tree. The waffle weaved pattern gives it some interesting texture. I am also digging into more tiny scraps cutting leaves and flowers and a couple of birds. I will begin machine applique some time today. If the wind would lighten up some more, I may be spending some time out in the garden cleaning things up and transplanting some of my perinnials. Progress photos coming soon:)

GROW Sunflowers Tote in Progress

Here is a picture of the final tote from yesterday(left). It is now listed in my Etsy shop for sale. It is priced at $98 + 9.85 for priority 2-3 day shipping. (Optional 4.95 for 5-7 day shipping). I am working on another sunflower tote bag today(right) This one says GROW. I just finished laying the artwork in place and will now begin machine applique around each tiny 1/2 inch leather flower petal and the small letters.