So Much Leather............So Little Time

I finally organized all of my Leather..... Whew, I have more than I thought. Hubby says I won't live long enough to use all of it. He is probably correct, but I am not going to tell him I agree. Now, my next decision is what coat or jacket to make the next bag from.

Here is a peek at my messy Craft and Sewing Room. I read somewhere that "Creative people are rarely tidy!!" I think I agree. Hard as I try, I can't seem to get my space organized. Part of the problem, is that I have way too much stuff. My fabric stash is a sin. I believe that "She who dies with the most fabric..........wins!!"

I finally did an ABOUT page for my etsy shop. It was fun to think about how I started sewing and creating soooooo many years ago. You can check it out here: Etsy ABOUT page

I plan on doing my first ever "Giveaway" soon.

Christmas Gift for my Granddaughter

A few months ago, I found some junk belts while thrifting. One of them had the cutest sun medallions. One of my granddaughters (19 years) loves Black and anything a little hippie looking. She is a Vegan, so I wouldn't dare make her anything out of Leather.

I made her a Handbag using Black Denim from a thrifted skirt. My hubby drilled holes all around one of the medallions and I added it to the front. I am super happy with how it turned out and sure hope she will like it.

I used the zipper from the skirt for the pocket on the back and added a jute pull with upcycled beads.

Then for an added personal touch, I created a special label for the inside.

Patchwork Leather Handbag

I just finished a Patchwork Leather Handbag for my shop. I wish I had taken a pic of the Jacket before I de-constructed it. It was so 1980's and had such Huge Shoulder Pads!!!! I do remember adding very large Shoulder Pads to all of my clothes, especially Tee Shirts.........sure hope they never come back in style. I wish I could sew faster, but I am such a perfectionist, that it is always a slow run to the finish line. After much trial and error, I finally think I have perfected adding a top zipper.

Each bag I make is different......My inspiration comes from the Coat or Jacket I am working with. I spend a lot of time just staring at the piece before I start constructing the Bag. The Creative process is what I enjoy and if I can make a little money in the process, that is just the icing on the cake.

I also made the cutest little Black and Red double zipper Clutch. I am going to use it for my first ever "Giveaway"........just have to figure out how to do a "Giveaway".

Cutest Scarecrows Ever!!!!

Pendleton is a small town village of 3000 people in Upstate South Carolina. For a few years, they have had a "Scarecrow" contest. They are all over the place and the creativity is amazing. Here are a few pics of some of my favorites. Seeing all of these certainly made me smile. The "Photo Crow" was the winner. The "Cook" was my favorite.

Recycled Leather Handbag Bucket Hobo in by CarolinaPurses on Etsy

Recycled Leather Handbag Bucket Hobo in by CarolinaPurses on Etsy (clipped to polyvore.com)

Recycled Leather Boho Hobo Handbag Large by CarolinaPurses

Recycled Leather Boho Hobo Handbag Large by CarolinaPurses (clipped to polyvore.com)

Thrifted Goodies and Jewelry Makeover

My sweetie and I went out for breakfast on Saturday and of course, we went to a couple of thrift stores. Our Goodwill is my favorite. I came home with 2 pair of shoes, a Carol Little skirt and a London Fog Bright Green Jacket for me. I bought a Leather Coat and a pair of pants for handbags. I also found some odds an ends pictured below......two necklaces, piece of silver chain, belt with a neat buckle, gold buckle and the neatest belt with 3 metal pieces. I guess they are supposed to be the sun. I have absolutely no idea what to do with them, but just had to have them. I am sure they will sit in my stash for a while.

I have already fixed the dark red corded piece. Some of the knots were too small and the beads would not stay put. I painstakingly took it completely apart and re-strung it. I added silver wood beads to the large beads so they wouldn't slip through.

Next, I took the clasp off the black necklace and added a length of the silver chain to make it longer. My next task was how to make a leather flower. After lots of trial and error, I checked out some You-tube videos and finally made one. It was pretty easy, once I figured out how to do it. I will do a tutorial soon. I used a vintage button from my stash for the center and love how it turned out.

Close-up of my "Rose"

 

 

That was my weekend project. I love being retired, am sort of dis-organized..........but never bored.