How It All Started
My love affair with handbags first began when I was very little and would explore my mother's closet filled with mysterious items and wonderful smells. Deep in the recesses of this dark playground, I found purses that contained treasures such as old lipstick, change, and pieces of paper with remanents of my mother's life outside our home. If I could deciper these clues, would I be able to understand her and penetrate the barrier that separated adult from child?

The Progression
As I turned from child to young teenager, I lusted for everything that girls want - to be like my peers with nice clothes and leather handbags. This was not to be so I settled for clothes my mother made me and matching purses, which I did not appreciate because it was "handmade".

I did a little sewing during these teenage years but to embrace making my own things was being like my mother and rebellion forbade me taking that path.
Now that I am fully matured (or as much as I plan to be!), I look at the handbags I still have that she made and wonder at their beauty.Each bag was lovingly made to match my clothing - my personal favorite was a bermuda bag purse pattern with a plastic handle complete with hummingbird decorations. I now fully embrace the special heritage I have been given through generations dating back to the Civil War, when my great-great grandfather made shoes. How can I deny these genes?

Here I am today and one of my biggest hopes is that you enjoy my bags as much as I loved making them!
Thanks!
Henrietta