Holiday Purses

Everyone needs a cute little number for that 'little black dress'. Please let me know if you have a special occasion you need that perfect purse for. Special orders are my "speciality". thanks for viewing my blog and any and all comments are appreciated. Until next time...happy shopping!

Helen's Handbags @ Etsy

The elves are busily working around the clock, getting all the final touches on the holiday purses. These unique bags will be sure to turn heads, so make sure your letter to Santa gets sent in on time for the December 25th delivery!! To order any of these purses, please contact me through my website at www.myhelenshandbags.com or email me at helenshandbags@rcn.com if these purses are not yet available on the web site.

You can also shop Helen's Handbags @ Etsy

Sneak Peek at the Fiber Arts Festival handbags

My Pfaff has been working overtime these days, getting all geared up for the Fiber Arts Festival in Sherborn, Sat. Nov. 8th, from 10-4. For exact address, go to my website: www.myhelenshandbags.com, under Studio and Events. Hope to see you there! Here is just a sample of some of the fun stuff you will be able to buy there at Helen's Handbags booth.

I am now incorporating sweaters, men's wool scarves and silk ties, as well as paisley velveteen pants into one, bodacious bag. The beautiful textures and colors are so delicious..you may have to buy more than just one!!

Stay tuned....more to come this week.

Helen's Hint for the day: Every time you start to feel a little stressed....take a moment to smile and take a deep breath. You will be amazed at how much more relaxed you feel once you change your facial expression. Who knows? Someone may even smile back!!

Fall into Fashion 2008

Very exciting news to share: www.myhelenshandbags.com is up and running and within the next few days, you will be able to design your own handbag and customize everything from the outside and inner fabric to the strap and hardware. So fun!!
Behind the scenes: We have been very busy, or should I say, Marie and her daughters have been very busy posing for our new look for the homepage. I would love it if you would add your comments and specify which pose you like the best(these are not edited yet). I am taking any and all input to make this the best website ever!
thanks for you help. Just list which number in your comments: #1 top, #2 middle, #3 Bottom. If you click on a picture it will link you into my shops on etsy and website.
Helen
Don't forget Open Studios in Natick this weekend, Oct. 4th and 5th, from noon-5, all studios will be open for visitors and what a show we have in store. Come by 3 Adams St. and we will WOW you with the vibrant energy going on there! Visit www.natickopensutdios.org
To arrange an appointment to visit 3 Adams Studio, please email me at helenshandbags@rcn.com and I will be happy to accommodate you.

Blue Suede Purse

You really do need a blue suede purse to go with those BLUE SUEDE SHOES... altered clothing at its best!! Beautiful cobalt blue suede skirt transformed into a gorgeous handbag with silver leather belt embellishment down the front. Very classy and so in style this Fall, you can carry this with just about everything.
This can be purchased either on etsy.com or my studio at 3 Adams St. Natick, MA. The website www.myhelenshandbags.com will also be carrying this as well under ONE OF A KIND handbags.
A new boutique in Natick, MA, called Coral has just opened and has some really beautiful clothing, and a few coordinating handbags as well. Ask for Maureen and tell her Helen sent you.
Five Crows on Court St. in Natick, is the store to go to for one of a kind handmade gifts, about 90 artists under one roof...you have to go check it out..until next time.. carry it creatively.

Mad for Plaid

The new website, http:// http://www.myhelenshandbags.com/ , is now LIVE !!! Check it out by clicking on the address. The interactive portion of DESIGN YOUR OWN is not quite ready but should be in a few days, which will allow you to be the designer and give you the power to create your own one of a kind handbag. You choose the style from the 13 options shown and then choose the fabric from the 60 swatches available for now.. even choose the lining, straps, ribbon (optional) and your brand new bag will be made just for you in a few weeks.!! You also have the option to buy ready made or One of a kind.. which are designs that are not shown in the 13 options, and have an unusual or limited fabric availability and not usually duplicated exactly.

The olive and red plaid messenger shown above was just created yesterday, using again, a boiled wool jacket front for the inside flap, which turns into a secret hideaway zippered pocket, and the front pocket on the front of the bag under the flap. This will be going on etsy very soon, so check out the new listings there, as well.

Remember.. all these can be seen in "person" next weekend, Oct. 4 and 5 from noon-4 at 3 Adams St. Natick , during Open Studios.

Asian Delight..Take out anyone??

Back to my altered clothing purses...I had mentioned you would be seeing something soon that I had created with jackets! Here it is!! Inspired by the lush black and red velveteen in this delightful jacket, with a few cuts here, and a nip and tuck there....ooh lala, you now have a dainty little purse to carry out for the evening. What fun!

Again, this can be purchased on etsy.com and in the very near future, you will be the first to know when http://www.myhelenshandbags.com/ website goes LIVE !!

Until then.... more fun bags to come.

Hints from Helen: If you ever feel the need for a little pick me up.... which we all do occasionally, you have to come visit 3 Adams St. and see what is happening there... all of the artists are just buzzing around getting everything in order for our HUGE Open Studios in Natick.. Oct. 4 and 5,

from noon - 5 PM... check out the website http://www.natickopenstudios.org/ and do try to come by for a visit that weekend. I promise you will leave so inspired from all the vibrant energy in the building, you will have to find something to create yourself!

Very Juicy Couture

Like I said, sometimes the inspiration comes from something as simple as a magazine ad. After seeing this ad in the very fashionable pink and yellow colors, I thought of my crocheted flowers that have been sitting in my studio waiting to be adorned on a cute bag. Well....tadaa...the juicy couture is now a very fashionable tote!! The front is vinyl over paper and the sides and back are very plush velvet in light pink and taupe. The metallic gold straps give the crocheted flowers a little edge, so you can shop in style. My last few days have been very hectic trying to get all the information to my website company to get the site LIVE ! Coming very soon....

Check out the new bags on http://www.etsy.com/ for now.

Hints from Helen: Yellow is really big this Fall.... try adding just one piece of yellow to your accessories and see how happy it makes you feel.

My new TOP SHELF bag

Well, sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration from a magazine..My friend, Ginger brings in clippings whenever she sees something really classy or cool, and of course, I couldn't let this one get by without a little tweaking here and there.
Here is the final result: Black and white classic hounds tooth, paired with luscious green velvet on the sides and down the front, with a shiny black patent leather belt down the mid line of the flap, with just enough yellow ribbon to make it pop!!
Never would have thought of those color combinations, but LOVE the colors and texture with the velvety feel. The lining has a coordinating black/gray hounds tooth and a magnetic closure, all topped off with a black leather belt, of course.
I call this my TOP SHELF because it is a classic and one of a kind, a little more expensive, but oh, so worth it!!Check it out on etsy.com in Helen's Handbags shop.

Wednesday's Bag

Wednesday's Bag: Well I've made handbags out of jeans, both large and small ( the ever so popular booty bags) and I've made handbags out of skirts and pants, and now the first ever Scottish Kilt bag!! My friend and studio mate, Ginger, had a couple of kilts she was trying to figure out what to do with them and we decided this beautiful black and white wool kilt was way to cute to throw out, so we shortened the length and there was just enough left over for a very adorable purse--and so in style this Fall with tartan plaid all the rage. The hot pink lining was necessary for just the right POP, and the black patent embellishment was a must to keep in fashion, although after breaking a few needles trying to sew through all the layers of wool, interfacing, lining, and straps, I have now decided to transform this look and cut off the top hot pink lining that is turned over the outside of the bag and just leave a belted "waist" for a more simple 'look'. Anyway, I am hoping to share more fun projects with you later this week, which include more transformed clothing....wait till you see what I've done with a couple of jackets!!!
More later..until then... a new idea occurred to me: Helen's Hints to go with her Handbags:
Today's hint: Take a deep breath and just BREATHE!! I have to remind myself that all the time, and especially in this craziness of the back to school routine. Fall is a nice time to enjoy the fresh air.

Here is our new Ben-Hur cigar box purse. Now when you are dressing up to go out....don't forget your cute little purse!! This is an original cigar box that is fire engine red with a vintage advertisement from Ben-Hur, embellished with jewel tones on a leather belt for a handle. INside is a nice little surprise with a soft faux fur lining and little compact mirror just the right size to check your matching lipstick.
Keep checking every day for a new cigar box purse....they are just sitting so pretty in my studio at 3 Adams, downtown Natick, ready to be matched up with just the right gal...just like E-HARMONY, only these are much easier to get along with. This sassy little purse can be purchased by clicking on the image, which links you to my ETSY shop, which has a wide variety of my other creations as well.
STAY TUNED... Helen's Handbags new FALL 2008 edition is ready to launch very soon on the new interactive website: myhelenshandbags.com.

Jeans Purse

This newly completed jeans purse is in our studio right now. You can visit us at our Natick location or click on the bag and buy from our online shop.

Visit our shop at Etsy.com follow the link below:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5630139