It’s been quite a while…I hit a serious creative block after months of burning the midnight oil and the seemingly endless Chicago winter. It was all I could do to keep myself sane! It was one of those blocks when nothing seems to come out right, your fingers are clumsy and your brain feels like it’s going to bleed out of your ears if you have to think too hard. Needless to say I needed a fresh perspective so I took a trip to Puerto Rico to bask in the sun and feel the sand between my toes. When I returned I began to wonder if I had completely killed every creative bone in my body as I still couldn’t stand the sight of my sewing machine and the thought of being trapped indoors was a bit daunting. I spent some time gardening and sure enough I was bitten by the creative bug once again!

Though I have been a lifelong fan of enormous bags I decided to embrace the idea that less is more and make some fun summer clutches. There seems to be so much less stuff to lug around in the sunshine, a pair of shades, lip gloss and some plastic are all a girl needs!

I really love clear lucite accessories but I wasn’t sure how I would like the idea of a clear handbag. I decided to experiment with two different ideas using black mesh window screen for one and circular mirrored tiles and gems for the other. The idea of being able to see all the contents of your bag with just a hint of privacy is actually pretty user friendly. And they are extra handy if you are out and someone spills a drink on your bag since you can clean it up in a snap with a paper towel. I also loved mine at the pool it compliments most bathing suites and adds that little something special.

As we all know denim is super-hot right now and I do love some jeans but sporting any variation on the  “Canadian Tuxedo” is a big no-no! I guess you could say I like denim as an accent and that goes for for handbags to. Huge denim bags can get tacky but a clutch can compliment your favorite jeans or adds a casual twist when dressing up. My denim design came from a pair of recycled jeans that I treated with a bleach wash and added a distressed screen printed graphic and some over-sized gems. The inside has a spacious pocket and clear ID card holder with Velcro on the inside flap so you can easily flash that ID without hassle.

I found some delicious micro-suede and though suede is often thought of as a fall textile the juicy colors totally remind me of summer. The Emerald City Envelope Clutch is simple and bright…perhaps the perfect bag for your trip down the yellow brick road.

And since function can be fashionable I made a pouch, well clutch, or is it a shoulder bag? Whatever it is it’s very transitional. It assembles or disassembles into three different bags using metal clips. The long strap can be worn over your shoulder or across your body and it comes off completely. You can then transform the bag into a small shoulder bag with the  short chain strap or connect both sides of the short chain strap to one clip and carry it as a wristlet. However you wear it it’s the color of Orange Crush and just as tasty!

All four of these bags are one of a kind and will be available tomorrow on my Etsy Shop but I will happily accept additional requests or customizable options just send me an e-mail!