America's Next Top Model

When I set up the chair to take pictures of this bag, a certain pug kept getting in the shot, mugging for the camera. Tyra banks would have called his pose "fierce."

The bag is a Mothership for Charlotte, who lives in DC and works as a science journalist. The flap is microsuede so it can withstand wet weather, but has a luscious texture. The body of the bag is turquoise Naugahyde. Other details include an adjustable strap and front zipper pocket under the flap. I made a matching zipper case for pens, camera, etc. Otis the Pug not included.

Signal

Kellie from Signal Snowboards commissioned this bag, which features one of her snowboard graphics. I chose to use pink and green accent colors, reversed on the front and back of the bag. I appliqued smaller building images onto the larger graphics, and then layered rows of straight stiching for texture. The solid black portion of the bag is microsuede, and the lining is green with the building graphic repeated on the interior pocket.

http://www.signalsnowboards.com/signal.asp

A is for Apple

I finally found a good home for this puffy red apple patch. Part of the collection of one-off little bags I've been making lately, this wristlet is a little bit silly. Why be serious? The top portion of the bag is glossy Oxblood with a scalloped edge. The bottom and back are dark cherry Naugahyde.

Introducing Suzy Bee

The true fashionista in the Buzard clan, my sister Susannah, thinks dressing casually means wearing a vintage mod frock. Here she is with her new aqua tweed winter coat. Coincidentally, I made her a bag for Christmas that matches the coat (as modeled above).

Noodle's Approval

"My cat Noodle is obsessed with my big laura bee bag -- i'm attaching two photos (the first is blurry). I wonder if there is something about the naugahyde that attracts her -- she tends to hang out very close to the bag at all times. seems like my fondness for handbags has been passed into a different species." - Lisa C., Seattle

Work Ethic

Lately, we've been making a lot of large bags for women to use at work. This photo above shows a version of a new style that I still need to name. The bottom is a lovely glossy deep red with four nickel feet, the top is a dusty vintage-inspired floral fabric.

Our customer loved the rings we use on our Maggie bag, so we added rings and rivets to the straps of her bag - a little urban flair to contrast the romantic fabric choice.

Introducing Phyllis

Beth's been coming to the shop for at least two years. She's one of those great customers that you gradually get to know bit by bit when they come in to browse. Back in December Beth came to a purse party hosted by one of her pals Melissa.

She ordered this bag - one of the styles that we've had in the shop for a while, but that I haven't yet put online. I named the bag Phyllis Flap, because alliteration is fun. (I could go really silly and call it Phyllis Phlap, but that's another story).

Beth's bag has a canvas flap that resembles an abstract modern painting. I found the fabric back in Rochester, NY at the store where I first fell in love with textiles back when I was a kid learning how to sew. The body of the bag is matte espresso Naugahyde, the lining is dusty teal cotton. The silver rings and rivets add a tough, modern edge to Phyllis.

Work in Progress

I love these vintage plastic buckles. I combined the delicious apple green buckle with a wool houndstooth fabric and chocolate grosgrain ribbon. The lining of this clutch will be a bright lime moire.

The oversize black buckle is simple, so I laced it with a wide strip of rich red silk and topstitched it to some salt and pepper silk tweed. When I finish, each of these bags will be a one-of-a-kind clutch with a detachable bangle strap. Stay tuned.

Get Cozy

Ashley and I put together this new collection of pillows yesterday. We had a great time looking through our fabric collection for unique vintage fabrics to frame in soft microsuede trim. The gold and blue pillow above features a center panel of a 1970s era vintage interior design fabric embellished with vintage glass buttons.

The pillow on the right has a cotton/linen blend polka dot fabric that Ali bought at a local estate sale. The orange and green pillow in the top image showcases a fabric that I found in Florida at an antique store in the form of a vintage kimono style dress.

Going to a Garden Party

We're working our our spring line, and it's fun to play with bright, candy colors. We introduced the bubble necklaces in our winter line, and here are new versions for the Garden Party Collection.

So begins the gallery

We took down the pink Christmas tree and put up an icy aqua and turquoise display. Happy 2006.

Coming soon: Odds and ends, quirky little stories, one-of-a-kind purses. Best of all, pictures of you, our dear customers, with your favorite LBD purses, jewelry, etc. (Send them our way. http://www.laurabeedesigns.com)