Chelsea Girl

Usually the Chelsea bag has a glossy solid faux leather bottom and straps. In a recent variation, I made this custom Chelsea with black microsuede for a shop customer. The suede gives the bag a softer feel that complements the pink and red print the customer chose as the accent fabric. The interior is a cherry pink cotton twill.

Adorn your neckline (New for Spring)

Vintage inspired 30 inch faceted bead and patinaed chains. $23

Vintage Love pendants, and wood+glass pendants on faux suede cords. By LBD. $18

Map pendants by Seattle designer Cyn Moore (Cyn City). $20

Reputation

Ashley took this lovely shot of a stack of Luxe bangle clutches. The solid black panel is soft microsuede, and the cream is a delicate lace overlay. Each clutch unzips to reveal a surprise - shiny, rich moire in various colors. Final touches included vintage button embellishments, making each bag one of a kind. These clutches are part of an Black and Cream collection of bags and wallets that we made for Reputation, a clothing boutique in Seattle.

Visit Reputation online and in Wallingford: http://www.shop-reputation.com/

Before and After

With Valentine's Day in the past, it was time to put away the red and pink, and to bust out a display that is bright and cheerful, but still in keeping with the late winter season. Ashley and I based this table, as well as the window display, on the new Sophie bag in the picture above. With shades of red, green, yellow and orange, and glossy espresso trim, the bag is happy yet grounded.

Spring Tease

It's sunny and gorgeous here in Seattle. People are wearing shorts, I kid you not. Never mind that we're still stuck in February. It's never to early to wear fun spring colors, even if you have to layer them under a toasty sweater.

New belts for sale now: http://www.laurabeedesigns.com/category.html?UCIDs=1025725

Belt photo shoot

We were lucky to have a sunny almost spring-like day. So it was time to grab the camera to take some pics of our newest belt styles. (Which I'll post on the website tomorrow.) Here are Otis and Ashley getting a vitamin D infusion.

Store time capsule #1

Going home

We've had so many interesting custom orders at the shop lately. I'm constantly fascinated by the combinations that our customers choose. Some want an every day bag that will go with everything, and others are looking for a punch of color, or to bust out of their all black bag habits. Some people bring their friends to help them choose, and others come alone and treasure the quiet creative time away from kids or job.

This picture shows our full pick-up rack; these bags are waiting to go to their new homes. The bag in front is our new Helen Hobo design with a dusty aqua and red floral cotton crepe on top, and red microsuede on the bottom and strap.

Named for my dear Aunt Helen

Two young women came into the shop a couple of weeks ago and ordered these custom bags. Our newest shape, Helen Hobo is a soft slouchy bag with rounded curves that hug a large inner compartment. Helen is great for travel - it has a zipper closure, and a convertible strap. The left bag shows the 22 inch shoulder option, and the bag on the right demonstrates the 44 inch cross-over feature.

Napster

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.