Indigo blue

I've just added this pretty clutch bag to my Etsy store. It's something that would work just as well with a pair of jeans as with a cocktail dress, and I love the simplicity of the outside, combined with the brilliant flash of magenta lining when the bag is opened. The hot pink makes it easier to find items in your purse too!

You can find more clutch bags here.

Jewel tones

I recently added this rather juicy clutch bag to my Etsy store. I love the vibrancy of the pink rose against the bright green and decided to use a rich pink cotton as the lining of the bag, to compliment the rose.

You can find it here.

Obi heaven

I have only recently got into buying the obi fabrics. The obi is the 'belt' that goes around the kimono and is usually very bright, often with a heavy gold element. It wasn't until I bought one and made it into a clutch bag, that I realised how fab it looks as a smaller piece and looks stunning as an evening bag. 

The other day, a friend of mine took me to the wholesale area of Tokyo and we were ushered into a warehouse (after taking our shoes off of course), where there were hundreds of obi and kimono to choose from. I came out with a rather lovely bunch of items and here are just a few of them.

Terracotta and Green

I have just added these juicy clutch bags to my Etsy store.

I love making all my bags, but have especially enjoyed making these ones, which are a combination of obi and kimono fabrics that I have collected from antique markets around Tokyo. The obi is the sash worn around the kimono and is usually woven or embroidered in vibrant colors. These ones have an amazing shot of gold design to add a bit of bling. 

You can see them here.

Heavy Gold

I have a pile of obi at home. Obi is the sash worn with kimonos and is often heavily woven or embroidered and in beautiful rich colors. I have never quite know what to do with them and think the heavy gold has put me off a tad, but the other day I got brave and tried making some into clutch bags. The result is quite blingy, but I have to say, I rather like them! It will be interesting to see what other people think of them........

Keeping It Dark

I have been coveting this fabric for a while and love its haunting ethereal feel, I'm just not sure what I would do with it - quite different in feel to the fresh leafy creations by Ella Doran that I mentioned in an earlier blog. Maybe the rain is taking its toll on me.

This fabric is designed by Larsen and is called "Wind". Larsen draws inspiration from textile traditions from around the world, using traditional and modern weaving techniques to create unusual pocket weaves, printed velvets, silks and sheers as well as wallpapers.