Galleria of Cigar Box Art
(ContentDesk) July 2, 2004 -- Artistic women and men across the country and around the world have discovered a new way to showcase their talents - the "Cigar Box Purse."
These one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art are considered by many, to be treasured finds and valuable collectibles.Many of these cigar box fashionistas are regular members of a Yahoo Group dedicated to the design and creation of cigar box purses.
The group consists of artists from across the US and other countries, who share their designs, resources, and ideas, so that each artisan can make the most of their unique talents, particularly in their own communities.The Galleria of Cigar Box Art is the brain-child of Marlene Wong-Doutaz, owner and principal designer of Mushu Treasures (http://mushutreasures.com) and was created to give independent artisans the opportunity to display their work, on both a local and national level.
If a customer is interested in buying one of the pieces or placing a special custom order, the independent artist's contact information is listed so that the buyer may contact them directly."There are so many unique talents out there when it comes to cigar box purses. I felt it was important to give artists a forum to showcase their works, who might otherwise go unnoticed," says Wong-Doutaz. "I think visitors to the Galleria will find there's something to suit everyone's tastes."At the Galleria (http://imageevent.com/publicgallery/artsandcrafts/galleria000), visitors can enjoy the many diverse talents of featured artisans.
Each month, the Galleria will feature artists whose hearts have found a home in this art form.This month's featured artists are:ELIZABETH DUNN (EDJY Designs)No stranger to the world of art, this North Hills, California collage artist became fascinated by cigar box purses a few years back after a visit from a college friend. Awed by the overall design and style of the cigar box purse her friend had designed she was determined to create a cigar box purse of her own. Her friend, an artist in her own right, graciously shared the basic materials and technique she used in creating her stunning purses. Dunn's initial efforts were used as samples for teaching classes at local art stores. "But with the support and enthusiasm of Cigar_Box_Purse egroup," says Dunn, "I have a renewed perspective of my unique style of box designs as well as the creative edge they offer, and I embrace those differences.
I enjoy the work I produce and the ability to share it with others."
Dunn's work can be found at local craft fairs, the Galleria of Cigar Box Art, or by email at e-mail protected from spam bots.BARBARA KAUFFMAN (Sunsettimes)Barbara Kauffman of Sunsettimes came upon the idea of designing cigar box purses because of her husband's (a devoted cigar smoker) rapidly expanding cigar box collection. Being an "I can do something with those" type of person she started dabbling with a variety of designs but was afraid to show them to anyone. That all changed after a visit to South Beach, FL with her sister. Barbara designed a purse for her sister as a thank you for the trip. "I mailed it to her and she went ballistic and wanted more," recalls Kauffman.
"Her travels take her to some great locations. She takes my purses with her and markets them wherever she goes."
Kauffman's designs include evening bags, motorcycle styles, sequin and bead designs and unusual scenes. Her purses can be found at the Tinder Box in New Bern, NC, on her website http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7ibf9/sunsettimes2/ and the Galleria of Cigar Box Art. PRU THOMPSON (Purse-a-nally Pru)Pru Thompson of Purse~a~nally Pru was bitten by the creativity bug as a child. "My mother still talks about me as a very little girl sitting on the kitchen floor for hours practicing how to make the perfect bow," says Thompson.
"I love beautiful things...fabrics, ribbons, trims, papers, wood, and beads!" This life-long love has led Thompson to crafting cigar box purses. "I had been looking for something that I could make and sell incorporating the things I love. I did an internet search to see what was out there and cigar box purses kept popping up...I was hooked."
Thompson's purses can be seen in the Galleria of Cigar Box Art and she will have an exhibit at the Creative Craft Fair at Pearkes Arena in her hometown of Victoria, BC on Nov 11-14, 2004. For further information or to purchase one of Thompson's creations, contact her directly at e-mail protected from spam bots.The Galleria of Cigar Box Art ? http://imageevent.com/publicgallery/artsandcrafts/galleria000The_Cigar_Box_Purse_Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the_cigar_box_purse_group/Mushu Treasures (Marlene Wong-Doutaz, Editor) - http://mushutreasures.comCigar Box Diva (Lisa Cody, Editor) ? http://cigarboxdiva.com.
Tote Couture
Handbags, purses, totes, clutches, shoulder bags ? I don't care what you call them, I love them all. I am a handbag addict. I have them in a countless array of styles and colors. Trends come and go, but "tote couture" remains. True handbag fashion is timeless.
It is not about seasonal fads, but about creating a personal style and reflecting your good taste.
A good purse will last not only for this season, but also for years to come.
This means investing in quality bags, taking care of your purses and totes, and shopping for styles that work best for you.Here are a few simple rules:The Person-To-Bag RatioDo not carry a bag that overwhelms your body size. Petite women should not be lugging around oversized bags that slap their thighs because they hang too low from the shoulder. Not only does it look bad, but can be harmful to your lower back if your bag is too big and too heavy for your frame.
Conversely, tall women look silly with a wrist purse.
Purses > Tote Couture
Handcrafted Cigar Box Purses
A cigar box purse is not just a purse; it is a piece of art. A real conversation piece, a cigar box purse has a charm and beauty all its own! Made from authentic cigar boxes, these purses can even feature photos and collages of your family and pets. Many even pay homage to a bygone era with vintage images of advertisements, ladies, dancers and animals.Most cigar box purses still display the wood burned logos on the sides to serve as a reminder of the roots of your beautiful purse. They can also be lined with luxurious fabrics. You can find them with tassels, beads and all sorts of embellishments.
The handles are also numerous in design: beads, bamboo, brass and so much more. These purses are as diverse as the artists that create them!If you would like more information about cigar box purses (http://cigar-box-purses.crazyaboutscrapbooks.com/), be sure...
Handcrafted Cigar Box Purses
Purses > Handcrafted Cigar Box Purses
Is your Authentic Designer Handbag really Authentic?
So, you have just bought a new designer handbag.
Maybe you have had your eye on a Christian Dior Saddle Handbag, or
Gucci Jackie-O that you know your friends will drool over .
You got a huge discount off of the hefty
retail price and you're feeling pretty good about yourself.
But know you are wondering- is my designer handbag authentic.Determining the authenticity on any product can be a little tricky, but if you know the basics, you will be able to spot a fake in just a few seconds.
One of the best ways to ensure your new handbag is authentic is to look
at the bag itself.
Designer handbags are popular and cost as much as they due because first and for-most they are made from quality materials.
Take a good look at the stitching.
There should be no loose or missing stitches, the color of the thread should match the main color of the bag and the stitches should be evenly spaced.
If the handbag...
Purses > Is your Authentic Designer Handbag really Authentic?
Washington, D.C. Purse Designer's Whimsical Handbags "The Next Big Thing" in South Korea
Frankly, My Dear, a Washington, D.C.-based business specializing in whimsical custom purse designs, has teamed up with Bohochild, a South Korean website offering a selection of fashionable, one-of-a-kind handbags from around the globe. More than a dozen Frankly, My Dear Bags ? including such adorable offerings as "A Fish Tale," featuring sushi and miso soup on a funky yellow background ? are now available in the "girly glamour bag" section of www.bohochild.com.According to Soyun Lee, owner of Bohochild and herself a handbag addict, the "truly adorable purses" are sure to be "the next big thing" in her native South Korea. Frankly, My Dear's playful, whimsical designs are also available at www.franklypurses.com. The site features nearly 100 purses, with new handbags being added every week until Christmas. Frankly, My Dear's fun and flirty purses ?...
Washington, D.C. Purse Designer's Whimsical Handbags "The Next Big Thing" in South Korea
Purses > Washington, D.C. Purse Designer's Whimsical Handbags "The Next Big Thing" in South Korea
term life insurance Purses Galleria of Cigar Box Art
GO BIG OR GO HOME!
"Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir your blood...MAKE BIG PLANS. Aim high in hope and work.?" So wrote Daniel H. Burnham in the lastcentury. The big plans are important. They capture your vision.The next step is to break them down into "do-able" chunks, chunksthat can be done in even one day.
That is what gives you adefinite sense of accomplishment, isn't it? The big plans arenecessary, the baby steps, imperative! My daughter shared a marketing tip with me the other day. Shesaid,...
Purses Galleria of Cigar Box Art GO BIG OR GO HOME!
Purses > GO BIG OR GO HOME!
Encouraging Blossoms of Achievement
The tiny dogwood sapling was only a twig when my mother planted it years ago. At age four, with a red wagon and bucket, I was happy to carry water to anything that grew, even to the full grown, flowering apple trees in my grandfather's orchard.Thrilled with the promise of a flowering dogwood, I happily nourished the new sapling with both water and anticipation. Yet weeks later, to my naive impatience, there were no flowers.Greek philosopher Epictetus, said, "No great thing is created suddenly...
Purses Encouraging Blossoms of Achievement
Purses > Encouraging Blossoms of Achievement
New Eerie Entrance (TM) Helps Halloween Hosts Turn Front Storm Door into Handy Candy Dispenser
This Halloween, homeowners can now greet trick or treaters without having to constantly open and close their storm door to pass out candy, thanks to the new Eerie Entrance (TM).The Eerie Entrance serves as a festive Halloween decoration for the front of a home while the die-cut swing-out doors allow Halloween hosts to pop out and distribute candy and treats to hungry costumed ghouls and goblins. Each side of the doors have 1" die ?cut holes that serve as a way to see who is outside and to use...
New Eerie Entrance (TM) Helps Halloween Hosts Turn Front Storm Door into Handy Candy Dispenser
Purses > New Eerie Entrance (TM) Helps Halloween Hosts Turn Front Storm Door into Handy Candy Dispenser
SENATE HEARING CONFIRMS VETERANS FEARS
(Washington, D.C.) - During a recent hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Department of Defense officials admitted for the first time that the Pentagon's secret chemical and biological warfare testing program known as Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD), one of many chemical/biological tests that were part of Project 112, involved human exposures on a scale far greater than originally believed. Potentially thousands of military personnel were exposed to VX and other sarin nerve...
Purses Galleria of Cigar Box Art hearing aid
Purses > SENATE HEARING CONFIRMS VETERANS FEARS