andersonleather.com home page of Anderson Leather Braiding in Bemidji, Minnesota USA
 Here are pictures of the handmade leather shoulder bags that I custom build using braided leather construction. These bags are quite popular. I have now designed it in three sizes ...shown in the picture and thumbnails above. The measurements of them are about as follows. 

 Large -    13" wide by 8" high by 5" 
 Medium - 11.5" wide by 7" high by 4.5" 
 Small -     10" wide by 6" high by 4' 

 The YKK #10 large brass zippers of these bags are about 12", 11", and 10" long respectively. 

 Notice that the straps are all different lengths as well. The most common length of straps are about 32" long - it's the standard shoulder length that I use for many of the styles that I build.  The most common long ones are 48" long, often worn cross body ...over ones head/shoulder. Some are made as short as 20" ...mainly worn over ones forearm. I ask each person that orders what length of strap they want. 

 I feel like I should caution folks about the size of the large bag with this narrow strap. If one needs to carry this bag for a long time it could become sore on your shoulder. One thing I did recently, to help alleviate that, was to use two straps that attached in a different location. There are two pictures of that bag in the 'large' section below. Recently, I thought of a good way to attach a wider/flat strap to these styles. If anybody is interested in that, they can inquire about it. Having said that, most don't seem to care so much, and, they're quite strong anyway. 

 The large brass YKK #10 zippers used are quite strong and, like the bags, long lasting. 

  The cost of these basic bags in the three sizes are $285, $315, and $350 respectively. That price is without any pockets or appliques. Those features need to be discussed to determine the cost of them. 


 Below, the bags are divided into sections according to their sizes. 

These four pictures are of the large version of this bag style. It is two-toned, has a 12"+ large brass zipper (YKK #10), an 8 lace braided strap, with my tri-loop in the upper corner.
This picture shows the pleats in the bottom corners of this bag. Those pleats add the third dimension to this bag.
This two tone leather bag has a Chestnut body and is braided with Rust colored lacing. It has a braided strap and a braided tri-loop on it's side. It also has a large brass zipper closure that has been attached with hand sewing.
A Rust colored leather shoulder bag that is constructed with leather braiding. It has a braided leather strap with tassels hanging from it's ends ...and a braided tri-loop Celtic knot on it's side. The large (YKK #10) zipper is attached with sewing that is done by hand.
This purse was made with a Black leather body that was constructed with two-tone, Black and Chestnut, leather braiding. This includes it's seams, strap, and the capital letter 'L' on it's side. Like all the bags of this style, it has pleats in it's bottom corners that give it dimension.
This small bag has a Mahogany colored leather body and a zipper closure. The braided seams and strap were done with Mahogany and Chestnut colored leather ...as is the 'J' applique on the side of it.
handcrafted shoulder bags custom made using braided leather including an eight strand strap and large brass zippers.
purses and handbags home page of Anderson Leather Braiding in Bemidji, Minnesota USA
This Mahogany colored bag has a Zia sun applique that I designed - it's a symbol of New Mexico ...on their flag, license plates, flag, etc. The 8 strand braided strap has short tassels hanging from the ends of it.
This shoulder bag is built using braided construction. It had an 8 strand braided strap with 8 tassels hanging from the ends of it.
 These smallest bags also have the pleats on the bottom corners and the large brass zippers that I use on most all of my work. As with all my bags - I will make the strap on it any length one wants. The base cost of one this small size is $285.00 - added features will have some additional cost. Click on the images for larger views. 
The bag is entirely made with Cream leather. It has a pretty short strap that has quite short tassels.
This small shoulder bag was made with Mahogany leather. It's seams are braided, as is it's 8 strand strap that has short tassels hanging from the ends. There is a capital 'J' braided on the side of it.
It's always nice to hear how pleased folks are with their purchase. This two toned bag has a single wide pocket on it - over 8" wide at the top by over 5" high. A 32" long strap.
 Dear Dave, 
 I have been truly enjoying my new purse for these past couple of weeks.  Let me say that the workmanship, craftsmanship, and attention to detail is incredible.  I am so happy that I took the chance and ordered from you.  Your numerous e-mails explaining minute details and your willingness to accommodate my needs of an extra pocket on the Sennit bag, insures that this is a perfect purse for me. 
 My experience in ordering from you has been a pleasant one, and I will definitely be ordering from you again.  Mark me as a very satisfied customer and know that I have been giving out your web site address to the many individuals who have asked about my beautiful bag.  Clear Skies, Barb 
This dark brown and mahogany colored bag has my tri-loop braided applique on one side.
 This bag was built with my two darkest colors 
 Brown and Mahogany 
This two tone leather purse is built with my Mahogany and Rust colors. It has a front pocket that is divided to two pockets - both of them are still quite large pockets - each of them about 4" wide by near 5" high.
Pictured here are the usual three sizes of this style of purse that I offer. Sometimes, when only having the picture to look at, I can mix up just what size it is. Below are some pictures to help folks see the different sizes that they are. Because I build purses one at a time and promptly send them out when I finish them, I was glad to have these three available at the same time to get this picture. It shows how different they can be built. Such as: different sizes, color combinations, strap lengths, pockets, appliques, strap tassel lengths, etc. There are other different combinations to build these than are shown in this picture ...as I often do.
A side view of three sizes of this style.
The three sizes beside two cans of cola.
The three sizes with (36" and 18") rulers next to them.
 These clickable pictures show a closer view of the features of this bag/style. 
 This two-toned (Mahogany and Rust) leather purse has a pocket on one side that is divided - another pocket could be put on the inside of this bag using the same braid as this outside pocket. Either of these pockets could be divided or not. Folks should specify how long they would like their fringe/tassels to be. I suggest they go long - it's nice fringe. On the ends of this braided strap they are near 10" long. 
 Some, like below, have short tassels on the ends of the 8 lace round braided leather strap. 
 The medium sizes of these shoulder bags. 
 The small sizes of these shoulder bags 
 These two pictures are the opposite sides of the same bag. It has two straps (with quite long fringe) that are attached in a different location ...and, pockets on each side of it. On one side the pocket is divided into two pockets. 
The other side of this bag where a similar pocket is divided into two smaller ones - each one is 4" wide at the top by 5" deep
 This is the front and back of the same bag. 
On this side of the bad is a fairly wide pocket attached with braiding.
This view shows a better look at the strap attachment ...and the large brass zipper.
This view of a lower corner of the bag shows the pleats that form the third dimension of it.

The bag of this medium size purse is done with two colors - dark Brown and Rust (pocket). The 8 strand braided strap and the tassels are done with four colors - dark Brown, Mahogany, Rust, and Pearl.
Here's a black bag and a Mahogany/Rust bag that have similar straps of four colors.
 This nice two tone medium bag, in all three pictures, has my tri-loop applique on one side and a single large pocket on the other side. 
If these two bags were in pictures by themselves, I'd guess that they were opposite sides of the same bag. However, that can't be when they're in the same picture. :) Often, I do make purses with an applique on one side and a pocket on the other side.
This Black bag has a braided circle applique on the side of it. 8 tassels hang from each end of the 8 lace braided strap. A leather lace is also attached to the zipper slide.
This Mahogany colored leather bag has a large #10 YKK zipper that has leather attached to the slide. It has braided seams and an 8 strand braided strap that has short tassels hanging from it.
These two pictures are of a small Mahogany colored leather shoulder bag with seams that are elaborately braided. It has an 8 strand braided strap with 8 long tassels that hang from each end of it. It has a two-toned Celtic tri-loop knot braided on the side of it.
This picture shows it's rather large pocket braided on the other side of it. It closes with a large brass YKK #10 zipper that is attached by hand sewing it with 5 ply bees waxed nylon thread.
This body of this bag is made with my dark Brown leather. It's seam is of two colors ...that dark Brown and Mahogany. The strap is of three colors - dark Brown, Mahogany, and Cream - the tassels are an extension of the strap. The leather on the zipper slide is different than I do on most slides ...it's braided with the same two colors as the seams - dark Brown and Mahogany.
 The pairs of pictures below are of the same bag - opposite sides. 
 Check out these other sections of my web site. 
 andersonleather.com 
 home page 
​ 
 purses and handbags 
 
 leather vests 
 
 colors of leather 
 
 I encourage you to read my guest book to see what others have said about the leathers they have purchased from me. 
 Anderson Leather Braiding 
 since 1972 

 David C. Anderson 
 1814 5th St. NE 
 Bemidji, Minnesota USA 56601 
 Telephone: (218) 751-0445 
 dave@andersonleather.com  
 or my ISP andlea@paulbunyan.net 
 
 Here are two pictures of the same bag...on one side is a divided pocket and on the other side is a pocket with my tri-loop applique on it. 
 This tri-color one is made with the colors Black, Mahogany, and Rust. 
These two pictures show a dark Brown shoulder bag constructed with two-tone (dark Brown and Mahogany) leather braiding. It's 8 strand leather strap has long tassels on each end of it. It's closure is a large brass zipper that is attached with hand sewn 5 ply nylon thread ...and has a leather strap attached to its slide.
These pictures show that it has a relatively large pocket braided onto one side of it, and a tri-loop Celtic knot braided onto the other side.
 The large sizes of these shoulder bags. 
 Notice the pleats in the bottom corners of this bag to create the third dimension. 
 Clickable pictures showing the most common three sizes that I offer. 
 Large brass zippers - YKK #10
 Here is another medium size bag quite similar to the one above - the colors being a bit different and it's pocket is divided. The cola can is added for size reference. 
 Looking at all of these bags, it should be understandable how it can be said that 
 'no two bags are alike' :)  
A Black and Mahogany bag with a Mahogany tri-loop applique on one side of it. The same two colors are used for the strap which has short tassels.
And here is the other side, of the same bag, with a pocket. A Black bag with Black/Mahogany braided seams and strap.
A small leather bag made with Mahogany leather. It's constructed with braided seams and has a (not so long) 8 strand leather strap ...with long tassels hanging from it's ends. The large brass YKK #10 zipper was attached with hand sewing ...and has a leather strap on the slide.
This bottom/back view of the bag shows the pleats in the seam that give it dimension.
This top view shows the large brass zipper (#10 YKK) that is hand sewn using 5 ply nylon thread.
This picture is of the braided strap attachment and the 8 tassels that hang from it.
 These two pictures are also the front and back of the same bag. It's not the same bag as above though ...the tassels and zipper strap are different
 Notice the pleats of the bottoms corners to give this style dimension. 
The bag on the right was made with a dark Brown body and Brown/Mahogany braiding. 
These two large leather shoulder bags were purchased by a mother for her daughters. Neither of them had any pockets, appliques etc. They did have pretty long straps with long tassels hanging from them.
 A woman ordered a purse from me and I made it and sent it to her. She received it, said how much she liked it, and ordered these two bags for her daughters. One is made with the color Brown and the other with the color Rust. Both are rather plain - no pockets, no appliques, etc. 
 braided handmade leather shoulder bags 
 
 made in the USA with leather that is tanned in the USA 
 Most often I build these bags in three sizes - large, medium, and small ...all are shown in their different sections below. 
Here is an 'infinity hearts' applique that I have/can put on bags. This one is about 2" by 4", but could be made larger.
 Here's an 'infinity-hearts' applique that I can put on purses - I really like it. I don't yet have one on this page, so, I decided to add it here for folks to see. This one is about 4" by 2" - it could be made it a bit larger. 
Here is a close up of the two-toned braided tri-loop applique. I've made it in a number of sizes and I select one to fit the purse/location that it is used.
Here is a close up of the zipper. It is hand sewn using 5 ply nylon thread. It has a long leather lace attached to the slide.
This side of this bag has a pocket - 8-1/2" wide at the top by 5" deep
 In these three pictures, there are five different bags. 
 The bag is handmade with 4 oz. moccasin cowhide leather using a braided construction. The round braided straps are of 8 strands and the 8 tassels are extensions of them. 
 The seams are done with an applique braid - there are two pleats in each of the four corners of the bottom to give it dimension. 
 The large brass (YKK #10) zippers are hand sewn using 5 ply nylon thread - I punch the holes and use a dull needle.  with a wide leather strap is attached to the slider. 
 The tassels on each end of the strap that are usually about 10" long. If you'd prefer, they can be made longer or shorter. 
This small shoulder bag was made with four colors of leather. It's seams and strap are all braided. It's side pocket is also attached with braiding. It has a zipper across it's top that has a leather pull on the slider.
These four pictures are of the same purse. 
 I only have a single picture of the bags below.