Check out these links to other braided leather goods that I have made and read my guest book to see what others have said about the things they have purchased from me.
The pictures on this page are of the many soft, high quality leather handbags and purses that I have designed, hand crafted and custom made for customers - there are larger pictures of most at their links. Everything is truly handmade - no electricity is used in this construction method. Patterns that I have designed are laid out and traced, holes are punched one at a time, laces are cut and then it is braided together. Any sewing used is done by hand. They are all made with personal features that make them quite different from one another - truly one of a kind custom pieces.
I avoid using any hardware (except zippers) and nothing is lined. These products are very durable and will far outlast most hardware and any lining that could be used with them.
The 4 ounce moccasin cowhide leather that I use is quite strong, yet still soft and supple. Unlike a lot of leather used to make purses and handbags - all the leather that I use is made/tanned in the USA and is non-toxic.
I encourage you to read my guest book to see what others have said about the braided leather items they have purchased. In it you can read entries from some folks that have owned my work for 30 years or more.
There are some prices interspersed on some pages to give folks an idea about cost. Because each item I build is pretty much a one of a kind, so are the prices - adding a feature, or subtracting one, can change the price. I say that for what you get, ...things are not very expensive. ...Dave
I call this handmade leather bag my 'circle flap bag'. It's just a nice shoulder bag that has a flap that I can put different appliques on . Here it's shown with a circle applique that has been very popular. It's made with a braid that is different than on most of my work - it's called an 'S' applique braid. The purses has a large pocket on the inside. Its size is about 11" wide x 9.5" high x 3" across the bottom. Click on the picture or the button below to see a larger picture and further description of it.
These braided leather purses I call my 'roll-button purses'. They come in three different sizes - the two pictured on the right, and a larger size yet, in the pictures below. They have two compartments under the flap and a large pocket on the back of it. The straps on most of them are braided. The 'large' one is about 10.5" wide x 9" high x 5" ($450.00). The 'small' one is 9" wide x 8" high x 4.5" ($400.00). The largest (XL) of these designs is about 12" wide x 9" high x 6" ($500.00).
Here's is a picture of the small size bag along side the extra large size bag (without the roll button - with a tri-loop Celtic type knot). There is a third size of this style ...in between these two sizes. A ruler is laid in front of them for help with sizing. The image is clickable for a larger view.
The three bags below are all of the largest (XL) roll button purse, they happen to have different appliques (instead of roll buttons) on the flaps. The thumbnails are linked to the page they are on. While many of these pictures show these purses with appliques, most folks order this style with the roll button closures.
Here's a couple of different fringed leather bags that I've made using my braided leather construction. Click it to see more/bigger pictures and a description of them.
While the use of fringe has it limitations of where it can be used, I have added it to quite a number of different styles of bags that I've made ...with several of them on the linked page.
However, while some folks want it, I don't think the flap is a good place for fringe because it hangs in your way when accessing it.
I've now built these sennit bags. in three different sizes. They are described with their dimensions on the page they are linked to. They have eight strand braided shoulder straps. There are pleats on the bottom corners of these bags to add dimension to them. The large brass zippers used are long lasting. There are quite a few more of these bags on the page with more views showing the different features of these popular styles.
The first time I made this bag style it was ordered by a man for his laptop, so, it began being called a 'man bag', Hence, I named the web page about that bag/purchase. Since then, more women have bought them than men. The style accommodates many places for pockets, or not. The one on the right has no flap. I've built them in several different sizes that have been requested. Like many of the things that I build, they are 100% leather - no hardware, no thread, etc. is used on them.
This custom leather shoulder bag was built like the in depth instructions the buyer sent to me. Included was a quite elaborate drawing of what she wanted - it is shown on the page the picture is linked to. It's since been a rather popular style.
On the right is a clutch bag. I've made this bag many different ways and sizes. There are some good views of this one on the page this picture is linked to. Often, they have a little star or initial applique on it. There is a large (#10 YKK) brass zipper across the top of it and a braided wrist strap. I also make it with long braided shoulder straps ...often cross body.
To the left is one of the 'large totes' that I make - it measures 14.5" x 14" x 4". This one has my braided leather butterfly applique on the pocket. The straps look longer on this one than what is most often requested.
Click any of these tote bag pictures for more descriptions and larger pictures of these and other styles/shapes of tote bags.
Here is another version of the tote bags that I make. This one I call my small tote bag, although it's not that small. The dimensions are it are about 13" wide x 10" high x 3.5". I make all the totes with either the flat straps or the 8 strand round braided ...both shown here. Either way, the straps can be made to any length a person would like.
There are quite a few different styles of small bags on the page that these pictures are linked to. Even the ones here can be made in different sizes with different features. Their braided handles/straps can be made to any length - shoulder, cross body, or even wrist straps. Appliques can be left off or replaced with different ones. Even for these small bags I use the (#10 YKK) large brass zippers. Click for a number of other choices and larger pictures.
The two Unique leather bags pictured below are of the same style and size. The top picture shows it folded and the bottom picture shows it opened for access. They are both linked to descriptions and larger pictures of the two different sizes that I've built it in.
These leather zippered bags are often called a messenger bags and can be made to most any dimension/s. They have braided straps (or not) and most often have several pockets (inside and out - or not). The way the long large (#10 YKK) zippers span the top, and extend down the sides a bit, makes them very accessible.
This is the only leather belt pouch that I have pictures of. It's about 7" wide by 3" high. There are two more pictures of it on the page it's linked to. Even it has a large brass #10 YKK zipper.
Below is a link to pictures from an old catalog of assorted bags, etc. that I once distributed.
At this link there are close up views of the large brass zippers that I use.
I've custom made these leather 'double-flap' style bags in many different sizes. Most have pleats at the bottom corners forming their third dimension. Some of the smallest ones don't have/need those pleats. Click on the pictures to see the many various ways/sizes that they have been built.
"Hi Dave, I just got home and the handbag had been delivered. It is absolutely beautiful - the leather is soft and it is the perfect size and color. The pride you take in your work is more than justified. The braiding is lovely- your website reveals all of this, but nothing can really show the intricate craftmanship and artistry until you see the bag in the flesh (so to speak). I'm thrilled with it, and I know I will use this bag for years to come...and having a made-to-order handbag you can't find anywhere else is pretty darn special. I expect that at a few family gatherings coming up soon I will be bombarded with requests for your contact information I also expect I will be ordering another one..... Thanks again!" Sidney Ann
When I've seen bags similar this, 'canteen bag' is what came to my mind. I've seen them at motorcycle rallies where they have a Harley Davidson air cleaner covers (like in the picture) attached to them - I've thought they'd be a nice style without that. More info on the page linked.
Here is a picture of a 'infinity hearts' applique that I've used on a purse. I thought it was nice, so, I put it here so folks would see it. It's about 4" by 2", but, could be done a larger.
A woman requested a double flapped bag like the ones above, except she wanted it to have a wider flat strap. After further discussion, we came up with one like what is pictured here. Since then I have built several more in a variety of ways.
These two custom made purses were first built to carry Apple Ipads. They have a pocket on the front and another on the inside/back. They are both about 10" wide by 10" high by 4", but, those dimensions can be changed to about any size someone might like.
