Irish Tweeds and Celtic Purses

Top of the day, Celtic style 

As an international purse designer, I enjoy the diversity of designs and materials used in purse designs around the world. This week is a great time to savor the Celtic style, and that's no blarney. Today, the term Celtic generally refers to the languages and respective cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany, also known as the Celtic nations. The Irish tweeds are a most beautiful and durable wool. Here is an Irish Tweed Satchel Bag with Celtic Knot embroidery by Mucros Weavers, made in Ireland. Approx. dimension (14″ x 12″ x 5″).

MJ look at the amazing colors these tweeds have in store for us, a pink plaid . . .

Or a multi vernal plaid crossbody

Oh man Kat, your tweed crossbodies remind me of another Celtic purse in history that's so cool. The sporran shows how necessity is the mother of invention. Kilts have no pockets. Made from leather or fur, the sporran was a wallet. It hung front and center from an ornate belt buckle on a leather strap or a chain. Whenever it got in the way, it was shifted over to hang from the hip out of the way.

Check out this one made completely of leather. Three tassles was a common ornament, the number three of course being significant. They were often hand tooled with Celtic knot, or thistle or other groovy design. They closed with a stud or hook

Back to Irish tweed MJ, it doesn't always have to be a plaid. Here's a picture of a pretty Mucros Weavers of Ireland Niamh Tweed and Leather Bag in Rust Herringbone.

Kat, I'll tell you that as a Flower Child, I've read all kinds of stories, including Irish myths. You'd appreciate the Druid Crane Purses I've learned about, a magical bag. Manannan mac Lir is a major sea god and guardian of the otherworld. He made his bag from the skin of a crane - those birds were the third most common domestic pet in Ireland. His bottomless bag was full of treasures - knife, King of Scotland's shears, another king's helmet, bones of a whale, all kinds of stuff. These Crane bags are also in stories of other Irish heroes. A Crane bag and what it carries is as unique as each person who carries one.

Still true MJ, each purse and it's contents reflect the purse-onality of the wearer. Here's one of my favorites when I'm wearin' of the green, whether St. Patrick's or another day. It's a sleek, beautiful, and functional tote by Iman. Just look at the spaciousness and organization of the interior!  Two easy access side spaces, split in the middle by a roomy, secure zippered pouch. There's even two slip pockets. And just look at those tassels. 

Happy St. Patrick's celebration everyone.

And Katherine, here's my Moonjava meditation, it's an Irish saying - May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.

A Purse With A Story

Happy International Women's Day!
Let's Celebrate Every Day!

Katherine Watson here, of the mystery Kat Out of the Bag. An international purse designer and founder of the Purse-onality Museum, I can confirm that all purses tell a story.

I'm going to share a story by Jessica Leigh Hester about a purse that literally tells a story. It's an Italian purse made, likely in the 17th century, with a "trashed manuscript".  

Inspired by International Women's Day, let me show you what the world has carried around over time.

It's interesting that even long ago, trends spanned the globe.

Moonjava, what do you think? Purses are all through history. 

You're right on Kat. Take the 12th century, it's recorded purses were made from leather for the sole purpose of carrying money. But around the world purses have been made from materials available, making a beautiful variety. One example is basket purses. Your picture here is a contemporary bag by Baskets of Cambodia. In Africa they also had basket purses in the beautiful African prints that are so very vibrant and colorful.

This is an example of a Contemporary African print purse made with the ankara fabric

Yes Moonjava, and this contemporary basket bag is so light and easy to carry. The materials a bag is made from can be so intriguing, and also helpful to the purpose, as well as beautiful.

And look at how roomy the interior, including three side slip pockets and a zippered side pocket. All of this is kept securely with a full zippered top.

Well, Katherine, leap to the 16th century, the Renaissance, purses became adorned with ribbons, fringes, lace, bows, beads and decorative stones.
MJ, that reminds me of my beautiful beaded replica of a 16th century, Italian beaded purse, pictured here.

I admire the intricate beading, and I love the color!

It is cool, Kat. The originals and replicas both show skilled crafting.

And considering the style, it's actually quite roomy, with the beautiful silk lining, and even a little slip pocket. It was in the 16th century that we began to see velvets, brocades, and satin used.

Yes Kat, in 16th century Italy we saw the Cartella, a more spacious purse that included a knife pocket. That was also the period of the Brachetta which men wore over pants as a codpiece and it carried money and a handkerchief. Yes, men carried purses. They also carried hand bags. And the Renaissance invented the Borsada Matrimonio that was filled with money as a wedding gift. This was also a time when messenger bags became popular, catering to the needs of the Italian working classes, and also in other cultures around the world. Yes, messenger bags in history!

In the 17th century all the rage were small bags with drawstrings. These were made of silk, and sometimes of metal. The one in my collection is made of metal, yet surprisingly light to carry. In France this style was called reticules. In the United Kingdom they were called Indispensables. And for peasants and travelers, the drawstring style was the sack made from leather or fabrics and worn cross body.

This was also the beginning of swete bagges. These were bags filled with sweet smelling materials. In a time when personal hygiene was grim and grimy, swete bagges were stuffed with sweet-smelling herbs and spices, lavender or perfumed balls of cotton. In the long run, swete bagges were also stored with clothes and linens and used for aromatherapy.

 

Admire the space inside this vintage drawstring bag

Shall we tell them, MJ?

Go ahead Kat, you're bursting to tell

In my mystery Kat Out of the Bag a note is discovered hidden within the lining of a vintage bag. Amber who is in charge of the gift shop finds it. What she and her roguish boyfriend Michael discover is quite revealing. I analyze it along with the clues I find myself. What an exciting chase ensues!

Enjoy the following published story, and Happy International Women's Day! - Let's Celebrate Every Day!

How a Trashed Italian Manuscript Got Sewn Into a Sweet Silk Purse

Book waste can be beautiful.

BY JESSICA LEIGH HESTER

 https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/manuscript-fragments-purse-lining

Mardi Gras Beads and Purses

Katherine Watson here and ready to celebrate Mardi Gras! This weekend's preview is in Langley, on Whidbey Island. It's the annual Langley Mystery Weekend. This is the 36th year of mysteries! And this year's mystery occurred during the rehearsal for the mardi gras parade! I'll be there to put my sleuthing skills to the test, and I'm certain I'll follow the clues and solve the mystery. I've already figured out which purse to carry that will best set off my mask and beads, while being very practical. It's a beaded, vintage white and floral, Lumured purse. This one is from the 1940's. Just look at this amazing beading! The company started making these purses in the 1940's, but really amped up production in the 1950's, and some in the 1960's. The amazing beading will set off my mardi gras beads.

Katherine, let me, Moonjava enlighten with a little history. Mardi Gras actually started its story in medieval Europe.  And the practice of throwing beads was inspired by Renaissance festivals that took place before Lent, where revelers would toss things into the air to celebrate before the coming fast. In New Orleans, it started groovin' 300 years ago. Throwing favors out to celebrate started in the 1840's, and it was in the 1880's that glass beads got their start. As a proud flower child, I'm happy to report that the tradition of women flashing their breasts for beads began right after the hippie sixties - one of my favorite times in history.

The traditional colors of the beads are purple, green, and gold, which represent justice, faith, and power. Originally party goers would toss the beads to people who showed the colors' qualities. So ladies, know that you don't have to show anything more than your character to receive beads.

I'll keep that in mind MJ, in the meantime just look at the intricate, detailed beading on this purse. And although it looks like a straightforward pouch style, it's actually a two sided bag. That will give me plenty of room for all I normally carry on one side, and on the other side the clues I pick up along the way. The beaded handles are strong, yet flexible and very comfortable to carry either in the palm of my hand or on my arm.

The beading on the interior panel is very tight and strong, on a metal frame.

The beads actually shine a little in the right light, and the gold colored beads form the shape of small flowers are woven into the white.

Yes Katherine, the gold beaded flowers show your power in solving mysteries! And my meditation for Mardi Gras is - Let your heart speak to other's hearts

Bags, Basie, Ellington, & All That Jazz with Katherine Watson and MJ

The morning after a Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra celebration of the Battle Royal, when Count Basie and Duke Ellington Bands performed together in 1961. A sound-sational performance.

The '60's is MJ's adopted era - yes, she found herself and her name, Moonjava, in the appeal of the sexy sixties. As Purse Museum historian she'd tell you that The Count Meets the Duke album by American pianists, composers and bandleaders Duke Ellington and Count Basie with their combined Orchestras was recorded and released in 1961. If you listen to a stereo release of the album, Basie's band is featured on the left channel and Ellington's on the right. In the early ’60s, women coveted Hermès Kelly bags, Hermès Constance bags, or Chanel 2.55 bags. In 1961 women loved to carry the long, structured clutch handbags for evening events. I'm more of a hobo bag with fringe flower child.

What a thrilling performance by SRJO

Jazz calls for the sparkles of a beaded clutch, take it from Katherine Watson, amateur sleuth and international purse designer in fiction. This beautiful, contemporary clutch gets its glittery look from plastic specs that just pick up the light in such a pretty way, along with the glow of the sleek, silvery hardware.

And a slick, glittering back to the clutch that will sparkle in the lights at the concert hall, or in the moonlight of a clear night in the last echoes of a brilliant jazz concert.

And such a roomy interior considering the clutch style, not only in width but in length. And a handy pocket for your cards that you want to have easy slip access to. A beautiful evening that ended on a high note that echoed through the holiday weekend. Thanks SRJO!

And to see a real purse museum, plan a visit to Esse in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

                                                            

Valentine Puzzle Purse - Learn Its Mystery

Happy Valentines! What are you carrying Valentines weekend? Share a picture

Take it from me, Katherine Watson, novel amateur sleuth and international purse designer of Kat Out of the Bag mystery available in April, this is a sweet, frame bag to carry on Valentines weekend. Don't you love the hearts etched into the soft fabric? The handles and trim are patent leather with three eye-catching metallic hearts on the front. So romantic!

On the back, the convenience of a zip pocket to keep items handy. I use it for quick access to my cell

Inside, two small pockets on the front panel and a nice zip pocket on the back wall, and room enough for pocket, glasses case, and some small sundries in the interior

Substantial pull on the zipper that snaps into place on the side, above the etched hearts. Love it!

Dear Katherine, let Moonjava enlighten. As the historian at your Purse-onality museum for purses and women's history, I want to share the love and passion of Valentine Puzzle Purses. This is a picture of one dated 1826 and donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by a donor named only as Mrs. Richard Riddell in 1981. These were handmade, folded Valentines with the message of love revealed as they're unfolded. It all started in Victorian England, but also was gifted by Americans. Some of your bloggers may want to give it a try. You know meditation is my thing so here's mine for today - Love, compassion and kindness are the anchors of life

And to see a real purse museum, plan a visit to Esse in Little Rock, Arkansas. 
 

And The Kat is Out of the Bag!

2019 National Handbag Day

It's This Week, on Thursday

Read though and you'll see exciting Kat Out of the Bag news!

Thursday October 10, 2019 is National Handbag Day

What are You carrying?

The Start of it all

This holiday was created by Purseblog to celebrate the importance of handbags in daily life for functional use and for fashion. It is a straightforward way to make a style statement. 

Share Pictures

Join in the fun and share pictures of your bag on social media. It's lovely to see the variety from wristlet to crossbody, satchel to shoulder bag, clutch to tote, and so much more. Are you a big bag girl? Are you a minimalist? The bag you carry can highlight features of your personality.

Purse/Women's History

Did you know that in the early 1900's the term handbag was used to refer to men's hand baggage?

Did you know that one of the three Purse Museums in the world is in America! It's Esse Purse Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. Check out information from my visit to Esse 

Highly recommend that you visit Esse Purse Museum, and they also have an online store!

What Are You Carrying

Share a picture on social media with #NationalHandbagDay

I am contemplating my options . . . . here are my leading contenders - 

My beautiful, impressive, somewhat impractical, leather, best Birkin alternative,
cherished "Cherish Kiss"  

Or there is always my beloved Prada. This one was also my mother's favorite purse ever. It's amazing how much this Prada can hold. The outside zipper slips are so very handy - there are two more on the back too

Christian Siriano, this pretty handbag also has the option to be carried by shoulder strap. Sentimental value here that tugs at my heartstrings, I carried this at my son's wedding

Just look at the incredible functionality of the swagger style of my Christian Siriano. So much organization, and a completely secure zipper section in the middle, flanked by two snap closures

Which one of these would you choose to carry on #NationalHandbagDay?

Enjoy your day!

And Now, The Kat Is Out Of The Bag!

My new mystery novel - Kat Out of the Bag will be published by The Wild Rose Press and will be available soon, in 2020.The mystery starts on National Handbag Day!

‘Murder at the Gala’ is not the headline that couture designer Katherine Watson wanted. At her Purse-onality Museum opening, a showcase of women’s history and purses, the victim is Katherine’s only close friend, the mayor of her hometown. Katherine intended this event would put dull Bayside Washington on the map, but not like this. Guilt for ignoring a death threat drives Katherine to investigate. Can she solve the case before the killer’s next knock off?

Her elegant cat Purrada watches Katherine analyze clues and face clutch situations. She gets to know the town’s residents and their secrets. She matches wits with cop Jason Holmes and his K-9 Hobbs. Holmes and Watson often disagree, yet a romantic tension smolders.

Little known facts and stories about vintage purses and the generations of women who carried them appear throughout the book. A love note found in the lining of one vintage bag leads Katherine to uncover a shocking secret. 

Kat Out of the Bag is coming soon in 2020 from The Wild Rose Press

Author, Wendy Kendall

Vegan Handbagging

Vegan handbagging includes a range of materials - synthetics like plastic and natural materials like cork, kelp, pineapple leaves and other creative and cruelty free materials. Essentially, it's the use of a fake (faux) leather that does not use animal skin. Vegan products don't harm, kill, or exploit animals and don't contain animal products.

You can easily identify vegan purse products when looking for specific labels. One of these is the PeTA-Approved VEGAN label.




Another is the Leaping bunny logo. This is the only internationally recognized symbol guranteeing consumers that no new animal tests were used in the development of any product displaying it.



Concerning designers that offer vegan bags, Stella McCartney is the top designer for this initiative. All  her bags are vegan.Other luxury fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci and more primarily use top quality cowhide leather.

Today's blog features two vegan bags -

This beautiful, practical, unbelievably lightweight backpack is from the La Terre Fashion line that sells vegan handbags.

These bags are PeTA-Approved. The feel to the touch is soft, pebbly surfaces. It's embellished with delightful, shiny gold studs that accentuate the rounded lines and outside pockets. Measuring 11" H x 10" W x 7" D, it's deceptively roomy and carries everything you'd conceivably want to in a very organized space.Yet it's so light, at times I've literally forgotten I'm wearing it. The front zipper works well for what you need rrequent, quick and easy access to. On each side is an open pocket that is the perfect size for a water bottle, and is so convenient you can reach around and into it without taking the bag off your back.

All zippers slide so easily. Inside the backpack, the smooth lining is a light color making it so easy to view all you're carrying at a glance. On the back wall is a secure, zipper pocket and on the front wall an open pocket. Back straps are easily adjustable.

The Matt and Nat line also includes vegan, and also recycled materials in it's purses. Their commitment stands boldly in their name - Mat(t)erial + Nature.Sustainable materials such as cork and the linings are made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. They design and produce their own custom hardware.

Matt and Nat encourage their customers' recycling, When you're through with your bag, ready to buy a new Matt and Nat, you can donate your old bag for someone else to enjoy.

Just look at the shiny, deep black exterior bag that I love to carry. You can't detect any wear in this bag that I have used  so much as a reliable go-to bag. The strap length is very comfortable on the arm or held in my hand. It's a secure, snap closure at the top.It's a great size at 10" H x 14" W x 2" D. It's a nice roomy interior that includes a secure zip pocket securely attached to the back.

And as always the Esse Purse Museum in Little Rock Arkansas, one of only 3 Purse Museums in the world, telling the story of women's history with purses, has a fabulous selection of vegan bags for sale, Of course I also recommend visiting in person. I really enjoyed my visit!




For more gorgeous PeTA recommended purses, backpacks, and more you can check out this PeTA sponsored site  As they say - you don't have to kill animals to get a killer look!