Women's handbags made from auto upholstery - holiday gift idea?

[TheHogRing]

I'm not the kind of guy who carries purses, but if I was - I'd probably buy one from Kim White Handbags, which specializes in purses and clutches made from vintage automotive fabric.

A bit odd, I admit. But a unique holiday gift idea to give to that special lady helping you run your auto trim shop.

Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/bn2y2gp

[Gregg @ Keystone Sewing]

Cool idea, doubt these are made in China, but I've been wrong about that before!

[gene]

A few years ago I met with a lady who had been in Italy. She was very excited about a similar idea of making unique ladies purses. We talked about my capabilities to cut and sew.

After a bit of market research she said there were too many niche ladies purses flooding the market from all over the world. She gave up on her idea.

How many women would want a purse made from old auto upholstery material?

Have you ever seen a woman's purse that was empty and she was then able to turn it inside out?

I do like the creativity behind the products.

This reply is trade fair and eco friendly.

gene

[sofadoc]

I have a few ladies in town who will come in from time to time, and pick up small remnants that I've saved for them (usually, novelty tapestries, such as the "Route 66" pattern).
They'll make handbags out of them. It takes them a month or 2 to make a dozen. They display them at an upscale botique, where it may take a year or more to sell all of them. And they have frankly admitted to me that they've seen some better and cheaper online.
It's a way to make a little money, I guess. But I don't think any of them are going to retire early.
While they DO charge a lot for them, their time involved is extensive. One of the ladies told me that if I didn't give them  the material for free, there wouldn't be enough profit in them to fool with.

Have you ever seen a woman's purse that was empty and she was then able to turn it inside out?

What I want to know is....why do women have to hold up the line at the grocery store while they fish their car keys from the deepest, darkest crevices of their purse?
And that thing they call a wallet. NOBODY in line gets to move ahead until EVERY snap has been snapped, and EVERY zipper has been zipped!

[TheHogRing]

What I want to know is....why do women have to hold up the line at the grocery store while they fish their car keys from the deepest, darkest crevices of their purse?

Annoying as it may be, I think that I can forgive a woman if she's carrying a Camaro purse, lol.

[JuneC]

What I really like about those purses (oh, I'm a woman and I carry a purse regularly), is that the design isn't overdone.  They do a really nice job of showcasing the fabric with a simply designed clutch or tote.  I'd carry one in a heartbeat.  Pricey for the average Jane, but very nice work.

June

[TheHogRing]

I like your taste JuneC. Post the link on your Facebook wall - who knows, maybe a secret admirer will pick you up one for the holidays, lol.

[gene]

Unexpected customers for women's handbags made from auto upholstery.

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz228/genejoe/black%20and%20white%20chair/358317646_9d5ac2eb43.jpg



gene