Purse Handles As They Should Be
A lot of people ask me what my inspiration is for my product line, and I know I should say something esoteric or deeply philosophical.
I should.
But the truth is I push to develop items for my product line that I wish I had available to me. Because if the world doesn't give you what you want, you have to create it out of thin air.
Take purse handles, for example. I love to design purses, it's just one of those things that really gets my design brain into over-drive. But, and here is the motivation, the purse handles I could find at the craft store were never quite what I needed. I like to crochet around the purse handle so that it matches perfectly. The best option I could find were bamboo handles, but when you crocheted around them there were all those bumps showing through.
Drove. me. crazy.
So I developed purse handles that are great for crafting. They are clear so that only the yarn color shows. And they are smooth, so that there are no unsightly bumps in the final project!
Both of these styles are available at all Michael's Stores in the USA and Canada, and you can order them online here:
But Wait, There's More!!
So I also went ahead and created a couple of free patterns to get you started. Click on the photos below to go download them!
This blog post has been brought to you by the incomparable Margot Potter, who has put together this great Blog Hop! And to celebrate a half-week of shameless self-promotion we are having a great giveaway, and there are multiple chances of winning!!
Chance A - each blogger that is participating is giving away a copy of Margot's new e-book The Fine Art of Shameless Self-promotion!!
So to enter on my site leave a comment below - winners will be drawn via random number generator.
Chance B - Madge herself is giving away a craftacular prize package worth $150! Boogie on over to her site and see how to enter there: Margot Potter - color outside of the lines...
Good luck, contest ends this Friday!
omg... I just want to thank you for creating these, and for the fact that they are affordable! The only purse handles I could ever find were expensive and obviously meant to be shown off rather than covered to match the purse. These are just what I need!
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Pretty bags! Thanks for sharing the pattern!
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Great bags - talented fella!!
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I need to get back into crochet too!
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wow..those handbags are so awesome! Love it!
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Fantastic Purses!
My biggest PR and Marketing hurdle is that I'm not sure what I'm selling, lol!
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Thanks for sharing the pattern! Love theblog hop!
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Just getting back into crocheting. I will be back often.
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Hi! I enjoy your comments on FB. I love making purses, too! I usually knit i-cord to make handles for my purses but love your handles and am already planning on incorporating them into my next purse. I create custom purses using plarn, yarn, beads, ribbons, etc. I recently discovered freeform crochet so I've been using that to make my plarn purses.
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Your handles look awesome.
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I like the way you think! I've never really made purses before, but I might try this winter.
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Love the purse handles and thanks for the purse patterns! Have fun with the blog hop!
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Thank you for the great patterns, not that I am making purses. You never know what they will end up on.
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Great job on the self-promotion. I love the handles. You are right, most purse handles in the stores are not what I want. Thank you also for the free patterns. I hope to win a copy of the book too and learn how to promote myself shamelessly.
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The clear handles are a great idea. I like that they will not show through the yarn when you are crafting.
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With all of the variety in handcrafted items on etsy, how is it possible to stand out from the competition?
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Blog Hopping! Awesome
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love the handles. i bought a pair at Michaels recently. they are just what my purse needed. now to buy more to finish a few other things. also love the blog hop idea.
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I seriously need to learn how to shamelessly self promote myself. I must have this book!
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glad to be a part of this blog hop with you!! See you at CHA!
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I am looking forward to reading this book, I am also teaching myself how to make purses right now.
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About time someone made decent purse handles! I am interested in the book because I work full time and only have a limited time to create and promote. I am at a loss - should I write a blog? Make a website? A facebook business page? An etsy site? I don't know where to begin!
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I love your crochet bag handles --you are awesome!
jean yates
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Like I said before this is a great giveaway and it's time for me to get shameless!
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What a great giveaway! Love the purses, by the way. I can barely crochet a scarf, so I find them really amazing.
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Love the purse handles! I am a child of the 70's and was taught to crochet before I could sew. Your work is beautiful.
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I need to dig out my crochet hooks. It's been years, but these are awesome!
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"... if the world doesn't give you what you want, you have to create it out of thin air." I love the quote and the philosophy.
I agree about purse handles. Thank you for addressing this craft problem. And thank you for the chance to win!
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I just bought these purse handles the other day. I'm excited to see how they work for me! I love making purses and bags.
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I like a variety of handles but having a clear option is a good idea.
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I've tried knitted/crochets handles, but they stretch and roll up something aweful!
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this is me entering
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I really need to get some handles! They look awesome!
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Crochet is my favorite fiber art!
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CONTEST NOW OVER - COMMENTS MADE AFTER THIS ONE WILL NOT BE ENTERED!
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