This gallery is a tribute to my first series of purses, a collection born from a passion for repurposing and a quest for perfection. Beginning in late 2014, I found a rewarding hobby in giving new life to forgotten clothing. I would scout yard sales and thrift stores for fabrics with personality, from simple prints to intricate beaded dresses. It’s incredible to see how a piece of clothing bought for just a few dollars can become the foundation for something new.

The process of creation is what truly inspires me. I often use vintage necklaces to craft unique purse straps and add other special embellishments to each piece. Sometimes I design a purse inspired by existing jewelry, and other times I create a matching piece of jewelry to go with the purse. My early attempts were based on a sewn template, but I found myself constantly struggling with balance. This challenge led me to innovate. I developed my own signature no-sew, hard-shell method, which ensures every purse is always perfectly symmetrical.

These purses mark the beginning of my design evolution. While some have found new homes and others have been donated, this collection is not for sale. It stands as a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship that define my work today.