DBS Handmade bags benefit Caritas of Austin

*Lifted from the March 2011 installment of cariTALK:

The Caritas Board of Directors boasts talents ranging from law degrees to successful business owners. Adding to the list of those talents is President-Elect, David Sheldon. The real estate developer has a keen eye for style and is sharing his skills with Caritas of Austin.  Sheldon crafts fine leather goods, completely by hand, one at a time from the finest materials. He has been creating works of art such as those listed on his blog, since he was 16 years old in Houston when Sheldon says, "Urban Cowboy was big." 

Now, his handmade bags are available for sale and Sheldon is offering 100% of the gross proceeds to benefit Caritas of Austin.

For more pictures and information visit http://dbshandmade.blogspot.com/.  Stay tuned for more DBS Handmade bags exclusively available to Caritas donors.

*learn more about Caritas of Austin by following the link on this blog

Beth's Bag

A special bag for a very special lady.  Understated elegance.  Enough said (by me anyway) . . .

Dear David,
     I wanted to share, with gratitude, the life of my new bag this past week.  It was perfect for toting my notebook for the meetings.  Getting in the car no fewer than four times a day, I never lost my keys in the bottom.  My new cell phone fits perfectly in a side pocket.  The oohs and aahs (of coworkers) would have made you happy.  I only snapped it closed four or five times but know for safety reasons I will do that more often.
     Thank you for this lovely bag.  The stitching is gorgeous and I am proudly carrying it everywhere!
Fondly, Beth

Horween Scotch Grain Chromexcel leather with matching smooth-grain
horsehide accents on straps.  Supple horsehide interior pockets.

Is the Key Case Really Dead?

OK, maybe it is.  I would argue, however, that its extinction is confined generally to the public at large.  Similar to the fate of fedoras and bowties.  Todd Palin probably doesn't carrying one to the snow machine races, for example.

But Louis Vuitton is a fan, and so am I.  This ingenious little accessory prevents injury to vital organs when one carries one's keys in his front trouser pockets.   The ladies will note that the key case offers protection against the gouging of fine leather wallets, scratching of cell phones and that annoying racket created by loose key rings jingling around inside shoulder bags.  Besides, this is definitely not your father's key case . . .

• Genuine hand-painted stingray
• Horween horsehide lining
• Kangaroo lace border
• Hand-hammered copper rivet and burr

Made from three of the strongest, most durable natural hides on the planet, this stylish gem will provide generations of service.  At least until mechanical keys become obsolete . . .

Measures approximately 6 3/8" x 4"  open,  2" x 4" x 1 3/8" closed.

The "Holly"

Hippie Chic.  Casual Sophisticate.  Fashionista.  Quality Maven.

All labels--and more--apply to the lovely Holly.  Can you imagine the pressure involved in designing a bag for this woman?  Fortunately, she likes it:

WOW, it is beautiful! You are AMAZING! I have never had a bag named after me before; I am thrilled. It looks PERFECT for me. How did you know????!!! XXXOOO Holly

Body and straps made entirely from Horween Chromexcel leather.
Sueded inside pockets and waxed braided cord stitching.  

A shout out to my friends at Maverick Leather Co. in Northern California for hookin' me up with the sweetest leather on the planet.  You guys rock!

100% of the gross proceeds from the Harvey and Holly bags went to Caritas of Austin to fight hunger, homelessness and poverty.  Check it out under "Links" and stay tuned for my limited edition bags available exclusively to Caritas donors . . .