The "Amy"

Another one-of-a-kind bag inspired by its one-of-a-kind owner.  Funny, but this one almost made itself.  A simple tote, yet decidedly feminine, with just the right amount of style and function.  Its color reminds me of Amy, as much as it captures the fiery amber heat of late summer in Austin . . .

Horween Scotch grain cowhide with horsehide straps.  Jeremiah
Watt's Horse Shoe Brand stainless steel buckle.  Hand-hammered
copper rivets and burrs.  

And Now for Something Completely Different

I've been remiss in not posting my work here regularly this summer.  Partially because I've cut back production and partially because I've been lazy.  Enduring the suffocating 100+ degree heat day after day will do that to you . . .

What you see below are a sampling of pieces that depart from my norm.  Call them experimental, if you will, but it's what happens when the creative juices flow.

Small single shoulder backpack from
shrunken bison,  Horween horsehide straps
and solid brass hardware.

Backpack from Scotch grain Horween Chromexcel and horsehide
straps.  Solid brass hardware and antler buttons.

Especially for the lovely Jennifer: Small shoulder bag for a night out-
on-the-town.  Black shrunken bison and Horween Chromexcel.  Just
large enough for wallet, phone and keys.  No cosmetic storage required!

Big Apple Bag

Monica and I hit NYC last weekend for the first time in ten years, so I seized the opportunity to make myself a new bag for the trip . . .

Brown oil-tanned cowhide with red veg-tanned kangaroo
accents and pockets.  Horseshoe Brand hardware.  Brands
are authentic and tanned into the leather (not added).

Braved a cold and rainy Friday afternoon to swing by Leffot in the West Village to check out the finest in men's handmade footwear and accessories.  As luck would have it, they were having a Rider Boot Company trunk show and Ron came in from Richmond, VA to host.  Added another sweet pair of Ron's boots to my collection and loaded up on some of Steven's Horween belts and Abbeyhorn goodies while I was there . . .

Met up with Monica's sister Emily and her husband Michael, who flew in from Toronto to celebrate his 50th birthday.  We actually managed to surprise him by our presence--along with great tickets to Book of Mormon--and celebrated by gorging ourselves silly on fine wine, exquisite dining and "private time" at the hotel (with our respective spouses, I should add).  Quite the weekend . . .

Juli's Bag aka "The Herbivore"

Kind words just received in an e-mail message from my dear friend, Juli:

Made from the hides of buffalo, horse, and cow, and the antler of an antelope, I like to call this bag “The Herbivore”, which suits my wannabe vegetarian, but can’t quite commit to it, status perfectly.

The buffalo hide gives the bag a unique textured elegance, and its chocolate color is delicious. The wide inner pocket made from horsehide is a perfect place to easily stash and retrieve my keys. The thicker cowhide pockets are exactly the right size and placement for a phone, a lipstick, and a bottle of hand sanitizer. Big enough to hold a spiral notebook (or an iPad), but in no way bulky, the bag's dimensions are expertly scaled. When I throw the bag over my shoulder, the strap and buckle hang just the right way .

But, the design elements of the purse are what really make it special.  The antler closure couples with the detailed stitching to give the bag a look that is at the same time polished and relaxed. I feel great wearing it out to a hipster restaurant, to a work meeting, or just to a yoga class.

And despite my occasionally clumsy treatment – there’s not a scratch or pulled thread anywhere on the bag. It’s inexplicably getting better the more I wear it.

It’s much more than a pleasure, it’s a privilege to carry my DBS Handmade bag.

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.