Deluxe Omiyage

The "Omiyage" bag has been extremely popular at the Kona Mountain Coffee Company. So last week I came up with a larger version of that bag. I also added grommets that the cotton webbing straps are suspended from and a large outer pocket. This one is big enough for taking home all sorts of gifts while visiting our Island. Once home, it will make a great shopping bag, or book tote. The deluxe Omiyage is even large enough to make a good sized beach bag! I am working on fresh designs all the while trying to keep up with current favorites. Stay tuned! Aloha!

Deluxe Shopper

Aloha!

Well, the wonderful gang at Kona Mountain Coffee Company keep me posted as to what their customers are requesting me to make. I created a large shopping bag with a solid bottom for the store to use as a shopping basket while the customers are browsing. It seems that people wanted to buy them! So Mark ordered a half dozen to have in the event anyone else inquires. I also made this version which makes it more of a "purse" since it has a flap on it. March has been a good month for me at the coffee shop. Everytime I go in there, they are sold out of atleast one of the four styles of bags I designed for them. I must get busy!

Lydia

Lydia was born on February 25. She is a Pisces. Lydia was crafted from taupe Thai silk accented with pheasant feathers and teal Thai silk piping. She proudly sports two decorative metal buttons plated in 24kt gold. Her lining is a rich teal Thai silk, making her beautiful on both the inside and out. Lydia enjoys the finer things in life. She is loyal and can keep a secret.

I actually hand picked the silk used to make Lydia while on a trip to Thailand three years ago. (my how time flies!) Both pieces used to make this bag came from the Jim Thompson Silk factory warehouse which in "Barb's World" is a little piece of heaven! It is a three story building in Bangkok with hundreds of rolls of the most gorgeous silk fabrics. My only regret is that I didn't buy more!

Bernice

Let's hear a big cheer for Bernice! She was born on February 23 making her a Pisces. She is a woman of few words but knows how to make her point heard! Perhaps she could be YOUR new best friend!

Bernice is the latest in my Diva line of Sasaki Bags. She is made from an icy blue Thai silk. She has one exterior pocket on her backside, accented with custom black dupioni silk piping. On the front of Bernice, I have layered black and white polka dot guinea feathers for a striking entrance! Above the feathers is a panel of blue silk accented with two antiqued gold tone buttons and a row of black silk piping.

Manufactured faux leather handles add to this bags high-end appearance.

My momma always said it is important how pretty a girl is on the inside so not to disappoint momma, she can proudly show off her interior. I added a touch of whimsy by lining Bernice with black and white polka dot cotton fabric. There are two interior pockets which are accented with the blue thai silk piping.

Bernice has a magnetic snap closure. She is a wristlet. These 13" handles will not fit over your shoulder. She is 10" tall and 6" wide.

Featured on Asian Buzz

I just wanted to send a big thank you out to Lilie at Asian Buzz for featuring my asian inspired bags on her site. Here is the link: http://asianbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/02/sasaki-creations.html

Stop by her site and check it out. She has a great blog.

Baby Goth

This wristlet sports a little hardware to enhance the whole "goth" look. It is made from black poplin which is such a crisp fabric to work with! The front and back panels show off the pink and black baby goth fabric with skull and cross-bones and a delicate white swirl in the background. There are two exterior pockets. The one on the front has been accented with 3 extra large grommets with skulls peeping through the opening!

The closure on this bag is an ornate pewter look button that slips into a black fabric loop. The handles are 16" long which does indeed make this a wristlet. It will not fit over an average sized woman's shoulder. The interior is more of the pink skull and crossbones fabric. There are two interior pockets lined with a heavy duck cloth.

This bag is sure to show your sassy side. Black nail polish not included!

Fortune Cookie Bag

This is a new one in my line of novelty asian inspired bags. The exterior is a bright cotton print with a red background and fortune cookies scattered about. Examples of the fortunes are: "If the shoe fits, buy two pair", "Accept compliments and give praise", "The best is yet to be", "you learn best by teaching", "Practice makes perfect", "Failure is the mother of success", and "Go shopping with a bargain hunter".

The closure on this bag is a round silver-toned button with a raised black center. I reminds me of a gong! A fabric loop slips over the button.

There are two exterior pockets lined with black chopstick fabric and accented with a double piping.

The interior is lined with the black chopstick print fabric and has two pockets. These pockets are accented with red piping.

The handles are 16" long making this a wristlet. It will not fit over the shoulder of an average woman.

Use this fun bag with your favorite black jeans! It is sure to get you noticed!

What is your favorite tropical foo-foo drink? Chances are it has something to do with rum and little paper umbrellas!

This island inspired novelty bag is perfect for ladies night! The fabric is a cotton print with recipes of drinks including: "Castaway", "Hurricane", "Planter's Punch", and "Kapu-Kai". You will also see Tikis, pineapples, and coconuts on this bag.

The two exterior pockets are lined with a cotton fabric with a beige background and little cocktails on it. The pockets are accented with a denim colored blue piping.

The closure on this bag is a button made out of coconut wood that slips into a self-fabric loop. The handles are 16" long making this a wristlet.

The interior is a light colored print featuring palm trees and tropical drinks. There are two interior pockets.

Big Island Bag

Planning a trip to Hawaii? Been here and need a reminder of paradise? This is the bag!

The blue fabric is all about Hawaii! It highlights "The Big Island", "Sunset Beach", "North Shore" "Pipe Line", "Lahaina" "Maui Sunset", "Lanikai" and "Haleiwa". Sprinkled about you will also find, hula girls, surfboards, pineapples, plumeria, palm trees and aloha!

There are two exterior pockets which are accented in red piping. They are lined with blue aloha hibiscus print fabric. The closure on this bag is a metal silver-toned button with a red center that slips into a self-fabric loop.

The handles are 16" long, which means that this bag is meant to hang from your wrist or forearm. It will not fit over an average woman's shoulder.

The interior is lined with a blue aloha print fabric. There are two interior pockets.

This bag says "I love Hawaii". Tell the world!

Itsy Bitsy Bikini Bag

Okay girls, you can't hide indoors all year! This bag will start you thinking about getting into shape for bikini season! It will be here before you know it!

This bag was made here in Kona, Hawaii where it is bikini season all year long. This fun fabric has a black background with rows of brightly colored bikinis. There are two exterior pockets that are accented with red piping.

The closure is a black fabric loop that slips over a distressed silver-toned metal button with a red center.

The handles are 16" long, making this a wristlet. They are solid black.

The interior is a bold red aloha print fabric with white hibiscus. There are two interior pockets which are also piped in red.

This bag is sure to chase away the winter blahs. I dare you to not feel sassy with toting this one!

Glass Blower's/ Lampwork Beader's Bag

I have received requests to make novelty handbags that reflect peoples professions and hobbies. This is one of those bags! It is my artist's interpretation of a lampwork bead maker or glass blower's bag.

The exterior is black poplin accented by a bright multi-colored polka dot fabric on both the front and rear panels. The two exterior pockets are further accented by colored beads that have been hand sewn into place. The pockets are lined with the polka dot fabric.

The closure for this bag is a shiny silver-toned button with a black bead in the center that slips through a black poplin loop.

The handles are 16" long, making this a wristlet. It will not fit over an average woman's shoulder.

The interior of this bag is flaming! It is a cotton print with "tongues" of orange flames on a black background.

There are two interior pockets which are accented by black piping.

This bag is a lot of fun. Nothing too serious about this one! Let your handbag make a statement about who you are!

Ginger's Feathers...

Ginger....but no MaryAnn

Aloha!
My latest Gal to hit the scene is "Ginger" Yes, she too could be a "muu-vee star".

Ginger was born on January 17th making her a Capricorn. She is fashioned with luxurious ginger colored Thai silk for her exterior and adorned with Ring-neck Pheasant feathers on her front. There are three one inch pleats and two matte black buttons to finish off her front view.

Ginger's backside has one pocket accented with custom silk piping.

Her black faux leather handles are 13 inches long which makes Ginger a wristlet. Her straps will not fit over an average woman's shoulder.

The interior of this gorgeous bag is lined with a Laotian silk cloth. It is black with copper colored pinstripes. There are two interior pockets which are accented with custom ginger colored silk piping.

Ginger is, for the most part, a quiet woman. She enjoys a good book while sitting in the park. But I've heard that she does know how to let her hair down. Then look out! We all have our wild sides, now don't we girls?

Size:
10" tall
6" wide

Bridget

Why is it that I always seem to be sewing on "football Sundays"? Some of my best creations have come forth on Sundays! And this one is no exception. Please help me to welcome Bridget into this world! She is part of my spring and summer line with the bright colors I promised you.

Bridget was fashioned from a mango colored dupioni silk. This silk is actually a two-toned fabric made from weaving both hot pink and flaming orange silk threads together. The result is amazing. I chose to put only one exterior pocket on this one to allow more room for embellishing the front. But since we girls like to look good both coming and going, I custom made a thick silk piping to accent her "rear" pocket. I lined it with the same fun polka dot fabric that adorns her interior.

On the front there are two pleats about an inch or so wide and two 24kt gold plated metal buttons. These buttons have a buttery gold tone to them and an interesting design on them.

The 16 inch handles are padded, for comfort and structure. They are made to wear on the forearm or wrist and will not fit over most women's shoulders.

The lining is a cotton fabric. It has a jet black background with various sized polka dots in lime green, orange, fushia, purple, blue, light pink, yellow and lavender. The two interior pockets are lined with the same fabric and accented with custom silk piping to match the exterior.

Bridget was born on January 13, making her a Capricorn. She is a warm-hearted idealist who can be found scouting out flea marts and craft bazaars on her weekends. She loves sushi and micro brews. I know she would look great on YOUR arm!

Shoulder Strap Questions...

Aloha
I get a lot of questions asking me if I make this style of bag with a shoulder strap. The answer is that I have but I wasn't happy with how it changed the whole look of the bag. I attached the shoulder strap to the side panels and it changed the way the bag appears when it is closed up. I could just make the existing straps longer...but with the smaller size of this bag, it changes the proportions....and ladies....we all know it is all about proportions, right?

I am hoping to come out with a new design of handbag in the future and I could incorporate similar fabrics that I am using now and add a shoulder strap. However currently, I am selling out of all that I can make of this design so am just struggling to keep up with the demand. I know, I know....poor me! ha! Be careful what you wish for, right?

I absolutely love getting feedback from customers and ideas from future customers however, so please feel free to tell me what it is that is a must have in a handbag for YOU! So far I am hearing, "outside pocket for cell phone", "some sort of closure for security", "a key ring holder", "shoulder strap", "zippered compartments", "more hardware",...any additions??? I am working to keep a balance between my luxury Diva bags and my fun novelty bags to keep my prices affordable for the average woman. But if you would like to see more of something, please just leave me a comment.

Some of my custom bags have evolved simply by talking to the customer and finding out what their hobbies are, favorite colors, favorite places. And before you know it an idea has sprung forth that sets the creative process in motion.

Thanks to all of you out there walking around with your Sasaki Bags. I have big plans for the coming year. Happy New Year to you all!

Hey, Cabbie!

This is a fun novelty bag! The exterior panels are a crisp black poplin fabric lined with fleece and a sturdy stabilizer for added body. The front and back pockets are a cotton print with yellow taxi cabs bumper to bumper. The say "NYC Taxi" on the sides of the cabs. The exterior pockets are accented with bright yellow piping.

For a closure I used an oversized yellow button and an elastic loop. The handles are 1" wide and 16" long, making this a wristlet.

The lining is a black and white cotton print of a traffic jam. The two interior pockets are lined with the taxi fabric and accented with black piping.

Yolanda!

This sassy bag is the latest addition to my "Diva" line of bags. She was born on December 30th, making her a Capricorn. Yolanda is made from jet black dupioni silk with custom black satin piping on her two exterior pockets. The outer pockets are lined in an animal print cotton fabric. There is a 24kt gold plated button for decor only on her front above the pocket. Her handles are black satin and are 16" long making her a wristlet. Yolanda's opening is richly enhanced with black maribou feathers to show off her whimsical side. Yolanda's big surprise, though, lies with her interior. That is where she shows off her wild side with the animal print lining. The two interior pockets are lined with black cotton fabric and accented with black piping to set them off. There is a gold toned magnetic closure on this lovely lady.

Yolanda loves parties but is equally comfortable in black jeans and a button down white shirt. Heels of course!

This bag is for the confident woman who isn't afraid to stand out in a crowd.

New Fabrics for Spring 2008

Yesterday I went shopping and found some beautiful new fabrics for my spring line of bags. You will not miss these girls when they are out and about. They are bold, bright and fun loving colors. A perfect fit for my Divas! I tried to buy locally as much as possible as a loyal islander, but only was able to purchase 3 of my silks on island. The others have been ordered. I can't wait to receive them and see the whole pallette together. Of course aside from the bright and bold theme, there will be some beautiful neutrals with the occasional "feathered Diva".

I have also purchased more of the manufactured handles as seen on "Sienna". I love how those handles look on my girls. They are an upgrade but most customers adore the look. Stay tuned for an update on the Spring Line of Sasaki Bags!

This bag is revisiting my asian theme. It is a black dupioni silk with two exterior pockets. The pockets on both front and back are a beautiful asian tapestry depicting asian women in a garden. There is one 24kt gold plated button on the front with a beautiful filigree design that the elastic loop closure fits over to secure this bag. The interior lining is a beautiful vintage kimono fabric in shades of orange, red, greens, and black. It blends perfectly with the colors in the tapestry. This purse is a wristlest with 16" handles.

New York, New York!

Start singing along with ole Blue Eyes when you see this bag! This one is just for fun. It's main attraction is a map of Queens in New York on one side and Brooklyn New York on the other side. The exterior side panels are a black and white cotton fabric that shows off the Statue of Liberty, Radio City Music Hall, The Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and other New York City attractions. Inside is where I really had fun. This bag is lined with a cotton fabric that will evoke a smirk from even the most New York of New Yorkers! It has bumper to bumper yellow taxi cabs that say NYC taxi on them. There are two interior pockets accented with yellow piping.

I am making map bags of several major cities of the world. London, Paris, Tokyo, Kona....yes, my Hawaii Map Bag will be making its debut before long!