Handpainted Silk Bag - Dong Song

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I am thrilled to be releasing this line of handbags. I have several silk paintings on order that I will be making into bags in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. I have a Chinese painting of a man by a waterfall and a couple of paintings with chinese women that are SO beautiful. I can hardly wait to show you!

I finished the exterior of this bag a couple of weeks ago. I even made a laotian silk lining to slip into her interior....but it just didn't seem to match her personality. So I waited. Well, yesterday, my beloved postman delivered some fabric that I got from Jacki over at Fabricobsession.com, a great fabric co-op. In my little box was a couple yards of an Amy Butler print that I adore. I got it thinking it would look marvelous if I hand beaded some of the paisley type designs and used it as an exterior of a bag....but last night, this fabric spoke to me and before I climbed into bed, I had finished the lining for this new handbag.

This is the first in my new line of Hand Painted Handbags. I actually used a silk painting in my Hanoi Map Bag, but I decided to make this a more elegant look.

I named this particular beauty "Dong Song" which translates into Vietnamese as "To sail up the river". (according to an online translator site, so forgive me if someone knows otherwise!) The painting which is on the front panel of the bag, was done by a Vietnamese artist. It is a scene of a small boat filled with seven women making their way to market.

I see so much symbolism here....
1. Women facing the world together....
2. Overcoming obstacles...
3. Taking time to enjoy girlfriends

What a great gift this would make for a girlfriend who has been struggling with an illness or overcoming a divorce. Just reminding her that "we are all in this boat together, honey!"

This may be WAY more than the artist had in mind when he/she painted it...but in Barb's world...(and that is where you find yourself right now, by the way!) I can make up any story I like and stick to it! ha!

The colors in this painting include shades of blue, ochre, tan, soft yellow, and green.

The Thai Silk that was used to construct the rest of the exterior of this bag is a golden tan color with a luscious sheen.

There is one exterior pocket on the rear of this bag.

The handles are light brown faux leather with antique bronze hardware. They are 13" long.

The interior is an Amy Butler 100% cotton print. It reflects the same colors of the painting plus a few colorful additions of peach and rust.

There are two interior pockets accented with brown piping.

This bag closes with a gold-toned magnetic snap closure.

This is a one of a kind bag. You will be the only person on the planet earth with this bag!

Size:
10" tall
6" wide
This bag is a wristlet due to the length of the handles.

Dong Song was born on May 22, making her a Gemini. Being a "good twin" Dong Song has a multi-faceted personality. She may appear self-assured and confident but at times she is still shy and self-conscious. She is comfortable in groups but thoroughly enjoys her own company. Maybe that is why I like her so much!

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.

Alexis

Please join with me in celebrating the birth of my latest Diva, Alexis! She was born Saturday, December 22, making her a Capricorn. She enjoys quiet evenings and long walks. Her style is simple elegance. She is a wonderful companion and knows how to keep a confidence. Alexis is reserved, but once she gets to like someone, she will be their friend for life.

Alexis is made from thai silk in a taupe color. She has one exteror pocket lined in a peacock colored thai silk and accented with custom silk piping. Her beauty is highlighted by the gorgeous blue almond pheasant feathers she wears so well. They have shades of grey, peacock, gold, black and a multitude of other colors.

Her interior has one pocket and a gold-tone magnetic snap closure. Her handles are 16" long making her a perfect wristlet. She has two 24kt gold plated buttons on her front with a filigree design on them.

I am very proud of this young lady. I'm sure she will go far in life.

Mapping the World!

Well, if you read my earlier blogs about getting permission from ITMB to use their maps to make my map bags, you know that the President of that company requested a map bag for his wife. She is Vietnamese so he even sent me a map of Hanoi, Vietnam and put post-its near where their house is located and other points of interest to include in her bag. Yesterday I finally got the silk painting I ordered from ebay that I planned to use in this bag. It is by a vietnamese artist and is basically a silk panel that has been painted on. It had a lovely scene of fishing and women in a village field. So being brave I just cut the painting up to use as fabric panels for Mrs. Joyce's bag. The fabric panels are on either side of the bag and the map panels are on the front and back sides. I lined this bag with a golden silk fabric that I bought at Jim Thompsons in Bangkok, Thailand. There is also a magnetic closure and two pockets inside. I had some Laotian silk I wanted to use for the lining but it just didn't go with the bag. I hope she likes this as a reminder of home. There's no place like home.....