What does a girl get herself for her birthday? What does an artist get herself for her birthday?
This year I wanted to get something that accomplished several things [as if a gift has to actually accomplish something!]:
1. be unique...meaning it is, if not one-of-a-kind, then nearly so
2. be artistic and exude fine craftsmanship; as an artist who works in the exacting minutia of tiny ceramic tile mosaic, I clearly understand and speak the language of detail, of painstaking one-at-a-time-ness. My mosaics [whether in Moroccan ceramic tiles or Orsoni Smalti] are put to my designs one tile at a time. I wanted something that someone else had worked on with this level of detail and love of their art.
3. support the business of other women...I have no problem with men-owned and run businesses but this world needs a bit more volume of women-owned and operated businesses. And to support the work of other artists.
4. reflect some part of my life as an American.
That's a lot to ask of a thing but I found it in the form of a purse. Before I tell you about the company that produces these works of wearable art, let me tell you the story of how I found it.
Fact is, I needed a new purse. Did it have to literally be "new" as in no one else had ever used it? Sort of. I do believe in recycling and reusing, but to me a purse is rather personal and it's kind of like wearing someone else's old socks. Just something I wouldn't do. Did it need to be inexpensive and economical? Not this time. Truth be told there are some items that if you have the resources, you purchase the best quality you can because there is truth in the saying: you get what you pay for. I've wasted quick a bit of coin buying purses over the years. Purses for me are work horses...they get used. I hang it on the back handle of my studio door, toss it in the car or the shopping cart; throw it over my arm or shoulder and occasionally have to tug 0'war it away from my grandson. It has to carry the essentials:
- wallet
- comb and other on-the-go grooming items
- breath mints and antacids [you are lucky if you don't need those]
- toys - when hanging out with grandson
- bottle of water sometimes
- stand in for a briefcase at times
- and a whole host of other stuff
So it needs to be rugged enough to get through my life with me. And this year, as my birthday approaches, the thought of a new purse came up because I need a new one and by jiggy! I was tired of getting a purse that barely lasted 12 to 18 months because its stitching started to unravel or its fake leather stained or tore or the lining fell apart or the handles fell off or it devolved into a slouchy annoyance - you know the ones, those are the purses that if you sit it on the counter at the store it decides to slump and slowly droop and casually spill all its contents out for all the world to see. Nope, no more of that. But the question was: where to find the purse that would fit all that I desired of it?
Well. The history behind the bag in the photo above starts last October. We had just moved to this new community and one day my daughter and I were exploring the downtown shopping area. She was directing me up and down the blocks and we window shopped. Next to an interesting looking eatery was a western-type shop that had boots and other leather goods in the front windows including purses. I looked and just thought the purses were kind of intriguing. Didn't think too much more because I don't define myself as a cowboy-style person.
Then in November the downtown had a Christmas preview event. Kids could get their photos with Santa and many stores and shops had "elves" out front giving away candy to the kids. There was music and dancing in the streets...quite the nice event. We strolled around and, once again, passed the western shop. There it was, the purse. Again it tickled my psyche.
This week I went to a hair salon downtown - again the whole birthday thing had kicked in so I got a completely new "do." Afterwards I wanted to try a new place for lunch so went to the eatery that advertised a great variety of burgers and teas, Panama Bar and Cafe. Wow. The perfect lunch. Had a mango-infused iced tea, superb onion rings and an open-faced burger on sourdough bread with swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms and a horse radish sauce. The music played was "my" era music so I was tapping my foot as I ate. Just a perfect lunch.
The way back to my car took me right by the western shop as it is right next door to the cafe. And there it was. The Purse. I went in. A very helpful salesgirl showed me several but I fell in love with what soon became 'my' purse. Let me tell you a bit about it.
My purse is made by American West. The company is 25 years old this year having been started in 1986. According to the little booklet that came with my purchase:
"...While on vacation in South America in 1985, the founders of American West purchased a hand tooled natural leather carpet bag from the Guarani Indian tribe. Intrigued by the history and artisanship, and armed with determination and a design background, American West was born...."
From their website:
Capturing the spirit of the true West, American West designs are influenced by the men and woman who embrace the lifestyle and are proud to be part of the culture. Industrialization has allowed some companies to create tooled leather through the use of machines. Not at American West. Each and every American West item is still tooled by hand, one strike at a time, to create these beautiful works of art.
Now this part about '...tooled by hand...' completed the sale for me because it told me that my purse was created by an artist. It was designed by an artist, it was tooled by an artist, and it was constructed by a talented artisan. Cool.
More coolness, this is a woman-owned company. Again from the booklet: "...American West is a female-owned and operated company. From original designs and special order leathers, to the marketing and corporate office decisions, women are in charge. But it doesn't stop there - American West's longest standing manufacturing partner is a factory operated by a woman and her three daughters...."
I appreciate what the company's designer, Louise de Kok, says on their website:
- "...As we enter our 25th year in business, it is my privilege to honor our crafters . The artisans who daily grant us their time and talent, unassumingly play a significant role in preserving a national treasure...a western treasure. By passing down the art of hand tooling, hand dying and leather painting from one generation to another, these men and woman are not only teaching valuable skills in craftmanship, but also precious lessons in pride and patience. Everything worthwhile comes with time and effort. Impossible to duplicate by machine, the human touch is accentuated by each individual artist's brush stroke, nuance and carving pattern...."
See? A gift just full of art. Wow. And what she says about "...a western treasure..." passing down leather arts, well I admit that is a part of what being an American western girl is about. I grew up in a very small rural town in central California and there were plenty of cowboys around. The town has since changed character but a 'western' cowboy/cowgirl culture is yet alive and thriving in California. Plenty of rodeos each year to prove it.
Hmmm. Seems my new "Zip-Around East-West Tote" by American West meets all four points of criteria I wanted my birthday gift to be: 1)unique, 2) artistic, 3)supportive of women-owned business and 4)reflective of the American West. [actually the Americas, North and South...leather tooling, cowboys, boots...these are not U.S. west only are they?]
Before I end with a close-up detail photo of the beautiful tooling work on my purse, let me leave you with a thought: when spring and summer come around this next New Year of 2012 be sure to visit art shows, outdoor art festivals and other types of arts and fine crafts exhibitions. Celebrate the gifts of the artists and help to support the arts by purchasing work for yourself and as gifts. Take a class this year and explore some type of artistic expression whether in visual arts, dance, music, writing...even gardening and sewing. Make sure your children's schools are including arts education of some kind. If you are a college student don't ignore the creative side of your mind...include at least one semester of some kind of creative class.
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