The Messenger Bag - "The Nations" (this bag no longer available)

I have had the greatest honor of creating this incredibly special handbag, called "The Nations". It was designed for a woman who is from Poland, and adopted a little girl from Guatemala. She viewed my Scarlet Clover albums on Facebook, and approached me about making the Messenger Bag for her, with the specifications of somehow combining the two countries (order to be filled sometime in the new year). What a challenge to say the least! Little did she know that her niece viewed our exchanging conversations on my Facebook wall. Her niece then approached me to see if I could have this ready by Christmas, as she and her parents wanted to give it as a gift. Gladly accepting, I went to work researching the traditional clothing of the two countries, hoping to find a common denominator between the two. I hit the jackpot, to say the least. Although Poland and Guatemala are quite different in their histories, their customary clothing I found to be remarkably similar in many ways. With the bold use of color, and gorgeous displays of flowers, I had a lot to work with.

What is unique about the bag that my client chose, is that the center flap of the purse can be worn two ways, having two different looks to the purse. I thought, "How appropriate for this this special request! I'll have Poland on one side, and Guatemala on the other. Brilliant!!" One side of the flap has my modern take on the lovely embroidered flowers that are so prevalent in the traditional blouses worn by Polish women. I created a sort of collage, with fabric layered upon fabric, to create the distinctive look. The other side of the flap reveals the bold, bright, colorful stripes that are so abundant in Guatemalan blankets, skirts and aprons. Having done mission work in Guatemala, I took great pleasure in recreating these amazing color schematics.

If you click on the images to the left, you can get a much larger view of the photos, allowing you to really see the details on the bag. I used wool as the main fabric. The flowers and stripes are composed of cotton blends, satin, and linen.

The label card that accompanied this bag reads:

Although you and your child come from different nations, your love knows no boundaries. "From one blood, God made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence, and the boundaries of the places where they would live," (Acts 17:26) God's steadfast love is "as far as the east is from the west" (Ps 103:12), and "indeed he is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:27)

On the shoulder strap, I added a little touch of flowers, and two hand-carved black wooden buttons. A closer look (again, click on the photo) will give you a better impression.

Once again, the unique design of this bag allowed me to carry on the theme of the two nations to the inside. I used a fabric that is very true to Guatemalan prints and colors on the lining of one compartments, as well as the small pocket which is disguised under my signature "cascade" of fabric.

On the opposite side of the flap, I used a fabulous print that is faithful to the styles so beautifully represented in the traditions of Polish clothing. A closer look will show how I replicated the flowers from the lining to the flowers of the front of the bag (click on image).

One side of the handbag displays these wonderfully convenient cargo pockets. Perfect for keys, cell phones, and lipstick, these compartments are lined with black satin, and have a magnetic snap closure.

The Half-Moon Bag - "Holy Cow!"

"HOLY COW! I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I AM SEEING!" That's right, you are looking at a mighty fine good lookin' handbag ladies. In modern English, the word "cow" is the general term used for the domestic bovine, however, "ox" is the word used to represent this creature in scripture, although "ox" is rarely used in this general sense today. In Chrisian art of the Nativity, the ox and ass are present at Christ's birth, confirming that the Christ child was the promised Messiah (Isa. 1:3, Hab, 3:2). In early patristic writings, the ox was an alternative to the sacrificial lamb, and was symbolic of Christ's sacrifice. The scripture verse chosen to accompany this handbag comes not from the gospels, but from the book of Isaiah 11:7, under the pericope The Peaceful Kingdom : "The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox." We all look forward to that peaceful kingdom, but until then, carry a handbag that represents it......and look good too! Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Christian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 30, Wikipedia.

Appropriatly named, this bag has a very laid back, casual feel of having been a long time resident of the mid-west. The faux leather is very soft and supple, and ages just like the real thing. I have a wing back chair that I recovered in this fabric 5 years ago. It has endured three rambunctious children, a cat, and my husband with his weekend newspapers, and it looks fabulous, old, rustic, and loved.







The half-moon shape fits quite nicely under the arm, and is a very comfortable bag to carry.











The profile is very sexy. I spared no expense to detail...even the shoulder strap looks fantastic. All of the hardware is galvanized steel.










Staying true to all my work, even the lining of my bags look terrific. "Holy Cow!" is what your friends are going to say when they go for a peek inside! The pockets share my signature "cascade" of fabric. Pockets on both sides have a skinny slot for your pens, nail files, or lip liners, and the larger pockets can comfortably hold Blackberry's, checkbooks, and great big sunglasses. The half-moon style is also equipt with my classic side compartments, so to keep things very organized. Enjoy!

The Half-Moon Bag - "The Dove"

The dove is the primary symbol of the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit was present as a dove at the baptism of Christ (Matt. 3:16). This lovely avian represents many differnet things throughout history. It has its presence in Christian art, Medieval art, Russian and Greek Orthodox icons, as well as associations with the seven gifts of the Spirit, peace, the Annunciation, the Trinity, life, and death. The scripture verse chosen for this handbag comes from Matthew 3:16-17 "And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."" This said, I am pleased to present to you "The Dove." Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Christian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 40.
The colors on this handbag represent different shades of water, reflecting on the baptism of Christ. The fabrics consist of tweed, quilted poly blend, linen, suiting, cotton blends.









One of the things I like best about this bag is that the profile looks glorious! How pretty is the flower on the shoulder strap. It adds a lovely feminine touch to your neckline.










The flower is made up of tweed, chenille, velvet, corduroy, denim, satin ribbon, and a fabulous 1930's button replica.






As always, Scarlet Clover bags are just as pretty on the inside, as they are out. The pockets are made in my signature "cascade" of fabrics style. Pockets on both sides have a slot for your writing pens and nail files (or perhaps lip liners), and the larger pocket is big enough for sunglasses, Blackberry's, checkbooks, and phones. The Half Moon bag also has my signature side compartments so to keep things very organized. Enjoy!

Scarlet Clover on Facebook

If you would like to see more photos of Scarlet Clover bags, please follow this link, and click on 'view photos of me.' Facebook me!

Mr. Lane, The Hewsons, and me

Today I made a trip to the USPS to mail a ONE Bag to David Lane, President and CEO of the ONE Campaign. I also mailed a handbag to Bono and his wife Ali earlier this month, on the 4th. It is my hopes that these handbags, along with my letters, land in their hands, and they can see first hand how important this cause is to me.

The Tote -- "All Dogs Go To Heaven"

About two weeks ago, my dear friend, Meegan, told me that she had been talking with several of her friends about my handbags. Whilst in converstaion, Meegan and her friends decided that they, all of whom are Ibizan Hound owners/lovers, needed a fabulous tote with the silouette of an Ibizan Hound on it to take with them to dog shows, and asked me if I would be interested in working with them.





I have, on occaision, accepted commissions to craft bags to a person's requests. As a designer of bespoke handbags, I am pleased to meet with clients to design a bag that is an external expression of their internal interests and passions. Accepting this posed quite a challenge for me, for the dog is looked upon quite unfavorably in Scripture. I didn't want to use a negative scripture verse to accompany my handbags. After plowing through just about every reference to the dog in the Bible, I finally found a passage that was just right. Ecclesiastes, I found, sheds a different light on this animal, by not giving in to despair, but finding hope in those that are lost. "But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion." (Eccl. 9:4) For this reason alone, I chose the theme "All Dogs Go To Heaven". God's grace and boundless love is open to all, even the dogs in this world.

This bag measures 12"h x 12"w x 5" d. I chose fabrics that made me think of 'hounds' and the 'highlands', so I went with Scottish Wool Herringbone, Gray Flannel, Wool Check, Corduroy, as well as a Gray Cotton blend that I quilted. The bottom of the bag is quite sturdy, and will not give in. The handles are double layer Corduroy. By clicking on the photo, you can get a much closer look at the fabrics.







The inside is simple, but functional. The pocket is actually a double pocket. The larger pocket is in the back, and a smaller pocket is in front of it, with a place to put your writing pen.





The D-ring is to hang additional leads on, or keys, if you please.

The Half-Moon Bag - "ONE"

I am so happy to introduce the ONE Bag! I am thrilled with this new creation and will share with you my story as to how it came about. As many of you know, I am a huge U2 fan. I have followed their music for years. My darling husband, Raymond, gave to me for our anniversary gift a trip up to the Liberty Science Center, in Northern NJ, to see U23D. Amazed and blown away by the show is an understatement! Not only can these guys rock your world, but the whole beauty of it is that God's word is laced throughout their music and it is played so FREAKING LOUD!!! Amen brother, Amen. I have to say, I kept a count of Edge's guitar changes....he changed that mighty fine instrument 12 times, and only one was a repeat offender. His third guitar was a silver glitter guitar, and was my favorite of the evening. U23D was an entertainment production to experience like none other. It literally is the first of its kind, and I am so glad to have seen it. The only thing missing was "smellovision!" When Raymond and I left the show and we were walking through the parking lot, I said to him,"Ya know, I think Edge has to be the coolest person to ever walk the face of the earth." "What about Bono? I thought he was your 'Main Man'?" Raymond replied. "Well, yes, I love Bono. I love all that he does, what he stands for, his compassion for those who are forgotten, everything about him, BUT, Edeg is just so COOL! Do you know how many times he changed his guitar?" I said starry eyed. Anyhow, another element of the show that must not be overlooked is U2's focus on the ONE Campaign. Their desire to make aware the injustices of the African peoples, and bring a right to all that is done wrong to them humbles me. I am an active member of the ONE Campaign and believe strongly in making sure Washington keeps their promises for the Millennium Development Goals. For this reason, I have decided to devote a handbag to the ONE Campaign, and will give 20% of all sales to ONE. I left U23D feeling convicted, and knew that I had to do something for the ONE Campaign. Just after our magnifying conversation about the show in the parking lot...well, that thing that God does to me happened again. God spoke to me in a vision. He showed me immediately the new bag I was going to create. He showed me the colors, the stitching, the fabric, Africa, everything! When this happens, it's like images in a file flying before my eyes at super high speed, and miraculously, I am able to read and understand all of it instantly. So with this, I present to you the ONE Bag. The scripture verse I have chosen to go with it comes from the book of Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." I can not think of a better command from scripture to go with this purse.


As I mentioned earlier, Edge's silver glitter guitar was my favorite in the show, and was the inspiration behind the silver confetti sequence on this handbag. The red stars on the shoulder strap, of which there are 4, are pulled from Bono's leather jacket he wore. The sleeve of his jacket revealed 4 red stars. The main material used on this bag is going to surprise you. I have had many women ask if it is leather. My response was,"Have you ever seen vinyl look so good?" Yes, it's vinyl (a high quality vinyl), and it looks AMAZING, if I do say so myself. (No animal slaughtered here.) The shiny red background is red patton. All of the metal used on the handbag is galvanized steel. Collar studs finish off the look on the shoulder strap, which wrap around 3" metal rings.


If you click on the photo, you can get a closer look at the fine detail stitching around the word ONE. This appears the same around Africa on the other side. Confetti sequence is behind the cut out. A selectively placed row of hole punches have been placed around the edge of the front and back, which is then trimmed out with a zipper for affect. Closer attention to the hole punches will find red patton in the background for a hint of color.

This particular bag shown here is a limited edition. I will probably only make 5 with the "I (heart) U2" on the inside panel, and the bull's eye opposite it. All others will be solid red, with the python print pockets. The writing is done in black fabric paint, black Sharpie, and a Pilot Silver Marker. For those of you who are not familiar with the Vertigo Tour, the bull's eye was part of U2's imagery. Slide pockets on the inside display my signature "cascade" of fabric with a mole skin that mimics that of black and white python. This handbag is just as sexy on the inside as it is on the outside. You will never find anything less in a Scarlet Clover handbag!

The Large Day Bag - "Eden" 2008

This stunning handbag is an updated version of the Large Day Bag that came out in 2006. It will stand up strong like a briefcase, and has a durable plastic bottom so to prevent any sinking in the middle. The handels are an acrylic tortoise shell , and the sides and bottom of the bag are faux leather. Antique brass 3/8" purse feet have been added to protect the bottom surface. This fabulous bag is called Eden. Eden is the Hebrew word for "paradise". The floral and tropical prints on this purse represent the Garden of Eden, and the snake skin print is meant to remind us of the serpent, our temptation, our sin, and then our Fall (Gen. 3). I began my ministry in spreading God's word through handbags in 2006 with Eden. God is good.

Eden measures 12" tall, 15" wide, and the base measures 6" deep. It has tons of room inside. My first client purchased Eden to hold all of her knitting supplies, as it is tall enough to comfortably hold the books and neatly stash away other supplies in all of her pockets. This handbag is a classic.










A happy client with her new purchase!















Close up of the Scarlet Clover and charms.











This handbag is the cat's meow inside. With one full size pocket complete with zipper in the middle, one 7" side pocket with zipper, and three extra large pockets (on the right), you can be assured that you have room for all of your girly needs, and then some. The acordian style side pockets are perfect for Blackberry's, your Jackie O sunglasses, checkbooks, cell phones, lipgloss and nail files. Don't be surprised when someone stops you and inquires about your beautiful bag! Don't forget to show them how awesome the inside is!

My inspirations

Next to my Lord, there are two driving forces in my life that are a constant source of inspiration for me. U2 and Beth Moore. They come from two totally different places, their lifestyles are

completely different, however, it is their medium that is the common denominator between them, and that is scripture. These children of God have inspired me in more ways than I can say.

Bono, although we have never met, has been a mentor to me. His love for Jesus Christ, his drive to reach out and help others, and his sheer compassion for those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS brings me to my knees. I wish I could harness that love. U2's music can reach so far into my soul, and drag out of me feelings and emotions that I would never be able to describe. Their songs Walk On, and One always leave me with a spiritual high. I wish I could thank them personally. They have for a long time been part of my spiritual journey. I always work to their music.

And then there's my girl, Beth Moore. I absolutely love that woman! I've never met her either, although I did send her a gift once,and she sent me a thank you. It was from a Bible study of hers that I truly learned how to study scripture. WOW! What a ride! She is a power house! For so many reasons, Beth has helped me become the woman I am today, and for that I cannot thank her enough.

These beautiful people are a constant source of energy for me. Just recently I saw U2 3D, my husband and I went to see it as my anniversay gift. We saw it on the last night showing at the Liberty Science Center, NJ. It is hard to describe the feelings, the thoughts I had inside me when we walked out of the theater. But here's what happened, literally. When Raymond and I were driving home, I said to him, "ya know, Edge changed guitars 12 times during that performance, and only one of them was a repeat offender! He has to be the coolest person to ever walk the face of the earth!" "What about Bono?" he said,"I thought he was your main man?" "Well, he is! I love Bono, I love all that he does, his compassion, everything, but Edge is just so COOL!" He laughed. And then... here goes God again -- He throws an image in my head, out of the blue, and there it is, my next addition to Scarlet Clover! I see these visions of what God wants me to do next. I see the stitching, the details, the pattern.....it all just falls together like you are looking through a file at maximum speed. Click, it's done. Just like that. So my next bag is inspired by U2 3D and the ONE Campaigne, of which I am an active member. I am anxious to get started on it...soon. You can bet I'll post it as soon as it is done.

The Side Kick Bag - "Momma Bee"

Here's a new theme that I've added this summer. This is the start of the "Momma Bee" collection, and it is dedicated to my mother who shares the same name, Bea. The bee & the hive have long been symbols of industry & regeneration, wisdom & obedience, with a place in Christian symbolism. The bee, a symbol of diligence & industry, also represents vigilance. The beehive is a relatively modern symbol representing the church. Many bees, each assigned a different task, working together for the building up of the hive reminded artists of the Body of Christ. Click on the image to get a close up of the "bees". I've used black and white buttons for charm. Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Christian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 107, Symbols of Christian Art & Architecture. A Resource for Learning the Sign Language of the Faith (on the web).

A simple purse that is secured with a large glossy black button and a magnetic snap holds smaller simple items. The large pocket at the top is deep enough to hold your checkbook (long ways), pens, nail file, and perhaps sunglasses. There are six slots for your plastic, a changepurse with zipper, and a smaller pocket behind the changepurse. Everyone always likes the surprise of the beehive once the purse opens up! Who says a purse can't be as pretty inside as it is out? You can always "bee" assured that a Scarlet Clover bag will never overlook that detail!!




A close up of the bee and the hive.

The Side Kick Bag - "Love"

I've added a smaller bag to my collection this summer. The Side Kick Bag was created specifically for my darling mother who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Because she is unable to hold onto a handbag, she prefers something to throw over her shoulder. This purse is part of my Love collection. The rose, a symbol for love, is meant to remind us of the Fruit of the Spirit, the first of those being Love (Galatians 5:22-26). This bag, with it's raw edge's and informal appearance is a great choice for the casual wardrobe.




A large square wooden button and a magnetic snap secures its closure. This darling bag is composed of many different materials....buttons, lace, and fabrics of varying textures (tweed, silk, taffeta, & denim). The handsome suiting on the inside gives a masculine touch to an otherwise feminine look.








The purse opens up to reveal plenty of slots for your plastic. There is one large pocket opening at the very top that is deep enough to hold your checkbook (long ways), pen, nail files or sunglasses. Just behind the changepurse (with zipper) is another pocket which is great for keys.









The Side Kick looks the same on the front as it does on the back.

I Hit Retail Baby, Yeah!

Thrilled beyond words, here I am with Claire, proprietess of Charmed by Claire in Cranbury, NJ, of whom is now selling my handbags. Thank you so much, Claire, for having faith in me and giving me a chance. You're awesome.

A stroll throught the darling town of Cranbury will have you smitten, indeed! Charmed by Claire is on the corner of North Main Street and Park Place West. Bring your wallet ladies, you'll need it.

Cheers!

My Workspace

This is where it all began, in our basement, Cranbury, NJ. Since then, we have moved to Newtown, PA, and I have set up a studio in our house.

The Carpet Bag - "Acacia Bush"

Shown here on the Carpet Bag, the symbol of the Acacia Bush, with its leaves resembeling tongues of fire, is connected to the burning bush, in which the angel of God appeared to Moses (Exod. 3:2). Because the fire did not consume the bush and because of the durable nature of the wood, the acacia bush symbolizes immortality and permanence. This handbag is positively radiant, inside and out! I have chosen a subtle, yet perfectly appropriate tapestry of paisley that appears to be tongues of fire, along with a faux leather, satin, taffeta, twill, and cordurory. This is a lovely combination. The faux leather will soften in color over time from the oils in your skin. Limited Edition (3) Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Christian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 103.















A closer look at the golden colors inside. The Carpet Bag is designed for organization -- trust me, I am queen of organization, and I designed this bag just for that. The center compartment of the bag should hold your items that you would need immediately (the side pockets for your sunglasses, checkbook, lipsticks, cell phone), and the side compartments are for things that you need on occasion (ibuprofen, dental floss, tissues, etc.).