The Sarah Backpack "Joseph's Coat" $145 ~ The Chicks Collection

I am quite intrigued by how some words, or passages, in the Bible translate quite differently from one language to another. The story of Joseph's Coat is one of those instances. Genesis 37: 3 reads, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves." The rare Hebrew term modifying robe appears to mean "the palms of the hands" or " the soles of the feet," hence the NRSV's a long robe with sleeves. The traditional translation, "a coat of many colors," is based on the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Hebrew), which took this unusual Hebrew term to mean "multicolored." There are disputes among theologians about the translation "coat of many colors." It may be a mistranslation, and the actual nature of the garment is subject to dispute. The New Interpreter's Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version With The Apocrypha (USA: Abingdon Press, 2003) Sarah Backpack $145

Playing with the visual images I draw from Joseph's "coat of many colors," I have created the Sarah Backpack which is only available in plaid or houndstooth. Pick your color ladies!! I'll make it for you. The fabric for this particular backpack is made of Scottish wool, bottomweight, black leatherette on the top flap, and 100% leather for the straps and drawstring.

All hardware is brass.

Click on any of the photos for a larger view.

A handsome black, brown and tan check is paired with an espresso brown flap in leatherette, and black 100% leather strapping and drawstring.

The shoulder straps can be adjusted for three different lengths at the bottom of the bag.

As always I find a clever location for my signature cascade of fabrics. The backs of these little darlings do not go left unadorned.

How The Chick's Collection came to be.

As as designer, my ideas and inspirations come and go like the tide. There are many times I yearn to produce something new and fresh, and often more than not I am left sadly like a dried up well.....nothing there, no visions, no pulling together of ideas, no nada. I hate it when that happens. But when I get the teeniest spark of light out of the darkness, the inspirations and visions come like a flood. I practically can't get the drawings out fast enough. What a rush it is when that happens.

That is precisely what happened with our newest addition, The Chicks Collection. I think it was Rahab that started it all. I love that story in the Bible. It represents so much hope for those that are lost. It is a fine example of God's grace and mercy. She was a brave woman, Rahab, and for that I wanted to share her story. After that, I decided on Esther. Then it was the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair Naomi and Ruth - WOW! What a story. It just brings tears to my eyes. Eve was a must.....good ol' Eve! Sarah's faith in the Lord to guide she and Abraham into the unknown, and then to provide her with a son after all of those years, well, she was a shoe in as well. That leaves us with the last, but most certainly not the least, Mary, mother of Christ. She is the only woman I choose from the New Testament, as she towers over and above all others. Voila! I had new names for new designs, and the inspirations for shapes and textures began to flow. From here The Chicks Collection was born.

My need to not only create, but to solidify my work with meaning, meaning that comes from scripture, is an ultimate high for me. I love reading the Bible and pulling images from beautifully painted verses. Running through the files in my mind of how I can apply the bold use of color and texture along with keys words or phrases such as "crimson cord" or "valley of dry bones" is a challenge that I embrace with great gusto and delight. This said, the pieces I create are more than just a handbag to me, they are a symphony. They sing to me. I see stories with them. I feel them, just as I feel joy and love and compassion as I read God's word. It is because of all of these things that I know that the Lord is behind all of these designs. I am simply the vessel. To create for Him and to spread His word though these designs, to glorify Him.....well, it's quite hard to put into words how it makes me feel, but to say "wonderful" is a good start.

Your Sister In Christ, Heidi