I love the idea of using a wicker or straw handbag once the weather warms up. There’s just something about an airy, earthy bag that spells summer to me. Using a basket as a handbag reminds me of delightful childhood stories, dressing up as Alice, tea parties, picnics on the lawn…
And baskets are just about everywhere! Check out a thrift store or a garage sale for the most affordable baskets imaginable. (Baskets with built-in lids are a lot harder to find, but they’re certainly out there!) Craft stores like Michael’s or Jo-Ann’s sell them (but for a lot more than thrift).
This scan from the May 2011 issue of Ray magazine presents a wonderful assortment of basket-style handbags…and though the prices are something to gasp at, there are oodles of wonderful DIY ideas in there as well. Dress up baskets with silk flowers, scraps of lace, purse hardware, pompons, paint, ribbon, or gems, for starters. Add a satin lining, a dried starfish, a vintage brooch, sequin trim, bows, or even a teddy bear’s disembodied head. (!)
I DIY’d a half-moon clutch a couple years ago, by stitching on some puka shells and adding a little tassel pull and braided trim I made from raffia.
So if you can’t find what you’re looking for locally, there’s always Ebay, which is a great source for baskets, straw totes, and wicker clutches. (Like this one below – which looks oh-so-Chloe S/S 2011!)
The only difficulty is narrowing it down to the one you want!
xoxox
Carly
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I remember ordering a basket purse in high school and waiting and waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I am glad this trend is coming back around. I would love to walk to the park with my baby carrying a big wicker basket bag. 🙂
I love straw bags, and the one you made is fabulous!!! I did one using rope, inspired by Kate Spade’s Hello Sunshine tote. Check it out under my 30 Days of DIY!
xoxoxoxo
Lia
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really nice blog!
if you want follow me on blogger I will do the same!
http://freakyfriday-sabrina.blogspot.com
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All of those baskets are gorgeous! I could have a collection of ten – wait, scratch that…20! 🙂
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Hi Carly,
Do you have a tutorial for your straw clutch? I am working on making a clutch out of a straw placemat and was wondering how you did it with a zipper and all. Sorry, I was not able to find your tutorial in your DIY’s.
Thanks!
xx
maya
The orange half-moon shaped straw clutch? I bought it on Ebay and just added some shells and braided raffia to it. I didn’t make it from scratch.
Check out my last Links of the Week – there’s a tutorial in there for making a tablet case out of a placement – maybe that can be used for a straw placement into clutch? And I know there’s a tute for making a zippered bag out of a placemat in there somewhere as well…oh yeah, here it is: http://untilwednesdaycalls.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-sew-vinyl-zippered-clutch.html
Hope that helps!
xoxo
Carly
Thanks, Carly! You’re always so helpful!
Have a great time in Japan.
xx
maya