They were too small to make clothes, but perfect for bags!

They were too small to make clothes, but perfect for bags!

My first bag was created last year designers are always diversifying and looking for new avenues for their creations!

What kind of bags do you design?All sorts! From bags to match wedding dresses, to evening or special occasion, daytime/casual and holiday bags. I also make bags for your shoes and recycled bags made from Denim jeans and shirts! I've even been known to use a Place Mat!A lot of people bring me their old jeans, or shirts and get me to turn them into a bag  an innovative accessory that can be used every day and flung in the wash!

I will also take commissions to design and make an individual bag, so the client can discuss what they really want and see the bag taking shape.

What inspires your creations?I'm inspired mainly by the fabrics, embellishments and different techniques but anything goes within reason!

Why do you think women spend so much on bags?I think it because a bag can really add to, or change an outfit. A bag to today woman is what a mink coat was to the Hollywood Stars of the 40s a bit of a status symbol!

Your all time favourite handbag designer?I have a few! Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Lulu Guiness Fiorelli but there are so many!

"If you see it and it just too good to miss, then buy it after all, a girl best friend is her bag!?"

Carol Baines

Which celebrity you would like to design for?I really love Fern Britton she got bags of personality (sorry about the pun!) she a lovely person, and although she a bigger lady, she loves to have fun and she looks brilliant. It would be a great challenge to be able to design some funky tote bags, or special occasion bags for her. I think it would be great fun to design for her.

Should women have matching shoes and bag?Depends where you're going. I think it can look smart to match shoes and bags, or just to tie in or contrast the colour/style somehow. It's not always necessary, though. Sometimes it just fantastic to have a really eye catching bag. You tend to see the bag before the shoes  especially if you're wearing trousers.

Describe your main 'staple' bag?I would say my large denim bag (recycled from jeans or shirts) is both popular and very useful!

Sherbet Dip

What can you find in your bag?During the day and at work I usually have a large bag. In it you can find, purse, makeup bag, comb, hand cream, paper hankies, keys, mobile, small sketch pad (for ideas!), pen, glasses (not for drinking!), face/hand wipes, perfume, business cards kitchen sink?

And if you're hitting town?For evening, I would probably have a smaller bag  maybe a clutch. Again I would have money, keys, some makeup (lipstick, eyeliner, powder), comb, perfume (mini version), hankies, business cards and my mobile.

What do you think of manbags?I haven't designed any manbags but I actually think some men look really good with a bag (depending on the style). Louis Vuitton has some manbags, but I like Tod Messenger Bag for men in dark brown leather with contrast stitch, very masculine looking, but classy. It has lots of compartments inside great for ladies to unload any unwanted items from their bags!

What's in this season?There are so many styles and shapes to choose from! They say that the coming fashion trends are going to be stripes, African prints  getting back to nature with fake crocembossed, snakeskin patterns  which look good in polished patent or metallics (as a whole bag or even a strap or pocket detail) whilst fake zebra or leopard prints look good if you them on a small to medium model.

Delta Blue

Colours are supposed to be more muted this spring/summer (lemon fresh, candy pink, pearly purple). Lulu Guinness is bringing out a soft leather, slouchy style bag in a range of colours as a key piece of her 2008 collection. She has also asked designers Daisy and Poppy De Villeneuve to create some smaller items including a hard, patent clutch, which I really like the look of. There are also larger, totes in brighter, shiny colours (Dolce Gabbana).

If you're after budget buys well, looking in the sales is always worth a try and also the dreaded ebay! But sometimes, it just when you're not looking you see a bargain! If you see it and it just too good to miss, then buy it after all, a girl best friend is her bag!?

While some brides want the ultra chic

While some brides want the ultra chic, absolutely latest in bridal gowns off the runway, other brides want a more traditional or classic look. Used wedding dresses that have only been worn once and were carefully cleaned and stored can be a terrific way to

While some brides want the ultra chic, absolutely latest in bridal gowns off the runway, other brides want a more traditional or classic look. Used wedding dresses that have only been worn once and were carefully cleaned and stored can be a terrific way to find a classic style of dress without having to pay the huge price of a brand new gown. Classical styles of wedding dresses, or even an antique styles of dresses, are wonderful ideas for many different wedding themes and certainly deserves a bit of consideration.

There are some very specific terms used in describing the style of a used wedding gown as well as those that are hot off the latest fashion magazine. These terms define the shape or silhouette, the sleeve style, bodice, neckline and train. Understanding the terms will help you in choosing your classic or traditional gown or staying with a more modern or trendy variation.

The silhouette is important as this is the shape or structure of the gown. Typically, classic used wedding gowns will offer as many options as the very modern varieties; however, some of the extreme silhouettes may not be common in the classical styles. Very popular silhouettes include the empire, which is a slimming skirt on a high waistline, giving an appearance of height to shorter brides. A ball gown style of silhouette has a fitted waist and a very full skirt, similar to that of a fairytale princess. The ball gown style of wedding dress is truly a classic, but equally beautiful is the sheath style that creates a gently fitting look down the entire length of the body. The trumpet or mermaid style of silhouette is fitted to about the knees then flairs out, creating movement when the bride walks and turns.

Sleeves on used wedding gowns can very from the very classical sleeveless option to full long sleeves. One of the determining factors of the sleeve length on a wedding dress is often the time of year of the wedding and the dress designs of the bridesmaids. Off the shoulder, full length, cap or threequarter length sleeves give a dramatic appearance while also adding comfort to a bride that doesn''t want to go with a full sleeveless gown. Cap sleeves give a bit of cover to the shoulders while a Tsleeve is longer, more like that on a woman''s tshirt. Either can be prefect for a spring or autumn wedding or to create a more balanced appearance with the bridesmaid''s gowns if they have sleeves.

Deciding on the bodice, or the part of the dress that covers the torso, really gives a lot of options in both classical used wedding dresses and fully modern designs. Fitted bodices are always popular, giving a wonderful shape to the bride and drawing the eye to her face and shoulders. The bodice can fasten at the back with corset or lacings and can be very sexy yet also very classical and elegant. Often corset or lacing bodices are strapless and sleeveless but tank top or halter styles are also possible. Additionally, spaghetti straps, crisscross and empire style bodices are popular on wedding gowns. The bodice also includes the neckline, which needs to be considered as it adds to the overall effect of the dress based on each bride''s particular body shape and face shape.

Finally, used wedding dresses can have a train or they can be simple and elegant without this added fabric. Trains can be very short and just barely touching the ground or they can be cathedral or royal trains that will extend up to 10 feet behind the bride. Finding the right style of used wedding dresses means knowing the basic terms used in describing wedding gowns.

Would you rather have 2ct

Would you rather have 2ct (total weight) wedding ring/bridal set, that the stones are not top grade (color, clarity, etc. from like Helzberg)? The center stone is 3/8 ct. with two more on each side and the band has five stones on it. Or would you rather have a 1ct. set, but the diamonds are good quality (Solitaire is .57 ct, colorless and very minor inclusion that can only be seen with loop) and the band has another half ct. of high quality stones? (this set is from a privet jeweler, not a chain store). The 2ct. ring is all round cut diamonds. The 1 ct. is a princess cut solitaire, and the band are round cut. The price of both rings are within about $100 of each other.

My taste tends to run toward smaller but higher quality. I don't actually think anyone would notice less clarity or flaws, but I know. It makes a difference to me. If the cost difference is nominal, then I would just rather have a little better stone. Of course, I tend to like smaller jewelry, so that plays in.

Wedding dresses are different and much more beautiful

Wedding dresses are different and much more beautiful than ever these days. However, there are latest trends in every season, there are plenty of options that every bride can have a very personal one created. A great way to enhance your wedding dress would be to color the accents inside your wedding gown.

Colors can be used as a subtle accent or a bold statement. A nonwhite color can be put into the white background. A great way to add interest to a white wedding dress is straightforward, with a colored belt around the waist, down the tail in the rear. Embroidery is another detail that you can do in exquisite colors. Delicate flower embroidery on the dress for that body could be inside a beautiful gold or silver. A very hot trend at this time is bold arabesques embroidered black thread on white dress. Brides who choose to repeat often thought to be the reason for her dress yourself in the dessert. We saw beautiful hand embroidery round the neckline from the dress silk simple. For a wedding within the fall, select flowers and vines stitched in warm autumn colors. A very subtle effect, but it is particularly ivory embroidered white daisies having a touch of yellow in the centers.

Even though the main color of a wedding dress ought to be white or ivory, the trims in the wedding dress can be red, blue or any other color. The coloured trims from the wedding dresses will get more attention. Many styles of wedding gowns include colored trims and brides can specify the color of the trims.

Brides who choose pearls add sparkle for your favorite color for clothing. It is an excellent method to create a fully customized wedding dress. Shining blue Swarovski crystal beads are scattered and add another beautiful appearance towards the dress. Whichever color you choose, you are taking with an astonishing range of wedding jewelry crystals for a result very well coordinated. A beautiful view is really a combination of colored beads and jewelry wedding crystal. A touch of color in accessories for your wedding is a fun way to enhance a dress all in white.

Probably the most innovative purposes of color was a wedding gown custom made by a ballroom dancer. She wanted a conventional white gown down the aisle, but she loved the intense red and hoped for a smart way to accent the gown itself. The gown was made from layers of white silk and chiffon, etc. When the bride walked down the aisle, it had been an aspiration in white, floating with small flashes red because the layers of her dress flowed and floated.

A little color for your wedding gown is a superb method to reflect the dress of the personality. There is also a good idea if you prefer a simple dress removal.