Dimensions: 11" wide x 11" high (including handle)
Metric: 28 cm wide x 28 cm high
Purses like this one have achieved acclaim as folk art, especially among prisoners who have made them out of cigarette wrappers. I've always been intrigued by how they were constructed and loved the woven look. I made my first one out of wallpaper sample books and the rest since then have been out of the outer paper that covers dog food bags.
When I first saw purses like this for sale, they were always a fortune. Ha! Now I know why. They take a long time to make!
Lately, though, I've seen cheap versions available on eBay as well as several fair trade groups have been making them for around $30. Please note that they are using larger pieces of paper, the purses are a lot smaller, they don't have any surface decoration and that they are imported. Not necessarily cheap labor, but a different currency.
I am very pleased with the results of my purses and extremely proud of myself. The others have sold and now you have the opportunity to own this piece as wearable art. Yes, it is functional, but I see "Candy" more as an art piece than as a purse.
I've never seen anyone incorporate buttons or beads into these bags and I think this makes my pieces especially interesting. I used a mixture of vintage and salvaged buttons on this one. One side is primarily purple and the other, red. Note that the woven paper at the top calls out to the buttons and are also red or purple.
A magnetic button serves as a closure at the top.
The purse has over 500 pieces of folded paper in it. I was going to keep track of the time it took to make it, but I made it over several months and lost track. I do know there were at least six of the biggest dog food bags involved, plus three or four medium ones and a couple small ones. Whew! (Yes, I have some monsters to feed...)
Make sure you click on the zoom option in this listing for larger images. I have more images of the purse, so convo me with your email address if you would like to see them. If you are interested in seeing the other purses I've made or would like to learn more about the technique, visit my blog: http://fiberfocus.blogspot.com/search/label/Candy%20Wrapper%20Weaving
I have links there that will take you to other sites with more info as well.
Shipping on this purse is free worldwide.
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Please visit my store for gorgeous ethnic textiles and for things that I make. I combine shipping on multiple purchases, ship worldwide, and strive to support hand made textiles from many cultures.
All sales on Etsy are in USD.
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