She can't because she doesn't work with leather. She referred me to
Bags Babylon who makes lovely frame handbags with clasps.
The prices, though probably excellent for handmade, caused a bit of sticker shock. I guess I was still thinking about the 60's.
Still, I might see if she'd make one a little more to my liking than those she shows. I would like something that stands on its little feet, opens wide but not too wide, and stays open until I close it. I don't need to carry huge items but the small ones I have (small wallet, largish coin purse, cell phone, glasses case for switching between sunglasses and regular, keys, notepad, pen, and of course at least one lipstick and compact) get "fat" in my purses. I don't care if things stack. That's why I like the base, the frame for support, and the way it narrows going from top to bottom.
I don't need a large frame bag. The smaller doctor's style is in the running, less the over-wide/thick strap and the frilly decoration (can't tell if it's attached but I think it is). I also prefer the clasp style of the larger doctor's style bag. I like things to be simple and unobtrusive yet practical. I think it's usually easier to adorn a plain item than to "unadorn" original decorative features.
