Handbags

Today I finally got my handbags ready for Leslie's store--what a relief!! That was one of those things that was kind of weighing on me and was becoming stress. My friend Leslie has this amazing little store in downtown Plymouth called North Street Stained Glass Emporium. Leslie is a stained glass artist and her work is amazing!!- so bold and colorful!! It is a store/studio/classroom and it is the coolest! It is what I would want only with fabric and beads. The last time I was at one of her artists receptions she invited me to put some bags in for sale. She hosts a local artist every month, and MY show is in September!! Anyway, I finally got my bags there today: a felted purse, an evening bag with one om my mini quilts as a pocket, and a black back pack with a pink skull motif. This is an example of one of my felted purses. These are really fun to do if you like to knit. Leslie loved the bags and hopefully I will make a sale!

I have fallen totally in love with making handbags, and it's weird, because I have never been much of a purse person. When I get a bag I like, I tend to use it until it practically falls apart. Everyone I know is always changing bags!! As I said earlier, I love the thought of making functional art, and I think people will like using my bags as a way of showing their own creativity.

I have had the past two days off from work and they have been productive, good days. I feel like I have found my path again. Not only did I get Leslie's bags done, but I started my new line of "Grimlets." Last month while I was on vacation, my daughter asked if I knew how to make a wristlet. I said, tell me what that is and I'll tell you if I can make one!! A wristlet is a little clutch with a small strap attached for carrying around your wrist. Sure, I could do that, but when I tried to think of the design in my head I kept calling them grimlets. Yeah I know, nuts. I would say, no, wristlets. But I liked the word grimlets, and wanted to use it somehow. Now, I am a major league horror movie fan, so I thought, why not a grim wristlet, featuring a mildly scary motif!! So I fashioned my first "grimlet" featuring a little skull I have had for years named Jed. It is coming out awesome and will have a picture next time. Woudn't it be cool if these took off?

Welcome to my Blog!!!!

Ok, I'm going to try my hand at blogging again. It's tough for me to spend a lot of time in front of the computer, but I realize now that I really need to have some sort of internet presence if i am going to have any success selling my art.

I am Karen Tripp from Plymouth Mass. I am a painter turned fabric artist, and for the most part that manifested itself in the form of art quilts. I started as a traditional quilter, and the artist in me simply took over. I took a class on how to make quilted landscapes many years ago, and realized that I could use what I knew about painting and translate it into fabric. Above is a quilt that I made for my daughter. Her favorite flower is an hibiscus, and I surprised her with this quilt this past Christmas. I have had a little success showing and selling my work, but I think at this stage in my life (I turned 50 last year) I would like to really get serious about promoting my art. When you have another full time job, one that pays the bills, it is easy to let life get in the way. I have been trying really hard to NOT let it get in the way, and when it does to get right back in there and keep going. It's tough sometimes, though, isn't it? I went to see Tom Petty in concert this weekend and although it was totally awesome and I had a blast, it still interrupted my artistic flow---train of thought if you will. I mean, I realize that I have to work, and have fun occasionally, and put food on the table, but you know? Sometimes I just don't want to!!!

Anyway, (boy, that's another subject, isn't it?), what I was leading to above was that I have since discovered the art of making handbags!! What fun! If you think about it, a handbag does start with a flat surface (quilt?) and take it from there! I love the thought of art that is functional. And handbags are such a means of expression for the carrier. When I come back, I will show you a bag or two(getting tired). Thanks for visiting!