Shop Candy Cartel

Okie Dokie… so how do I get started?

Well, I would suggest starting by getting an idea of what sorts of materials you want to work with. The originals from Mexico are created using large rolls of scrap Candy Wrapper material from factories along with pages from recycled school text books. That combo produces some amazing (and expensive) eye candy for the designer purse companies, but what about the rest of us?

Here’s what I suggest:

Recycle beautiful materials that can be commonly found in your local area. It’s the local grassroots approach to recycling … and it produces beautiful results. Think about all the papers, plastics, and other materials you handle daily. What would look amazing folded up and woven together? The sky is the limit really.

Now I know that I like to be spoon-fed examples… so here’s a few. Fashion magazines, water/soda bottle labels, food packages and wrappers, ribbon, wrapping paper, toy money, old school coloring book pages, etc. You name it… it’ll work.

How much material do you need? Put it this way: your average fashion magazine will have enough colorful pages to make probably around 2 or 3 medium sized purses.

And… if you happen to be afraid that your materials might be ruined by water … you can pull out the trusty clear packing tape and cover them before cutting them up to size.

Ummm…OK… so what do I do with these materials?

To put it simply… to make a medium sized candy wrapper purse, you’ll be cutting up your material into approximately 2″ x 4.5″ rectangles, folding them up into 1/2″ x 1″ rectangles, and the “weave” them together using the classic gum wrapper chain weaving technique.

Remember that one? It’s been around for ages, but many have forgotten. These little rectangles “links” will be woven into chains (roughly 50 – 60 links long) and then joined together into a round “ring”.

The rings will then be stacked on top of each other and sewn together with either strong, thread or even fishing line using a “zig zag” technique. Once you’re happy with the height of your purse, you can close the bottom of the purse with thread, sew a zipper on top… and make one more longer chain and sew it on for a handle.

And that’s how to make a candy wrapper purse. Now maybe that sounds confusing or a bit vague… but to be honest, it’s actually pretty simple to do and a real no-brainer once you watch how it’s done…but admittedly is a little confusing to explain with just words.

By: Kevin Torrence

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It’s no wonder that we are so enthralled by what actresses, models, and other style icons are wearing. Their job is to look good in front of the camera, and their accessory selections set the bar for our own au courant must-haves. As you thumb through the catalogs and websites of your favorite department stores and boutiques, you’ll find many of the latest trends favored by the fashionably elite Hollywood A-list. And if you find that any of these bags might be out of your pocket range, don’t worry – you can always find high quality designer-inspired versions at specialty handbag websites.

Now without further adieu, the four “It” handbags of Hollywood!

The Prada Gauffre Antik

A tote favored by fashionable celebs like Victoria Beckham, Beyonce, and Ashley Simpson is the lavishly textured Gauffre Antik by Prada. Where the body of the legendary Hermes Birkin is trim and sleek, that of the Gauffre Antik is opulently ruched. This visual feast of a bag offers plenty of room to carry daytime or travel necessities, and its tonal topstitching, double-rolled leatherette handles, and hardware accents make an already gorgeous tote even prettier.

The Yves Saint Larent Muse

Another paparazzi regular is the Muse by Yves Saint Laurent. Frequently photographed aficionados include Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Paris and Nicky Hilton, and Kate Moss. This spacious handbag has a classic styling that is freshened by the golden lock adorning its front, hardware rings and rivets, and impeccably seamed piecework emphasized with chunky stitching.

Balenciaga Boston Bag

Very high on the favorites list of every fashionista is a very hip handbag by Balenciaga – the Boston Bag. This trendy bag creates flattering silhouettes by combining just the right amount of slouch and structure, making it one of the most frequently photographed accessories. The list of public trendsetters recently spotted with it elegantly slung over their stylish shoulders reads like a who’s who of Hollywood’s most fashionable, including Cameron Diaz, Anna Kournikova, and Sarah Jessica Parker. The Boston Bag is finished beautifully with tonal topstitching, aged bronze-toned lobster claw hooks, and dual leatherette straps with hardware accents.

The Jimmy Choo Mahala

The Jimmy Choo Mahala has been photographed on the arms of Nicole Kidman, Eva Mendes, Jessica Simpson, and Halle Berry, earning it the title of “Hollywood’s new arm candy.” Designer touches that make this elegantly wearable tote special are the handle-to-base belted strap features at all four corners, and the two front zip horizontal pockets accented with golden brass rivets and studded pull-tabs.

Just as not every celebrity carries every bag, not every bag will be your cup of tea. The trick to making celebrity handbag trends work for you is to identify what function the bag will serve, and then select those that will meet that need while matching up with your own personal brand of style. And for those on a budget, thanks to the affordable designer-inspired handbags at sites like baghaus.com, you won’t need to limit yourself to just one!

By: Kristen Dash

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