The first reason is, I have this certain space of time between now and finding a good manufacturer to create the new line. Yes it's that simple! Then, have you ever had people in your life that you may not be necessarily close to, but they have had some kind of impact on you? Well, this line will be dedicated to the people who fill those little random spaces in my life. As for what to expect? My newest obsession is quilting and layering...so there will be a lot of that. My most recent bags are in the image above and they pretty much give you a sneak peak of what's yet to come...kinda!!! Enjoy!

I have apparently known Yori since I was 3. I think we argue about this everytime we see each other because I don't remember her from my childhood at all! She has been a part of my life for a very long time none the less. We had a moment where we never spoke, but we found our way back to one of the greatest friendships. Yori is funny, a tad crazy:P, smart, beautiful, and always a great supporter of any of the paths I choose to take.

Yori is a pretty organized individual. I am organized but when it comes to my handbag...everything is all over the place...and she calls me out about it all the time. I don't know if she has a case for everything, but I wouldn't be surprised. So I decided to make her collection a series of small cases. The designs will change over time, but this will officially be the Yors Collection. The great thing about these cases is you can either put it in your handbag to stay organized, or you can carry it by itself (if you're one of those people that doesn't have that much to carry)! And it is also reversible, so if you choose to have one color one day, you can have another color the next!

I have always admired Yori's spirituality, and so I made these cases with a small leaf that represents her love for God, and all the wonderful things He creates and provides for all of us! Love you Yors!

Check out the Yors bag here!

We all know about Bella...she is also known as Saintey! I dedicated my handbags as jewelry line to the memory of her lovely mother Wanda! Saintey is my twin, my sister, my friend, and my inspiration. Saintey is elegant, super strong, creative and intelligent. We met during my college years, and I think just one day of hanging out we realized that we would become great friends, mainly because of our crazy similarities.  As some of us know, Saintey's mom passed away last year, and for some reason I thought her mom's favorite flower was Anthuriums...only later did I find out that they were her Grandmother's (I KNEW she told me about that flower at one point!).

The wonderful thing about this flower is it looks like a heart. I have seen Saintey go through so much in her life, and the strength of her heart amazes me. Yes it may be broken after the loss of her mother, but with Wanda's memory and Saintey's friendships, her heart stays strong and is still open to giving and caring for other people.

Her bag is a part of the new Reversible Clutch collection, and one side represents a memory of her mom and Grandmother, and the other side represents her simplistic yet elegant style. Love you Bella.

Check out the Bella bag here!

Whenever I say the name Kareen, a lot of people ask me who she is. Kareen has been one of my best friends since high school. She migrated from Jamaica in 1994, and I think we have both been in Jamaica at the same time probably twice since then, which is probably why people don't really know her. Kareen has a lovely job where she gets to travel (too often if you ask me)...so unfortunately we hardly see each other. But, we have managed to maintain a lovely friendship. She cracks me up to the point of tears everytime we talk, she's smart, crazy, strong and very adventurous. I admire her for being able to go to all these different countries for long periods of time, and living her life to the fullest.

Kareen's bag represents the fact that even though we may be miles away, she is still my best friend. In a circle, friendships can be at two different points....but it's the strong friendships that make it no matter where someone else is! And I am really blessed to have not only her, but a series of friends just like that! Love you Reeni.

This bag is a part of the Reversible Clutch collection.

To check out KC's bag click here!

Many people don't know the story about Sheri and I...and I don't think everyone needs to know. But unlike other friendships...we had our rough patch in the beginning. And I really don't feel I would have been able to get out of that part of my life without her. Sheri is selfless. I live in New York, and Sheri is in Jamaica, and if I call her for any kind of help, she'll be there. She is hilarious, smart, very feisty at times, and kind...all in this short package (sorry Sher I had to put that in).

Seeing that my collection is called "My garden of Friendships", I had to ask Sheri what her favorite flower was...and she didn't have one really. But, she told me she likes Chinese Bamboo and I found it quite funny that she said that. You see, after she told me, I realized that our friendship pretty much represents that. With all that we have been through we have created a friendship that is stronger than ever, quite like bamboo. And so...Sheri's bag is inspired by Chinese Bamboo and the great friends we have become. Love you Sherbert!

To check out Sher's bag click here!

Toby is someone I have know since childhood. I was there when her eyes could barely open, and through all those years, we have remained friends...well rather sisters! What I love about Toby is she is never afraid to voice her own opinion. So when I need the reality of any situation, she will give it to me. She is a powerhouse...someone with a mouth like that will never be on the sidelines. She is caring, entertaining, stylish, creative, smart, super, and one of my many shoulders. I can't imagine my life without Toby. She is one of my best friends that knows the most about me, and has never judged me, always supported my decisions, and stood by me 100%! The crazy thing is she is five years younger than me, but she is one person I can honestly say I look up to. Her drive is amazing and I know she will go beyond the sky in whatever she chooses to do. She's got my back and I got hers, and together we'll be super! I love you Tobs.

I wanted Toby's bag to represent her which equals Loud, super and fabulous!

To check out Toby's bag, click here!

Introducing the My Garden of Friendships Collection; the beginning of a line which will be named after my friends who have made my life blooming great! This line is an introduction to my new idea REVERSIBLE CLUTCHES as well as a new material: Wool Felt!  And tomorrow there will be a separate post for each featured friend this year. So, let's start with the A+ Collection.

In college, my friend Sulei was convinced I had a group of elves in my room helping me make things. Outside of my school work I was making books for people, bags, and laptop sleeves. I can't believe I did all of that to this day! Anyway, the other day my friend Aletha said to me that I should make laptop sleeves again, and her husband Andrew agreed. And I thought to myself why not. I had a case for my old computer, but since then I have found that I prefer to have my laptop in my handbag when I travel, rather than carrying a bunch of bags!

In college we were always a group of nerds with our Mac laptops, and glasses (some of which were really not necessary). Anyway as some of you may know (or rather the people who have seen the light) when it comes to a Mac you have to keep it simple, sleek and awesome! So simple envelopes inspired this collection. I didn't want anything to be girly, over the top...just simple and worthy of holding a cool laptop! Andrew and Aletha are simplistic people when it comes to their style. You should see their apartment!! So I called this collection A+...simple and sleek on the outside, but bright and lovely on the inside...just like them:)

Don't we all love beach bags??? I do! I love them because usually they are cool enough to not be used for the beach. They generally allow you to hold all this stuff....and I know I have a lot of stuff!!! So for Monday I thought we'd look at past beach bags I love!!!

So of course the aliamichèle beach bag had to make an appearance. I own about 3....bad I know. But if you know me, anytime I'm in Jamaica, you can find me either at the beach or pool! So they are necessary! But this one that I made is cool, due to the lovely beach towel strap at the back! It gives you more space for your things...and you know when you go to the beach/pool, and your towel gets all wet...you know you don't want it getting on your things...right??? So the strap was a plus!

The sunshine bag I have used as a beach bag before...mainly because it's bright and lovely! Not to mention the quilted pattern on the front, so it's real cozy! It made all my days of baking in the sun comfy...as I had something to rest my head on!

Last but not least, when I went into the Coach store last year....I went.....let's say...INSANE! I loved this beach bag!!!! It was HUGE!! The images in the catalog didn't do it justice...and it was even more beautiful in person! I think the price went for about like $700...so you know I just had to stare at it for a good amount of time before I had to let it go. And the fact that I still remember it to this day, goes to show how much of an impact it had on me!

What do you love about beach bags??? Anything you want to have on/in your beach bag??? I'd love to know...so maybe there can be another one created by me! Yay!

It's finally here!!!!! The launch of my long awaited handbag line for 2008…[wanda]•ful, a collection in loving memory of Wanda Stephenson.

The creation of the line all came from this idea I got in 2006/2007 (long time right?) and I called it handbags as jewelry. Ideas come to my mind a lot about bags...it can be a bit overwhelming at times. So, I've created wristlets before; simple, fabric wristlets. Then I thought one day…why have just boring leather/fabric straps for wristlets??? Why not make the wristlet be a piece of jewelry, so a bag can be more of an accessory?? So, I called up my friend Tobs, who is the beautiful jewelry designer behind keileana™, and explained to her what I wanted to do, and she immediately agreed to work with me on this line. Then it all grew from there! One whole year in the making.

Let's talk a little about the bags. Each bag is the same style (I wanted to keep it as simple as possible so that it wouldn't over power the jewelry), and has a different, unique bangle. The great thing is each bag has a strap that opens, so you can either wear the bag alone (if you're not feeling in the bangle/wristlet mood), or purchase your own, one of a kind, keileana™ piece, so you can switch bangles according to your outfit! It's a pretty amazing bag!! And most of us know I try to push my creations to the limit. I try to do things people haven't seen, or even thought of. And ultimately, I really want women who purchase my bags to stand out more than anything, cause who likes seeing another woman in something you have (I sure don't). All my bags are one of a kind and handmade, and all have a special story behind it.

So please go take a look at my new website which is now an online store!! And also, check out another page I added to my blog, that explains the meaning behind each bag! Enjoy!