Do We Like The New SmartGirl Logo?

Amanda's SmartGirl's Art

After I removed the pages from the original Scarlet Letter to make my SmartGirl Purse, I rebound the book and made a new cover that Amanda and I designed.
All SmartGirl Purses will include the rebound book with a new cover designed and crafted by my little artist Amanda.

My Second SmartGirl Purse

I start with a used classic hard cover book that has some interesting details and I carefully remove the pages and put aside. Amanda will be making new artwork for the new cover. A SmartGirl loves her books.

After careful measurements I cut out the lining. Using a high quality velvet I emboss using a rubber stamp.

I sew the lining and set aside.

Some beading...Only the best; Swarovski Crystals, Swarovski Pearls and even black onyx. All of the fittings are Sterling Silver.

Two rows of Swarovski Flatbacks. One in the front and one in the back.

Putting the lining in was very tricky. No pictures I was too busy crying.

I like it. With a little more practice, I am going to be able to make them for others.

My DIY Photo Box

How cute is my model? She is more than happy to get in the picture.

My friend Juliet showed me how to make one and I did. Now all I need is a REAL camera. I want to take professional pictures of my SmartGirl purses.

A Little SmartGirl Action

This was an experiment to see how I would construct my new SmartGirl Purse. I wanted to make sure they would look as fabulous as I imagined. Considering I used Jo Anne Fabric's beads and materials along with stuff from my craft room, I think it came out great. I am now working on one I think is going to come out gorgeous. I am using finer materials from local specialty stores. I cannot wait to show you all my next bag.

So what do you all think?

So What Is SmartGirl You Ask?

As some of you know, I am quite the crafty chica and have been trying to make a living out of my craft room for some time. I also have a book club and know many smart mommies who love books. But the thing that I am the most passionate about is being a woman. Women rock! I love everything about us, from our soft feminine side to our strong, tough side and with the use of our intuition we can accomplish anything. If we make sure our girls know that, great things can and will happen. This is partly why I became a Girl Scout leader (Amanda being the biggest part) and this is why I surround myself with amazingly smart women.

So you still ask “what is this SmartGirl”? Well, while I was on my 10th year anniversary cruise with Ben which was eventful in itself….we had a man-overboard situation. Yea…can you believe it? Anyway, while we were at one of the late-night pool-side parties I saw with my slightly intoxicated eyes a woman carrying a book or maybe a purse, either way it looked stunning with her outfit. On closer inspection it was just a purse, nothing special, however; what if it was a book purse? How cute would that have been?

So when Ben and I were not having a romantic moment, or sleeping, eating, dancing, or thinking about the man overboard, my mind was on how I was going to make a book into a fashionable, wearable, piece of art and how it can make a statement about the woman who is carrying it. My creative, entrepreneurial mind would not stop.

Imagine, ordering a one of a kind purse that shows off your favorite author, or that one book that changed your mind about reading or where you wanted to go with your life. Your purse would not only be a story in itself but it can be a way to express a snippet of your story.

Now imagine with every purchase of a SmartGirl purse, a $25 donation went to help fight illiteracy, or $25 went to help a girl across the world get an education or even $25 going to a local non-profit that helps young girls meet their full potential.

Better yet, imagine the girl who instead of buying a purse with some designer label or a celebrity’s pick, chooses to buy a SmartGirl purse. What does that say about her?

So, I have been busy researching, and crafting since I’ve been back from our cruise. With the help of my friend Juliet, I think I figured out what these purses are going to look like and how they are going to be made.

Oh and if some of you are wondering how this book-loving, Prius driving, re-user can destroy a book…no worries. I carefully remove the pages from the used book, and I've commissioned my daughter Amanda to create the artwork for new book covers so that the actual pages can be enjoyed again if one wishes.

I’m excited! These purses are going to be stunning. The SmartGirl bag is going to bring literature, fashion, art and charity together. I will keep you all posted.