SmartGirl.me Book Purses

Monday, July 26, 2010

SmartGirl's blood sweat and tears.

Saturday, I try and pry a rhinestone from a button with my scissors and jammed it into my hand. This was while I was making the Modern Biology SmartGirl Book Purse. I did not need a biology text book to tell me that if you cut a living being's finger, it will bleed.

Last night while finishing my Gray's Anatomy SmartGirl Book Purse my x-acto knife rolls off of my drafting table and stabs me in the foot.

To Med Express this morning. OUCH!

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Vampire Chronicles SmartGirl Book Purse

Before Twilight, before Bill and Sookie, there was Annne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.

If you love all things Goth you will love this SmartGirl Book Purse. It is made from a copy of "The Vampire Chronicles" by Anne Rice.

Monday, July 12, 2010

SmartGirl and her equipment

Ben came into my studio and laughed at my use of my weights.

I use my dumbbells as weights to help adhere the glue between the cardboard reinforcement and the spines. See, they were not a waste of money.

I think I need a nap now.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Hans Christian Andersen SmartGirl Book Purse

Book Red being my favorite color, I could not let this beautiful book sit on a shelf. Now it can still be read, but more importantly, it is now functional and fashionable. I am going to have a hard time packing this one when it's sold. I want to keep it..

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Jane Jane Jane Austen...Who knew this SmartGirl Altered Book Purse would be so popular?

Juliet knew. I showed this book, the fabric and beads I selected, and she loved it. The Jane Austen SmartGirl Purse has become the biggest seller. I have to make three more this weekend. Good thing my daughter is camping this weekend and I have plenty of time to play in my studio.

It's going to be a great SmartGirl weekend. Hope you have one too.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Pick a SmartGirl any SmartGirl

I found this great picture of all the books I have available to make Custom SmartGirl Purses. Remember, no books are harmed during filming.

See any you like? I would love to make you one.

Monday, July 5, 2010

My SmartGirl Book Purses are selling and being featured in publications.

I cannot believe how quickly I am selling my SmartGirl Purses. While Ben and I were away this weekend the Only a Girl Like You sold.

Then this morning I woke up to another sale. The Jane Austen SmartGirl Purse. This is the third Jane I've sold. I better make a couple more.

I also want to mention that The Jane Austen SmartGirl was featured in Jane Austen Sequel Examiner . How cool is that?

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 $5 donation went to help fight illiteracy, or $5 went to help a girl across the world get an education or even $5 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.