Snow Leopard

In my other life I was a nightclub singer, belting out heart-wrenching songs in small smokey spaces in Siberian bars or isolated ports...

...back to now--it is a rare and wild breed--the snow leopard. A most fascinating book with that name, by Peter Matthiessen, engrossed me, and still does.

(A little review of the book: The Snow Leopard. Makes a fantastic Christmas present for any man or woman)

This is my first full-size leather bag. Still, it is small enough to be intimate, large enough to carry your wallet, your keys, a cellphone, and a lipbalm. I wouldn't want to stuff it. It's for the no-nonsense woman with innate style and sensuality. Falling to the hip, worn cross-chest it fits to the body, and glides against you. Deep, it is accessible only to you.

It was a challenge, though made of the softest most buttery lambskin, I had to come up with solutions regarding construction--namely sewing through so many layers of leather without compromising quality and workmanship. If you notice the attatched pieces of leather around the magnetic snap, those are the natural ends which when stretched and tanned fold and create a delicious edge. The challenge made me make decisions and push my limits to beautiful and simple solutions.

This bag already has a name on it--goes to Long Island--is very close to my heart--and almost has a surreal beauty.

I think you have to touch it to know it. I sourced my leathers in Munich, at a specialty leather-goods store. I wanted to feel the leather. Also to get a sense of the true olive color. The fleece is baby lamb. The wood elements are Popcorntree. The lining is Togo waxed cotton. The strap has shibori from Japan, antique hand embroidered linen, mudcloth from Mali, and vintage Bedouin embroidery from Israel.

*sigh*

Do you think I should do more?