Quilting

Inspired by GOLDYFISH Handbags

I loooove going to craft fairs.  There's something so wonderful about buying art from the person who made it.  My absolute favorite is when the artist is working on new projects in their booth.  It's an opportunity to see how they create the beautiful products they sell.

When I walked into Jessica Joy's GOLDYFISH Handbags booth, she was sitting at the sewing machine stitching up a storm.  Her booth was filled with unique handbags — no two exactly the same.  She uses a collection of several (hand drafted) patterns to create her handbags, but she uses different fabrics for every bag.  In fact, my Mom and I bought the same handbag — but because the fabrics are so different, they don't look the same at all.

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Isn't the patchwork style cool?

Some links for you:

I've made a number of purses/bags over the years.  Here are just a few:

image from balzerdesigns.typepad.comoriginal post

image from balzerdesigns.typepad.comorignal post

image from balzerdesigns.typepad.comorignal post

And if you don't feel like sewing a bag from scratch, here are two examples of painted bags (i.e. I bought a pre-finished bag and painted it):

image from balzerdesigns.typepad.comoriginal post

image from balzerdesigns.typepad.comoriginal post

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

49 thoughts on “Inspired by GOLDYFISH Handbags

  • I love the large bag you made. The flower is lovely Did you free hand paint the flower? Did you paint on canvas? Thanks for sharing I miss having large art/craft shows available.

    Reply
  • I love the large bag you made. The flower is lovely Did you free hand paint the flower? Did you paint on canvas? Thanks for sharing I miss having large art/craft shows available.

    Reply
  • I love the large bag you made. The flower is lovely Did you free hand paint the flower? Did you paint on canvas? Thanks for sharing I miss having large art/craft shows available.

    Reply
  • I love the large bag you made. The flower is lovely Did you free hand paint the flower? Did you paint on canvas? Thanks for sharing I miss having large art/craft shows available.

    Reply
  • I love the large bag you made. The flower is lovely Did you free hand paint the flower? Did you paint on canvas? Thanks for sharing I miss having large art/craft shows available.

    Reply
  • I love the large bag you made. The flower is lovely Did you free hand paint the flower? Did you paint on canvas? Thanks for sharing I miss having large art/craft shows available.

    Reply
  • I love the large bag you made. The flower is lovely Did you free hand paint the flower? Did you paint on canvas? Thanks for sharing I miss having large art/craft shows available.

    Reply
  • I just love the goldfish bag, would love having one. Good pick Julie

    Reply
  • I just love the goldfish bag, would love having one. Good pick Julie

    Reply
  • I just love the goldfish bag, would love having one. Good pick Julie

    Reply
  • I just love the goldfish bag, would love having one. Good pick Julie

    Reply
  • I just love the goldfish bag, would love having one. Good pick Julie

    Reply
  • I just love the goldfish bag, would love having one. Good pick Julie

    Reply
  • I just love the goldfish bag, would love having one. Good pick Julie

    Reply
  • Love the bags and your cleverness…but the book links didn’t work for me…double check please!

    Reply
  • Love the bags and your cleverness…but the book links didn’t work for me…double check please!

    Reply
  • Love the bags and your cleverness…but the book links didn’t work for me…double check please!

    Reply
  • Love the bags and your cleverness…but the book links didn’t work for me…double check please!

    Reply
  • Love the bags and your cleverness…but the book links didn’t work for me…double check please!

    Reply
  • Love the bags and your cleverness…but the book links didn’t work for me…double check please!

    Reply
  • Love the bags and your cleverness…but the book links didn’t work for me…double check please!

    Reply
  • I have a collection of freebie canvas bags I have collected over the years. I always thought it would be great fun to paint them. You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  • I have a collection of freebie canvas bags I have collected over the years. I always thought it would be great fun to paint them. You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  • I have a collection of freebie canvas bags I have collected over the years. I always thought it would be great fun to paint them. You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  • I have a collection of freebie canvas bags I have collected over the years. I always thought it would be great fun to paint them. You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  • I have a collection of freebie canvas bags I have collected over the years. I always thought it would be great fun to paint them. You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  • I have a collection of freebie canvas bags I have collected over the years. I always thought it would be great fun to paint them. You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  • I have a collection of freebie canvas bags I have collected over the years. I always thought it would be great fun to paint them. You are an inspiration!

    Reply
  • Get 15 off your first purchase at Dakine com! High quality backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear for any sport

    Reply
  • Get 15 off your first purchase at Dakine com! High quality backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear for any sport

    Reply
  • Get 15 off your first purchase at Dakine com! High quality backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear for any sport

    Reply
  • Get 15 off your first purchase at Dakine com! High quality backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear for any sport

    Reply
  • Get 15 off your first purchase at Dakine com! High quality backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear for any sport

    Reply
  • Get 15 off your first purchase at Dakine com! High quality backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear for any sport

    Reply
  • Get 15 off your first purchase at Dakine com! High quality backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear for any sport

    Reply

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