Knit Cords… Of yarns chosen specifically for each bag (of a combination of smooth wool or boucle' kid mohair, cotton, or silk), held on with hand-felted buttons. Pull closed in the manner of a drawstring bag. Cords can be worn over the shoulder, or pulled tight and tied in a bow to carry this exquisite purse as a clutch.

Care... Let your purse help care for you by holding your cell phone and glasses in the side pockets, and driver's license & the like in the bottom pocket. Although permanently mothproofed, the felt should be cleansed of food or grease before storing to guard against any insect damage. Spot clean, or soak 30 min. in two Tbsp shampoo in lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly; do not agitate. Wring in a terrycloth towel or use the last spin cycle of your washer. Do NOT tumble dry. Re-block firmly while damp with steam and pressing. The shape of the purse was originally steam set on a 10" diameter/4" high cookie tin, then the edges folded in and hand-pressed while hot. Colors are light- and wash-fast. Please contact me with any questions. 573-239-2178.

Materials... Naturally colored or hand-dyed choice sheep's wool. Fleeces are scoured, blended and carded (fluffed), then dyed "in the wool." The felt is integrally embellished with yarn, the rare breed Wensleydale and Lincoln wool locks, mohair locks, cut felt or silk. Each purse is individually made; no two are quite alike.

felt is… A non-woven textile of interlocked fibers, not interlaced threads. Agitated under damp conditions, protein fibers ratchet and intertwine due to their microscopic scales and crimp, first forming then shrinking the fabric. Wool breeds differ in their felting properties, and so various choice fleeces are blended to yield felt of differing densities. Constructed without seams so that pockets and decorations are an integral part of the felt. No stiffeners are added: Firmness or loftiness depends entirely on the felting characteristics of the fibers and the strength of the felter.