Our first artisan was making gloves. He has been with Hermès for 23 years.  Watching him handle the leather, stretching it to and fro, making quick marks with his fingernail prior to cutting, one would be forgiven for thinking it was easy, for he made it look very simple.

The forms he uses to cut the leather are well over 100 years old.

Here one can see the various stages in the process of making a single pair of gloves:

Next was the handbag artisan, making a “Mykonos Blue” Kelly bag. I have no words to describe the blue, except perhaps it is the color of the sea around the Greek island…

Next up, the silk screening process for those luscious scarves:

Additionally, there was a station for an actual scarf/fabric designer, where we were able to see this scarf in its paper/painting and clear polyfilm stages of the design process.

The gem setter (not pictured, at the station below) was making a cuff bracelet hand set with 1,000 pavé diamonds. It takes her 3 months to complete.

We spoke to the watch artisan, marveling at the gorgeous self-winding movement visible behind the glass backplates of each watch and the intricate detailing, different with each style.

One station was staffed by a saddle artisan, reminding us of the origins of Hermès as an equestrian leather company.

The artisan that makes bespoke (made-to-measure) shirts says it takes her 6 hours from cut to completion–but she hand-stitches the cuffs and collars with such precision (in only 3 hours) they look as though they have been sewn from a machine.  Even the Mr. was suitably impressed with the craftsmanship.

The tie artisan cuts and folds to within a margin of error of a single millimeter.  She has been doing it so long, she barely has to look, much less use her measuring stick.

Most fascinating to me was the fact that these artisans had never even met each other; they all work at different factories spread around France.  The artisans will be here for just a few more days; if you are at all able to visit the demonstrations by Monday, Feb. 28, it will be worth your journey.

Sometimes it just isn’t practical or feasible to carry a handbag.  I’m speaking specifically of those of us who use mobility aids, like walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches, which make it pretty difficult to sport that great Prada clutch under one arm, or casually throw a Dior over ones shoulder.

For these folks, there are alternatives, and one is AdaptAble® Designs.  AdaptAble® makes a difference “by designing and producing top quality, affordable products for people who use wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, crutches or bedrails.” And their products are made right here in the USA with plenty of TLC.  After handling one, I can vouch for their superior craftsmanship, far better than what one sees in similar bags made in China.

One great all-purpose bag I purchased is the Walkabout™, which will fit on the front or side of a walker or over the arm of a wheelchair/scooter.  The quality of the Walkabout™ is superb for a nylon bag.  Measuring 12″ x 10″ x 3.5″, it’s a great size to hold everything.  The main compartment is roomy, large enough to hold a hardcover book or small purse with room to spare.  It’s made of 1000 Denier Cordura® Nylon, with what seems like miles of hook-and-loop tape for custom-fitting it to your needs, and featuring pockets just where they are most needed.  (The bag has been changed slightly from the picture, in that the front pocket is now divided in the center to make two pockets, which makes the bag even more perfect.)  Phone, tissues, keys, etc. will fit easily in either the front pockets or the generous flap pocket.  The zipper pocket on the flap features a large ring pull for easier access.  And, a lightweight, sturdy bar hidden in the back ensures that this bag will NOT droop, no matter how full you stuff it.  Available in 5 colors, the Walkabout™ is a steal at $32.95.  Perfection.  It could be the only bag you ever need!

AdaptAble® Designs can be found at http://www.adaptabledesigns.com. 

I received no compensation for this editorial.

Interestingly, the plaintiff actually worked for Coach and used her employee discount to purchase the bag.  I would think a personal lawsuit would have a bit less punch since that may have violated their employee guidelines–but it’s filed for status as a class action, so people who were not employees should be able to join the suit, including the key-chain seller mentioned in my original post.

The bottom line, like I said three years ago, is that it’s not about being banned from buying from Coach; it’s about Coach accusing a seller of selling a counterfeit bag when it is obviously authentic.  That’s just nasty. The suit alleges “violations of the state Consumer Protection Act, defamation, interference with her business relationship with eBay, and other claims.”

Good luck, Ms. Kim, et. al.  I hope you are successful.

Full Story at Komo: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/115837324.html

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The thing I forgot to do was smell the sumbitch before slapping it all over my head.  I thought I was going to pass out.  But, I was committed.  So, I followed the instructions.  Then tried washing out the stench with a different shampoo.  Tea Tree–that should work, it’s pretty strong, I think to myself.  Eight shampoos later, my head still smells like creosote and evil.  The Devil may wear Prada, but even he won’t go near this stuff.

Seems the active ingredient is coal tar.  It’s not cheap, either.  I think it’s because it’s only made one day per year, December 26th.  That’s the day the elves take the coal dust from the bottom of the “naughty” sack and distill it down into a big vat of pure Essence of Santa’s Hatred.

I am going to a fancy tea room for High Tea tomorrow.  I smell like I sleep in a shipyard.

Neutrogena, I trusted you.  I feel violated.  And, for the record, I still have flakes.

For the truly adventurous, (or the criminally insane), you can get it at Drugstore.com.  But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I’m not just crazy about handbags.  I’m also crazy about art.  And, after today, I’m crazy about Blick Art Materials.  I’ve ordered from them several times before, and I have always been very satisfied with their selection and prices.

Long story short, I voiced a complaint via their web interface about a problem I was having with their checkout system.  Turns out, the problem was ME.  I was the one at fault, for not grasping the concept of price changes between the day I placed something in the cart and the day I actually tried to purchase the item. 

The thing is, Lisa, the Order Department Lead, bent over backwards to make me happy, even though it was entirely my fault.  Not only did she explain what had happened in language that didn’t make me feel like an ignoramus, she offered to allow me to complete the order using the (now expired) coupon discount and pricing.  Their webmaster was able to pull the information about which items had been in my (ever-changing) cart at the time.  Lisa even phoned me this morning so that I could complete the order over the phone with a minimum of hassle, and even expedited it so it would go out today.  I was nonplussed! 

I’ve rarely experienced this level of customer service with a retailer, and it’s important that I let other people know, even though this isn’t the best forum.  I know some of you who read my blog are “crafty,” so I thought you might be able to find some goodies on their site.  I swear, they have the largest selection of art and craft supplies I’ve ever seen.  And, their prices are extremely competitive–no need to clip that weekly coupon for “one single item at 40% off” (you know which coupon I mean).  I decided to become an affiliate (which, like all the retail links on this site, merely means that if you shop by clicking through the links here, it supports the site by kicking back a small percentage of the sale) but did not receive any compensation from Blick for reviewing my experience.  Blick was just well worthy of a mention, and I’m happy to do it. 

FREE SHIPPING on orders totaling $200 or more

Follow them on Twitter at @Blick_Art for notice of new sales, happening all the time!