An Innovative Eco-Friendly Gourd Purse

In 2006 or so I was living on a trawler anchored off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, trying to eek out a living as a Gourd Artist.  I wanted something other than a fanny-pack to hold my change but didn't like the styles of gourd purses I'd seen - slice off the top, add a hinge and call it a day.

The idea of having to grip my pens and reading glasses in order to put the top back on appealed to me not at all.  Through experimentation, I designed a cross-body bag which could be easily opened and closed with one hand - yet safe enough that nobody else could easily access my hard-earned cash.

MILK Bags and Pocket Purses became an instant hit!  Unfortunately, the island's principle source of revenue, Tourism, took a huge hit following 9/11 and still had not recovered; so I branched out to juried shows close to my family's home in the NY Metro area.

I had a good pricetag on my bags and couldn't keep them in stock.  Women followed me during breaks to ask where I found mine.  That's when I learned that no matter the economy, there will always be people with money (who can appreciate and afford fine craftsmanship).

Continuing my bad timing, I returned to the U.S. in 2009, right after the burst of the housing bubble.  Eventually, arthritis got the better of my hands and my ability to carve gourds went the way of the Dodo Bird.  When COVID hit I had the perfect opportunity to write the How-To book I'd dreamt of for more than a decade.

Just because I can't make them doesn't mean you can't.  You can't reproduce my patterns and such, but there's no reason someone else can't enjoy and possibly improve on my design.  I don't have children to inherit anything, and these days I'm more interested in helping others, particularly artists, help themselves.

But I do have a book to sell:  MILK Bags and Pocket Purses now available on the Gourd Art section of my Etsy shop. 

Doesn't hurt to look!

Associated links:  website:  andreajansendesigns.com
Aquatic version of The Money Pit:  Ruff Life at Sea - an Ex-Pat's Story

Painted Teardrop Hobbit House Trailer

This teardrop was my Corona-Project.  I purchased it plain from a woman in the Dalles who built it from a kit, I wish I was a carpenter.

But I am an artist, so when the world shut down for Covid, I began painting. Here is a story, complete with photos, of my little Hobbit House:

RV Ideas - Store Those Cords!

What to do with all those cords for your devices? 

Keep them organized in Cosmetic Bags.

I'm always on the lookout for pretty bags in my local Goodwill, but you probably have some lying around already.  They're handy in different sizes and believe me, if you like one but don't know how you'll use it, buy it...you will.  The largest one (purple) holds printer cables plus a spare ink cartridge.

Painted Red Hat Ornaments

At our last Red Hat Ladies' luncheon, one member pulled out a plastic bag full of cleaned and de-labled CAT FOOD CANS.  An environmentalist before most of us, Mary challenged us to create Christmas ornaments for the tree our group is sponsoring this season.  I jumped at the chance and grabbed a few.

Paint a Tea Kettle for Succulents

I live alone...well, with my dog, BC.  I'm only in my 60's but still find myself forgetting things from time to time. I don't think it's early Alz; but as I age and add new tidbits to my brain, I get rid of some old (particularly political).

One thing which many people can probably relate to is forgetting the kettle's on the stove. Turn it on and let it boil away because the whistle's long gone. I returned to my RV after 1-1/2 hours to find BC panting and my place hot and steamy.