Have you customized your bag in an invasive/more permanent way? Pics Please!!

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#16
Punkkitten said:
I glue. I glue, stud, rivet and dye vintage bags. The gucci clutch was the first one I ever did. I would love to get something off the ground in terms of a business.
It's a "hobby" not my job, but I have so much fun doing it.
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Ok, if you do end up starting one, let me know, I wanna send my bags to you! You're really talented from what I've seen so far so I think you could be quite successful

Punkkitten said:
The first one those are vintage pins and rivets. That I had a Coach Craftsmen add the lightning bolt, tiny stars and the little tea rose. Everything else is a vintage pin. A total collection of things I love/ symbols to me.
It's also my avatar.
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Did you collect the rivets? Or is that a customization option offered by coach? Never thought vintage pins could look so good on a bag.
 
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#17
fabuleux said:
I’m a purist. I like my bags unaltered!
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Yep I used to be one too, but lately I have been toying with the idea of customizing my bags. I don't know yet if I will do something irreversible to any of my designer bags, but I am thinking of trying it out with a couple of contemporary bags and madewell totes that I own. Let's see if I actually end up doing something lol
 
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#18
Damnation said:
Yep I used to be one too, but lately I have been toying with the idea of customizing my bags. I don't know yet if I will do something irreversible to any of my designer bags, but I am thinking of trying it out with a couple of contemporary bags and madewell totes that I own. Let's see if I actually end up doing something lol
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Starting out with contemporary bags will be less scary.
I alter a lot of my bags. If I don't like something about a bag, or if I want to simply change it, I will alter it.
Sometimes it's permanent and sometimes it's temporary. For example, Ferragamo bags can look a little matronly IMO, so I just put a chain in front of my Ferragamo to make it look a little more edgy. Then I added a shoulder chain to match it.
And I like it.:smile:
 

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#20
And this bag.
The original, my first try, then my final product.
This was actually my 1st practice bag. I cut it open to see how it was made. It was very therapeutic to cut open a perfectly fine bag.:biggrin:
I also put an "x" shaped feet on the bottom of the bag.
 

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#21
Damnation said:
Ok, if you do end up starting one, let me know, I wanna send my bags to you! You're really talented from what I've seen so far so I think you could be quite successful
D'awwww... thanks!
Yes, coach offers a service in some of their stores called Coach Create. There was a fantastic craftsman at the one closest to me and he worked with me on the bag with the pins and rivets. They also offer some other services completely unique to Coach bags which inspired me as well - whipstitching, fringe etc.


Did you collect the rivets? Or is that a customization option offered by coach? Never thought vintage pins could look so good on a bag.
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And @Sunshine mama blows me away with her "alterations" I am ****e at sewing so I wouldnt dream of cutting up a bag. (Aside from cutting a strap off or replacing hardware)
I much prefer that Botkier with the chunky hardware! It looks so much more substantial!
P.s. where did you find your acetate chain straps? I've been looking but not loving what I've found on Amazon and Etsy...
 
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#22
Punkkitten said:
And @Sunshine mama blows me away with her "alterations" I am ****e at sewing so I wouldnt dream of cutting up a bag. (Aside from cutting a strap off or replacing hardware)
I much prefer that Botkier with the chunky hardware! It looks so much more substantial!
P.s. where did you find your acetate chain straps? I've been looking but not loving what I've found on Amazon and Etsy...
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Thank you! I'm blown away by your work as well!
 
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#26
Sunshine, your work is awesome! I try to customize somewhat but nowhere near the artistry that you and punkkitten are capable of. I’ll add a strap or some color but it’s pretty boring compared to you guys. Love your “before & afters” :love:
 
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#28
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#29
Sunshine mama said:
Hi Molly!
I really love the color combo. I actually have a bag I am about to paint but couldn't decide on the color. This black navy combo is really nice!
Did you paint the navy part?
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No I left the navy alone (the whole bag was navy), I just painted black dye to the trim and added a black shoulder strap. I hadn’t seen the black with navy before and thought it would make it so much more “wearable” since I wear alot of black. I’m pleased with it.
 
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#30
Molly0 said:
No I left the navy alone (the whole bag was navy), I just painted black dye to the trim and added a black shoulder strap. I hadn’t seen the black with navy before and thought it would make it so much more “wearable” since I wear alot of black. I’m pleased with it.
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Oh I think it's so refreshing! And you don't have to choose either black or navy. Seems like your hands were very steady. :biggrin: Cuz the painting looks perfect!
Again, I really like the navy/ black combo.
 
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