Made in America
- Thread starter CoachCruiser
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Yes...you know, the design is clean, simple, and pleasing. Just like all their bags from what I can tell from the website. I gotta mention that if you are looking for a soft, plushy leather...this is the bag company for you.
Ohhh, I just read your note about the complimentary coinpurse and the personal note and think that is so sweet!!! I love Mike.
He is clearly a hippie -- very Jerry Garcia-like, in a way! lol -- and he's just awesome. I'll order from him again soon!
I know I will be ordering something red very soon, too. I visited Conway well over 10 years ago, and I would love to go back there and visit Mike's store in person. It is crazy, and I don't want to knock other brands, but I was in Dillard's today and saw a vinyl Jessica Simpson bag for $139, and I was really amazed at the basically crappy feel of that bag for more than what I paid for the softest leather bag with the nicest hardware.
I've been on vacation with my husband in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire...we've had beautiful weather, done a lot of hiking, checked out cool new things, and did some browsing and shopping in North Conway, about 45 minutes east from where we are. We leave this morning --- I could stay another 2 weeks!
We came across The Beggar's Pouch on Main Street in North Conway...as soon as you walk in, all you can smell is LEATHER!!!! Beautiful LEATHER. They carry a few brands from other companies, but they're known for making their own products. We met Mike, one of the owners and leatherworkers, and talked to him forever about how he makes wallets and handbags, which he's been making in that shop since 1973. He really seems to love what he does, and he patiently and enthusiastically answered all my feverish questions about the process of making handbags/etc.
My husband bought one of his handcrafted wallets (the one of Abbey Road in the picture below w/the other wallets; he's a huge Beatles fan!), and of course, I had to buy a lovely purse and matching double-coin purse in one of my favorite colors - purple!!! The leather is so soft and smooshy!
I'm attaching pics of Mike behind the counter in his work space, pics of leather in pieces waiting to be assembled by hand into beautiful purses, the finished products in the store, and what my husband and I purchased after looking a long time.
The prices are extremely reasonable -- my purse was $64, and the coinpurse $8. My husband's wallet was $58. Incredibly reasonable, I think!
I think it's so cool that there are still people and shops like this out there -- products completely made with pride in America. If you check out his facebook page, there are pics of customers/women who returned wearing a handbag that they purchased from him 20-something years ago -- not a bad record!
It felt special buying from someone who was working on bags right in his own shop, and from someone so eager after so many years to talk about the craftsmanship that goes into his pieces. I thought all of you lovely handbag fans would appreciate these pics.
Wow! Thanks for the post. I'll make sure to stop in next time I'm in NH.
Compass Rose,
Mike would LOVE that. He'd probably take your pic if your brought your new purse with you and put it on his facebook page.
It's really irking me that I didn't buy a neutral color while I was up there......I adore my purple bag w/coin purse......but for those prices, why didn't I buy more?! Hmmm....an excuse for a road trip?!
I love North Conway. I love the whole White Mountain region, actually. I love to hike, and I miss its beauty....and the people are so relaxed and friendly.
I'm so glad others are chiming in with thanks for my posting about his site -- I hope y'all order from him!! It makes me feel good to spread the word about a great leatherworker and to support a small business. I was just really, really was impressed with his whole enthusiastic demeanor....it was clear that my husband and I were interested in the wallet and bag-making process, and he was just so sweet about explaining all the steps. Such a cool guy.
Mike would LOVE that. He'd probably take your pic if your brought your new purse with you and put it on his facebook page.
It's really irking me that I didn't buy a neutral color while I was up there......I adore my purple bag w/coin purse......but for those prices, why didn't I buy more?! Hmmm....an excuse for a road trip?!
I love North Conway. I love the whole White Mountain region, actually.
I love to hike, and I miss its beauty....and the people are so relaxed and friendly. I'm so glad others are chiming in with thanks for my posting about his site -- I hope y'all order from him!!
It makes me feel good to spread the word about a great leatherworker and to support a small business. I was just really, really was impressed with his whole enthusiastic demeanor....it was clear that my husband and I were interested in the wallet and bag-making process, and he was just so sweet about explaining all the steps. Such a cool guy. Wow, I'm glad I saw this thread. The leather looks beautiful in the pictures and now I'm thinking about ordering one! Thanks for the posting about this shop!
I feel like I am doing an infomercial, ha,ha! But, seriously, have you ever squeezed a marshmallow? That is what this beautiful leather feels like. Another plus....this leather is dyed beautifully. Not painted like a lot of bags are. I am going to get a red one, like I said, and then I am going to post in the Every Woman Should Own a Red Bag thread.... I kinda dare anyone to buy a better bag for the exact money.
I hope to visit Conway in the near future. It is so picturesque. I have good memories from there.
I hope to visit Conway in the near future. It is so picturesque. I have good memories from there.
Haha! Love it! I went up to N.Conway yesterday JUST to see Mike and to buy another bag - in a stunning GARNET red! So gorgeous. (Also bought a belt for hubby.) Pics to come! I leave NH this a.m. :/
Oh, good!!! I am waiting by my computer for the pics of the garnet color in person. be safe!
Ack! Just got home a little while ago and I just took tons of good pics but have to resize the buggers; tpf only allows a certain size. Grr. Bear w/me; hubby's coming home in a few min and I want to give him the cool belt I bought at Mike's. Check back this eve or tomorrow morning, latest! (Sorry to keep you in suspense - I hate when people do that to me! lol). I will say this bag (the "Casablanca" in garnet) is GORGEOUS. I'M IN LOVE. (and i don't know hot i missed the pic of your bag, but it's LOVELY!)...how funny that we seem to be on the same page with colors!
[Q UOTE=CoachCruiser;27128391]Ack! Just got home a little while ago and I just took tons of good pics but have to resize the buggers; tpf only allows a certain size. Grr. Bear w/me; hubby's coming home in a few min and I want to give him the cool belt I bought at Mike's. Check back this eve or tomorrow morning, latest! (Sorry to keep you in suspense - I hate when people do that to me! lol). I will say this bag (the "Casablanca" in garnet) is GORGEOUS. I'M IN LOVE. (and i don't know hot i missed the pic of your bag, but it's LOVELY!)...how funny that we seem to be on the same page with colors! [/QUOTE]
Hey. I was on the Facebook page and I think he posted a pic with you and your new bag? Lol.
Sent from my iPhone using PurseForum mobile app
[/QUOTE]Hey. I was on the Facebook page and I think he posted a pic with you and your new bag? Lol.
Sent from my iPhone using PurseForum mobile app
Hey, Sweetie!!!!! I see three good looking things in those pictures!!! Thanks so much for posting. I am going to order a red bag within the next couple of days. I knew it would look good! This is such a great leather boutique.