What's a good college graduation gift??

brittee829 said:
it's for a girl...maybe I'll check out tiffany's but keep the ideas coming for now. Anything handbag or related maybe in that price range?

When is her graduation? $100-$200 - many nice-looking bags (mostly not leather, naturally) What sort of bags does she go for?

Does she like leaves? :biggrin: I stumbled upon CL Whiting's handcrafted leather handbags recently (sad to say, only online and not in real life) and think they are beautifully crafted.

http://www.clwhiting.com/about.htm

Quote:

The Story Behind the Artist
C. L. Whiting, Master Leathercrafter​
CLWhiting.JPG
New York and Italy both make up the talent that was combined to make C.L Whiting the person that people nationwide know as a Master Leathercrafter.

People who are familiar with the art of leathercrafting say that what C.L Whiting does "is impossible to do!" But, when people realize that this artist is not only perfected in all forms of artwork, from watercolor to oils; as well its pastels, it makes more sense. And with the knowledge that the work that C.L. Whiting produces on leather is a combination of years of perfecting all these forms of art to create this unusual leatherwork, it becomes more understandable how it is achieved. C.L. Whiting's leatherwork is sought by everyone from museums to celebrities, as well the world's finest galleries, and now it is available directly from C.L. Whiting to you personally!
The story began in upstate New York over 20 years ago where C.L. Whiting developed a love for nature, and a passion for detail. While working part time at a small leather shop and studying art at a New York university the opportunity arose for C.L. Whiting to become an apprentice under an Italian engraver who was retiring and desired to pass along his technique for making fine detailed tools to someone who would appreciated it.

After years of study and countless hours of time, C.L. Whiting began to create a one of kind, unique process that no one in the world could imagine possible. By combining the artistic art forms learned in school, along with those specialized engraving skills gained through this apprenticeship, C.L. Whiting discovered the ability to produce tools in the shape of leaves with uncanny microscopic detail. C.L. Whiting withdrew from the university and began spending years developing over 5,000 tools in different leaf patterns using nature as the model. Only then did C.L. Whiting realize the uniqueness of this new art form, and only then did the products you now see begin to be produced. Just like a fine wine, only with the utmost quality and personal attention, will the products designed and produced by C.L. Whiting be sent to you.

Like an artist painting a picture, an entire hide is tooled creating an original, one-of-a-kind work of art. With a great respect for nature and acquired knowledge of leather work, C.L. Whiting has personally trained several skilled craftspeople to help with the cutting, sewing, and finishing touches. This enables C.L. Whiting to create more of the beautiful hand tooled hides which are then made into finely detailed, meticulously finished leather goods. These original works of art are sought by fine gift stores, collectors, and notable art galleries across the country.

The C.L. Whiting Collection are original one-of-a-kind pieces of art. They last and last and last...

These beautiful works of art, no two alike, come in a wide variety of styles and sizes

http://www.clwhiting.com/handbags.htm

http://www.clwhiting.com/images/693.jpg
Small messenger $145

Retro flap bag $184

Evening bag with handle $147

French wallet $76

Leather folio $127

Woman's secretariat $101

There's a range of accessories as well:
http://www.clwhiting.com/accessories.htm

Or does she like girly stuff?
 
There are so many talented craftspeople (is that a word?) out there.

Some pretty creations:

http://www.swankcreations.com/generic17.html

You can customise your order:

http://www.swankcreations.com/generic27.html
Elaine $45

http://www.swankcreations.com/generic69.html
Frieda $50

http://www.swankcreations.com/generic60.html
Jen Messenger $65

You could add a daisy or rose pin to it.

Rose Deniz - bags are made in Turkey.
http://www.rosedeniz.com/limitededitions.aspx?c=list-shoulderbag
http://www.rosedeniz.com/limitededitions.aspx?c=shoulderbag-annascompanion


Anna's Companion Shoulder Bag $85

Handpainted leather bags and wallets by Anuschka - you can buy them either from shoebuy (cheapest), ebags (sale coming up) or the Anuschkaleather.com website:

http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp/br_Anuschka/b_1-0.82907/p_4/st_123157/sbstl_287446
Anuschka hanging French purse $65-95

http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp?&Brand=Anuschka&Page=1&Style=123170&Substyle=287479
Anuschka multi-compartment bag $115-95
 
Do you reckon she'll need a new laptop bag?

http://www.ebags.com/abbi_new_york/jade/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=74436
Abbi New York Jade $71-96

Material:Flower Print Silk Brocade Size:15.75" x 12.75" x 4" Fits laptops:15" x 10" x 3" Will my laptop fit?Linear inches:32.5"Warranty:Lifetime


Flower print silk brocade
Fits computers up to 15.4" screen display
DuraFlex padding for computer protection
Smart interior design for convenience
Specially designed shoulder padding for comfort
Lifetime warranty
Moonsus range - stylish and durable laptop bags:

http://www.ebags.com/moonsus/allure_12_computer_bag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=54159
Moonsus Allure 12" ($180 - special offer)

http://www.ebags.com/moonsus/capriccio_computer_backpack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=54161
Moonsus Capriccio Computer backpack $193-50 (special offer)

For leather bags (not for carrying a laptop though), you can get quality bags from Tano under $200, for instance:
http://www.musthavebag.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=107&category=0
Tano Vespino $155
 
Brittee, if you're thinking of jewellery and decide not to take the Tiffany route, why not try some of the independent designers? :biggrin:

http://www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com/ematapene.html
Ema Takahashi Peony Necklace $135
(ships in 1-2 weeks)

http://store.starsandinfinitedarkness.com/glavlene.html
Glint Aventurine Leaf Necklace $69-00
(ships in 1-2 weeks)

http://www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com/ematachquche.html
Ema Takahashi Cherry Quartz Chandelier Earrings $90
(ships in 1-2 weeks)

http://www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com/stcogrne.html
Steel Couture Greta Necklace now $88
(ships in 1-2 weeks)

http://store.starsandinfinitedarkness.com/pipodfrchbr.html
Pio Pod and Friends Charm Bracelet $100
(ships in 1-2 weeks)
 
Unless you know this persons taste very well, don't buy jewellery. I get jewellery that's not my taste every christmas, and I never manage to trade it, so I'm stuck with jewellery I'll never wear and feel bad about. Maybe a gift sertificate to a book store/music store/dvd store would be a nice gift? Then she can pick what she want for herself, or money is probably also good.