How to Bring a Little Extra Bling to Your Everyday Carry

There are days when simple is exactly what you want.

And then there are days when your bag could use a little sparkle.

I’ve never believed that something has to be reserved for a special occasion just because it has a little shine. A beautiful bead, a touch of glass, a rhinestone catching the light—those details can make an ordinary Tuesday feel just a little more fun.

And really, why should evening dresses and special occasions get all the bling?

Bling Doesn't Have to Mean Over-the-Top

When you hear the word bling, you might picture something covered from top to bottom in rhinestones.

But embellishment can be much more interesting than that.

On my bags, I use everything from glass and beads to rhinestones, jewelry pieces and other dimensional elements. Sometimes they're the star of the design. Other times they're simply the finishing detail that makes you look twice.

That's part of what makes mixed-media art so much fun—the painted image is only the beginning. Texture, dimension and unexpected materials become part of the artwork too.

Let One Accessory Do the Talking

One of the easiest ways to bring a little extra sparkle into everyday style is to let one piece make the statement.

Jeans and a simple top suddenly feel completely different when you're carrying a hand-painted jeweled stiletto. A black dress gets a little more personality with a sparkling heart. Even an everyday errand becomes more fun when the woman painted on your tote is wearing better jewelry than you are. 😉

The Shoes Collection is a perfect example. From jeweled stilettos to embellished boots, those little details give the artwork personality without requiring you to change everything else you're wearing.

That's also why I love the idea of a bag becoming a conversation piece. It isn't necessarily about being the loudest thing in the room. Sometimes it's simply the unexpected detail that makes someone stop and say, “Where did you get that?”

Choose the Kind of Sparkle That Feels Like You

Not everyone wants the same amount of bling—and thank goodness for that.

Maybe you're drawn to a beautifully embellished heart from the Hearts Collection. Maybe your idea of sparkle is a fabulous fashionista with jeweled sunglasses and earrings. Or perhaps nothing short of rhinestones, beads and a spectacular pair of painted shoes will do.

Your accessories say something about you, which is exactly what I explored in What Your Favorite Handbag Says About Your Style Personality.

There isn't a right amount of sparkle.

There's just your amount.

It's All in the Details

One of my favorite parts of creating a bag happens after much of the painting is finished.

That's when I start playing.

Which bead belongs here? Does this need glass? Would a rhinestone catch the light in just the right place? Does she need an earring? A bracelet? Maybe a fabulous necklace?

Those decisions are made one bag at a time. And because the embellishments are applied by hand, even two bags painted with the same design will have their own little differences.

You'll see plenty of those personalities in The Women Collection, where jewelry, sunglasses, hats and dimensional details become part of each woman's individual style.

Save the Sparkle for a Special Occasion? Absolutely Not.

Beautiful things don't need to sit in the closet waiting for somewhere important to go.

Carry the jeweled bag to lunch.

Wear the rhinestones with denim.

Take the fabulous shoes to the grocery store.

Add a little sparkle to an otherwise ordinary day simply because it makes you happy.

After all, the things we carry every day can be practical and beautiful.

And life is much too short to save all the bling for Saturday night.

Hand-Painted. Heart-Filled. Always Uncommon.