Over the past five years, Lynn Wahl has handcrafted over 150 of her highly custom, highly coveted handbags, or should we say handboxes? What makes Lynn's designs so special and so custom is the fact that they are fashioned from antique wooden cigar boxes. Each piece is truly a unique work of art, with all details from the handles to the unique appliqués handcrafted by Lynn.
The popularity of her handbags, which started as craft project with her daughter, has been simply astonishing. Perhaps their success lies in their ability to stir up "an emotional reaction", Lynn muses. Their appearance at a party will certainly not be missed and you can count on them as a conversation piece. Lynn has been wearing her own handbags for years and says she gets more compliments on them than on any of her other, more traditional, handbags.
Lynn's bags have caught the eye of many people the world over, making their way to South America, Japan, USA, UK, and across Europe, as well as a very special trip to Buckingham Palace! They are whimsical and thoughtful yet stylish and elegant. Among her designs you will find pieces that are the perfect compliment to a ball gown or a sundress.
Her craftsmanship certainly deserves all the praise it gets. Describing herself as a perfectionist, Lynn works tirelessly on each handbag, making sure that each is perfectly crafted from the interior lining to the final protective seal. When asked about her process, Lynn shares that she lets the designs evolve naturally. For this reason, bags can take weeks to complete as she carefully listens to the rhythm of each piece and slowly lays out the various elements. The handbags are often started with no plan or preconceived idea of what they will look like. Lynn describes this as "part of the fun, seeing what they can turn in to". Lynn takes pride in her work and is committed to producing only the most exceptional pieces. This is confirmed by her mantra of sorts: "If it isn't right, it isn't for sale".
Lynn has specific themed handbag collections that have been among her best-sellers. These include her Banfi Label bags, which feature a decoupage of various labels from the famed Italian wine producer; also her Bird bags which are adorned with pictures of various species of birds and feathers; as well as her Oriental handbags displaying the typical imagery, patterns and colors of Asia. Other pieces that I had an opportunity to view included some very special holiday-themed bags for Christmas, and a Bermuda sea-glass adorned bag with a beautiful white pearlescent finish. As the wide range of bags in her repertoire suggest, Lynn's imagination is limitless.
With this said, if you can imagine it, Lynn can craft it, and she happily takes on commissioned work. Lynn can create you a handbag (for women) or box (for men) to commemorate an event, like a birthday or anniversary or perhaps to match a specific outfit or to accompany you to a special event. Lynn suggests, if you are interested in a commissioned design, that you gather photographs and various elements that you would like incorporated into the piece. Feel free to contact her on 441-293-2088.
A selection of Lynn Wahl handbags can be purchased at the Windjammer 2 Gallery in the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. They range in price but start at $275.
|
January 14, 2011
|
Mom I'm so proud of you! What a great article, beautifully written and it speaks volumes of you and your talent. Who knew that a fun idea would turn into such a thriving business. All the best success in 2011 and beyond! |
|
January 23, 2011
|
Lynn we are not surprised that an article like this was written about your work. You deserve all these accolades and more for your amazing pieces. It was just a matter of time for the press to get wind of your talent and we are extremely proud of you. Needless to say we covet the pieces you made for us and get compliments all the time from everyone who sees them. As Hughie says, the lady is not only beautiful but she is talented. Continued success. Big Hugs, Sandy |
