Daily Find

January 5, 2007

JW Couture: Bejeweled handbags with detachable jewelry

By Kathy Schultz

NWsource shopping columnist

Details, details. Wedding planning is full of them. Have you thought about your bridal handbag? What about gifts for your bridesmaids? You'll want something special, of course, but multifunctional is even better. How about a purse that turns into a necklace? Under her JW Couture label, Seattle jewelry designer Jody Warwick makes elegant evening bags with detachable handles that double as bracelets and necklaces.

Warwick uses exquisite silk brocade, shantung and dupioni as well as faux fur and ultrasuede. The petite purses come in styles including mini tote, round pillbox, and envelope. Some are embellished with silk or velvet flowers. The versatile handles/bracelets/necklaces are made with 14-karat gold, gemstones and pearls. Pearl handles are popular among brides and Warwick can make matching earrings and necklaces for brides and their entourage. She also designs handles with colorful stones like peridot, amethyst and citrine. For a perfect match, have Warwick custom design a purse to complement your wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses or evening gown.

My favorites: For brides, the pink pillbox style with pearl wristlet – it's so Jackie O; for evening, a classic black velvet with crystal handle/necklace; and for play, the faux pony-hide pillbox with turquoise wristlet.

Purses start at $150. Available at www.jwcouture.com [1] and Moms, Maids, and More [1] in Bellevue.

Kathy Schultz is a Seattle-based free-lance writer. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, E-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.

NWsource

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company


Article photos

Jody Warwick

Photo: JW Couture