(First of all I just reread the Psychology Today article on 8 Tips to Know if You’re Being Boring by Gretchen Rubin of Happiness Project Blog ) but maybe someone has an old purse they can repurpose to hold a camera………………
What are they called in your part of the world? purse, handbag, pocketbook, tote, shoulder bag, carry-all ?
My DIL sent me a ton of links from ETSY and other places before Christmas as she knew I was looking for a cross body strap camera bag that didn’t look like a camera bag.
And there were some nice ones she found. (thanks Erika)
Her mother sent me an article with a link to camera bags created with women in mind and they were nice, too. (thanks Marlene)
But nothing seemed just right and at an affordable price. The one I liked the best was about $325 so think again.
I have a big black padded and compartmentalized wheely backpack but it is just enormous and conspicuous. Barely fits into the overhead on a plane, too.
This old slouchy gray leather purse had the lining split around the top. I wasn’t using it as a purse anymore but the leather still seemed good. I thought about relining it. I thought about it so much and it seemed so tedious, I never did it!
I should have taken a before shot. Didn’t think about photographing it until it was all stitched up!
At the local craft/fabric store I found the answer and I came right home and slipped this extra thick batting into the purse between the ripped lining and bag and then I stitched up the lining around the top with strong black thread.
And now I have a padded camera bag. There is a zipper pocket inside which will hold camera cards or batteries nicely and there is room for a flash or an extra lens. And a top zipper is always a plus, which this bag has already. A friend suggested treating the bag with mink oil to help moisturize the leather. It is not slouchy anymore, that’s for sure.
Now it stands up instead of slouches. Grandson Michael tested it as a makeshift pillow as we sat in the bleachers, too.
I don’t know what brand the purse is originally, it has elephants all over the lining and says it was
Made in Italy.
I use an old purse as well as a camera bag, but it’s an on the shoulder thing, not a cross body strap which would really be best when shooting photos! I’ll keep looking. Your DIY bag is perfect!
Thanks Angeline. Thanks for your good words. Maybe you’ll find just the right one
Fun story. Love the bag and the color of the bag!!!!
I always say A Good Camera Needs a Good Bag. And I love the color.
What a great idea!
Camera bags are a very sensitive subject for me, Ruth, ever since I put my camera in a water cooler with a bottle of water and suffered the consequences. You don’t want to go there. I’m off to see how boring I am 🙂 🙂
I like that you recycled an old purse (or bag, as I grew up saying). And I am sure you will feel comfortable carrying it around.
Perfect…what a good idea. I have an old purse, I refuse throw away. It was first expensive bag I bought for myself…I’ll have to get it out if the closet to use this fall. Had the shoemaker sew the straps back together a few years back!
That looks good, Ruth, and it doesn’t scream “I’m carrying a camera!” Mine is more of a backpack kind of thing and was large enough to hold my camera equipment, all of my electronics, and a few other essentials when I boarded the plane. Now that I’m at home, though, I may need a smaller case. I’m not so sure I want to walk around with this thing on my shoulder. We’ll see … 🙂
my connection is too slow to load the images, but i can visualize what you’ve done and am proud that you ‘did it yourself’!
handbags are called ‘bolsas’ here in ecuador.. in costa rica, my friends called a plastic shopping bag a bolsa, and in ecuador they laughed when i asked for a bolsa at the supermarket! they are called ‘funditas’ here…
i’ll check back when i have faster internet!
z
Looks just like something I’d do – and i love the results.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
TO ENCOURAGE PHOTO FINISHES…WITHOUT HARD LANDINGS!
I read an article once about how using a camera bag for an expensive camera is a bad idea, as thieves will be more likely to target you. The article instead suggested to carry an expensive camera (and related gear) in a diaper bag – as no thief wants stinky diapers! 🙂 Your purse seems like a nice in-between. (Though I must admit, I’ve seen some nice diaper bags over the past few years…)