3-D Collage Two years ago, I created a new creative concept for a clutch bag using hand-cut

designs, 3-D collage, and paint. The name of this concept is “spicul de grau,”

Leather Bags
which means “ear of wheat” in Romanian. The ear of wheat is a symbol of spring,
of nature reawakening and conquering the darkness of winter— so it symbolizes
birth, hope, and the future.
These genuine leather bags were inspired by nature and went through a rebirth
by Roxana Elena Nicolae
of sorts by being painted and shaped in 3-D forms. They are meant to tell a story
and help bring the wearer’s inner self to the surface. ➛

Supplies

• Cardboard: thick • Metal ruler • Leather punch

• Chalk marker • Leather cord: 2-/3-mm • Leather scissors
• Charms & chains: bronze/copper/silver • Leather cutter & • PVA glue
• Genuine Tuscan leather: cow leather cutting board • Thermo adhesive fabric: gray/
for base; sheep leather for applique • Leather needles navy blue/black
• Iron • Leather paint: (Angelus Paint) • Wooden beads

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 Technique
Position the leather on the cutting board and use the ruler and chalk
marker to draw the bag. The dimensions differ from bag to bag,
but the base for my bag is around 60 cm x 20 cm. Cut the bag using
the leather cutter. If your leather is thin, iron thermo adhesive fabric
on the inside of the leather to give it more rigidity.
Fold the leather in three equal parts (20 cm each), and mark
the points where you will punch holes to sew the bag. Thread the
leather cord through the needle and sew the sides together with
cross-stitches.
Choose a theme for your bag; use your imagination. To serve
as templates for your appliques, cut out the shapes from thick
cardboard; in this case, I’ll use flowers as an example. Cut out
three to five shapes to create a flower. Dilute some PVA glue with
water in a 1-to-3 ratio (one part glue and three parts water) and
mix thoroughly. Dip the flower shapes into the glue to wet them
completely, and lay them on a flat surface to dry for one to two
hours. As they dry, wring, fold, and pressure the shapes as you wish
to create the 3-D appearance, and continue letting them dry. When
completely dry, make little holes in each flower using a hole punch
so you can attach them together. Sew them onto the bag using
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leather or suede cord, and add wooden beads or buttons if desired.
Lastly, paint flowers onto the bag to balance the leather flowers so
your design is harmonic.
Tips
• Some types of leather are not porous and will not
absorb the PVA glue, which means you won’t be able
to form them.
• I buy most of my leather tools from tandyleather.com.
• Always use a high-quality leather paint. I recommend
Angelus paint.
Roxana Elena Nicolae is an artist and leather designer based
out of Bucharest, Romania. She is also the owner of a small
business called Spiculdegrau. For more information, please
visit her Etsy shop spiculdegrau.etsy.com and email her at
spiculdegrau@yahoo.com.
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