Carol Adams Unique Cigar Box Purses
by Karen Fetter
If you are searching for an amazing gift for that special
woman in your life here is an answer: a personalized purse
made from an authentic cigar box! This unusual and
eye-catching purse is handmade by Westmoreland County
resident Carol Adams of Jeannette. Carol creates the purses
in various styles and designs to compliment anyones taste.
This is a personal gift and it reflects the gift-givers
knowledge of the recipient. For me, that is why I love doing
it, Carol said.
The cigar box purses are either square or rectangle in
shape and include a handle type ranging from a small beaded
handgrip to a long strap. The wooden box is then covered
with embellishments, jewels, fringe, photographs or whatever
pertains to your interests. You name it and Carol can put it
on the purse. The purse is then covered with a varnish to
protect and seal the embellishments onto the box.
Care should be taken while carrying a cigar box purse and
a downgrade in purse accessories may be in order! When I
started using a cigar purse I got a smaller wallet and cell
phone, said Carol. Speaking of which, Carol bought her
first purse from a catalog and wore it out because she used
it so much. Then her daughter made her another one.
Suddenly, themes started jumping into Carols head of the
different purses she could make. Themes include pets such as
dogs and cats, flowers, photographs, football, Las Vegas,
Parisian, and, her favorite so far sisters.
I like the sisters theme best of all, said Carol. The
purse became very personal and included a poem about
sisters. I just loved it.
***
I have always loved to sew and work with crafts, Carol
said. Making cigar purses is a hobby for me and I enjoy
it.
Carol started making purses for her friends and family and
it has now grown to outside customers. What most people like
about the purses is that they are different. So many
conversations start with people because the purses are
interesting to look at according to Carol. The purses even
catch mens attention.
I have been out with my purse and men will come up to me
and ask about my purse and where I got it because they think
it looks so different from other purses, said Carol.
Cigar purses are perfect for mothers or grandmothers because
you can cover the purse with pictures of children and
grandchildren. They make great gifts for Mothers Day and
birthdays. But no matter what the interests of a person are,
the purse can reflect that. And most importantly, who
doesnt need a new purse?
Gift Ideas
- Mothers Day
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Christmas
Some people do not know how to express themselves and
God gave me the ability to do this for them, Carol said.
She will sit down with a person and discover what that
person enjoys or holds close to them and then transforms it
into an amazing new purse.
Carol has used belts, fringe, tassels and jewelry to
adorn the boxes. Despite the uniqueness of the box, this
type of purse can match anything in a womans wardrobe.
Price ranges for the purses begin at $45.00 and can go up
to $75.00. The football purse is the most expensive purse
she makes. However, other purses are less expensive when the
cigar box itself is so unique that little needs done to
complete the transformation.
Purses are not the only things Carol creates in utilizing
her artistic abilities. She has been sewing since she was a
teenager. Some of her bigger projects include making her
daughters prom and wedding gowns. She currently is the
president of the Business and Professional Womens Club of
Westmoreland County where she has led Project Friend Stitch.
Members knit or crochet nine-inch squares that are later
connected to create blankets donated to the Blackburn Center
for Domestic Violence during the Holiday season.
If you are interested in ordering a handcrafted cigar
purse, call Carol at 724-744-2377 to set up an appointment
today! The average ordering time per purse is about a week.
Also, Carol has put together a photo album of all the purses
she has designed in the past to help with ideas. However,
she is always open to something new!