Personalized Photo Bags

Great looking bags with plastic openings for your precious photos are readily available in a wide variety of styles and prices. Choose a utilitarian plastic tote for the beach, or a dazzling handbag for the office. Check retailers like Target, upscale department stores such as Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field's, or craft stores like Michael's where you'll find a bag for every taste and budget. A recent trip to a bed and bath store yielded a fabulous hot pink tote with room for 5 photos for just $3.99. If you have access to the internet, you can find several website offering great bags for even the most discerning shopper.Many websites even offer custom bags to your specifications and embroidered names or initials for a small additional cost.

If you are creative or enjoy sewing, making a photo bag to your exact specifications can be quite easy. Simplicity, Butterick, Vogue and McCall's all offer multiple patterns to create your own perfect photo tote.Or simply take a bag you like and add clear vinyl pockets yourself. Medium weight vinyl is available at most fabric stores by the yard.Cut rectangular patches of4.5 x 6.5 inches and place in an interesting arrangement of vertical and horizontal positions. Using a straight stitch and a ¼" seam allowance, sew three sides, leaving one open to slide your photo in. Get carried away! Add colorful or other embellishments for a truly personalfashion statement.

Once you have chosen your bag, now it's time to add your photos.If you decide to use any special photos, consider putting copies in the bag and keeping the originals safe.Some photo bags can put a lot of wear and tear on your photographs.If your bag is not as sturdy as you like, laminating the photos can help provide some additional structure to the bag.You'll want to select your best photos with close-ups of faces for the best look.Or, consider shrinking one of your child's favorite art projects on a color copier to fill one of the pockets.

Create a great look by simply trimming the photos with a paper cutter and sliding them into the pockets. If you prefer, you can mount them onto colored paper to improve their sturdiness and to add some visual interest.To prevent uneven fading, be sure to use acid-free archival adhesive.Further personalize your look by using decorative edged scissors or punches if you are feeling artistic.

Another option for a fully custom bag is to send your favorite photo to be made into a purse or tote bag.Contessa Bags is just one supplier who can offers to fabricate a custom photo bag from $50 to $250.You can also find custom photo cosmetic bags from as little as $20, diaper bags and backpack style totes, usually in the $200 range, from several other suppliers.

Whatever style you choose, imagine how wonderful you will feel next time you can see your child stunning face no matter how far you're away. You'll also have a unique handbag that expresses your very personal style.