Green-Winged Teal Bison Leather Crossbody | Hand-Painted Fringe

Painted like a wing. Born to fly.

There's a moment on the water at first light when a green-winged teal lifts off and that flash of emerald catches the sun. It's gone in a second. I wanted to hold onto it.

I painted this fringe by hand, in the pattern of the teal's wing and head: warm chestnut fading into a band of buff and white, then the bright iridescent green of the speculum, finished with crisp black-and-white tips. The painting is on cow leather, and I cut every strand by hand once it was done. The painting comes alive and moves with you, the way feathers do.

The body of the bag is black shrunken bison. Shrinking the hide draws the grain into a deep, heavy pebble that's rich to the touch and nearly impossible to scuff. It's one of the most characterful leathers I work with: soft and supple, but built for real life. Bright green accents at the strap tabs and a sparkling Swarovski crystal echo the wing. The 47" adjustable strap with a western-engraved buckle lets you wear it crossbody or on the shoulder. On the back, a cascade of soft suede fringe keeps the movement going.

Every step, from cutting to stitching to painting, is done by my two hands in my workshop in Bozeman, Montana. Because each one is painted by hand, no two will ever be exactly alike. This is wearable art for the woman who notices the small wild things.

Details

• Full-grain bison leather
• Lined with Lamb leather
• Hand-cut, hand-painted cow leather fringe
• 47" adjustable crossbody strap
• Dimensions: 11" wide x 10" x 2.5" deep
• Exterior Pocket: 9" wide x 8"high
• Closure: magnetic snap
• Interior: open
• Hardware: Nickel
• Handmade by Jenny Keller in Bozeman, Montana

Care: Bison leather is naturally tough and only gets better with wear. Wipe it with a dry cloth, and condition it now and then with a leather balm. Keep the painted fringe away from prolonged moisture. It is sealed with a protective finish.  If it gets wrinkled, I recommend placing a lightly damp cloth on the backside of the fringe, to moisten slightly, then dry flat.  A clean cutting board with a weight on top can help it dry flat.