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Dave Burgess designs bohemian-style handbags that areenvironmentally friendly, functional and aesthetically pleasingaccessories for the hippie at heart. His handbags are available inan array of rainbow colours accented with delicate formations oftropical flowers sewn into the fabric. These rootsy handbags areideal for carrying your sunglasses and cell phone, going to thebeach or for a long drive on a lazy Sunday, or, for that matter, aclever alternative to the conventional paper gift bag.

The 40-year-old Burgess came up with the idea for the fashionablehandbags while sketching. I always sketch ideas. I was sketching abag and I started to build on it. I mean, you cannot reinvent thewheel so this is my version of a handbag.

He explained that the raw materials include burlap, leather,paints, rivets and a nylon string. The burlap fabric is the baseof the bag cut from a pattern. Its not dyed but comes in a varietyof colours. I used leather to trim and decorate the bag. I alsocreate different varieties of flowers from the leather likehibiscuses, anthuriums, chrysanthemums which I then hand paint invibrant colours and stitch to the bags. Then I run lengths of nylonrope through holes to make a pull string.

Once he has all of the necessities in place, its just a matter offollowing the pattern and letting everything flow: When I have allof the patterns cut out then I assemble the bags and attach theflowers. Thats where skill takes over and everything flows. Theprocess may be somewhat monotonous, but Burgess is pleased with thefinished product.

Most of his handiwork comes out of his workshop at his parentshouse in Belmont. But from time to time he works out of hisTrincity home, making use of his familys helping hands.

Burgess has channelled 20 years of experience in arts and craftsinto a creative career. He studied Non-Precious Jewelry Design atthe John Donaldson Technical Institute.

I always loved art. I started out making mostly copper jewelry.Through sketching and trial and error I experimented with it as ahobby. Eventually it became a business. I always knew that I wantedto own my own business, but I had to find my niche.

His full-time job as an investigations clerk left little time forhis other pursuits, so he resigned and continued to work on afreelance basis while focusing on his business.

His company called Burgess Exclusive Leathers produces handmadehandbags, earrings, necklaces, hair clips and sandals. Hisintricately detailed handicrafts are sold at novelty shops acrossTrinidad including Apodoca at Crews Inn, Sapadilla in TrincityMall, Geopa at the Falls of West Mall, the NEDCO store in thePiarco International Airport and the souvenir shop at the NormandieHotel.

Burgess Exclusive Leathers also exports items to Grenada, Antiguaand St Lucia. I really love the whole Caribbean effect of brightcolours and beautiful flora and fauna. But I try to create thingsthat people can identify as indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago. Toput the stamp on our own country, Burgess said.