Barbara James, Designer
Bio and Artist Statement 

Barbara James holds degrees in textiles and clothing from Baldwin-Wallace College and Kent State University.  She began her career as an assistant buyer of fashion accessories for a major Department Store. Barbara has worked for White Sewing Machine Company, taught clothing classes at the University of Akron and recently retired as a Professor with the Ohio State University.

She officially opened her design business in April 2002. Her handbags are in the collections of women in New York City; Grosse Point, Michigan; Davis, California; Greensboro, North Carolina; Greenwich, Connecticut; Jiquilpan, Michoacan, Mexico; Key West; Chicago; and of course, her home state, Ohio. She currently exhibits her wearable art at select shows and in the following galleries:

• The Dancing Sheep Art Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio

• Portage Hill Gallery, Chautauqua, New York

• The Gallery in the Vault, Wooster, Oh

“ I believe that a handbag is a highly personal object.  It is a vessel that holds a woman’s possessions and conveys a message about her personal style. Handbags are small indulgences that are treasured and collected.  When I design a bag I integrate materials into a sculpture that will delight and make a woman her feel special."

The Designer

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