DIY Hime Gyaru Handbag

I've already made post about decorating handbags (in fact, it was my very first post), but it was poorly done and wasn't very helpful or specific >< So consider this as kind of a...supplement (?) to that post.

Start with a plain handbag. I purchased this one from the thrift store for about $3.

There's no way that I could make a list of things needed for this tutorial, just look at this picture X) Besides, most of my decorations are improvisational. There's never a real plan. The picture above is composed of all the things that I gathered as possible things to use. I didn't use all of them, they're just examples >_>

I mixed a little bit of pink acrylic paint with white paint to create a very light baby pink color.

I then used the mixed paint to cover the largest areas of the handbag. I also used white paint to reinforce the accent flap of the bag~

Using a super cheap (it was literally like $0.88) broken pearl necklace, I created a trim for the flap.

Add a pretty lacy trim to the underside of the flap so that it is visible from the outside, but no one can see where or how it was attached.

Time for flowers of course ^^~ they're a necessity.

It still looked a bit empty, so I added a large bow to the top of the bag and a small ribbon bow to the bottom. On top of the small ribbon bow, I added a Victorian button piece. On the underside of the handbag I attached more lace trimming.

Lastly, I used smaller rose pieces as the trim for the upper flap. This part took so long >< I had to snip the flowers from the bouquet, then hot glue them to hold their shapes (otherwise they would unravel), and then glue each one to the bag.

Well, this has been a long (and pic-heavy) post. I hope that you guys are somewhat inspired to try something like this <333 ^^


See original handbag decorating tutorial here.