Susanne Williams won the 2010 NICHE Award in the Surface Design category for her crinkle leather satchel last Friday (February 12). The NICHE Awards annually recognize excellence and innovation in North American craft. Williams makes highly textured bags using distressed leather from 'vegetarian' cows that she transforms by creating crinkles, ruffles, and coiled rosettes.
Crinkle Leather Satchel
Williams opened her leather studio and showroom, Willi Nilli, in Fargo, North Dakota in 2005. She recently moved to a larger studio to handle the the demand for these funky bags. In addition to making bags, Williams has been a part-time artist, creating paintings out of acrylic, watercolor, and ink.
The bags also come as boxy totes and some have shoulder straps. I like the thick leather and sculptural designs, especially the coiled rosettes (above) that make the bags so distinctive. How about you?
Comments