Longaberger Handbags

Longaberger is not your average handbag maker. In fact, Longaberger doesn't make handbags at all; they make baskets. Thirty years ago David Longaberger and five other basket makers founded Longabergers in Ohio. There is a long and storied history of the Longaberger family that begins in 1896, when the Longabergers moved to Dresden, Ohio.

Before we all carried our goods around in paper or plastic, before we had handbags and purses to store our essentials, there were woven baskets. And woven baskets are what David Longaberger's father, J.W Longaberger, began making in 1919 at the local Dresden Basket Factory.

A full-time apprentice, J.W began to love his work and became very good at weaving the material meticulously to create tight basket bottoms. J.W worked his way up to basket maker and became known for his meticulously tight and precise weaving style. J.W eventually went on to own the basket weaving factory and a basket-making dynasty was born.

Flash forward to 1976, when Dave Longaberger founded J.W's Hand Woven Baskets, in honor of his father. Incorporating the same hand-crafted and quality-assured practices as his father; Dave set out to build a basket-weaving empire. By using direct sales and a force of independent home consultants and the platform of increased home decorating, Longaberger's Baskets have reached far into the hearts of basket lovers everywhere. Since then, the Longaberger name has become synonymous with hand-crafted quality baskets made in the traditional American way.

The market for hand-woven baskets is wider than one would think. In fact, the company has done so very well that it has expanded to include everything from hand woven baskets, canvas totes, beverage totes, wrought iron home decor goods and pottery goods. Under the capable leadership of Dave's daughter Tami, Longaberger's baskets have become collector's items, highly coveted holiday traditions and an American institution. The Longaberger head office, located in Newark, Ohio, is an exact replica of a Longaberger Medium Basket - a picnic-like basket with two large handles extending from the roof top. It is seven stories tall and houses all of the corporate Longaberger employees inside its stuccoed, woven walls. If that isn't a success story, too strange to be true, I don't know what is.

Longaberger Hobo Purse - The Hobo style purse is commonly found in pretty plaids and bright checks. This bag features black denim trim and strap with a magnetic snap closure and faux buckle detail. The large main compartment has a zip closure with two open pockets and one zip pocket inside. The Longaberger logo patch is embossed in faux leather on the side of the bag. The Longaberger Hobo is also available with a matching wallet, checkbook cover and coin case, making this hobo a true American classic.

Longaberger Mini Tote Purse - By far the most popular of Longaberger's bags, the Mini Tote Purse is perfect for all your everyday essentials or for use as a shopping bag or lunch bag. This fabric tote features two short canvas handles, canvas sides and bottom for a sturdy carry. This bag features a magnetic snap closure and a small front pocket with the Longaberger logo patch is embossed in faux leather.