By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Aug 30, 2004 at 5:07 AM

Sure the black or brown leather purse matches every outfit, but that's no fun! Plus, doesn't the deliciously pink dress deserve a girlish handbag? And isn't your new pair of jeans just screaming for a matching denim tote?

You could jump in your car and zoom to the mall to buy something trendy and mass produced, but Stacey Sawyer – AKA "The Distinguished Bag Lady" – makes it even easier to find the bag of your dreams from the comfort of your keyboard.

Sawyer's new Internet business, called The Distinguished Bag Lady, sells dozens of handmade purses and totes in a slew of sassy-to-practical styles.

"Every woman needs some sort of purse, handbag or tote to carry her personals in," says Sawyer, 28, who lives in the Enderis Park neighborhood with her boyfriend Marty and their cat.

Her bags range in price, with most between $40 and $60, and her styles also vary with everything from the polka-dotted "Bubble Gum Ice Cream" bag to the classy-but-casual "London Burberry."

Shoppers can also "build" their own bag by selecting a style, fabric, lining and other adornments like fringe.

"I think greatest quality of my handbags is their uniqueness and personal touch. Not only are they produced in limited quantity, but you can also customize to fit your own unique personality," says Sawyer, who graduated from WCTC with a degree in interior design.

Sawyer, who hopes to open a shop in the Third Ward someday, doesn't stop at purse creations, either. She also makes wine bags and plans to unveil a line of hip diaper bags for moms and dads. And for the "Seinfeld" fans out there, what are her thoughts on "the man purse?" (European carry-all!!! -ed.)

"Every guy should carry one," she says. "Otherwise, the women seem to always be the ones carrying the keys, and the wallet, the camera and everything else in our hangbags!"

Amen to that, sister.

The Distinguished Bag lady's website is distinguishedbaglady.com


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.