Unless stated otherwise, a majority of our bags are made of vegan leather! Most of our genuine leather handbags are vintage pieces and will state as such in the description of the product.

Yes! These bags are handcrafted to keep the specimen and your belongings separate. We work to ensure that your piece has both the functionality for usage AND the display without sacrificing space in the bag.

There is a real specimen and glass involved in these pieces. So to a certain degree, they are fragile! To make them functional and durable; the inset (shadowbox) created within the interior of the bag is made to cradle the specimen, and glass on the outside is fixed to the frame. The frame itself is layered with a two-part structural epoxy resin, with a sealant layered in between two applications of the adhesive for heavy duty protection. Please be mindful when using this piece in comparison to any of your other handbags! Each one comes with an aftercare card on how to maintain the integrity of your bag

You can contact me directly at:

shoppeofstuff@gmail.com

Or direct message me on Instagram

@fraufreiler

A short answer, no I cannot swap out the hold hardware for silver hardware. And I agree that is a bummer! But unfortunately silver hardware purses from distributors are few and far between. I will always post what I can with silver hardware, but they will not be as readily available as gold.

Custom bags are a collaborative effort. I do not offer a catalog due to specimen and material availability. You can fill out the custom request form (found in the main menu) and browse references I have in the gallery tab. Please note that not all custom or commission pieces will be accepted, and an entry via the custom form does not guarantee a commission slot.

For our handbags, we responsibly source our specimens and materials. What that means and why did I not state ethically sourced - very simply, ethics vary from person to person. Our ethics rely upon making sure that the first intention of our distributors is to promote the growth and protection of a species. Our garter snakes come from a local snake breeder in the Hudson Valley, NY who also does our cleaning with dermestid beetles for any other bone related items we have. Our insects come from reputable companies who help maintain populations, provide live specimens to collectors, and supply different oddities businesses with their work.

We have worked hard to find companies we trust, and our price point directly reflects the time and energy our sources put into preservation. Our product availability is also directly connected to the process of the preservation efforts.

These pieces are handcrafted by one person. The design, the preparation, and the creation is done by one person. These bags, and its functional design were thoughtfully created by one person.

The “we” in any statement is connected to the time and effort my family takes part in helping my business grow. With them, and with my amazing customer base, Frau Freiler and Her Shoppe of Stuff has grown into a dream come true.