Dancing Hermès Carmen Key Holder

I love Hermès’ lambskin Carmen Key Holder, but the $195 price tag is too extreme for me.


Source: © Hermès.com (per their copyright guidelines)

A couple of online tutorials (see Resources below) helped me make one for myself yesterday out of a lambskin leather skirt I found at Goodwill (as suggested by the authors). Although the Hermès version uses brightly-colored leather, all I could find was black. I’m happy nonetheless.


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Hermès showcases their products with delightful little illustrations. I decided to do a little watercolor version myself. The key holder reminds me of the black costume Odile wears as the Black Swan in Swan Lake, so I painted a ballerina. Hmmm…maybe the leather “dress” is more a Goth version of the ballet costume. Anyway, I gave my little ballerina a pair of Hermès signature-orange ballet slippers.

I’d like to say something about copying originals—I made this key holder strictly for myself and not for any commercial venture. Hermès originated the design and deserves accolades for doing so. If you see a copy of it for sale on Etsy or some other venue, please don’t buy it. I don’t know if it’s the company’s intent, but I appreciate Hermès’ utilization of small leather pieces that might otherwise be discarded.

Resources

Tutorials may be found here:

• Betsy Ross’ Journal Leather Tassel Tutorial (Apr. 2008)
• Desiree Haight Photography DIY Hermes Key Ring (Jan. 2009)