Handbags that cast hope
Photos and story By Jennifer Archibald Carroll County Comet

Collection at The Grapevine Boutique MarTique handbags are sold at The Grapevine Boutique in Flora. A sampling is shown above.

Sometimes handbags do more than make a fashion statement.

One line of handbags sold in Flora has an ongoing story to tell - a story of "connecting hearts and casting hope."

Susie Dyke of The Grapevine Boutique told about these unique handbags at the recent Extension Homemakers Friends Day in Burlington. She also presented a style show of the featured purses and fashions from her store. In a twist from usual style shows, each model's attire was chosen to complement the handbag.

The distinctive handbags are made by women in Southeast Asia and imported to the U.S. by MarTique, a division of Uniquely International Inc. The founders and owners of the company are Bob and Marty Wagoner of Oklahoma who were missionaries to Southeast Asia from 2002 to 2005. The MarTique slogan is "Fashion Without Borders."

Dyke met the Wagoners when they delivered handbags to her store in person.

Her introduction to the handbags came informally about a year ago when a long-time customer came into the store to shop. Dyke complimented her on her unusual handbag. The customer was Mary Margaret Wagoner of Lucerne, mother of Bob Wagoner.

Intricate beadwork design is seen in this MarTique handbag came into the store to

When the Wagoners were missionaries, they went to the marketplace to meet people in their everyday struggles to make a living. As they began to connect with new Christian believers, and saw the beautiful handbags made by the women, they saw a way to make it possible for them to earn a fair wage and have hope for the future.

Dyke told some of the stories shared by the Wagoners. One woman was selling T-shirts on the streets to support her two children. Through her connection with MarTique, she became a wholesaler of the fine handbags, selling them to boutiques catering to tourists. Dyke said just recently the woman became a store owner - quite an accomplishment for a woman in her country.

Another story is about Miss Kim, who teaches the Bible to deaf women. They make the "Ms. Kitty" purses, which are imported to the U.S. through MarTique. A portion of the proceeds from these children's purses help pay for Miss Kim's ministry and also go toward the construction of an orphanage in Cambodia.

The handbag connection By selling MarTique handbags, Susie Dyke, pictured, has become part of a network that "connects hearts and casts hope." The sale of these high-quality handbags ensures that the Southeast Asian women who make them are paid a fair wage.

The Wagoners return to Southeast Asia for two months each year to gather handbags and continue their ministry. They also collect stories from anyone connected to the handbags - including the women who make them, those who sell them, and those who buy them.

They attach these inspiring stories to each handbag, always ending with how the story demonstrates "connecting hearts and casting hope around the world."

When the Wagoners visited The Grapevine Boutique, they learned how the store got its name. Dyke told them the inspiration came from John 15:5 - "I am the vine, you are the branches." They took her picture, and said her story may someday appear with one of their handbags.

Stylish handbag Lona Yeakley, pictured, was one of the models at the EH Friends Day style show, which focused on MarTique handbags.

The MarTique line has more than 100 styles, and each style comes in various colors. The handbags are colorful and have eye-catching designs and striking embellishments. Many of the handbags have intricate bead work or embroidery work, all done by hand. The purses are identified by descriptive names such as the Quilt Bag, Dangling Shells, Silk Box, or Lotus Flower.

Dyke said the MarTique Lotus Flower, in red, can be seen in the movie, "Memoirs of a Geisha." She said the actress who carried the handbag later autographed it and auctioned it on eBay. It brought nearly $4,000 which was donated to Miss Kim's orphanage in Cambodia.

The MarTique handbags at Friends Day were available for purchase, and Dyke donated a portion of the sales to the orphanage.

To view images of some of the handbags and read related personal stories, visit www.uniquemartique.com.