While Cathy of California was visiting this week, of course we had to make time to stop by Queen Bee Creations world headquarters here in town. Queen Bee recently opened their studio doors for visitors to stop by and shop from 9-5 every day (instead of making a special appointment) and they have tons of wallets, bags, and accessories — including samples, one-of-a-kinds, and discounted seconds — up for grabs. It’s so inspiring to see all the colorful vinyl combinations in one place (though the website is a lot of fun to browse, too).

Owner-designer Rebecca Pearcy painted these super cute murals running all the way up the stairs, so you know you’re in the right place when you walk in the front door.

Here’s a little sampling of the dozens of vinyl bags for sale… plus these adorable screenprinted t-shirts from Rebecca’s Chickpea line for parent and baby.

I have carried a Queen Bee bag just about daily since 1999 and I wholeheartedly recommend the quality and design of Rebecca’s work. She and her talented staff handmake every single piece in the line here in their Portland studio, and they are so gorgeous that you will get non-stop compliments on your good taste in accessories: I have written her website URL down on cocktail napkins, cash register receipts, and bus transfers at least twenty times when people fell in love with my cute handbag or wallet and just had to have one for themselves.

Yesterday I found two more things to add to my collection — first, since my adorable wonder boy whale wallet needed some time to rest after near-constant use for the last few years, I was happy to spot this pretty chirp version.

And I found my dream bag, which has been on my list since the new spring designs came out, as a second, too!

If you go:

Queen Bee studio
open 9-5 weekdays
1847 E. Burnside St., Portland
503-232-1755