London, Apr 20 (ANI): Designer purses designed in the shape of flowers, stones and even a cactus are selling for as much as 1,000 pounds in the market.

The designer, Kathleen Dustin, creates the accessories from clay, and she has revealed that the purses have been designed for women who are confident about their style.

“Most people are amazed at them. They are for the woman who is very confident in her own personal style because they make a very strong statement,” the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

Dustin, 58, from New Hampshire in America, said she had drawn her inspiration from observations made throughout her life.

“The imagery of my work comes from taking a deep look at my life, responding to it, and expressing it so that it strikes a chord in someone else too, encouraging them to pay attention,” she said.

“I’ve been paying attention to elements in the woods such as seed pods, buds, moss, grasses, leaves, sticks and stones.

“My hope is that it causes someone to pay attention to a tiny seed pod or to the feeling of grass under ones feet, to pay attention to the small mundane things in one’s life.

“These purses are functional, you are supposed to touch them, caress them and examine them,” she stated.

She also revealed that she only makes 200 of the limited edition purses a year, each painstakingly handmade by using coloured Polymer clay and then sculpturing the extraordinary designs before baking them in an oven.

“When finished they are flexible and lightweight so they can be banged around and are quite functional. My idea is for someone to use a purse from time to time for special events and then display it when not in use,” she added.

The designs, which are all unique, range from 200 pounds to 1,000 pounds, and can be ordered through her website www.kathleendustin.com (ANI)