AnnVeronica Hand-PrintedLine... Delightful, Durable, Sleek & Sassy.

CAPE ELIZABETH, ME - Using traditional silk screening techniquescoupled with a flair for whimsy, Ann V. Perrino, founder and owner of AnnVeronica, brings you a fresh perspective on a forgotten classic - hand printedfabric.

Inspired by the hand-printed silk-screenedfabrics of the 1960's and 70's when textile art was in its heyday withcompanies such as Marimekko and Marblehead Handprints churningout pattern and design, Perrino continues a tradition in with new perspectiveby infusing crisp color and fresh silhouettes onto blank canvas.

"I hope to bring awareness ofthe craft of traditional textile art to new generations," Perrino says. "Thisis not manufactured or computer-generated work - it's designed and printed byhand in a Maine studio. Everything you buy from us is an original handcrafted pieceof art. From time to time, you'll find slight imperfections in the printedfabric, which only justifies its originality and authenticity. Hand silk-screeningfrom start to finish is a very labor-intensive process but it's also a labor oflove."

Perrino's hand-printed designs areinspired by German and Austrian workshop artists during the early years of thelast century. "What I love about the work of that era is the whimsy,"Perrino says. "Artists used definite order and captured the influences oftheir industrial age, but patterns were unpretentious. I don't favor heavybrooding art - for me it's more about having fun and taking the design lessseriously."

From her fabric, Perrinointroduced in 2003 the Ann Veronica line which includes classic day and travelbags, belts and accessories in a variety of sizes, colors and prints. Designedwith natural fibers, her 100% heavyweight cotton handbags are delightful yet durable,sleek yet sassy.

The line offers all theessentials, from classic totes and zippered handbags to a messenger bag, child'sbackpack and travel/gym bags. Ann Veronica Handprints collection is offered inseveral essential colors and ten designs. The line is sold nationally inboutiques, fine apparel and retail specialty stores and online atwww.annveronica.com

About Ann Veronica: It all started with thepurchase of a tote bag in 1975. Ann, a native of Marblehead, MA had purchased acolorful tote bag decorated with a creative silkscreen design from a local businessowner. At that time, the bags had become the rage locally and within a few shortyears gained so much popularity they came to be sold throughout the East Coast.

Twenty-six years laterand unable to find a replacement for her beloved, well-worn tote, Ann decidedto revive it by creating Ann Veronica - a collection of hand-printed handbagsand tote designs inspired by silkscreen techniques she learned in her high schoolart classes from the women who founded Marblehead Handprints .

Ann's silk-screendesigns take hundreds of hours to create, to select and to hand cut. Her textilecolors are custom mixes and her fabrics are made of all natural fibers. Thetask of creating the printed fabric is taken one stage at a time. The result isa collection of handbags and accessories that are timeless and fun. All of Ann'screations are inspired by her love for fiber, the arts and the hand craftedtradition of Maine artists. Ann lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, where shespends much of her time promoting the work of other Maine artists. For more informationabout Ann Veronica Handprints visit &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(1727)%>"target="_blank">www.annveronica.com