Novice Handbag Competition

• Novice class is for leathercrafters who have been working in the industry, either as a hobbyist or full-time artisan, for less than 5 years.

• Each leathercrafter may enter up to three handbags (entry fee required for each entry). The handbag must be made during the current calendar year (2025) and be in "new" condition.

  • Entries must meet our definition of a handbag: purse or other carrier to be worn on the body or carried in the hand by a man or woman, with or without a strap, and designed to carry/hold personal articles or money. Briefcases are an acceptable entry.

  • Collaborations of two makers is acceptable.

  • Handbags made during a training or in a school environment are not allowed.

• Online entries are open from May 1st - October 30th, 2025

• Handbags can be for sale during the competition. Contestants are responsible for all sales.

  • Pendleton Leather Show will not take any sales commission.

• Three judges will independently and separately score each entry based on a universal score sheet. All contestants will receive their score sheets via email after the show.

• Handbags must be at the ROY RALEY ROOM Pendleton Convention Center by 9am Thursday, October 30th for judging and will remain on display until 5pm Saturday, November 1st.

  • Check-in for handbag entries will be Wednesday, October 29th from 1-4pm and Thursday, October 30th from 7-9am.

  • If shipping your handbag entry, please ship to:

    Pendleton Convention Center

    1601 Westgate

    Pendleton, OR 97801

  • Please note: If your competition entry does not arrive before 9am on Thursday, October 30th, it will not be eligible for judging.

  • If you will not be present to pick up your entry on Saturday, November 1st at 5pm, please include a return shipping label and any special instructions.