Zendira customers may know Carly as the person who makes sure everything feels seamless, the one who answers questions, fixes problems, and ensures every order carries the same care as the bags themselves. She is the heart of Zendira’s customer experience, the person who makes sure women feel heard, supported, and understood.

But this fall, Carly stepped into an entirely new light. Beyond the inbox and order flow, she revealed another side of herself, as the artist behind Zendira’s first collection of hand-painted Monday bags.

“I’d been so caught up in the rhythm of everyday life, just constantly on the go, that I hadn’t given myself space to create,” Carly told me. “Picking up a brush again felt like something I deeply needed.”

That chance came when I asked a simple question: did she know anyone who could paint on leather? Carly paused for just a moment before answering: Well… I could try.

What started as a leap of faith became four one-of-a-kind pieces: Golden Bloom, Backstage Pass, Midnight Bloom, and Sapphire Bloom. Each reflects a different part of her journey, from the warm, welcoming tones of Golden Bloom to the moody richness of Midnight Bloom. “Just because something is functional doesn’t mean it can’t also be beautiful,” Carly explained. “I wanted the artwork to complement the strength of the bag, not compete with it.”

The Creative Shift

Carly’s first piece was Golden Bloom. It carried soft golden tones, playful floral details, and a sense of ease that mirrored her first steps back into creative expression.

“The first design I painted was Golden Bloom,” she said. “I was definitely playing it a little safe with that one, I wanted to ease into it, but I also couldn’t resist adding some fun with pops of color. When I saw it on the finished bag, I felt proud, but also excited to push myself further. It gave me the confidence to get more bold and experimental with the next designs, and that’s when things really started to evolve.”

From there, Carly found her flow. She didn’t sketch or map anything out in advance. Instead, she let the leather guide her, working with instinct and emotion. “I didn’t sketch anything out beforehand, I really just wanted to let the process be organic. I turned on some music, poured a glass of wine, and let myself feel the colors. It was all about being in the moment and letting the leather guide me.”

That instinctive approach gave each bag its own distinct personality. Backstage Pass came alive with a rock ‘n’ roll edge, bold and gritty, with a 90's vibe popping up in unexpected ways. Midnight Bloom took on a moody depth, like a secret garden that only reveals itself under moonlight. And Sapphire Bloom exploded with rich, deep blues and vivid contrasts that felt regal, powerful, and alive.

Bright colors, flowers, and butterflies have always been a huge source of inspiration for me. There’s just something about their energy and symbolism that really resonates with me.

Balancing Roles

For Carly, this project was not just about painting. It was about carving out space for creativity while balancing the other roles she holds: mother, customer experience expert, and the steady backbone of Zendira’s daily operations.

“It’s definitely been a bit of a juggling act,” she admitted. “Between handling customer emails and support during the day, and being a full-time mom to two little ones, one of whom is still home with me, it can be tricky to carve out time for something as immersive as painting. But when I do find the time, it’s been such a gift. Painting these bags has become a way for me to recharge and reconnect with myself. It makes all the chaos feel a little more balanced.”

That balance is what makes Carly so essential to Zendira. She doesn’t just reply to emails. She designs experiences. Every message, every reply, every solution is handled with the same care she brought to painting. She turns routine exchanges into genuine connections, making Zendira feel less like a brand and more like a conversation. The same gift carries into her painting, where she layers meaning into every color and curve.

“In my day-to-day role, I’m very methodical and organized. I genuinely care about making sure Zendira customers feel heard, cared for, and understood. It’s all about creating a smooth, positive experience for them, and I take a lot of pride in that. But having a creative outlet through painting really nourishes a different part of me. It helps me stay balanced. In a way, both sides feed each other. Caring deeply and paying attention to detail shows up in my art, and the creativity I tap into there helps me show up more fully for our customers too.”

What These Bags Mean

Carly poured herself into these bags not just as an artist, but as someone who understands what it means for women to carry them.

“I put a lot of heart into each piece,” she said. “I hope that when someone carries one, it brings them a little spark of joy. Whether it’s the colors, the details, or just knowing it was made with care, I want them to feel special, seen, and a little more connected to their own sense of style and expression.”

The four bags are rare and one-of-a-kind, but Carly doesn’t rule out creating more. “Right now, this collection feels really special, like a rare, personal drop from the heart. However, if the response is positive and people connect with the pieces, I would be absolutely happy to create more. It’s been such a rewarding experience, and knowing that others might want to carry something I’ve painted would be incredibly meaningful.”

What sets these painted Mondays apart is not only the artistry but also the story behind them. They represent balance — between functionality and beauty, between customer care and personal expression, between structure and freedom.

“These bags truly marry everything I stand for at my core, empowerment, self-expression, and finding beauty in strength,” Carly said. “As the voice behind the inbox, I’m always focused on supporting and uplifting our customers, and that same energy lives in each of these hand-painted pieces. Creating them has been a deeply personal journey, and I hope they reflect the same values I try to bring to Zendira every day: care, creativity, and a sense of confidence in who you are.”

The Artist of Experience

When I look at Golden Bloom, Backstage Pass, Midnight Bloom, and Sapphire Bloom, I don’t just see leather transformed by paint. I see Carly. I see the woman who keeps our customers at the center of everything we do, who brings her empathy and creativity into every corner of Zendira.

These bags are one-of-a-kind, but so is she. And for the women who carry them, they will hold not just their essentials, but also a piece of Carly’s journey, layered with meaning, balance, and beauty.

SHOP PAINTED MONDAYS

FAQs

Q1: What makes the hand-painted Monday bags unique?
Each bag was painted by Carly, Zendira’s customer experience expert, who brought her hidden artistic talent to life. Every design is one-of-a-kind, with no two bags alike.

Q2: Which designs are included in Carly’s painted Monday bag collection?
The collection features four distinct pieces: Golden Bloom, Backstage Pass, Midnight Bloom, and Sapphire Bloom. Each design reflects a different mood and inspiration.

Q3: Will more hand-painted Zendira bags be released in the future?
For now, these four painted Mondays are a rare and special drop. If the response is strong, Carly may create more designs in the future.

Q4: Are the painted Monday bags still functional for concealed carry?
Yes. While each bag is a work of art, they maintain all the same functional features as Zendira’s Monday bag, including security, durability, and thoughtful design.