The Third Annual Independent Handbag Awards is accepting designer submissions until April 15th. These awards, which commence June 17th at The New York Historical Society provide an opportunity for emerging independent designers to be recognized and stand out!  Here are some of the indie and eco-friendly categories we like:

• Best Student-made Handbag (prize is a prestigious apprenticeship)
• Most Socially Responsible Handbag
• Best Handmade Handbag (prize is a sewing machine and a featured pattern on a well-known site)
• Best Green Handbag (prize is a collarbortive opportunity with a known Green brand)

To register in the preliminary selection round, you just need to upload a digital image to Handbagdesigner101 before April 15, 2009. Finalists will be announced shortly thereafter!