Hello, I’m Lisa Clark (pictured right), founder of Shiva Urban. I was born and raised in Tulungagung, a small town in East Java, Indonesia, and now call Safety Harbor, Florida, home.
Throughout my career in the United States, I spent 25 years working in the nonprofit field, including 20 years leading marketing for United Way in Savannah, Georgia. After decades of serving communities, I wanted to reconnect with my Indonesian roots and give back to the country where I was born. I created Shiva Urban to share Indonesia’s beauty, culture, and craftsmanship through handmade Bali handbags.
Today, I work directly with Mr. Putu, his wife, and a small group of skilled weavers from Tenganan, Bali. They create Shiva Urban’s handmade rattan-style handbags, woven straw purses, crossbody bags, and totes using natural materials and traditional techniques passed down through generations.
At a time when so many accessories are mass-produced for fast fashion, my hope is to help preserve this beautiful craftsmanship and share it with women who value something more personal and meaningful. Every purchase supports these artisans and their families while helping traditional Balinese weaving continue for future generations.
Thank you for supporting handmade and carrying a meaningful piece of Bali wherever you go.
From Bali to Florida
How Your Bag Is Made
Every Shiva Urban handbag begins with natural fibers carefully selected, handwoven into intricate patterns, and dried under the Bali sun. The finished bag is then slowly cured over a coconut-husk fire—a traditional Balinese process that hardens the fibers, improves durability, and creates its naturally rich, toasted-brown color.
That faint smoky aroma when your bag first arrives is not a flaw—it is a hallmark of this authentic curing process. Unlike mass-produced imitations that may be painted or stained to resemble traditional Bali rattan bags, Shiva Urban handbags develop their color naturally through fire and smoke. The scent gradually fades with fresh air and regular use, typically within a few weeks.
Finally, each bag is finished with thoughtful details such as leather straps, secure closures, and colorful batik fabric. The result is a durable, one-of-a-kind Bali handbag that carries the character of the natural materials and the hands that made it.
