I think she used acrylic paint. It doesn't rub off. We actually met Judith at a dog show in Anderson, SC. I choose the bag but Robert did the rest. So it is not totally his idea.... he did insist that I get it. I was feeling so guilty spending over $90 for a handbag so I told him to give it to me as a Christmas gift.... You have no idea how much stuff I've been buying since we got Winston last May. It is really a sickness.