I have always loved fabric and at a very early age sat by my Mom at her sewing machine and asked her to teach me to sew. Creating with fabric and reveling in the finished product has always been my addiction. After going to Art School and then starting and raising a family I turned back to what I knew best, sewing, to be able to work from home. I have worked for local designers for the past 17 years and finally got the courage to start up a business on my own and get MY label out there. Handbags are a fun way to use some of the unique fabrics and trims I have collected in the past years, and I like the sculptural aspect of them. I am at the very fledgling stage of starting my business, so I am still contemplating the question "Do I produce some of my better ideas on a large scale or keep to the one of a kind model?"

The bag I entered in the contest has a raw silk body, silk dupionni handles and rose and a vintage rayon lining. I bought yards of the lining fabric years ago, and used some of it in garments and some for kitchen curtains. I recently took down my curtains to cut it up for more bag linings. My family has been going around hiding their favorite shirts in fear!

I started working with handbags so I could use the wonderful fabrics and trims I've collected (many from my trips to Spain) and also because it provides me with instant gratification. I love the chain reaction of making one, and letting that one lead me to the next idea. The clothing I work on is detailed and labor intensive, and the bags are an antidote. I feel at my most creative when my sewing room is strewn with fabrics, sweaters, buttons and trims.  My line is very eclectic, because I love all different types of fabrics and materials and I want to use them all. Most of my handbags are "one of a few" because I don't buy yards and yards of any one fabric.

The recurring nightmare story goes something like this: after making what I consider to be a successful bag, I will make another with similar elements, thinking I have gotten out the design kinks. But it won't be as good. I remind myself to never stop REALLY looking at every step of the creative process, because the magic is elusive. So I will rip and start over.  However, since I have just started my own business, my greatest achievement so far is the joy I get from doing what I love, and having others use and enjoy my product as well.