Topsy turvy turtle zip pouch, Japanese fabric, $8
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Mushroom granny bag, Japanese canvas, $40
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Owls stubby clutch, Japanese canvas fabric, $18
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Story:
When I was small, I wanted to become a fashion designer. I used to wake my Sister up in the middle of the night, because an idea for a dress would pop into my head, and I would sketch it out. Of course, I usually was unable to make heads or tails of the design in the morning. My Mom sewed most of our clothes growing up, and I would take whatever bits and pieces she had leftover, and hand stitched clothes for my dolls. My Father, wanted to be an artist, he constantly encouraged me to develop my artistic side by giving me art sets for my birthday every year. I went to F.I.D.M out of high school, and graduated in 1997 with an AA in fashion design. After working as a freelance designer for a few years, I quickly fell out of love, with the idea of becoming a womans wear designer. I worked for years in the visual and merchandising end of a big box retail department store, and started designing and selling handbags in 2003 on the side on E-bay. I quickly gathered a small following of loyal customers, but with a full time job, I found myself un-able to continue. In December of 2006, my fiance and I moved to a small town on the Southern Oregon coast, where I started to actively sell once again on Ebay, and I also decided to give Etsy.com a try. I discovered the joy of reading craft blogs, crafter.org forums, and found my designs going in a very different direction from where they had started. I no longer tried to re-create perfectly manufactured purses, but developed my own interpretation of the handmade/zakka movement.
I mainly use Japanese fabrics in my designs. I am always in awe of the unique, fun, and childlike designs they have which contribute greatly to my designs. It is impossible to look at a fabulous print, and not see a million possibilities and color combinations! My customers vary so that it is hard to say who my target audience is, exactly. I sell to Mom's, teenagers, and fellow handbag designers. I got it into my head that I wanted a piece of vintage, mushroom print fabric so I could make a purse for myself. I of course did a search on E-bay, and found a shop that sold Japanese fabrics! It was love at first sight. I belive that handbags should be just as beautiful on the inside, as they are out. You will never see any of that typical 'lining' fabric that is so widely used in the industry. I allways use bright polka dot, stripe and gingham fabrics.
In terms of nightmares - well, I once made a 'bowling bag' type purse out of faux fur...... bad idea. My greatest achievement, besides having my handbags sold in boutiques worldwide, is knowing that the persons who purchase your creations love them as much as I do. I have quiet a few customers worldwide that tell me, time and again that my designs are fantastic, and they cannot wait to see what else I come up with. What more can a girl want? |
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Designer Archive:
Other HB101 Articles:
May 16, 2008 - Lona Gutknecht - Lona Gutknecht
May 14, 2008 - Eric Manie'r - Eric Manie'r
May 12, 2008 - psnob - Rebecca Robinson
May 09, 2008 - English Retreads - Heather English
May 06, 2008 - OPAMA Designs - Patricia Hamilton
May 05, 2008 - Hydralis: FINALIST BEST STUDENT MADE HANDBAG - Lissa Kooijman
May 02, 2008 - Grey Sunshine: FINALIST BEST STUDENT MADE HANDBAG - Dana Van Daele
April 30, 2008 - Fufulinda's - Marion Renee
April 28, 2008 - Kage Handbags - Kristin Holstein
April 25, 2008 - littleoddforest / LOF - Lynda Lye
April 23, 2008 - Simple Sweetcakes - Mackenzie Hendrickson
April 21, 2008 - Cosa Monna Leather - Guadalupe Salais
April 18, 2008 - maxine orange - Maxine Orange
April 16, 2008 - Dorit Handbags - Dorit Berger
April 14, 2008 - Laura Matthews Designs - Laura Matthews
April 11, 2008 - Gadino - Hilde Palladino
April 09, 2008 - Erica Dylan - Erica Wallengren
April 07, 2008 - Marcela Calvet - Marcela Calvet
April 02, 2008 - Pumpkin Primrose - Sarah Steel
March 31, 2008 - Tamara Handbags - Tamara Lord
March 28, 2008 - D'BOUR - Adelya D'Bour
March 26, 2008 - Yaari Toya Bali - Ni Made Toya
March 24, 2008 - Jenny Yuen - Jenny Yuen
March 21, 2008 - Accessory Niche - Shara Brown
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