I am primarily a jewellery designer but also moonlight as a wife and mother of 2 young children (aged 4 and 7) and I work part-time at my parent's real estate company, as an Office Administrator. Each handbag is handmade by myself and I never repeat a bag, each is unique. At the moment, I'm experimenting with applique on wool felt.  I use a variety of fabrics - wool felt, 100% cotton, modern and recycled prints/fabric and anything else I think would look good and wear well. My target audience is anyone from funky teens right through to busy Mum's on the go, and businesswomen. As I only make one of each bag, it allows me to experiment quite alot with style. I love using recycled fabrics/items - my favourite bag is one made from recycled 1960's and 70's neck-ties. My first one sold within 2 days of being posted onto my website! I'm always hunting around for great ties in thrift shops etc now and have over 40 of them at the moment, waiting to be cut up and made into funky bags.

I needed a handbag myself and couldn't really find what I needed, without a hefty price tag. So I dragged out my sewing machine and started sewing (I'd never made a handbag before in my life!). It was so much fun, I wanted to try all sorts of ideas out and didn't want to repeat myself, so I just kept going!  Each handbag I make is a one-off. I will never repeat that exact design, so when you buy one of my handbags, you know that you really do have a unique bag. All my bags are double-reinforced seams and fully overlocked for durability and longevity.

I don't have any nightmare stories - if something doesn't work, I make it work by changing the design to suit the bag I now have in front of me! I like working this way - it challenges me and makes me think outside the square. I think this is what makes my bags stand out. I'm not afraid to try something new!  At the moment, I am working on an entry into the 2008 Fibre & Fleece exhibition (see www.fibreandfleece.co.nz for details). The rules of entry prohibit using any more than 10% of non-natural materials. This is really challenging - my entry consists of a 100% wool felt outer that has been appliqued with hand-drilled paua (abalone) shell pieces and hand-sewn on the outer in a beautiful design. The lining is natural undyed calico and the handles are carved wood. I'm so proud of it! I can't wait to see it hanging in the gallery hall with my name beneath it!