I’m Jillian and my company is John Met Betty. I create unique clutches made from a mix of vintage materials and designer cottons. I’ve been designing bags since 2006, recently I started selling my bags on Etsy.com. I first became interested in making handbags while attending school for Fashion Design at George Brown College, in Toronto, Canada. It was there that I developed industry sewing and pattern drafting skills, which gave me the confidence to make my designs a reality.

I didn’t launch my business on a professional level until my husband and I moved to the United States in 2007. It was then that I finally had the time to devote to my business full-time. I’ve always had a love of vintage textiles and buttons and have been collecting them for years. I love bringing new life to something from years gone by. I’m currently in the beginning stages with my line. Each bag is truly one of a kind, each piece is individually handmade by me.

All of my bags are truly unique. I’m constantly sourcing one of a kind vintage textiles and buttons. I want to provide my customers with a quality handbag that stands out in a crowd. When working with vintage materials it can be difficult to source interesting linings to match. When I can’t find a vintage print to match I often use designer cottons. I search for unique and interesting prints that compliment the vintage textiles I use. The frames I use in my bags are often new frames on occasion I may use an antique frame. I have chosen to use frames made to look “antique” this look compliments the vintage materials I use to create my bags.

I started my formal line in October of 2008. I had been selling my handbags at local shows and to family and friends. Many people were asking where they could purchase my bags and it was then I decided to start selling my purses online. It was many years of tinkering with different art forms before I learned to sew and develop a passion for clothing and accessory design. I had studied Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo taking courses in everything from drawing, printmaking and even computer animation. I hadn’t found a medium that I truly felt passionate about until I began working in fashion. It was when I was employed as a design assistant for a leather company called Beardmore Leathers, that I found I had a real passion for clothing and accessories. After working for three years in the industry I pursued Fashion Design at George Brown College in Toronto Canada. I earned invaluable sewing and pattern making skills and was finally able to turn my creative ideas into something tactile.

I originally did not plan on making frame purses. I stumbled into a lot of frames from a leather company going out of business. I had been collecting vintage handbags for years and always loved the look of their structured designs. When I received this lot of handbag frames I began playing around with them and taught myself how to use them. I also had many helpful tutorials found through the internet along the way!

Thankfully thus far I haven’t had a nightmare design story. I think the most challenging design is when you are designing for someone else. I find custom orders the hardest to complete because I truly enjoy the process of picking the fabrics and trim’s myself.  My greatest achievement so far would be launching my online shop. It’s something I dreamt of doing for several years. To see others find joy in the items I create truly makes all the effort worthwhile.