All of my handbags are designed and constructed by me in my home in wild wonderful Bracey, Virginia. Bracey is located on the border between Virginia and North Carolina on Lake Gaston. I started making handbags in January of 2006 on a whim, and it grew from there. I have had the best time! My ideas for handbags is constantly growing, and turning a handbag into reality is an inspiration in itself. The fabrics I use range from faux suede to denims to upholstery and now to leather.  It is my goal to continue to create handbags that truly compliments a person's style.

I have been doing embroidery and heat press transfers for T-shirts, totes, etc., and my husband had back surgery in December of 2005. A friend of mine made two placemat purses and wanted me to embroider a snowflake on one and a wreath on another. They were really cute, and I wondered if I could make one. So I bought a placemat that I liked and made one. It sold. Then I made another, it sold....and it kind of snowballed from there. I really wanted a bigger handbag, and decided to buy some material. After I made each handbag, I would email the pictures to my daughter and she would email them out to her friends. Next thing I know, every handbag I was making was sold.  This was something fun that truly came out of no where.

I want my customers to have a handbag that they can carry and no one else has. I also wanted to offer more affordable handbags that were really fun and hip, so I came up with the Hip Chick Quick Bags. My next venture is working with leather. I made my first leather handbag that I call Winter White (my daughter says I can't carry this in winter........but I do!). I really love leather, and I'm looking forward to working with it!

The only real nightmare I had, which was a great learning experience.... was when one of my customers was unhappy about how her handbag was fraying in one area. I took it back right away, took it apart, figured out the problem, and fixed it for her. She was elated! She told a friend of mine that she felt I would do very well because I gave her good customer service. And that's a good thing!

I would have to say the greatest achievement for me is was finding out that I had the ability to create the handbags. I have found my passion! My mind is working overtime thinking of fun handbags to make. I also have to give credit to my husband, Mark. He gives me so much inspiration! He absolutely loves everything I've made. And, he's a guy! He helps me out in everything.....from building shelves & thread holders to cutting my patterns that I design out of a neat material that I can place on the fabric to do the cutting. Whatever I need, he's there for me. We are a team! And last but certainly not least....are my customers! I have several customers who have come back to order 4 or more handbags. It's been a wonderful adventure! At my age, it just goes to show it's never too late to do something you really want to do!