In March of 2014 I went to a cat show and a craft show. No, they weren't in the same building. Can you imagine? Cats in crafts? Crafts for cats? Actually, I can imagine it, it's an odd visual. The two were however across from one another in separate buildings.
As I wandered around the craft show I came across a Mother-Daughter Duo who make items from
materials that are re-purposed. I am always on the search for the perfect purse. As a vegetarian I have an ethical issue with having a leather purse. As well until about 8 years ago I referred to purses as 'bags' because I disliked the term purse. In fact, part of me still does. I looked at their beautifully, hand crafted bags and was in awe. Part of my awestruck was that anything I've ever sewn didn't quite turn out as planned, let alone as flawless as their work appeared.
I continued on through the craft show, but in the back of my mind still lingered their bags. One bag in particular had caught my attention, but it was not practical for my everyday use. Meaning: I like simple. I want a bag that I can use year round that matches the majority of my clothing, isn't bulky, that I can use on the run, slightly abuse by cramming way too much into it, and still be cute. I mean, come on, I'm not asking for much ... am I?
Before leaving I went back and pined over the bag some more, but knew it was 'just off'. I spoke to the duo and took their card knowing that most likely they had a website and if they were at one craft show ... they'd be at another! I didn't even make it home before sending a message, telling them how great I thought they were and asked about custom bags. Huzzah! They do custom bags!
I counted down to their next craft show and went to see them. I picked out the style bag I would like made and discussed color options. I was looking for subdued, grey, with some texture and depth. Maria gave me a link to look at where they order some fabric from. Oh, that was a can of worms that was opened right then and there. Upon looking all I could do was make an ever growing long list of fabrics I liked. At one point and time I had a pink purse designed. Pink!? What on earth!? It turns out the fabric lured me in and I could.not.stop. I couldn't.
I stepped back for a bit knowing I had an original vision of what I wanted and I was talking myself out of it. I hadn't forgotten about my bag, in fact I saw a fabric posted on their Facebook page that I liked and it was decided that would be the interior of my bag. The exterior was still up in the air, but I wanted it perfect.
I started on my journey and early on my dress pants for work became loose. Truth be told I'm not sure my dress pants ever fit me. Dress pants are weird. They are long. I am short. They are wide legged. I am clumsy. The ride up, I actually really dislike dress pants it seems. I did have one pair that I really liked: Charcoal grey with white pin-stripping. There was always something about them, the look. I just liked them. They early on became ones I could no longer wear after I started to lose weight.
Then it hit me. My pants. Well, not literally. Please note: My pants did not literally hit me.
I contacted Maria and asked if in their re-purposing of materials if they could take my dress pants and turn them into a bag. The reply was simple and quick: Of course! Once again I found myself stalking a craft show to now drop my pants off for re-purposing. I knew they were in good hands.
Once Maria had my pants and matched them up with the fabric I wanted for the interior it was down to the exterior coordinating fabric. As I said, I knew my pants were in good hands, and Maria was able to find old suiting in similar color, different pattern and texture, and it was genius!
I found myself at another craft show to pick up my bag. I was barely in the car before I was removing items from my old bag and placing them into my new bag. What was needed and missing? A new wallet. I contacted Maria and she had enough material left over to make a matching wallet for me. Right before Christmas of last year I was at the final craft show and I picked up my wallet. The design was actually everything I had ever been looking for in a wallet to hold all of my stuff; you know the stuff that you don't really need, but you needed once and didn't have, so you carry it with you? Yeah that stuff.
It's odd. It started that I wanted a bag. Then I was so overwhelmed with fabric options I didn't want a bag. Then I decided to change my life and my pants didn't fit. Now I get compliments everywhere I go and people asking where my bag came from. When I give the brief story, people just look. It doesn't matter, they might think it's strange, they might think it's fascinating. Above all, it doesn't matter what they think. As I carry my bag, I'm reminded daily of my journey, and that's all that matters to me.
As I wandered around the craft show I came across a Mother-Daughter Duo who make items from
materials that are re-purposed. I am always on the search for the perfect purse. As a vegetarian I have an ethical issue with having a leather purse. As well until about 8 years ago I referred to purses as 'bags' because I disliked the term purse. In fact, part of me still does. I looked at their beautifully, hand crafted bags and was in awe. Part of my awestruck was that anything I've ever sewn didn't quite turn out as planned, let alone as flawless as their work appeared.
I continued on through the craft show, but in the back of my mind still lingered their bags. One bag in particular had caught my attention, but it was not practical for my everyday use. Meaning: I like simple. I want a bag that I can use year round that matches the majority of my clothing, isn't bulky, that I can use on the run, slightly abuse by cramming way too much into it, and still be cute. I mean, come on, I'm not asking for much ... am I?
Before leaving I went back and pined over the bag some more, but knew it was 'just off'. I spoke to the duo and took their card knowing that most likely they had a website and if they were at one craft show ... they'd be at another! I didn't even make it home before sending a message, telling them how great I thought they were and asked about custom bags. Huzzah! They do custom bags!
I counted down to their next craft show and went to see them. I picked out the style bag I would like made and discussed color options. I was looking for subdued, grey, with some texture and depth. Maria gave me a link to look at where they order some fabric from. Oh, that was a can of worms that was opened right then and there. Upon looking all I could do was make an ever growing long list of fabrics I liked. At one point and time I had a pink purse designed. Pink!? What on earth!? It turns out the fabric lured me in and I could.not.stop. I couldn't.
I stepped back for a bit knowing I had an original vision of what I wanted and I was talking myself out of it. I hadn't forgotten about my bag, in fact I saw a fabric posted on their Facebook page that I liked and it was decided that would be the interior of my bag. The exterior was still up in the air, but I wanted it perfect.
I started on my journey and early on my dress pants for work became loose. Truth be told I'm not sure my dress pants ever fit me. Dress pants are weird. They are long. I am short. They are wide legged. I am clumsy. The ride up, I actually really dislike dress pants it seems. I did have one pair that I really liked: Charcoal grey with white pin-stripping. There was always something about them, the look. I just liked them. They early on became ones I could no longer wear after I started to lose weight.
Then it hit me. My pants. Well, not literally. Please note: My pants did not literally hit me.
I contacted Maria and asked if in their re-purposing of materials if they could take my dress pants and turn them into a bag. The reply was simple and quick: Of course! Once again I found myself stalking a craft show to now drop my pants off for re-purposing. I knew they were in good hands.
Once Maria had my pants and matched them up with the fabric I wanted for the interior it was down to the exterior coordinating fabric. As I said, I knew my pants were in good hands, and Maria was able to find old suiting in similar color, different pattern and texture, and it was genius!
I found myself at another craft show to pick up my bag. I was barely in the car before I was removing items from my old bag and placing them into my new bag. What was needed and missing? A new wallet. I contacted Maria and she had enough material left over to make a matching wallet for me. Right before Christmas of last year I was at the final craft show and I picked up my wallet. The design was actually everything I had ever been looking for in a wallet to hold all of my stuff; you know the stuff that you don't really need, but you needed once and didn't have, so you carry it with you? Yeah that stuff.
It's odd. It started that I wanted a bag. Then I was so overwhelmed with fabric options I didn't want a bag. Then I decided to change my life and my pants didn't fit. Now I get compliments everywhere I go and people asking where my bag came from. When I give the brief story, people just look. It doesn't matter, they might think it's strange, they might think it's fascinating. Above all, it doesn't matter what they think. As I carry my bag, I'm reminded daily of my journey, and that's all that matters to me.
Amazing Story!
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