Featured CABTeam Member - TiLT Creations

Theresa of TiLT Creations has been selling on Etsy since 2008 and her shop features several different types of bags as well as some great home items (pillows, table runners, etc.) and some adorable little felt monsters.  I've included some pictures of her great bags.  Here is a bit more about Theresa in her own words:

First, tell us a little about yourself and what you do other than making bags:

I was an exercise physiologist working cardiac rehab. Very different life. For the past 5 1/2 years I have been a stay at home mom. I spent 6 months on bed rest and we felt I worked hard enough to get him here that I would stay home with him. So now I sew. Aside from bags I make clothing - I am not at the point of selling those - and pillows, fabric baskets, little stuffies, embroidery pieces and I am getting into quilts.

How long have you been making bags?
The bag making started about 4 years ago with a batch of Christmas gifts. And I just never stopped. I started sewing about 13 years ago when my oldest wanted a robin Hood costume that I could not find in the stores. I was hooked.



What is your favorite bag and what are your favorite materials to work with?
I loved my Buffy messenger bag. Actually, all my fan based messenger bags have been a blast to make. I like all fabric, but the sturdier canvases and home deco fabrics are what I tend to lean towards. I do want to start playing more with Dupioni and silks for evening bags.

Do you have any advice for other bag makers (about making bags or selling them)?
I am always looking for advice myself :P But don't be afraid to try new styles. I rarely make more than 6 of any style. It may look mish-mashy at times, but I love the variety and originality it gives the shop. If a bag doesn't work...just take some of it apart and try again. Some of my favorite bags were born from mistakes.

You can check out Theresa’s shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TiLTcreations

Also, find her on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr or check out her blogs:
Crafts, kids, home & life: tiltcreations.blogspot.com
Tilt's Creations: tiltcreationstoo.blogspot.com

The featured member post will appear on the CABTeam Blog the third Saturday of each month.  If you would like to be a featured CABTeam member, send me a convo.

Featured CABTeam Member - Sew Darn Simple

This is the first of a new monthly series which will appear on the CABTeam Blog the third Saturday of each month highlighting a member of the team.  If you would like to be a featured CABTeam member send me a convo.

Susan of Sew Darn Simple has been on Etsy since 2008 and has a shop full of bags of all sorts made from a huge variety of colorful fabrics.  The pictures I’ve included below are some of my personal favorites.  Here is a bit more about Susan in her own words:

First, tell us a little about yourself and what you do other than making bags:

“My name is Susan Sanford and I live with my husband Jamie and our cat Mimi in Hilliard, OH (a suburb of Columbus). I grew up in southern Ohio in the country and learned to sew from my Mom and Grandma, along with taking a few years of 4-H. Besides sewing, I also cross-stitch and crochet, although not much of either these days.
I’m a graduate of Ohio University and The Ohio State University, and I’ve been a computer programmer / developer / designer for more years than I want to admit. For the past 6 years I’ve worked from home, starting out part time and in the past couple of years full time – designing and programming bills, statements etc., for a small company located here in Ohio.
Other than working and sewing, I try to visit my mom a couple of times a week – she’s in a nursing home – and see my family – I have two nieces and 4 great-nieces and nephews that I like to spoil.”

 

How long have you been making bags?
“I’ve been sewing since I was a little kid, but I’ve only been making bags for about 6 years. I got tired of the big corporate world, and Sew Darn Simple was the start of getting away from that. My first purse was a complete disaster – I think I threw it in the trash.”

What is your favorite bag and what are your favorite materials to work with?
“I make a lot of little items – cell phone cases, pouches, etc – although I like making big purses too. I like to make patchwork quilted style purses – I would really like to quilt if I had time – and I like to make things with zippers. My newest item that I’m working on right now will have a wrap-around zipper on three sides – I’m kind of excited to get it perfected. I mostly work with quilting cottons, although once in a while I work with denim, twill or home décor fabrics.”

Do you have any advice for other bag makers (about making bags or selling them)?
“I still feel like I’m just starting out – so I’m not sure about advice – there are so many great bag makers out there. Just keep perfecting what you do and stretch yourself to try different things.”

You can check out Susan’s shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewDarnSimple

Also, find her on Facebook and Twitter as well as her website and her blog.