My lovely mama, Tommie Jean ... that's her picture
there in the left menu column ... taught me basic embroidery
stitches at age four. By age eight, I was making my
own clothes. I have sewn everything from aprons to draperies
to wedding gowns over the years!
My mama passed away when I was 14, but when I am sewing
and creating, she is always with me. Mama's Pocketbook
is dedicated to her and all that I do is inspired by
her and the creative gifts she shared and inspired me
to develop. I can still feel her poking me in the shoulders
and telling me to sit up straight as she inspects my
seams! Thanks Mama!
Mama's Pocketbook I tried my hand at making fabric purses in 2002
after a neighbor saw a fabric purse at a fall festival
that she loved, but being the mother of five kids she
wouldn't indulge herself that purchase. So, I surprised
her by making a fabric purse for her of my own design
in her favorite colors. It was so much fun and I was
hooked. I started making purses for myself and my daughter,
and more friends and soon I was getting orders from
referrals all over town.
In May 2006, my wonderful husband inspired me to go full-time with my little side business of purse-making and sewing other fun accessories and soft home furnishings. I named my new venture "Mama's
Pocketbook" to honor my mother, and because of my early
fascination with my own mama's pocketbooks. I think
every child is enchanted with the contents of her mother's
purse. My mother's pocketbook always held small treasures
and I loved the potpourri of scents ... the spearment
gum, her Wind Song perfume and even the smeall of her
Salem cigarettes, all that wafted from within whenever
I would sneak my little hand in to grab a stick of gum
or to snag a dime.
My daughter, Lauren, also inspired the
name Mama's Pocketbook. She sings my praises wherever
we go and loves to show off her pocketbooks and gush
"Don't you LOVE my pocketbook? It's so cute! My mama
made it, she makes all kinds of pocketbooks!" (heh,
SHE's so cute!)
Vintage, Romantic,
Floral, Shabby Chic... All Things Pretty! I still have some of the fabrics my mother collected
and they are still stored beautifully in her antique
cedar chest. These fabrics have always inspired me.
I love working with vintage and current floral decorator
fabrics and I'm always on the lookout for beautiful
vintage fabrics to add to my collection and for my one-of-a-kind
and limited edition pocketbooks. Almost every item I
make incorporates a bit of my vintage fabric or unique
fabrics from quilts, and linens, mixed with current
decorator florals, stripes, damasks, and other texturally
interesting materials. Each and every one of my designs
is individually handcrafted by me in my smoke-free,
pet-free in-home studio.
I enjoy contrasting vintage and new fabrics and adding
trims, embroidery, beads, buttons, tassels, flowers,
jewelry and other findings to create a uniquely feminine
look and feel with practical usability. I add function
and style with multiple pockets, magnetic key fobs,
and other options that help keep everything organized
and accessible.
You'll love the quality and workmanship I put into
everything I make. I meticulously construct my pocketbooks with layers
of fleece and flannel interfacings for stabilty, shape
and strength. Mama's Pocketbooks are made to be used
often and for years to come!
What an Adventure!
Since I started Mama's Pocketbook in back in May 2006,
it's been as if a force of nature has taken over my
life! I love it, I love my work and can't wait to get
to it every day, all day long, and often times well
into the night!
I have had so much fun stretching myself, pushing out
of my comfort zone and really figuring out what I want
from this business and how I want it to grow. One big
thing I've learned is that it pays to take chances ...
to be bold and put myself out there in ways I never
imagined I could.
I entered the Spring 2007 MSN Business Breakthrough
Challenge II and WON their finance division business
makeover award! MSN provided Mama's Pocketbook with
a $10,000 custom business solution that helped me take
my business to the next level.
In August 2007, I added a line of Amy Butler products
including fabric by the yard, ready-made Amy Butler
purses, and sewing patterns, and in June of 2008 I began
creating purse making kits with Amy's patterns and fabrics
and they are proving to be really popular!
In March 2008, I was seleted to participate in an event
held by Country Living Magazine called "Pitch Your
Product" to which hundreds of entrepreneural women
apply to have a chance to show their products to the
editors of the magazine. It was a thrill to travel to
Chicago and be among those honored with that opportunity.
It was a wonderful learning experience for all of us
and I was thrilled to meet so many creative women.
In the summer of 2008, I re-evaluated and made some
changes to my business model. I took a look at what
works best for me in this business, what keeps me motivated,
excited and inspired ... and what doesnt! My joy comes
from experimenting and creating new designs. I thrive
on taking each fabric and finding the perfect way to
craft it into a useful, beautiful, gotta-have-it item!
So, I began developing the new business plan.
2009 has proven to be a challenging year for everyone,
no matter what business they are in. I am thrilled that
my business has weathered the economic crisis and that
things seem to be improving here in the 4th quarter.
I have many plans to create new products, to create
co-op business with other women entrepreneurs, and to
move into new markets in 2010. !
I'm excited and happy to be looking to the future.
Armed with the motivation I gather everyday from the
hundreds of craftswomen, smart and talented bloggers,
and entrepreneurs, I'm inspired, and ready to make big
waves!
Oh and I have a new blog dedicated to my love for exquisite
fabrics and home decor called "French Damask",
please visit and tell me what you think! In 2010 I hope
you will find Mama's Pocketbook featured in the pages
of our favorite magazines like Romantic Homes, Somerset
Life, Haute Handbags, Marie Antionette, and on favorite
blogs as well. Please join or mailing list to stay informed
of our specials and features throughout the year. Thanks
for reading my bio. Please visit me on both my Mama's
Pocketbook blog and on my French
Damask blog say hello!
I'm also excited about my other passion, that of helping
Single Parents. Many of you know that for 5 years I
was the Guide to Single Parent at About.com (New York
Times). In late March 2008 I joined into a partnership
with Jason Mesnick, from ABC's The Bachelorette &
The Bachelor shows, who is a single dad, and helped
launch his new website devoted to helping single parents.
"Jason's Place" can be found here: http://www.jasonsplace.com
It is incredibly fun to work with Jason and we have
some amazing plans for helping single parents and providing
lots of fun, exciting content, videos, giveaways, contests,
support and help. Please visit and help us bring awareness
and support to all the wonderful parents who do the
hardest job on earth.
Giving Thanks
I praise God, My Heavenly Father, for the constant
abundance of gifts and blessings my family and I receive.
I'm very blessed and when you buy one of my purses or other creations,
you will be receiving a part of the joy and love that
is all around me. I bless every item I make with special
prayers for the receiver!
I am so thankful to be a work-at-home mom to two sweet
young kids and being married to the love of my life,
my high school sweetheart, Steve, whom I love and adore forever and always,
for believing in me, and enouraging me to pursue my
dreams of creating and selling my designs.
My life is a rich
tapestry woven with work that revolves around the things
I love most - family, home, creating, sewing, painting,
decorating and dreaming! I also love my MakeMinePink.com
"Pink Sisters" and thank Joyce Lucas, my mentor and
friend, for her vision and love and encouragement to
all of us at MMP.
Thank you for indulging me the chance to say how I
got here, but enough about me now! I hope you will find
something here that excites you and speaks to your soul.
If you do, snag it while you can! (GRIN)
