Some things are born from a single moment of inspiration. Others grow slowly, stitch by stitch, over the course of a lifetime. My love of sewing belongs firmly in the second category.

I picked up my first needle and thread 57 years ago, and I have never put it down. What began as a quiet creative outlet grew into a lifelong practice — a way of thinking with my hands, of solving problems in fabric and thread the same way I once solved them in the emergency room. For decades I worked as a Registered Nurse, where precision, patience, and care for others were not just job requirements — they were a way of life. Today, those same values show up in everything I make.

When I retired, my sewing room became my studio. And the bags, totes, purses, and wallets I had been making for friends and family finally found a wider audience. Every piece I create is made by my hands alone — no assembly line, no shortcuts, no two pieces exactly alike.

What I Make

I work across a range of materials and styles, which keeps my craft fresh and means there is truly something for everyone. My collection includes:

• Tote bags — roomy, sturdy, and made for real life
• Handbags and structured purses — for the days when you want to carry something beautiful
• Crossbody bags — the perfect hands-free companion for busy days
• Wallets and small accessories — thoughtful gifts and everyday essentials

I love working with a wide variety of substrates — faux leather, genuine leather, quilting cotton, and canvas — because different materials call for different techniques and mastering them all is part of what keeps this craft endlessly interesting after more than half a century.

SUSTAINABILITY & UPCYCLING 

Made with Intention — and a Second Life

One of the things I am most proud of is my commitment to giving beautiful things a second chance.  Long before “upcycling” became a trend, nurses were taught not to waste what still has value. That mindset never left me.

Many of the materials and hardware in my pieces have lived a previous life. I source vintage clasps, buckles, D-rings, and rivets from worn-out bags that deserve better than the landfill. I scour thrift shops for unique fabrics — a wool coat with an incredible texture, a bolt of quilting cotton with a pattern you simply cannot find in stores anymore, a vintage silk scarf that becomes the lining of something extraordinary. I even incorporate old jewelry pieces as closures and embellishments, turning something forgotten into a one-of-a-kind design detail.

This means no two pieces are ever truly identical. When the hardware runs out, that design is retired. When I find a fabric that speaks to me, I make the most of every inch. Shopping with me is a little like treasure hunting — once something is gone, it is gone.