Featured Artist: Sara Kate

Lori on September 8, 2008

Cleveland Handmade’s first featured artist is Sara Kate, who lives in Solon, Ohio. It is fitting that she is our first featured artist, because she kick-started this whole thing with one simple question in the Etsy forums: “Anyone in the Cleveland area?” Sara Kate makes awesome bags and envelope wallets; I myself am a proud owner of one of her Glam Squad bags.

What is your first memory of sewing? Did someone teach you, or did you learn on your own?
My mom had this really amazing old sewing machine that she taught me how to sew on when I was in elementary school. I can’t remember what the assignment was, but I ended up sewing a pillow with a 3-D landscape on it. It had a big, puffy sun, green grass and a bright red barn. I’ve been pretty much obsessed with sewing since then.  I got my first sewing machine when I graduated high school and it still works.

What is it that draws you to fabric?
When I walk into a fabric store I am literally like a kid in a candy store. I get excited about all the gorgeous patterns and textures. I walk around pulling bolts off shelves and inspecting them. I can get lost for hours . . . literally. I can’t walk into a store without at least buying a yard or two of something.

How would you describe the style of your work? Does it reflect your personal style?
In my personal life, I’ve never been a slave to uber-trendy stuff.  I’d much rather spend a little more and get a shirt or shoes that are a little more versatile and more likely to still be in style tomorrow.  That is my personal philosophy and that is the way I design my pieces . . . simple, classic and versatile.

What are your inspirations? How are they expressed in your work?
Inspiration can be found in the weirdest places sometimes. One of my favorite designs was inspired by a throw pillow I saw at a garage sale.  The fabric choice is also a great source of inspiration. I tend to gravitate toward really simple, quality fabrics just let that determine the overall aesthetic of the piece. I can look at a fabric and immediately determine what kind of bag I want to make from it. It is a pretty fun, creative process.

Do you have an all-time favorite creation? What about it makes it your favorite?
Each one certainly has an aspect I love, but overall I’d have to say that the pinstriped Socialite bag with the button flower in the flap is probably my favorite piece. It is just so “me” in every sense of the word.  The fabric kind of has this CEO/executive feel to it, but that black flower makes it so sweet and feminine . . . but not girly. I just love that bag.

When did you realize that this was more than a hobby?
I had moved back home after a 4-year adventure in Los Angeles.  I moved home to kind of take care of my dad and his company until he got back on his feet. I was certainly glad to do it, but I was bored out of my mind. I started to sew just to pass the time and stave off boredom and then I realized that one can only use so many throw pillows or bags for themselves, so I decided to open my own Etsy shop.  I never really thought that anything would come from it, but oh how wrong I was. I’ve made a little bit of money and some really great friends who share my love of “craft.”

Describe your workspace.
Two words: organized chaos.  I am a full-on fabric junkie so my fabric stash is getting a little embarrassing. I think the folded, leaning piles are starting to break the laws of gravity. I just got a new (much larger) sewing machine that doesn’t quite fit in the old space very well. So, the studio is in dire need of a redesign.

What is your favorite task related to your work? Your least favorite?
My favorite thing is when I sew the lining in the bag shut. I love the whole process, but it is just such a relief when everything is in its place and you can close it up. My least favorite thing has to be pinning.  It is a necessary evil, but I just hate it. It is so tedious and difficult to pin so many layers together. But since I got  longer, more flexible pins, my hatred has declined dramatically.

Do you have artistic talents in other areas?
I’m a pretty good cook, or at least I like to think so.  I don’t know if that counts as artistic . . .

Tell us something about you that we might be surprised to hear.
I used to work for a very high-profile TV show in Los Angeles, and I got to meet a handful of celebrities over the years because of it. It is a far cry from my current life in suburban Ohio, but it was fun while it lasted.

Where can we find your work?
SaraKate.etsy.com