C: I love creating beautiful bags. I love fabric and am addicted to color. I also love creating handmade items to give as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, as well as things for my home, etc.

C: My inspirations come from a variety of places and needs. Sometimes it starts with a gorgeous new line of fabric that is just begging to become a tote bag, other times it could be that I need a present for a friend or someone in my family. Once I decide what I want to make, then I look for the perfect fabric/materials to use and go from there. I love reading the blogs of all the fabulous indie designers and browsing the online market places to see what everyone else is creating right now.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

C: I have always loved crafting and creating, I was really into beading when I was younger. I love floral design, interior design, landscaping, and fashion. I worked in retail sales management for two of the top retailers in the country for 15 years. I have always been responsible for visual merchandising presentation and standards in some capacity in my career.

C: I definitely aspire to continue to refine my sewing techniques and proficiencies since I started my business a couple of years ago. I have become a fast seamstress, so my methods for making bags have changed to reflect that.

C: Staying creative is part of my daily routine. I start sewing at 8am and end at 8pm, with lunches, potty time, naps, playtime, getting ready for the school & the bus, and everyday activities taking up the majority of the time in between. When I have a special project or inspiration that is consuming me, everything else just seems to fit around my crafting time.

C: Both of my kids love doing art projects, each in their own special way. My 5yr old daughter has Down Syndrome, so her artistic expressions and endeavors are special in their own way. My 3yr old son loves painting, coloring, Playdoh, you name it! He has been in a MDO (mother’s day out) program this year and has come home with some truly fabulous artwork (although I am not counting the chocolate pudding finger painting he did today!)

C: I am a perfectionist in regards to the quality standards for my bags and in all of my crafting endeavors, so I am still learning to not be such a perfectionist when it comes to my expectations for what my children are creating.

C: I feel the most successful when I receive compliments and positive feedback from my customers who love their new bags. I feel that God has truly blessed me with wonderful sales since I made the decision to be a Work-At-Home-Mom. I really feel blessed that my business continues to be so successful and grows exponentially each year.

Caroline and her lovely bags can be found at these places around the web, go visit her. Thanks so much for sharing your story, it’s an inspiring one.