I have a confession to make. I crave fashionable little makeup bags -Anything with an interesting pattern, a great shape, wonderful fabric. And since I get a kick from supporting small businesses, Etsy.com is a great choice for feeding my addiction. Type in “makeup bag” on Etsy and more than 8,000 hits come up. It’s crazy.
But many of them were a bit too “country” for my taste. Instead, I sought out the off-beat, interesting bags with artsy ambitions. Here are the six that really caught my eye. And a little of their back story.
Etsy Store: oblinaknit
Designer/location: Amy Kozak – Washington, DC
Bag: On The Go Pouch – Graphique in cotton/linen blend with Japanese cotton lining, $16 (ships in US and internationally)
Fun fact: Amy was a scientist who left her career to develop her love of handmade into a thriving business.
What’s great about this bag: Excellent craftsmanship, beautiful pattern and playful lining.
Etsy Store: Anything Adorable
Designer/location: Meridith Steiniger – Texas
Bag: Bright Multi-Colored Raindrops in 100% cotton. $14
Fun fact: Meridith taught herself to sew at 10-years-old and now uses her business to help pay her way through college.
What’s great about this bag: The graphic pattern is so “old school Pucci“. And the shape and size are great for travel.
Etsy Store: Pierro Studios
Designer/location: Jacque Pierro – Orlando, FL
Bag: Lil’ Fat Bottom Bag in Exotic Print. Jacque’s original print is hand silk-screened on 100% cotton using eco friendly water-based inks paired with a black faux suede fabric (on back). $35
Fun Fact: Jacque was a Walt Disney animator working on films such as “Mulan”, “Tarzan” and “Lilo and Stitch” before starting her business. Jacque is now working full time as an artist/designer.
What’s great about this bag: The original silk screened art is amazing. And I love the whole water-based ink part. Very nice.
Etsy Store: Happy Miss Bunny
Designer/location: Irene – Los Angeles, CA
Bag: Mini Makeup Pouch, Grass Green with Abstract Leaves. Made from high quality woven upholstery fabric from Knoll Textiles. $16
Fun Fact: Irene’s an interior designer by day and a accessories designer by night. She was inspired to start her business while on a trip to Shanghai.
What’s great about this bag: The upholstery fabric is totally unique. And the size is great for inside an evening bag or other small purse.
Etsy Store: Bags by Lora
Designer/location: Lora Colwell – Marshalltown, Iowa
Bag: Fold-over Makeup Pouch in 100% cotton. $13.99
Fun Fact: Lora learned to sew when she was 9-years-old. Her mom taught her.
What’s great about this bag: The envelope design is adorable and roomy. Lora will custom make her bags from a variety of fabrics.
Etsy Store: Heather Lauren Designs
Designer/location: Heather Lauren – Asheboro, NC
Bag: Recycled Magazine “Wallet” made from recycled magazine covers and clear vinyl. $10.
Fun Fact: Heather made her first bag for herself when she was inspired to find a use for old magazine covers.
What’s great about this bag: It’s fun! And you can choose which cover you’d like to use (for an additional cost). I chose Natural Health Magazine.
All photos taken by Paul Emberger.
I’m glad you like it, Mary. It’s a hard choice for me. They are all so cute. We’re giving one away this weekend in our social network – http://www.healthybeautysocial.com
Stay tuned. We’ll be doing more articles with cute objects from Etsy.
I really really love the \Anything Adorable\ bag, I am definitely going to favorite it!