Today I'm excited to introduce you to Tracey Marcrum, a purse designer with a unique edge. Her purses are sure to catch your eye and ignite your imagination! Tracey has also graciously offered one of her bags for a give-away, and she is also offering a discount if you'd like to purchase a bag from her, so make sure to read to the end to find out how to qualify for the contest and/or use the discount. Now, on to the interview:

FL: Tell us a little about yourself and your company

I am from a family of artists; my wonderful grandparents were artists-- grandmother was a high school art teacher and my grandfather was a fashion illustrator and product illustrator. So I was trained at an early age in art. I began making handbags after a trip to New York City. I was there as a treat for myself because it was my birthday, and I wanted to see all the art NYC is known for. While there, I bought a Chanel handbag. There in that beautiful city, with my wonderful bag, I saw all the other women with all the top designer accessories and bags--- but it wasn't what I thought it would be! Don't get me wrong-- the art was AWESOME! But it was as if everyone had the same bag!!

So I went home, put my Chanel back in it's dust bag, and sat down and designed the most wild bag ever. I did go back to New York later, and I took that bag. Women all over the place were asking me, "Where did you get that bag?" I knew then that is what I wanted to do--design my own!! So I began numbering my bags (never to repeat a design) and I am at #2388. I design, make each pattern, make each bag--from concept to completion. I did my first art fest in Eatonville, Washington in 2004. I didn't know how I would do or how it would turn out there. I think I had maybe 20 bags....I had a few of my paintings hanging to make it look good...funny-- looking back on that day--though it was wet, cold, and raining, I sold out!

FL: Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

Well, all over the world, being a junkie for fashion from all periods of time, I love it all. I see my designs out doors with the colors....Overseas with the rule of there is no rule! In Italy when I was there the women dress to the nines...all the time. Pride in everything.... Then there is fabric....I see something and I can see in my mind what the out come will look like...

FL: What is your favorite part of the design process?

Wow... fabric stores, second hand stores....I see so much I can do with everything around me. I will walk around a store and pick out fabric...seeing all I can do with it...I go to my studio and start laying things out, fabric, gems, vintage jewelry, feathers....so much....

FL: Describe one of your more unusual designs

...hmmmm well, taking this peacock fabric I had found in Washington state (was it really 8 years ago!?)...I feathered the bird on the fabric just like it was on the real bird, from the crown to the tail feathers...then painted the fabric flowers to make them pop out. Or cutting out leather leaves-- then hand sewing them on fabric. Then sewing gemstones on top...too many to list and still working on more.

FL: What are your favorite color combinations right now?

For me I try doing all combinations... I don't do just one color or combination because everyone out there likes it different, and to keep making what is in my brain I keep seeing more ways to do it...

FL: And please tell us a fun fact about yourself

In 2006 when I was in Italy I found a fabric store in Pistoia. I walked by their window and was in AWE! I went in and, with me not speaking good Italian and the shopkeeper no English... I wanted this piece of fabric...so I left, ran back to my hotel and asked them to write me a note...it said...I want 30m (which I didn't know what that would be in yards), how much?...and then he wrote something else...I asked, what does that say??? He told me, give me a good deal....so I ran back to the store handed him the note, I said "see"...he said "see"....and I would point, he wrote price. I had so much fabric I had to buy a new suitcase to bring it back home....

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Thanks, Tracey, for allowing me to interview you! I hope you, the reader, have enjoyed the interview as well, and all the yummy purse photos! Now onto the Contest.

To be entered into the Contest to win one of Tracey's one-of-a-kind bags, click over to her website HERE, browse through her purses, then come back to this blog post and enter a comment below listing at least one of your favorites from her site. The winner will be chosen at random; only one entry per person, please. (Winners must have a USA shipping address) Contest ends at midnight PT on July 12.

Tracey has also generously offered a 10% discount off any purchase you make from her now through July 31. Mention the code BAGS to claim your discount.

And one final note: while this blog post was under construction, Tracey informed me about two exciting things that had just happened to her. First off, she won FIRST PLACE in 3-Dimensional Art at the Bridgeton River Fest! Here she is holding her ribbon. The second exciting thing is that her purse below has made it to the top 15 in a contest run by Timeless Treasures! That means her purse has made it to the last round of judging, and Tracey is eagerly awaiting the final results which should be out next month. Let's all wish her good luck!

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Do you, or does someone you know, have a business that would be a good fit for an interview? I'd love to work with you! Leave a comment below, and I'll get in touch.

Flower Fabric Sale!

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New Stuff!

New Halloween fabrics are arriving. Can you believe it's time to start thinking about that already? Seems a little hard, but seeing these great prints should help to get your creative juices flowing!