The Arts: Zoe’s Bag Boutique
by Bambi Weavil
We recently spoke with Karen of Zoe’s Bag Boutique who made some cute bags we stumbled upon!
Bambi Weavil: What is the art scene like where you’re from in Colorado? How did you get into making art?
Karen: I don’t really consider myself an artist. I think what I do is design work. I began working in manufacturing, mostly outdoor gear, working in a factory. Eventually I started my own home based sewing business, Zoe Designs. I sewed for other companies and began to design products for them as well. I designed an entire line of recumbent bike accessories for FastBack Systems. Over time I began to design my own products and eventually offered them for sale, launching them on-line at Zoe’s Bag Boutique.
BW: What inspires your bag designs?
K: I love fabrics! That’s where much of my inspiration comes from. I look at a print and wonder how I can feature it best. If one of my designs doesn’t work I set it aside. Eventually
the right bag will reveal itself.
BW: What non-profits do you support? How important is activism to you?
K: I have always supported animal welfare groups. Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, the ASPCA, The Boulder County Humane Society to name a few. My husband and I were very active in our city, Lafayette Colorado, for many years. We acted as citizen watchdogs, attending meetings, speaking before the city council, and working on local issues. We published an e-newsletter, weekly, for over 6 years, informing interested citizens about things going on in the city that would affect them.
We are very proud of our work to get an ethics ordinance in place that set guidelines for the actions of the city council. We worked with Common Cause, a national organization on that issue.
We worked on numerous political campaigns to pass taxes to purchase open space and to manage growth. I ran a campaign totry and stop a Lowes Home Improvement store from building in an extremely sensitive natural area.
BW: Do you have a green mantra or policy?
K: I am very green personally. However the fabric industry is quite slow in joining the movement. I always keep my eye open for fabrics that are environmentally friendly. I’m sorry to report there are not many on the market as of yet.
BW: My favorite is the Frieda Kahlo Britta Shopper Tote. Do you have any particular favorites?
K: It’s hard to pick, but the bags made with Asian prints always appeal to me. The purple Koi Britta Shopper Tote is really stunning. And my line of Morphin Bags, messenger bags with removable flaps, were designed to allow customers to pick more than one of their favorite prints. I think that’s a great design.
BW: What inspires your current works in your etsy store?
K: Well, as I said before, I love fabrics! But I find that my customers tend to drive many of my new designs. If someone asks for a item I don’t have in my line, I just might decide it would be a great addition and get to work on it.
BW: Do you have any current projects coming up that you can tell our readers about?
K: I hope to open the doors for my own on line store in January.
BW: Can we make a suggestion? We’d love to see you try some Betty Page inspired work.
K: I have done some custom work using pin ups from the 40’s and 50’s and they were fantastic. I’d love to make some bags using the same type of prints, to offer in my shop. I think they would be very popular.
BW: Leave us with a favorite quote – whether it be from a song you’re listening to or someone who has inspired you…….
K: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead.
BW: Thank you Karen! To support Karen’s business and pick yourself up some very cute bags – check out her etsy page and check out her blog!
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