I refurbish vintage fabrics and accessories and create handbag designs which are high-styled and eco-friendly.

EDUCATION | I have my B.A. in English from U.C. Santa Barbara.

HOW TO GET STARTED | Have a business plan! Don't waste time forming your plan as you go, have it planned beforehand as much as possible. Figure out how much you want to earn and work backwards. Networking with other designers and artisans will be the most helpful thing of all. Take out a small loan if you need one, make a business plan, research how to best purchase your materials, produce your product and decide whether to sell your handbags, (and/or other items), via wholesale or direct retail.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | An entrepreneurial spirit, a love and eye for fashion and fabric and/or design, a willingness to wear a lot of different hats, i.e. designer, purchaser, seller, etc.

how I got started | I have always been interested in reusing materials. I started out, after 9/11, making cigar-box purses with patriotic themes. I was selling them at a home show one day next to someone who was selling handbags out of vintage fabric. (I often connected with other artisans who were also selling their wares and I still do!). The experience inspired me to try another medium. I am a big flea market shopper and am attracted to beautiful European vintage curtains. I bought several and began playing around with some sample handbag designs. Through a women's networking organization, I met a successful handbag maker and he taught me some tricks of the trade in regard to pattern-making, sewing and construction. He also gave me sources of handbag hardware, leather, etc. From there I began to market my handbags with some eco-friendly organizations and events. I approached boutiques and eco-friendly retailers and began to develop a network of stores that now carry my bags.

why this job?| I love the idea of creating something and selling it to someone who appreciates it. I am drawn to this business because of the unlimited creative outlet I have while putting together fabrics, and vintage jewelry and belts as I create my product. Handbags are sellable, practical and creative. In my business I produce and sell works of art!

why I love this job!| I love the flexibility and I love to keep finding new ways to make my business thrive. It's fun to sell to boutiques because deep down I love fashion. Also, I love making the sale - it's a thrill.

my typical day| I may drive into San Francisco in the morning and search for discarded or discontinued fabrics at vintage clothing shops. I spend time sorting through the endless materials I have on-hand in my garage or visiting estate sales searching for vintage brooches to decorate my purses. I sometimes mail fabric, send pictures to a store or search for different hardware. I try to wind down my day by 3:00 p.m. so I can pick up my three girls from school.

what they are | So many things are made overseas, so my bags, being made in the U.S., are priced higher. Many eco-friendly consumers, especially, appreciate goods made in America, but it can be difficult to compete with millions of handbags made in China. Another challenge is coming up with new designs to keep my products fresh. Mass-producing "one-of-a-kind" items is difficult, but sort of one of the only ways to make money in this business.

all about growth | Eco-friendly businesses are one of the only growth industries currently. People are paying attention to recycling materials and products made out of recycled goods.

my website| www.ecogirlonline.com