Q. Briefly, what is the business?
Q. Where do you source the fabric for the bags?
Q. Is each bag unique?
I make bags of all kinds from textiles, either thrifted or from my clients, with high-end hardware and finishes. Q. When did you launch Bayberry & what prompted you to launch the business? During the pandemic I started making bags from my teen’s cutoff jean legs and leftover upholstery fabric. After showing a couple on social media, friends and family started commissioning bags. In 2022, Lisa Freeman reached out for bags for her shop, Messy Crow. Last year, with encouragement from friends who are also makers, I made bags for Artisans on Main in Souris and the Brickworks Garden Market in Toronto. I was diagnosed with breast cancer late 2022 and bag making helped keep me occupied during treatment and recovery.
Yes. Generally, I work with smaller pieces of fabric, so only one bag can be made. When I have more material, I make sure each outside, lining, and strap combination is different.
The fabric is predominantly thrifted, and sometimes fabric is gifted to me by friends. I’m the person they give their fabric to when emptying out their closets or reducing their fabric stash. I look for textiles at thrift shops and estate sales. I’ll use fabric remnants, but also look for vintage blankets, curtains, and tablecloths. I sometimes use thrifted belts for straps. I’m a huge proponent of upcycling and reducing our impact on the environment through less consumption, so it’s important to me to source my fabric this way. When I’m making a commissioned bag, I will also incorporate a client’s fabric or textiles. I made a purse with a lining from a shirt of a recently deceased loved one, and a tote with a lining from a client’s wedding dress skirt she’d stored for 30 years. Still one of my favourite bags. My straps and hardware are new and sourced from small businesses in North America.
Q. What inspires you?
I love the whole creative process: hunting for textiles in thrift shops and envisioning an end product; matching fabrics, straps, and hardware; coming up with new designs; putting a bag in the hands of its new owner. It’s also been wonderful to meet other PEI makers and be able to support local shops.
Q. Who are your greatest supporters?
My husband, teen, and mother are my biggest cheerleaders, and I have one friend who has commissioned multiple bags for himself, his husband, and other family members. There are so many beautiful fabrics; it’s hard to stop at one!
Q. What inspired the name Bayberry?
Q. What are your plans/dreams for the future of Bayberry Bags?
The name Bayberry is inspired by the plant of the same name, which is all over my property. It’s also known as myrtle which is my maternal grandmother’s name. I chose the name Bayberry to honour PEI, my grandmother and Mennonite heritage.
Q. Where are your products available?
I will make bags as long as it continues to bring me joy, and as long as people buy them. I’d like to participate in some of the Atlantic makers markets and perhaps expand to other stores across the Island.
In PEI, my bags are available at Artisans on Main in Souris. They represent over 30 Eastern Kings makers and are open from June through September and in December for holiday shopping. I split my time between PEI and Ontario, and my bags are also available at the Brickworks Garden Market in Toronto. People can also contact me directly anytime for commissions or to purchase any of the bags I have in stock.
Q. How many people are involved in the business?
Bayberry Bags www.bayberrypei.ca Instagram: @bayberry_pei
One. It’s just me! Although my closest people give me feedback and advice: a girlfriend helped me with initial branding and my husband was the one who suggested I use metal nameplates for my bags.
Visit Bayberry Bags at the Atlantic Maker Market in Charlottetown on April 13th.
Q. How many products do you offer?
Q. How long does it take to produce a bag?
I make tote bags of varying complexity and sizes, including a very popular size inspired by the big IKEA bags. I also make sling bags, messenger bags, backpacks, purses, and cross-body/ belt bags.
It varies. I make simple tote bags which take a couple of hours, and more intricate bags can take up to 10+ hours to make.
SPRING24 www.pei-living.ca
97
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker