Get to know Myla's Bags

I had the privilege to meet Michaela Phifer a few markets ago. One of the other vendors had seen her at Eye Level Art's Holy City Market and Fleas and suggested I reach out to her - and I'm so glad I did. Myla's Bags has sold at several of the last markets and her bags are a great addition!

AM: How did you get started with Myla's Bags? Where did the name come from?

Myla: A few years back I rediscovered my love of sewing. I started out making totes and shoulder bags in colors and prints that I liked. At the time I was unable to find things I liked in stores. When I started creating for myself, my friends asked about creating messenger bags for them. When I realized there was a need I decided to start my business on a very part time basis. I started out making bags as people asked for them.

The name is a variation of my name. My name is pronounced “My-ella”, but most tend to say only the first and last syllable. 

AM: How long have you been in business?

Myla: I’ve been in business for many years, but I officially started selling to everyone in 2008.

AM: Is this something you're doing full time?

Myla: Although I would love to do this full time, I work a full time day job and come home to sew in the evenings. Balancing family life and the business is tough but worth it. I am currently working on training my daughter to do some of the smaller tasks. It takes some time to show her, but it’s nice to spend sometime with her as we work on Myla’s Bags together.

AM: So, what's your process? Do you find fabric you love and go from there? Or have bags styles in mind when you pick out fabrics?

Myla: I don’t really have a process. I enjoy fabric shopping like some people  and getting inspired from the fabric. Some fabrics are bought with a purpose, but most are bought and they lie on my shelf.

AM: Which bags do you enjoy making the most? You have some many styles!

Myla: Every bag is different so it depends on my mood. I find when I create a new style, I will make what seems like a million of that bag.

AM: I love that you incorporate technology into your bags - ipad and kindle covers, tech sleeves, did I miss anything?

Myla: Nope, I think you have all them covered. =)

AM: So where can we find your goods, other than your website?

Myla: I am currently selling at various artist markets around the Charleston area.  I also have a few of my items at “At Home Designs” in the City Market and I also have some items out in at Glitter Lifestyle Boutique in Claremont, CA.

So be sure to check out Myla's Bags - you still have time if you're shopping for Mother's Day!

Just one more week!

It's almost that time - just one week until the Lowcountry Artist Market at the Music Farm!

If it's your first time attending the event, here's what you can expect:

The Market is in the Music Farm, located at 32 Ann Street across from the Visitor's Center, between King and Meeting Street.  Parking is available in the parking garage just next door to the Farm - accessible from Wragg Court and Mary St.  There is also on street parking on Ann, King, and the surrounding area.  If you're living downtown, take advantage of the FREE trolley system.  

The Market opens at 10 am and closes at 3 pm. Admission is FREE.

Each vendor handles their own transaction.  Some are cash only, but many now accept credit cards.  The Music Farm does have an ATM on site, so you can pick up cash if needed. 

The Music Farm is equipped with a full bar.  We will be serving beer and liquor, as well as running specials on mimosas and bloody marys.  Come hungry!  Hello My Name is BBQ food truck will be on site selling sandwiches and sides.  King of Pops will be selling treats as well.  

You can enter the building from Ann St or the main entrance - but there are stairs at those locations.  If you are traveling with a stroller, you can enter from the side door - in the alley between Music Farm and Dudley's.   

Take a minute to chat with the vendors.  All the goods sold are handmade or vintage.  These folks work really hard to create (or find) beautiful things for you and your children.  Make sure to look around!  Vendors will be located on the main floor, stage, and balconies.


If you have questions, email kristen@musicfarm.com.  Looking forward to seeing you next weekend!

Featured Vendor: Carolina Coaster Company

One of my favorite things about hosting the Lowcountry Artist Market is meeting new (and amazing) vendors.  At each market I'm always impressed by the quality of work produced - and during each application process I feel the same way.  In the latest round of applications, I was happily introduced to Carolina Coaster Company and can't wait to have them at the March 3rd market.  Here's the scoop on Cindy and her company:

About three years ago my husband and I were frequenting an arts festival in Atlanta Ga. We came upon a vendor who had the coolest coasters. They were photographs of restaurants and local points of interest to the area. We had such a fun time standing there looking at all the coasters and choosing the ones that had a special meaning for us. (To this day I have the one of The Fox Theater sitting here beside me on my desk.) David said, “You know, you could do this. It would go over well in Charleston and I know you would do a great job.” The seed was planted. 

For the next couple of years I spent time perfecting my technique. You see, the coasters we bought in Atlanta were just photographs glued onto man-made tiles. I knew that I wanted to, as Emeril says “Kick it up a notch”, if I was going to be a part of this venture. I wanted the photographs to look as if they were part of the stone not just glued to it. Off and on for months I would come up with a new idea, test it and be disappointed. Then last spring I finally perfected my technique. The next step was to test it on friends. Not just any friends; picky friends who couldn’t hide their opinions. And guess what. They loved them!  And the rest, as they say, is history.

If you were to have asked Cindy Ellsworth a couple of years ago if she was an artist she would probably have said no.  She probably wouldn’t have considered home making, gardening and quilting to be art. However, the skills achieved from these and many other life experiences have come together to enable her to form Carolina Coaster Company, thus affirming what many had known all along.  She is just that; an artist. 

-  Read More

These coasters make great gifts - perfect as wedding gifts for your wedding party.  Or in corporate welcome bags.  Or for your significant other, of a local spot that means something to you (hint hint, Michael).  Having lived here for a little over 4 years and being married here in that time, there are so many places that are special to me.  Here are a few of my favorite coasters:

I can't wait to see Cindy's selection at the Artist Market.  I definitely need the one of the Music Farm!

Lowcountry Artist Market - on Pinterest!

My favorite time killer has become especially handy lately.  Pinterest is a great way for me to keep all kinds of Lowcountry Artist Market vendor images in one place.  So start your March 3rd pre-shopping now!  Or check out their etsy pages and stock up at your leisure.

I also have a page for fun DIY ideas, plus party planning (with a DIY flair), ideas for children (includes craftiness) - check it out and start pinning yourselves!

March 3rd Vendors Announced!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Here are our love interests - the March 3rd Lowcountry Artist Market vendors:

Chuck Keppler

Perla Anne

The Artwork of Kristen Solecki

Seth Deitch

The Traveling Yankee

Myla's Bags

Add Libb Design

Proud Mary

Carla Bakes

She Sells Candles

Dodeline Design

Ink Meets Paper

Lula Boutique

Polyester Stella

Sarah Poe Designs

Talon Jewelry

Fine Garnish

Nicholas Lane Jewelry

Piper Blue

Just Kenzie

Vinyasa Mama

Love Thy Neighbor

Little Bit Kids

Tucker's Treats

Redneck Wine Glasses

Le Papillon Vert

Forest & Fin

The Charleston Soap Chef

Dancin Goat

Finkelsteins

Charleston Coaster

Seek Vintage

Lori Wyatt Vintage

Artisan Tees

Anykind

Scarlet Poppy

Zola Jewelry

Lauren Shuler Pet Creations

Janetics Ink

Friday Feature: Dodeline Design

I recently had a few minutes to chat with Sarah Reed, owner of Dodeline Design.  Sarah has been one of our vendors since the first Lowcountry Artist Market and it has been amazing to watch her company grow.  

AM:  Tell me a little about Dodeline Design.

Dodeline:  Dodeline Design is a small graphic design studio in Charleston, SC offering a wide range of graphics related products and services, including:

:: unique greeting cards & stationery products
:: wedding invitations, favors, etc.
:: web design/development
:: branding & print graphics
:: social media consultation

AM:  Creating catchy cards must require a lot of creative thinking.  What's your process?


Dodeline:  I usually start by drawing.  I always have a notebook around where I’ll doodle and try to work out my ideas on paper – it’s so much easier than a computer.  Then once I have a clearer idea of what I want / will work, I head to the computer and get started in Illustrator.

 
AM:  What inspires you?


Dodeline:  So many things! I get ideas all the time…if life were a cartoon, I would totally have lightbulbs switching on over my head rather frequently.  Interesting spaces, good food, great company, and quiet time in nature are all rich sources of inspiration.

AM:  Well, you clearly have a gift.  How long have you been designing?


Dodeline:  Hard to say! I was a designer before I knew it.  My mom gave me a scrapbook when I was 12 years old and I fell in love with laying out each page.  It was my creative outlet all the way through high school.  When I was struggling over what direction I wanted to take my college career in, I saw design listed on a pamphlet of majors, and another one of those lightbulbs went off.  It finally clicked that that was the thing I enjoyed the most, so it was my major from day one of college and I have never looked back.

AM:  What do you find yourself doing more - custom work or retail card design?

Dodeline:  On a day to day basis, I tend to do more custom work.  I don’t pressure myself with my retail lines – when I’m inspired, I work on it, and when I’m not, I don’t.  The hardest part about being a designer is having to be creative on command, so I think my retail line is stronger by giving myself freedom.  It is a collection of my best moments of inspiration.

AM:  So, you already have a great website, a successful Etsy page, placement in several retail stores.  What's next for Dodeline Design?

Dodeline:  Don’t I wish I knew!  In all seriousness, I have high hopes for this year to refine the foundation I laid in the previous year and a half – better packaging, more defined collections, and some new product launches.  Speaking of which, be on the lookout for the next big thing….hint: we’re heading to the wall!

AM:  I have a little bit of Valentine's Day fever right now.  You had a great Valentine’s Day package last year.  Is that happening again?

Dodeline:  Lowcountry Valentine was great fun last year!  It was a great partnership that I really enjoyed.  I was lucky enough to get married recently and between that and the ever growing business that Dodeline has become, Valentine’s Day snuck up on me too quickly to organize it again this year.  We do of course have the Valentine’s line of cards out, as well as a monthly free printable on my blog (Valentine’s cards for the classroom!).

You can pick up Sarah's cards at these great stores.  And hopefully see her at the Spring Lowcountry Artist Market!