Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Packer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been creative all my life, from the time as a little girl, I watched my grandmother crochet and begged her to teach me. I’ve always loved textile arts in particular, and I think I’ve tried them all.
The last several years I’ve been making handbags and backpacks. That started about 10 years ago when my dad passed away. He had these shirts that he wore every day – they were his uniform. My sister wanted to keep them as a memento, but she couldn’t wear them. I took one and made it into a handbag for her. I’d never tried making a bag before but, in that moment, I really wanted to try, and to make something special for my sister. I was hooked.
With every bag I made I tried to learn something new – creating a different shape or structure, new sewing techniques or learning how to work with new materials. I began selling them to friends and later through an online marketplace. I started bringing my handbags to events and launched my website a couple of years ago.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road – I don’t think pursuing the dream of a creative business ever is! The biggest challenge today is being seen. I’m really proud of the quality of my work and thrilled that so many of my clients come back again and again for new handbags. Finding those people who value quality artisan-made goods and would rather have accessories that are one-of-a-kind than the same thing everyone else is carrying is tough. They’re out there, but there’s so much noise on social media and in the online marketplaces that it can be difficult to break through.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create one-of-a-kind handbags and accessories that help people express their one-of-a-kind style with gorgeous color and texture. My purses, totes, and backpacks are handcrafted with the finest materials, including hand-waxed canvases, sustainably harvested Portuguese cork, and beautiful fabrics by independent designers. Every piece is created from start to finish entirely by me.
I’m known for my attention to detail and professional finish. I’ve worked for years to develop my skills and strive to create bags that are strong and useful as well as beautiful.
What I really love about my bags is that no two are ever exactly the same. I change up the combination of materials, tweak the designs, play with scale and finishes, and each is as unique as the person who carries it.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned – and keep learning every day – is to persevere. When your business comes from your hands and your heart it’s deeply personal. That makes every success so rewarding. It also means every bump in the road hits really hard. Learning to separate the business challenges from my feelings about my creative work is a skill I have to practice every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.woolneedlethread.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/woolneedlethread
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/woolneedlethread
Image Credits
WoolNeedleThread
