ArtFire Studio Profile: AnnMadeStuff

Compared to heavyweight virtual art marketplace Etsy, ArtFire (www.artfire.com)may be the new kid on the block. But this up and coming arts and crafts online marketplace is full of talented artists and studios of amazing works. One such studio is AnnMadeStuff.

AnnMadeStuff is the brain child of Ann, a crafter with a passion for fabric, machine embroidery and handmade bags. In her studio, you will find a variety of handmade bags, big and small, often with unique machine embroidered embellishments. Although her bags may have a more typical shape and style, her embroidered skulls, clocks, fairies, monsters, and cupcakes are anything but. When you purchase on of Ann's bags, you can rest assured that you have a nice bag, with great attention paid to details within and out. You can also rest assured that everyone will notice your AnnMadeStuff bag because of the embroidered focal point on the front flap.

As a child, Ann began sewing alongside her mother and continued into adulthood making clothing for herself and children. "A few years ago, someone asked me where I bought the bag I was using," says Ann. Since she had made it herself, she decided to try her hand at selling such bags. And as they say, the rest is history.

Most of Ann's bags are designed using her own patterns. According to Ann, she looks around at all the beautiful fabrics available and thinks, "Hmmm, what type of bag could I make with that fabric?" After the fabric speaks to her, as to the design of the bag, Ann selects a fabric to machine embroider. This intricate embroidery is then applied to one of her bags making each one unique. "I try to do only one of each bag," says Ann. That way you know you are wearing a one-of-a-kind piece of handmade art.

One piece of Ann's work that I find particularly impressive is her Steam Punk Bag. This piece is a small brown, pleather bag with a funky machine embroidered clock face on the front flap. The clock face is detailed with gears, Roman numerals and an industrial skyline all of which scream of the burgeoning Steam Punk aesthetic. This bag would be a wonderful addition to your Steam Punk corsets, parasols, gloves, and brass buttons. The bag is not only aesthetically pleasing though, it has two functional interior pockets as well. I'd recommend grabbing this bag before someone beats you to it.

If you are a unique individual who is looking for a bag as one-of-a-kind as yourself, then you simply must check out AnnMadeStuff at ArtFire. You will be amazed to see how a little handwork can take a simple bag and turn it into a true functional art bag. Watch out Esty, this studio is sure to get the ball moving at ArtFire.