Black & White Lunch Bag
$22
Product Details
Added On: 02/18/2010
Size: 8
Materials: I'm a big collector of fabric so I started there, added some vintage fabric pieces that my Mom had in her collection, and filled in the missing bits with help from Hancock Fabrics.
It all started with a sample bag I received from a local vendor that was the perfect size to carry my lunch. This sample was holiday themed—red with snowflakes—and I found myself still carrying it at Easter. Clearly I needed to come up with something else… so I did.
What one word best describes your product?
Practical with personality. You can fit everything you need in this bag for your lunch or use it as a small handbag. Most of the bags are reversible and have a pocket, and they are washable and durable.
Does your product have a fun story behind it? If so, what is it?
Embroidered linen that I had leftover from a lamp shade project matched with a black and cream toile de joie for the inside.
How do you envision people using your product?
On a daily basis. I carry a couple of bags out the door in the a.m.—laptop bag, purse, lunch. I wanted my lunch bag to have personality.
What's your favorite thing about your product?
It's the different types of fabric and the patterns that appeal to me. Each one is so different, and I had a great time trying different patterns out together. I also had a great time with my mom (who's 85), looking through all her collected fabric and hearing stories about what had been made out of each one.
Contact the Artist
Made by Betsy McFaddin
Artist Q&A
What drives you to make the things you’re selling on Real Mart?
You would think that our work at Real Art would satisfy our urge to make things, but I think it only inspires us to make more! I just love the process—taking the germ of an idea and figuring out how to produce it, package it, sell it. And doing it for ourselves instead of for a client has given us a unique perspective on what it actually takes to bring a product to market.
What creative project are you currently brainstorming?
I've got several ideas I've been thinking, but NOT talking about. My Real Art secret santa gift idea is the one I'm concentrating on now, and I'd love for that to turn into a Real Mart product. I'm naturally drawn to working with textiles, but I'm trying to challenge myself to work outside my comfort zone. You'll have to stay tuned and see how it turns out.
Who has been your greatest inspiration(s)—professionally or creatively (or both)?
My family for sure got me started, but I'm also inspired by the fearless approach and the variety of work that we've accomplished at Real Art.
What music do you like to listen to when you’re working?
I don't listen to music much when I'm working in the office; I'm on the phone a lot.
I like a random mix from the Stones, U2, Steve Earle, Ollabelle, Sheryl, Emmylou, and, yes, the Backstreet Boys!
Favorite book(s):
I don't read as much as I used too, and I can't seem to get into the Real Art book club, but I love to hear everyone talk about the books. When I go to the library, I'm drawn to children's books; Rosemary Wells books are a family favorite. I've enjoyed reading the Outlander series with my daughter over the years; these are great books that you can just pick up, and they provide you with instant escape. I used to read a lot of Scifi, and my family was keen on Tolkien, but I never got into them unless someone was reading to me.
Favorite movie(s):
Star Trek (yes I am a trekkie from way back). I'm hooked on the new one.
Favorite video game(s):
Yoshi's Island
Television show you can’t miss:
Project Runway
If you could only eat one thing for a month, what would it be:
Salad
Celebrity you’d love to meet (living or dead):
There are many people I'd like to meet for different reasons—Martha Stewart, Tim Gunn, Bono, Mick and the boys (if my husband was along).
Favorite destination you’ve traveled to:
There are several spots that come to mind—peaceful places where you can see the horizon and feel the curve of the earth.
Favorite font:
Umm…can't think of one…
Blog(s) you visit daily:
Of course the real art blog and several others
Social networking tool of choice:
I've neglected my virtual self but hope to do better next year; it's a bit of a resolution
Betsy McFaddin
