Artist Profile: Bag Lady Lulu

Happy June everyone! The first Friday of the month has come around again which means it's time for our artist profile.   From big trips and personal milestones, to capturing the joy in the every day. One of Kirsten's handcrafted journals will make every memory shine.  Read on to learn more about Kirsten of Bag Lady Lulu.

Describe your shop. How would you describe your style?
I design and create one-of-a-kind handcrafted journals. I use brown paper bags as the foundations for my journals, and I tend to give them sort of a vintage feel. I love using lots of tags and postage stamps and postcards, tons of fun embellishments.

When did you learn to do what you do?
I’ve been crafting since forever, but I feel like I’ve really honed my journal craft and hit my creative stride within the last year.

What are your favorite pieces to make?
Travel journals, definitely

What inspires you?
Journaling is something I am very passionate about. I firmly believe that journals catch the whisperings of our souls. When I create a journal, I imagine someone writing down their feelings in it, pouring out their heart to it, unlocking their innermost thoughts fears dreams ideas and emotions. Then I look through all of my beautiful craft papers and fun embellishments until something speaks to me. I love when a customer gives me details about the journey they’re taking, something I can grasp onto and run with. Or I feel a connection with their personality through our emails and conversations. That makes choosing the supplies for their journal really fun.

What does your work space look like?
I share my workshop with our bunny, Biscuit. I have 2 work benches, one for creating and one mainly for shipping. And I’m surrounded by my creative supplies – papers, embellishments, etc. My inspiration board hangs above my work bench so I always have something to look at and draw from.

Where would you like your shop to be 5 years from now?

In 5 years, my shop will be my full time business. I’ll have a licensing contract or two. I’ll have a large studio in my home, with an assistant, and I’ll teach creative workshops once a week out of my home studio. 

How do you spend your time when you're not creating?

When I’m not creating, I work part-time at a custom invitation/stationery store. And I take care of my husband and our home filled with our 4 cats and one rabbit. I hang with friends, read a lot, watch crime shows… 

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?
My favorite thing to have for breakfast is: French toast smothered in maple syrup and grape jelly, with a side of scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese mixed in, and slightly crispy bacon. BUT what I actually have almost every morning is one packet of maple brown sugar instant oatmeal with a glass of vanilla almond milk and 2 gummy multi-vitamins.

Are you doing any craft fairs this year?
No craft fairs planned yet, but the year's not over! :)

Where can we learn more about you?
www.bagladylulu.com