Meet the Artist
I have been making “things” my entire life. I grew up on a small farm in Minnesota with my three brothers and two sisters. My dad milked Jersey cows and farmed the land. At age five, my mom taught me how to sew. I worked arm and arm with my mother in the garden, in the kitchen, and in the sewing room. Clothing was very expensive when I was a kid. Being a good sewist was the only way to have new shirts, skirts, and dresses. My mom taught me how to read a pattern, set in sleeves, and be a little creative if you wanted to make a garment just a little different.
I graduated from Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Minnesota, went my freshman year to Winona State, and transferred to the University of Wisconsin – Stout. I earned a teaching degree in Home Economics Education. I taught school in Monroe, Brillon, Oshkosh, and Baraboo, Wisconsin. After fourteen years of teaching, I decided it was time to be a full time artisan. Starting as a willow basketmaker, beocming a collage assembler, and, finally, returning to my roots, sewing. I dusted off my sewing machine and started making handbags in 1989.
My first handbags were little pouches. Very Bohemian. My fans loved them but wanted bigger handbags. I grabbed my sketchbook and started dreaming up handbags, purses, and pouches. Lots of trims, charms, pleats, gathers, beads, and handwork. Over the years, I have listened to my fans and have experimented with shapes, textures, and colors, combining all of them together before it became a trend.
Art fairs and shows are my selling venues. My handbags have been worn all over the world.
I love my “job.” I get to “play” in my studio every day. I design and make handbags . Plain to fancy – elegant to useful. I live an artful life with my jeweler husband – Frank Kudla - in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
