Much of my days are now spent transforming my artwork into functional accessories. These pouches, hand-sewn by me, are a labor of love. Here I am able to take recent artwork or paintings that found a home long ago, and create something new and exciting! I have so many designs that I want to make from existing paintings, as well as so many ideas for new paintings that can eventually become a Paranormals Pouch! After the painting has been photographed, I manipulate the digital files on the computer. Pixelmator has a filter called Kaleidoscope and it what I use to create the back panels. Here you can see the process in this video...
Once the digital files are finished, I assemble them in a 36"x58" (150dpi) file and upload it to Spoonflower.
I prefer the Heavy Cotton Twill, which is a sturdy 100% cotton twill with an optic white finish. Appropriate for home decorating including drapery, table linens and some upholstery projects, banners, tote bags, pants, coats and jackets.
Once the fabric arrives, usually 2 weeks later, I cut the sections apart with a rotary blade cutter.
The next stage is coordinating the zippers, which I get from the lovely ladies at Sew Dayton, and fabric for the inner lining. As a thrift store junky, I am able to find lots of amazing fabrics that I bring home, wash and upcycle into their new form.
I work like an assembly line, doing all of the pinning, sewing and ironing at one time.
Then I sew. It is very exhausting, but I have lots of help...NOT!
Here is the small, coin-purse style pouch made from my painting, Fumage, which was created as a part of my Wasp in a Wig Series of paintings inspired by the Alice books by Lewis Carroll.
Even similar pouches can have different personalities depending on the zipper/fabric combos.
Here is the large make-up bag style pouch, for all your personal grooming needs!
I plan to eventually sell these on my website and at art festivals. Currently, I am trying to keep up with the incoming orders (a nice problem to have!), so I am also working on displays and ways to sell them once I get enough made. Here is an old suitcase I found at a flea market in Michigan.
Now transformed with paint and black velvet into a lovely display case for my small pouches.
Interested in picking up a Paranormals Pouch? Send me an email! Be sure to sign up for my Announcement List for updates on pouches and the new website!