A Crafter’s Life: my day in photos.
Basically all of the bags this gal makes are on my wish list. I must have “favorited” them all on Etsy as well. Enjoy meeting her…
Name: Suzie Sorenson
Business Name: Bees’netta
Location: Humboldt Park, Chicago
Website/Blog Link: www.beesnetta.com
First of all, can you tell us what you create?
I create bags and purses from found, reclaimed and organic fabrics.
How do you begin your day? Any morning rituals?
Every morning my black lab, Walter, wakes me up at about 5:30am and we take a long walk together. While he jogs and sniffs and chases squirrels, I formulate my plan for the day, make lists in my head, and daydream about new bag designs. When we return home, I make a large pot of coffee and enjoy it while checking my emails and catching up on blogs.
Do you do something crafty each day? Where does your inspiration come from?
Well, I sew each day, but that’s more “job-y” to me then “crafty,” but I also enjoy cooking, playing guitar, and working with my man on some house-related carpentry or decorating project.
I’m really inspired by nomadic behaviors. Since I have a very settled and stable home life, and I’m a bit of a type-A personality, I daydream about the reclusive and the runaway lifestyle: circus acts, beach bums, troubadours, cowboys and gypsys…etc. I love that drifters might carry their life on their back…so I design with them in mind.
What’s your workspace like (organized)?
My studio is very small, so to stay sane I keep it extremely organized, but after a long day of sewing it looks like a thread and fabric bomb went off.
How many hours does your normal work day consist of?
It really varies, but since my “studio” is between my family room and my kitchen I feel like I’m always at work. One of my struggles is having a stopping point, I’d like to say, “It’s five o’clock, I’m done for the day!” But most of the time, it’s my boyfriend taking my computer away from me late at night saying, “Ok, dear, you’re done for the day.”
How do you end your day of crafty business? Any evening rituals?
I clean and re-organize. Like I said, my studio + day of sewing = fabric bomb. And I often overflow into my dining room and kitchen, so I clean, sweep, organize, basically prepare it for the following morning so I can start fresh. I also, almost always, make and have dinner with my man. It’s a great way for both of us to decompress and for me to try and bookend a work day.
What is your definition of a perfect day?
Right now, since I’m still starting out, my idea of a perfect day is selling at least one item and getting a lot of sewing done and not feeling like there are not enough hours in the day…needless to say, I rarely have perfect days. :)
Thanks so much, Suzie. The fabric bombs are just part of your amazing creative process and I’m glad that it happens!!
If you’re interested in being featured, just let me know. You can send me an email {liana@mixedplateblog.com} if you’d like to learn more.
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aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.
Thanks so much for this interview! I love the way Suzie talks about nomadic lifestyles. I think we all wish we were gypsies sometimes :)