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Lois Eliason and Katie McShane, Co-founders/owners of Post-, met when Katie enrolled in a graduate seminar on Italian Renaissance Sculpture that was led by Lois.
After discovering our mutual love of fashion and design, we started a conversation about designing our own line of accessories. Those conversations led to the start up of Post-.

"Our training in and passion for art history is the foundation for our business. All of our collections pay tribute to distinct periods in art history. Our first collection, "Bramante", is named after one of the renowned architects from the Italian Renaissance. The custom medallions featured on the large day bags were inspired by Bramante's architectural designs."

"Our materials used range from Italian and metallic leathers to exotic skins, such as ostrich, python, and caiman crocodile. Since we also wanted to make the bags highly functional, we lined the interiors with a durable Cordura nylon. There are a variety of pockets on the interior; it's equipped to hold everything from a laptop to diapers."

"Designing beautiful accessories has truly been a dream of mine and Katie's, and what makes it all worth it is the affirmation and appreciation that we get along the way. I don't think either of us would have ever survived this business without the other, and we're grateful for our partnership."

"Our greatest achievement is seeing our ideas and all our hard work come together in a beautifully designed bag. Most women appreciate the overall beauty/functionality of our bags, but for Katie and me, our Bramante bag is truly a road map of the last 3 years we've spent building our business. We definitely feel that very rivet, buckle, zipper, and stitch was hard-earned."

"Our Bramante Italian and metallic leathers have done really well. The ostrich and python bags are absolutely stunning, and the response on them has been wonderful. We're pleased to be getting lots of interest in the coordinating Bramante small and large clutches in metallic/python that will soon be available on our online shop." 

"We are getting ready to debut our new P3 (Post-/Pop/Peace) collection of totes and small accessories, which is inspired by the 1960s Pop Culture movement." 

Visit www.postdash.com. 

Gabrielle Krake, owner of Shop Wise Bags and Contributing Editor for Chic Galleria.com, manages five blogs in addition to her business and family. Her business team and community of friends have adopted the mission:

To Consume Less
To Reduce our Waste Footprint
To Be Wise Stewards of Creation
To Work as a Community to form a Healthy, Thriving Business 

Gabrielle, can you share a little bit about yourself and how you got started?

I am a home educating mom of 4 children who are bold and energetic. We practice life together and enjoy the adventures we conjure up. Being a stay at home of late, I had been praying for a family enterprise that could not only supplement my husbands income, but also be used as an educational experience for our kids. Since closing a cafe several years ago, my goal has been to find a true need and fill it. As a result I have been hosting a group of people on a weekly basis to find ways to serve one another. It has become known as our household community. The model we are trying to follow is that of the Proverbs 31 woman. But instead of creating what she had with maid servants etc. We are doing the same tasks as multiple households who truly help each other. We plant gardens together, we plan events, make our Christmas gifts as a group, making it a much more efficient process. We sew together and many other tasks.

Our household community is reminiscent of era passed. As a result of this endeavor, I needed to find yet another useful craft for this group, to post on our only blog. I designed and made myself five bags, I was headed to the grocery store when a friend stopped by. She saw the bags and asked where I found such cute bags, I said I had just made them and would post the instructions the following day. But, she immediately told me that I had to sell them. Therefore the whirlwind began. She and another girlfriend became my marketing crew, One of their husbands created the logos, fonts and branding. The other husband researched and directed me toward all the business and legal details. and so on and so on... In 29 days we had a fully legal functioning business that made back $1000 of the initial start up costs. It's been crazy, and fun and ultimately a HUGE faith building experience. Everyday poses another opportunity to learn and grow!

Where do you draw inspiration for your products?

Everywhere! I try to focus on a need. I really do not want to keep filling the world with more useless stuff. I want to be a wise steward of our creation. It is our heartfelt desire to serve people and create things of form and function.

Describe your best selling items?

Our number one item is the Kate bag, we cannot keep enough of them made. Second is any of the reclaimed or vintage treasures that we re-purpose. Because of the nature of finding and repurposing, many of our creations are one-of-a-kind and people like to have unique things. Our grocery bags really are the backbone, they are beautiful and so durable.

What are your plans for the future?

As in my vision for our "household community", I truly want this business to grow large enough to give jobs to other people who need a safe place to work, with a flexible schedule and that they can bring their children with them. Currently, my mother and aunt work for SWB and I hope to bring two others on board soon. I want this to benefit as many people as we can. Without our God, community, families, customers and mentors we are nothing worth supporting!

Visit www.shopwisebags.com  Boise, Idaho

AllyKatStyle is the vision of two Los Angeles women, Alison Boris and Kathi Chandler, who started as actresses and took on additional callings as mothers, real estate developers, and now boutique owners.

The business was the result of their two shared passions: fashion and theatre. When the opportunity arrived to sponsor their friend's USO European tour of The Party Animals (a stellar children's rock show), Alison and Kathi seized the moment to bring common sense to runway trends through marvelous trunk shows filled with complimentary cocktails, fashion and sass.

A delicious and ever-changing selection of handbags, stand-out jewelry and stunning apparel is continually available for purchase online and at the trunk shows. All products are researched to be fashion current by Kathi, and tested on Alison's girls, a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old to verify "kid-friendliness."

Single and feisty to the modern mommy, corporate climber to bohemian artist, Ally Kat Style believes every shape, size and age has the right to Prosperity, Love and a Damn Fine Handbag.

We think all women deserve celebration. Women love a bag that is both functional and fashionable.  There are women who purchase a "day to night" bag, and others who buy the same purse for a sassy diaper bag. We strive for multi-use design that will appeal to many kinds of women.

The Spy By Night shoulder bag and the 5 Lb. Skinnier Sweater Wrap sell out time after time. The sweater wrap appeals to multiple age groups and body shapes, and looks fantastic on everyone. We love that. We want all kinds of women to feel that there is something at Ally Kat Style that is perfect for them.

 
What are Kathi and Alison's plans for the future?  Retire next year to the South of France. Pool boy included. Ally would be on Broadway in the revival of "Chess", tickets on sale now. In all seriousness, our goals for next year are more robust online sales, and a contract at Target. Target has done a great service in bridging high fashion designers with the masses, which parallels Ally Kat Style's philosophy. We think women should be trendy without mortgaging the house.

Visit www.AllyKatStyle.com.  Los Angeles, California

After receiving a sewing machine for my birthday, Pamela started experimenting with scrap leather and upholstery. She made purses for family and friends and realized how much she enjoyed it so she decided to start her own business, Unique Handbags. Its been a long journey and I can say I am finally doing what I love!

Some of my best ideas some from doodles I keep in my sketchbook. I take a book to bed every night and draw up ideas and thoughts. I also like to look at fashion magazines. My favorites for ideas and inspiration are Lucky and Vogue.  I am also inspired by other designers and artists of all types. It gives me focus and direction to have others to look up to. I also find that when I just work without judgment and allow myself to play, my work becomes much more enjoyable and this is when some of my best work is created.

Making a generic bag (something you can find anywhere) is not something that Pamela really enjoys. She likes to create one of a kind pieces that are unique and are a little more on the artsy side. I use flowers a lot in my work.

Pamela currently sell her handbags and accessories online and in local boutiques. Her dream is to own her own shop/studio someday where she can work and sell at the same time, and share space with other artists. She loves the whole set up of Spanish Village in Balboa Park, San Diego. The whole concept of it is great! There are so many fun people to talk to and so much art influence and I admire that each artist is doing what they love and sharing it with the world. It is also the place where I grew up, and I miss very much.

Visit www.uniquehandbags.net. 

Naturally Knotty started as Jasmine Fullman's own personal creative outlet. She wanted to design totes and accessories that appealed to her own sense of earth-friendly style and busy mom lifestyle. Before she knew it, her friends and family were begging her for their own. That's when she realized that she could create a company dedicated to sustainability that produces the highest quality textiles and jewelry. She is so proud to say that they just celebrated their 1st anniversary and now can be found in over a hundred boutiques across the country.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest filled me with a love of color and texture. I draw much of my inspiration from nature. Deep earthy tones and rich textures are the basics in my collections. I also like to design bright and bold pieces that stand out for when I feel like I need a dazzling splash of brightness. I have also had the opportunity to adventure all over the world with my husband and two small children. I am fascinated by unique and creative engineering used to produce native bags, baskets and textiles. I love how natural fibers, embroidery and dyes are used to produce unique and beautiful treasures.

My first big hit was the signature Knotty Tote - made from gorgeous silk fabrics scraps and covered in plastic made from recycled soda pop bottles. These bags were designed for any purpose and effortless care.

My next vision was to design the ultimate Market Tote - one that could handle anything and was easy to care for. The Market Tote has been incredibly popular. I wanted every detail of this bag, from the easy pocket design to the hand-tied knots, to be perfect.

My collection of evening clutches, Knotty Night, is one of my favorite lines. Each one is made from export overstock satins and velvets. Each piece of fabric is cut by hand - making each clutch one-of-a-kind.

I am so excited to be experimenting with new bamboo and soybean blended fabrics. Naturally Knotty has a lot of very exciting new products coming out next year...stay tuned!!!

I have also expanded my cashmere products to include a hat, blanket and bootie set for babies. Cashmere is the ultimate baby keepsake - it is warm without weight, durable and incredibly soft. It will also last a lifetime.

I hope that my success will inspire mom entrepreneurs everywhere. I am living proof that no dream is too big.

Knotty Market Tote shown is model: LAM-MT-STP

Visit www.naturallyknotty.com.  Portland, Oregon

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