jilsy designs started as a happy accident much like my career in visual merchandising. Yes, sadly, I still have a day job. I’ve been a painter for years; an artist for what feels like forever. Wanting to try something different I purchased a sewing machine. Not just any old machine- a mint green Hello Kitty sewing machine. Seriously. I sewed on it for the first year and a half. Now I sew on a 1960s machine that a friend gave me. Kitty still stands by and steps in occasionally.
OK, now that you know the how let’s talk about the what. I make bags. One of a kind, 100% cotton bags. Small and big bags. All named after artists and people I admire. Except Franklin. I have no idea who that is. I told you this was all an accident. After Franklin I got serious. Recently I have been expanding my line. I am now making yoga bags and sunglass and eyeglass cases. Still making the coasters. What makes my bags unique is that I mix several fabrics. I try to have at least 3 prints on the outside of my bags and-oh yes- you need to look inside because that’s cute too. I can do up to 5 prints on the inside sometimes. Picking the fabric combinations is my favorite part of the process. And then when my bags are adopted and I see a happy face, well that’s hard to beat.
