Jamie Huante

I love to design and construct handbags.  Go figure.  I was never a “practicing” fashionista, but the love was there, trust me!  I currently sell my products in my Etsy store, and in various boutiques and local fairs.  I’m really looking forward to taking our talents to the next level this year.  Watch out people, the HBCM is about to bust loose! Here’s the important stuff:

Age: 40

Sign: Virgo

Day Job: Domestic Goddess

Business Name: Ho-Made by Jamie, Bags are Ho-Bags, Ho-Made by Jamie

Founded: accidently about three years ago.  What a great surprise!

When did you begin to craft and why:  I needed to find a hobby other than my three children.  My mother-in-law, Jeannette (the hottie below), taught me how to sew and I’ve been full speed ever since. 

What are your specialties:  Handbags and totes.  I’m liking the leather thing....

What do you dig about doing what you do?  I can check out mentally and truly be free to express myself

Where do you find inspiration?  Everywhere, but especially in my kids.  They don’t over think things like I do.  I also find inspiration out of pure necessity.

You can also check out my site at: http://web.mac.com/jhuante

Leslie Sykes

Being an interior designer, a reseller of antiques and passionate about all things “vintage”, it’s hard not to be crafty.   I currently have a space in South Orange County where I sell my vintage and decorative home accessories.  I’m a consultant for a local Home Decor boutique and also provide private interior design consulting services.  When I’m not doing that, I’m a mother of three, and share a design “casita” with Jamie.

Age: Could you repeat the question??

Business Name:  SewSuite is my Etsy Store.  I’m also known as Nikki Twigs, which is the name of my former retail shop.

When did you begin to craft and why?  I was born doing it.  I kid you not!  As a matter of fact, I was born holding a glue gun and it got caught in the birth canal.  Well, I wouldn’t part with it, so the doctor used forceps to pry me and my glue gun out of my mother.  Of course I was also hold some fabric swatches.

Name three things you couldn’t do without (family is a given):  Hmmmm.  I’d have to say, vintage fabric, my husbands cooking (yes, he’s that good.  Jealous?), and my new sewing machine.

How do you feel about art being discontinued in the public schools: Nauseous.

Where do you find inspiration?  Everywhere, but the good stuff comes in the bottom of a good bottle of wine.

Please note that Leslie didn’t hand in her bio for this page, so we improvised.

My name is Jeannette, and I am the designer and creator for VivaSimone boutique clothing for children.  I live here, in Huntington Beach in sunny Southern California.  I’m married with three beautiful children.  Even brighter and more beautiful are my 6 grandkids and two great-grandchildren.

I’ve been sewing since I was about 12 and through my teen years I was taught and inspired by my talented mother and sisters.  The three most valuable things they taught me were:  the right way is the only way, always be resourceful, and think outside of the ordinary and what’s expected.  I’m thankful for those valuable lessons.

My passion for textiles and design let me to a rewarding career in European and custom linens for the home.  It was a granddaughter that brought me back to my sewing machine after a long hiatus - and I’ve rediscovered the joy and satisfaction of sewing for children (and sometimes Mommy, too).

I enjoy creating designs that are fun and different, and I strive to make every outfit unique.  I work only with high quality fabrics and trims, and now and then for something extra special, I use vintage linens. 

The world of style and fashion is ever changing, it’s exciting and challenging and I love being a part of it.  The smiles and happiness my creations bring give me tremendous pleasure.

Leigh White

Business Name: Leigh White Art

Founded:  2003

Day Job: Concept Manager / Senior Copywriter for a kick ass design studio.  P11creative.  Nuff said.

When did you begin to craft and why?  I think I always have, but I do it now to get away from the computer.  I truly use my creativity for painting (acrylics) and poetry (non-rhyming).

If you had an entire day to do whatever you wanted, what would it be: 1. painting 2. painting 3. dinner with a great guy.

How do you feel about art being discontinued in the public schools?  It’s a crime.

Name three things you couldn’t do without:  1. laughter  2. art  3. french fries

Where do you find inspiration? Observing people, my own neurosis, the graphic designers I work with, ancient history, Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Michael Hussar, Lori Pittman

If you had to make anything out of cotton balls, string and popsicle sticks, what would it be or what would it look like?  A snowman tampon with a wood applicator.

Leigh created our HB Craft Mafia logo.

There are a few places to find Leigh White’s stuff and even more places to read about her.

Myspace.com/artpoetrychick

Jeannette Tromanhauser

Business name: VivaSimone

Founded: 2003

Age: 29 (in the picture)

What are your specialties?  Sewing

3 Things I can’t live without:  Family, sewing machine and a blow dryer.

Jennifer Howe

Age: “Say What??  Forty-ish”

Sign:  STOP  Just kidding, Cancer

Business Name: Crashowe. Formerly - Nickles & Dimes by Jenn

Founded: 2004

Day Job:  Speech Pathologist, pre-school thru 6th grade.

When did you begin to “craft” and why?  When I was 5 or 6 I started getting creative with paper and collages because we were “poor” and I couldn’t get the paper dolls I wanted.

What are your specialties?  Furniture modification, multimedia, painting.  I like it all and I can ‘bastardize’ just about anything!

What do you ‘dig’ about your specialties?  I can escape!

Name three things you couldn’t live without:  Chocolate, Classic Coke and a good book.

Where do you find your inspiration?  Music, my daughter, Darbi, and in vintage things. 

If you had to make something out of cotton balls, string and popsicle sticks, what would it be?  I’d make a lampshade

When did you begin  crafting and why:             

When our only daughter left home and the country for art school my nest was VERY empty.  I innocently took a few jewelry making classes to explore a new hobby.  I am currently in search of a 12 step program for jewelry makers, but I can quit anytime…

What are your specialties:  Statement pieces, big chunky necklaces, jewelry made from beads and objects found during my travels most recently to India and Nepal.

What do you dig about your specialty:  Watching women wearing my jewelry looking and feeling gorgeous – I really dig that!

What Inspires You:  Asian cultures, haute couture fashion and my artsy unconventional daughter.

If you were queen of the world:  Teachers, Therapists and Social Workers would earn as much money as Doctors, Lawyers and CEO's. 

That’s me!!