FOR HOPE DESIGN CO
Handmade, Eco-Conscious Bags, Totes, and Fabric Goods Crafted Mindfully | Each purchase gives back to the community.
Handmade in Waco | Each item is crafted in Waco in my home sewing studio. Additionally, I utilize local designers to help me create custom fabric prints and stickers.
Eco-Conscious I Many of my items are made with eco-friendly textiles, such as cork, which is renewable and sustainable. The custom fabrics I use are printed with eco-friendly ink. I also use reclaimed fabrics and hardware, which are overage from fashion houses. I also aim to make items that can replace single-use items, such as plastic shopping bags.
Bags, Totes, and Fabric Goods | I have a wide variety of items, including offerings for people of both genders such as Dopp kits, wallets, laptop sleeves, coin pouches, business card wallets, bags, purses, and clutches. My table is unique and different at each market! I seek to also match the vibe of the event; so bring items that fit with the theme or environment the event creator is building.
Crafted Mindfully | A large portion of my supplies are purchased from small businesses, some of which are Texas-based, and most of which are women or POC-owned businesses. My goal is to get at least 50% of my materials from small suppliers. Additionally, many of my prints are custom designs from artisans or smaller fabric designers, which cannot be bought at the big box stores.
Giving Back | My business started in 2020 by sewing thousands of masks. In 2020, we gave over 10k in goods and financial support through the sale of "Waco Masks for Hope." I have continued the give-back model with quarterly donations to Waco non-profits. This year I have supported Mentor Waco, New Black Collective Indian Spring/Carver Supply Drive, and Wild Imagining's upcoming New Works Festival. I intend to expand to hire Waco Youth to help build their experience in creative entrepreneurship.
Our name came from Waco Masks for Hope- now FOR HOPE DESIGN Co.
More about our story, from the sewist and CEO Suzi.
How I started doing Masks:
I make masks to help my community during this time. I believe that faith without works is dead, but for the first time, I found myself in a position where I couldn't be on the frontlines of volunteering. I have an autoimmune disease and have been staying home during this time; so, I found another way to use my time and talents for others.
Before I made my own masks, I ordered masks online for me and my husband. When they came, two of them were too small for either of us, and only one fit him. I knew I wanted to make masks that were of high quality and cute.
So, I talked to my Grandma, who is on oxygen but is making masks for her local healthcare center in CT (she is the one who taught me how to sew.) I ordered some fabric I liked and made some for myself and my husband. I realized that I wanted to make them for the community healthcare works and make some money to donate. After talking to a friend that still works at Mission Waco, I realized that Mission Waco would need financial support now, more than ever. So I emailed the director, John, and started selling them locally. It was successful; so, I started an Etsy to scale the mask making.
I have now started making bags, stickers and fabric! A portion of each sale still is donated locally to various non-profits (each sales slip tells you which nonprofit received the donation) as well as physical donations of masks!
Thanks for reading!
