arkathwyn

A little about my self … at a very young age, the desire to design and create took hold. I was very fortunate to receive scraps of fabric from my mother’s sewing projects that allowed me to design and sew clothes for my doll. My dolls had the most fabulous selection of outfits, a wardrobe to rival a department store.

This desire continued to deepen as I grew older and I have been designing, drafting patterns & sewing for the past 35 years, professionally for the last 25 years. Creating everything from home décor to handbags to garments – everyday, formal & active wear. Each fabric seems to speak to me … I see the endless possibilities! My 5 machines & I are always busy creating!

Shoes & handbags are, what can I say, they are a deeply rooted love of mine. My earliest memories as a very, very young child were of visiting my aunt’s shoe repair business. She was so kind & graciously gave me a tour of her shop at each visit, holding my hand & describing in detail each set of shoes – the scent of leather & shoe polish, the hum of the huge machines for sewing and buffing and the neatly arranged rows of completed shoes was heaven. Another treat on those visits was being able to see & touch beautiful miniature samples of the latest shoe styles. My cousin you see worked in the shoe industry too, how I miss those times. I still can’t seem to pass by a shoe store without stopping in to browse.

On a personal level, I enjoy reading, particularly novels with historical settings. Reading of times past - glorious gowns, balls, afternoon tea, outings in the carriage, manners and etiquette - I fall right into the vivid images of the prose.