If you are looking for my handmade bags, please visit my new Etsy shop KathyPullenDesigns.   Feel free to contact me there and make your own custom request if I don’t have exactly what you want in stock!

My path into sewing was an unusual one!  It all started with The Labyrinth Oracle, which my brother Walter Pullen wrote and I illustrated.  I wanted to offer a drawstring bag to store it in, as that is a convenient way to carry the deck, and is often used for Tarot cards.  However, I was unable to find a bag of the right size or the quality I envisioned.   I wanted it to be made of an attractive material, fully lined, and the ties to be sturdy cord with finished ends. I wanted the size to be just big enough to hold the cards snugly to keep them from sliding around, so I could toss the bag with the deck in my backpack without worrying about the corners of the cards being damaged. 

I finally realized the only way to get the bag I wanted was to make it myself.   I learned how to sew just to make the right bag for our deck!  I had no idea how to use a sewing machine, thank goodness for YouTube!  I made some prototype bags, and when I asked people for feedback on the size, materials, and design of the bag for the deck, a funny thing happened.  I immediately got request for similar bags for their own purposes.  For example, a long thin bag to store sunglasses in or small bags for jewelry or gifts.  I had a lot of fun turning these requests from people into the products they wanted and could use, and it was gratifying to see how happy they were with the result! 

Gradually that has evolved into making other styles of bags such as zipper pouches and specialty bags.  I keep having more ideas and getting new requests from people, and it has all been a fun adventure!  Sometimes in life it is good to try something new and see where it goes, and that is what happened with the sewing.  I actually feel it is very similar to drawing.  . . It takes patience, creativity, and a steady hand!