interview: redbird style

A few weeks ago I got a slew of new Twitter followers and one of them was Robin. I’m so glad she added me because I was able to discover her super adorable shop and fabulous blogs! I know you’ll love her and her work too!

Robin & the Dona Bag

Q. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I call my shop Redbird Style. It seemed like the perfect name to me because my name is Robin and I’m a redhead too. I live in Seattle with a sweet husband, a cat, and a sewing machine. I have a food blog in addition to my etsy store, which gives me tons of pleasure. I used to be a lawyer, if you can believe it. It seemed like a good idea when I was in college. After doing it, however, the goodness wore off quickly. All that conflict didn’t make me happy. So I quit my job and started this business. It was a big move, but a dream come true!

Q. How did you begin making such cute bags?
I’ve been making little pretty things since I was a kid. When thinking about my shop and its direction, I decided to really focus on accessories and bags. It’s something that I really love. I’m sort of a handbag collector so I can feed my habit by making my own bags!

Q. All the items in your shop are so lovely! What is your creative process like?
Thank you for the compliment! The creative process is sometimes easy and sometimes a struggle. There are days when I find myself without inspiration and staring at a heap of fabrics or wandering aimlessly around a fabric store. Most of my ideas come to me in the middle of the night. It’s always been this way. Because I don’t have to get up to be in court anymore, I usually follow my head. I get up in the middle of the night to draft a sketch or send myself an email. If I don’t do that, the idea is gone by morning!

Q. What’s a normal day in your life like?
I am a creature who likes rituals. I get up early with my husband so that I have some time with him before he leaves the house. After that, I get any orders together for the post office and check my inbox. Then I hit the post office and the gym. I exercise every day. It’s something I really really need to do. Otherwise, I’m a crazy lady. After that, I try to sew or write blog posts. I also spend loads of time working on my husband’s photography business, which I manage from home.

Q. What inspires you most of all?
I’m inspired more than anything by nature and functionality. Those two things might not sound like they go together, but that’s my world. Being outside in the fresh air, brings new ideas. And, those ideas are usually about how to make standard things better. Like the hip bag, for example! Wear it around outside and you’ll see what I mean.