waysideviolet - cozy, lovely things

Yorktown Road is one of those lovely Etsy shops that just makes you want to click on everything! I first spotted the gorgeous bags on the Etsy front page and I instantly had to check out the whole shop! Carol, the genius behind Yorktown Road, does a beautiful job making impeccable clutches and handbags that are so perfect, they could be in an art gallery!

Q. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Carol. I live near San Francisco with my husband, 3 children and far more books, stuffed animals and Legos than any one family should own. I like old things and amaze my husband by how often I will go to the grocery store but return with a carload of mid-century chairs, tables, shelves or some other crazy piece in need of refurbishing which I found for free on a street corner. I’m weak that way. I like to goof around with my kids, exercise a lot and enjoy exploring local parks and trails with my family.

I worked for many years as Director of Stores and Retail Operations for Esprit (U.S.) and the experience was amazing. I left when I had my son and decided to take time to nurture all of my creative interests. It has been an incredible journey of discovery and I have learned so much about myself and what I am capable of accomplishing. Most importantly, I am so happy each day to do this work that I do.

Q. How did Yorktown Road get started?
Previous to yorktown road, I had an accessory line of very structured, functional bags made using industrial fabrics but had to put that business on hold due to some changes in our family. All of my equipment was put into storage and I did not sew for 2 years. Once I was reunited with my sewing machines I found myself playing with linen and was fascinated. I loved how one stitch or pleat caused such a beautiful rhythm and movement in the fabric. It was as though the linen was directing where the next pleat or fold should go, then the next, and so on. I realized that I didn’t need to add a lot of outside elements to the fabric, the linen itself was interesting and I was hooked on finding new methods to enhance its natural beauty. Plans of continuing with those structured bags were set aside and I founded yorktown road.

Q. Your shop is so gorgeous! What is your creative process like?
My process is very freeform. I work with each piece of fabric and just sew. I never try to force a piece to be an exact size or shape. If I did, it would hinder the flow and visual impact of the texture. I make a lot of mistakes, but some of my best pieces and designs come from those mistakes. Whenever I mess up a texture, I save the piece and know that someday it might become something really interesting. Since I work without patterns, my designs are constantly evolving and my techniques are always improving. It’s both exciting and challenging

The colors are developed from several base colors of fiber reactive dyes. I mix them until I find the color that captures my attention or evokes a certain feeling or mood. My children use such interesting color combinations in their artwork and I have used several of their pieces as my color inspiration.

Q. What’s a normal day in your life like?
Every day is so different but there are a few constants. I sleep as late as I possibly can then head over to Peet’s coffee where I watch my 5 year old play chess with an older gentleman we know and I chat with other work at home folks who use Peet’s as their office watercooler. After chess and catching up on the daily chat we head home and start our day. My daytime is always some haphazard mix of putting finishing touches on product, packaging, shipping, laundry, email, checking my online sites, laundry, kids activities, cleaning, ordering work supplies, cooking, watering my vegetable garden, exercise, more laundry (the laundry is endless!). The bulk of my work is done after the kids are in bed. I usually turn on the music and start sewing or dyeing fabric around 9pm and work until the wee hours of the morning. I always get this extreme burst of energy around midnight that keeps me energized.

Q. What inspires you most of all?
Things that others might describe as ugly, imperfect, awkward or broken. A crumpled piece of paper on the ground can reveal such amazing texture. Broken fence slats or a hanging gate can show an interesting angle. A fallen twisted up twig can show me a new line pattern. The wrinkled face of an elderly person can show me strength and character. Inspiration surrounds me every day.

Giveaway: linen or repurposed leather zip or clutch of the winners choice!

To enter just visit Yorktown road and leave a comment here about your favorite item. The giveaway will be open until August 4th. Good luck!

Tags: etsy interview, giveaway