I'm Sharleen Newland. I design one of a kind handbags. I learned to sew when I was five, and I made alot of Barbie clothes. I hold a degree in Textiles and Clothing from Ohio State. After I graduated, I started designing fabric items, mostly vests and hats, and selling them on the art show circuit. I exhibited at many shows in OH, and even did one in Cape Cod, MA. After about 5 years I was tired of being on the road, and took a "real" job with Eddie Bauer. But I kept creating. I started making jewelry, then my own beads with clay. When I took a job with a sewing machine retailer, I started using fabric again. I entered and won an international machine embroidery competition, and took a cruise to Alaska!

I use mainly plain fabrics, because my focus is surface design. Wool recycled from sweaters and felted in the washer and dryer is one of my favorite materials. I embellish my bags with hand and machine needle felting, hand and machine embroidery, and hand beading. I also create my own ceramic beads and buttons and sometimes use them on bags. I also use "new" felt. I did some embroidered bags with oriental tote "kits" that I got on sale at JoAnn's for $5 each. I like to wander around fabric stores and see what inspires me. All of my bags are one of a kind, but I may be persuaded to make one or two copies. I really don't like production work, I discovered that when I was making vests. The design process is what excites me.

I began making hand bags when I took a job as a sewing machine sales person and educator. The company I worked for wanted us to keep the machines running to generate interest, and I found handbags were a great way to use the material I was producing. Machine embroidery can be combined with beads and other embellishments to make a truly one-of-a-kind bag.  Last year, 3 of my bags were featured in Creative Machine Embroidery magazine. I also had a belt and Christmas ornament designs featured in Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine.

I had a bag fall apart when I used sweater felt to make the tabs to hold the handles! Not strong enough so live and learn which makes it worth it in itself.  However, my life would be so empty if I couldn't create! It's sometimes hard to make people, like family members, understand the drive to create. Why do you spend so much time and money doing this...so many disappointments....sitting at shows through thunderstorms and having tents and merchandise destroyed...having to justify your prices...how else can I explain it, except that it's what fulfills me? Only other creative people understand the thrill of selling something that comes from your own heart and mind.