Purse Organizers from Sweetbriar Studio

Purse tetris: the art of obsessively arranging everything in your purse so everything fits into a perfect block.

I "play" purse tetris every time I switch bags, but as soon as I fling the bag over my shoulder and start walking, everything is in disarray (and my phone usually ends up in the deepest, darkest corner under EVERYthing). A Purse Organizer (like the one pictured at right) from Sweetbriar Studio quickly solved the problem. Recently, I caught up with Christie Minchew, the genius behind the Purse Organizer.

shopaphilia: What got you interested in designing and when did you start?

Christie Minchew: I think my interest in designing is genetic. (Apparently, my great-grandmother was quite a seamstress.) I was always making things as a kid. I think I made my first purse at age nine out of cardboard and fabric - it was a very stylish clutch.

shopaphilia: Where did you learn to design and sew?

CM: I learned to sew from my mother. She taught me at a very early age, maybe 7 or 8, on a 'featherweight' Singer sewing machine. She's incredibly creative and gave me free-reign. She is also extremely resourceful, and I probably picked up a lot of figure-it-out-myself techniques from her.

shopaphilia: What are your biggest inspirations?

CM: My biggest inspirations...that's a tough one. I think just about everything inspires me somehow. I love getting inspiration from something that has nothing to do with what I'm making so I can reinterpret it and make it my own. I suppose my biggest inspiration is nature. I just love the designs and colors and combinations that God thought up. Unbelievable!

shopaphilia: I really love my new Purse Organizer - where did the idea come from?

CM: Well, I have to give all the credit for my purse organizer to a friend. She kept saying that if I ever designed one, she'd buy it. And she's bought three!

shopaphilia: Do you have any new designs we should be keeping a look out for?

CM: My next purse design that I am currently working on is a small purse with a long strap for carrying just a few things. A lot of my designs come from 'needs' that I have, and I like to have a purse like this when I don't have a pocket to carry a few things.

The other completely different thing I'm having a blast with is "wet felting". It's basically painting with fibers, and I love it. I'm coming up with designs (very loosy-goosy, asymmetrical) that can be used as table accessories (or wall hangings). Here's a photo of one creation (shown at left). A set of three pieces on a mahogany drop-leaf table my husband made (a match made in heaven!).

shopaphilia: Those are gorgeous! Looks like fall is on it's way!

Christie, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us and we will keep an eye out for the great new stuff that will be coming to Sweetbriar Studio!