Shoppin’ with Sarah: Ray-Min Shoulderware

I get weak in the knees.  The sort of weakness that makes you tingly on the inside and want to give someone a tight hug.  My someone happens to be my handbags.  Within the past couple of years, I have been wiser about my handbag addiction- purchasing only quality and unique bags that will last for years to come. Recently, I have been semi-obsessed with scoping out handmade and eco-friendly bag lines.

I was shocked when I discovered Ray-Min Shoulderware. I wasn’t shocked because their bags kick-butt, but because it took me this long to discover them. Wanting to know more, I interviewed Minette of Ray-Min bags to get the low-down, and this is what I found out:

Why did you decide to start a handmade bag line?

Raymond and I started Ray-Min Shoulderware back in 2003 when we were both living in Boston.  We had a friend who was starting up a gallery and asked us both to put artwork in. Raymond had studied painting in school and I had some background in printmaking.  We ended up waiting until the last minute to send work in, and realized we were a bit short on time.  I had a used sewing machine in my apt. closet at the time and thought… “I’ll just pick up some fabric and we’ll make some simple bags to send out.” The gallery was called, Olive Gallery, so we created a small, one-of-a-kind line of bags with an ‘olive’ theme. I gave Raymond a short sewing lesson and left him alone with the machine for the afternoon….when I got back he had created some beautiful appliquéd and embroidered ‘olive’ bags. We shipped them off and they were a hit…that’s what started it all.

What are the design inspirations behind the bags?

Our inspirations have always been around art, design and music. We have incorporated our interests into a lot of our designs. Our Ray-Min original embroidery patterns are inspired from my vintage dish collections, the very simple geometric lines, patterns, and colors lead me to apply a similar design as stitching on fabric. Our folded flap designs stemmed from my background as a product designer and thinking 3 dimensionally. I wanted to create more than just a 2D bag, and our folded flaps add slices of color and a third dimension to our bags.

What is your most popular bag?

Our most popular bags are our messenger bags.

We use a variety of textured upholstery fabrics, because of their durability, and vinyl flaps so that what’s inside is protected from rain or snow.  We’ve had everyone from artists to bikers put our bags through extreme use, and they continue to keep up with their users.

What are your favorite bags to create?

My favorite bags to create are our clutches.

Because they are a small bag and aren’t used in an extreme way like our messenger bags, I can experiment with fabrics that are a little more delicate, like vintage fabrics.  I don’t make a lot of clutches, so they are always fun to create and try new things with.

Why is it important to you to hand-make each bag?

My reasons for becoming a product designer are my love and passion for making things that make people happy. My day job at Bright Innovation lends itself to designs and products that are produced for the masses, so it is still important to me to be hand-making my own designs, and being involved with its creation every step of the way.  There is no other like feeling seeing your product that you designed and made on someone’s shoulder, and seeing it a part of someone’s daily life. That’s the reason why I became a designer.

You know, the standards:

What craft tool can’t you live without?

My rotary cutter is the best tool. My mom, who is a quilter, introduced me to it.  Since most of our patterns start off as squares, it’s perfect for cutting along straight edges.

If you would want to see a celebrity wearing one of your bags, who would it be?

How great it would it be to see Michelle Obama sporting a Ray-Min bag?!  I think she is a great example of class and elegance, and would appreciate the quality of something handmade.

What keeps you trucking during those long hours of hand-making bags?

My motivation stems from my love of creating and designing.  I want to put something out into the world that will make someone happy every day.

Catch Ray-Min Shoulderware on the web at:

Website: www.raymin.com
Blog: www.ray-minshoulderware.blogspot.com