Crafter makes bags, placemats and more
Tsewei Wang shows off some bags she made that are for sale at Locally Grown Gallery in Oak Ridge. (photo:Ben Pounds )
“I don’t see any conflict in enjoying both endeavors,” she said. “As a matter of fact, sewing has always relaxed me, and I find it rewarding, almost as rewarding as having laboriously solved a difficult math/engineering problem.”
Tsewei, under the label Hoot of the Owl Creations, makes lined tote bags and handbags from cotton print fabrics.
All of them have multiple pockets on the inside. Some have a top zipper closure. Other projects include cosmetic bags, coin pouches and pen and pencil holders.
She quilts other projects, including table runners, table toppers and placemats.
“People say I have a good eye for selecting combinations/colors for the bag exterior and interior lining fabrics,” she said. “I enjoy turning a piece of flat fabric into a three-dimensional useful tote/handbag. It is a very satisfying process.”
She said her work is distinctive.
“I use all-cotton fabrics with bright colors and designs,” she said. “Sometimes I use fabrics with cute animals printed on them, such as owls, dogs, cats and llamas.
“Sometimes I would use floral, buffalo check, Christmas-themed, foliage-themed fabrics. One can’t buy bags with such print designs. Sometimes I would get a custom order requesting a fabric with specific design motifs, for instance a dachshund-dog-themed fabric, lady bug design, or French Bulldog-themed ones,” she said.
Her work along with crafts from other local artisans is available at Locally Grown Gallery in Oak Ridge at 109 Towne Road in the Greenwich Village Mall near The Soup Kitchen.
Locally Grown Gallery is a cooperative of artists specializing in making pottery, jewelry, stained glass, folk art, hand-made items and more.
“The members all like to create things, and the store gives members a chance to sell their creations,” Tsewei said.
She said most artists in the collective sell their creations for prices that amount to less than minimum
wage.
However, she said the earnings cover the cost of raw materials for artists to continue creating more of the things they like to make.
Members see their work as a hobby, she added.
“I often claim that sewing/quilting keeps me sane,” she said.
Aside from her for-sale projects, Tsewei donates charity quilts for Project Linus, which go to hospitals and organizations to comfort kids undergoing operations or traumatic experiences.