A colorful Crystalyn Kae bag draped on the shoulder of a woman about town is the mark of a sophisticated urbanite. Her line of hobos, clutches, totes and more are not only chic but durable too! Crystalyn got her start making her very first bag back in the 7th grade. She earned her BA in Apparel Merchandising while interning at Liberty of London. She began selling her own designs at the Pike Place Market in 2001. She now sells online, through stores across the country and has been featured in In Style magazine, Cool Mom Picks and Treehugger. I even spotted her work in the movie "World's Greatest Dad".
UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
CK: I get such a 'high' out of meeting my customers. I only do one or two events a year, so I look forward to the interaction and feedback that I get from my customers!
UCU: What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?
C
K: My specialty is making stylish bags that are functional & durable enough to be worn everyday for years. I enjoy the challenge of making style functional.UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
CK: I love working with new materials to create something
beautiful that also solves a need in a person's life.Thanks Crystalyn! Also thanks for giving us this awesome messenger bag to give away to one lucky reader. Leave a comment below to be eligible. We will select one winner at random and announce this Friday.
Gorgeous! How did I ever miss her at Pike Place Market??
ReplyDeleteSuch fun designs! I love the little peeks of pattern.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Perfect accent to mono-tone clothes I mostly wear. :)
ReplyDeleteI love these bags! So, cute
ReplyDeleteFun - I can't wait to see more! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love her bags! They are very very pretty!
ReplyDeleteThese bags are beautiful! I love functional art!
ReplyDeletetotally heart these. Hope I get to take one home!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen one of her bags that I haven't liked. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the peek-a-boo color!
ReplyDeleteI love Crystayln's designs! These bags are definitely standouts :)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute!
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable! I want
ReplyDeletePlease yes.....Yes please!
ReplyDeleteamazing work! please count me in!
ReplyDeletesooo excited for UCU! less than 1 week now! w000t!
These bags are all lovely-thankyou for the chance!
ReplyDeleteElaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca
Oh, I love these! Can't wait for the show!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute bags!
ReplyDeleteA girl can never have too many bags.
ReplyDeleteLove them!
ReplyDeleteThis bag would hold all my stuff!
ReplyDeleteCute cute messenger bags. I'll have to check you guys out at UBU on Saturday.
ReplyDeletethese bags are really very cute. some people are so talented.
ReplyDeletelauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
I got one of Crystalyn's bags (the big boy!) six years ago and it has served me soooo well! I've traveled with it and it holds everything while still looking super stylish and being comfy on my shoulder. I'd love a smaller size messenger to add to my purse arsenal!!
ReplyDeletethose are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOoo pretty!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! I love these! I so need to find this booth at the show!
ReplyDeleteI love all of her bags! I can't wait to stop by her booth at UCU.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love these bags!! Can't wait to see CK at UCU!
ReplyDeleteThis will be one popular booth!!
ReplyDeleteVery cute!
ReplyDeleteangelabakes (at) gmail (dot) com
She makes such great bags!
ReplyDeleteShe is to talented and an awesome chica to chat with on Twitter! I looove her little clutches and the new tweed bags!! So awesome!
ReplyDeletehandcraftedcarolyn [at] gmail {dot} com
I have carried my bag every single day since Urban Craft Uprising last year! I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI keep coming across these bags and I love them!
ReplyDeleteShe has the best bags!
ReplyDeletebig fan & follower of Crystalyn. She changed my life as a mother of two who was tired of blah diaper bags AND she has made it possible for me to sport high fashion while working as a photographer. I heart Crystalyn hand bags!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bags!!!
ReplyDeleteCrystalyn has always had great vision - love seeing her succeed at something she is SO good at!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great product from a great person- thanks for posting this interview!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan (of the bags and the person) and have this bag on my wishlist! Gorgeous work, wish I could see it in person at UCU.
ReplyDeleteI am so, so, so in love with Crystalyn's designs and vegan fabric - it's absolute perfection!!!
ReplyDeleteI first fell in love with her bags last summer at the UCU. They are beautiful! My favorite part is the pretty, fun fabric that peeks out tempting you to buy one in every color. :)
ReplyDeleteCrystalyn is so sweet and helpful! Her bags are so durable, practical and beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteFunctional and beautiful bags! And a great gal too :)
ReplyDeleteMy problem is the more I see the harder to decide which bag suits me and my needs. Then there is the color factor. Oh well, I am buying a new bag this weekend and I can't go wrong with Crystalyn Kae!
ReplyDeleteI've been pining over these bags for YEARS. Time to buy one.
ReplyDeleteHave a black one...need a brown one :)!
ReplyDeleteStill my go to bag! Makes me remember my Seattle roots every time I carry it. Gotta represent! :)
ReplyDeleteSO cute! I can't wait to see this and more this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love Crystalyn and her bags! I own two of her lovely bags and am saving my pennies for my next...
ReplyDeleteI think it will be a mini-soiree..
or possibly a troubador...
Why must she make it so difficult to decide?
I'm entering this for my mom who couldn't get a comment posted.
ReplyDelete"These are the coolest bags. I've been aware of them since my daughter bought one in 2006, and it's always fun to run into someone else with them. They are each so unique!"
-Jonell
I want to go to the next Urban Craft Uprising. What? When? Where?
ReplyDeleteLove your commitment to durable too, Crystalyn. And based on comments above, it's true!
ReplyDeleteMaking bags is totally challenging, and these are gorgeous! My boyfriend would say I don't need another handbag, but....what does he know?
ReplyDeleteI bought my fantastic bag last year. You did an incredible custom job, making me a maroon bag with blue stiching. It has now traveled with me to Ireland, Turkey and Mexico. It is perfect and every day I rejoice in the fact that I bought it.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great purse! Pick me :)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love!! I have 2 Crystalyn Kae bags, small hobo and clutch - love them both. Great article. Such a talent. Haven't seen any of her bags that I don't absolutely LOVE!
ReplyDelete