Meet the Maker
Meet the Maker – Handmade by JoeJoe
This month on Meet the Maker you get to meet a fellow Stand Up Clutch enthusiast, Joelene from Handmade by JoeJoe. This talented bag maker is the queen of making not only the clutches but the Stand Up and Tote Notice as well! Say hello to Joelene and get to know her a little more today!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Cloncurry, a small town in far North West Qld with my husband and 3 children, where I own a gift/home-wares shop. I love the fact that I can sew at work when I’m not busy with customers. My Mum taught me to sew when I was very young, I still have a scar where I cut myself making Barbie clothes 😂
The first bag I made was Lisa’s SUTN Tote for the 2016 swap. I had made simple drawstring type bags before but never a real bag!
I’ve got a few orders for Cowboys Totes, a nappy bag, library bag (my sons) a dance bag (my daughter) and in between hope to try Lisa’s new Peekaboo Purse.
What do you enjoy the most about bag making?
My favourite part would be the feedback I get from customers. Its always great to hear and see that your hard work is appreciated. I love taking a chance and mixing patterns and fabrics that you wouldn’t normally mix and getting a great result. I like to be a bit different.
What is your least favourite thing about bag making?
Breaking needles and just missing my eye. I have a love hate relationship with foam and corner seams.
Do you have any tips for someone new to bag making?
Never think “Oh I could never do that”. Take the time to read all the instructions and follow them even if it doesn’t totally make sense. Proper prep is essential and can make a difference in the finished bag. If you are getting frustrated its OK to walk away and come back to it later. Never drop a heavy sewing machine on your foot. 😁😭
What has been your proudest creative moment?
Until recently, it had been my kids telling me how much they love the things I make for them and how everything I make is so cool. My 5 year old son proudly tells everyone my Mum made my Pub Shirt. I’m always so proud when I hear great things from all my customers. Recently a friend sent me pictures of the bag I made for her being inspected and signed by Jonathan Thurston. I was thrilled and lost for words. She then said he really checked it out, commented on how good the craftsmanship was and said “Wow cool bag”. Year made. I love to get feedback but having him say that is amazing.
Check out these links to see more of Joelene’s work:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/HandmadeByJoeJoe
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/handmadebyjoejoe
Thank you Joelene for sharing your tips and work with us! We love to see all the creative ways you make bags! Are you as addicted to the Stand Up and Tote Notice as she is? I think it’s high time I got my hands on more foam to make another!
If you want to be featured in our Meet the Maker series, head over to the Contact page and let us know you’re interested! We love meeting new bag makers!
Hi, I’m new to bag making, in fact only making tote bags, I’ve got no confidence yet in making a “proper “ bag ! I started one, went wrong on putting clasp on, which put depth out and then couldn’t do inside zip pocket, I just gave up in the end ! I’ve downloaded your Stand Up and Notice bag but I struggle without visual help. I think I must have pattern dyslexia ! 😜 I love YouTube . I wondered whether you have this pattern on there ? It’s good to see actual bag being made and I can stop and start whenever I get stuck !
Happy Easter from Coventry ( middle of England) xx
Hi Angela and welcome to the wonderful world of bag making! 🙂 This year I will be releasing a handful of video tutorials for some of my my complex and/or popular patterns, however with regards to the Stand Up & Tote Notice, I’m not sure when that be sorry. I do have a few free tutorials on YouTube which will step you through some of the more common elements to bag making, with more to come as well. You can find my YouTube channel here. Also feel free to join my patterns group on Facebook which you can find here – there are many members in the group who have made the Stand Up tote and will be able to help you with any specific questions you may have. Happy Easter and happy sewing! 🙂