ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Janice Mahoney

• Tell us a little bit about your shoppe.  My Artfire shop is made up of a collection of the varying sizes of quilted totes, lunch bags, Kindle cases and wristlets that I offer. I pick fabrics that I like or that I think my clients will like and put them in the store. Most of what I do, however, is make CUSTOM bags. The client picks the fabric, type of closure (button or zipper) and any embroidery (usually initials or short phrase) and I make the bag just for them. I tell my clients that if they love the fabric, they will love the bag. This is true because the bags went through countless tests with friends until I got the design “just right”. I use only high quality designer cotton and have found quality materials to work with, so that the bags are washable and dryable and come out perfect!

• What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why?  My personal favorite size bag is the Medium Tote. I have three kids and am constantly holding things for them. I also carry emergency snacks and “distractions” for my youngest. I prefer the button closure because I never have time to close a bag and usually need to get something pretty quick. The button closure bags also have a water bottle pocket on the side that I could not live without. We live in Denver, Colorado and due to the altitude and dry air, need to be drinking water constantly.

• When you’re not sewing these lovely totes and Kindle cases, what are your hobbies?  Since being in the GBK Oscar Gift Lounge, I have been so busy any hobby that I have has been put on hold. When I am not sewing or running my biz now though, I am looking at beach vacation destinations for my family this summer. We want to go to Mexico. My dream is to sit in a lounge chair with my Kindle and have a pool dude bring me drinks all day and do absolutely NOTHING for about a week 😀

• What do you like best about The Artisan Group?  Being a member of The Artisan Group has taught me so much about promoting myself. Just by watching what the most successful members do, I was able to come up with a promotion strategy around the Oscars. What I enjoy most is the encouragement and friends that I have made. Being a work-at-home mom is isolating and having the ability to jump online and communicate with like-minded people is a life saver (sorry I have been MIA, but I promise to be back in May!!). If I have a question, I know that I can ask and someone always has a suggestion or an answer. I hope now to be able to pay it forward and help out the newer members.

Janice recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on February 24-25, 2012 at The W Hotel in Hollywood, California, in honor of the The 2012 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters.