Marie Santiago of Franciebags Etc.
May 13, 2009 | By
Marie Santiago runs Franciebags on Artfire. Recently Marie answered questions about her work and the inspiration from her mother for whom her shop is named.
Your business is named after your mother.
What about her inspires your work?
My Mother was a perfectionist. If she was on row 100 and realized an error on row 2, she would rip the entire project to correct the mistake. I strive to offer my customers the highest quality work I can achieve.
Though the name is franciebags, you do more than just bags. What else do you crochet?
I only did handbags at first, but soon realized at the craft fairs, I had to have more variety and price ranges to draw customers. I now offer hats, scarves, soap bags, market totes, crocheted jewelry, and children's hats and bags.
How many hours a day do you spend actually crocheting your items? Do you crochet in other areas such as for church or charity?
I usually spend between two and six hours crocheting, depending on what I am trying to accomplish. I have done bags, hats and totes for charity auctions at several schools and an assisted living home.
Who inspires your creations (other than your mother)? How supportive are your family and friends?
There are always handbags dancing in my head, I'm always looking at what the girls are carrying and trying to figure out how I can incorporate ideas into a cost effective bag using at least some crochet. My family and friends,(especially my husband) are very supportive. My family and friends always attend a craft show, purchase an item, and of course wear their Franciebag.
When did you first decide you could do this for a living?
When I retired as a full time dressmaker/fitter, I thought this would be ideal for me to supplement my income.
What is your favorite thing to make? Why?
I love crocheting sweaters in very good yarn, have done many sweaters through the years, and donated some to the assisted living home where my husband works. There is nothing like the 
feel of a hand made sweater in a quality yarn.
What’s the one thing about having your own business that you didn’t expect?
I have always had my own home based alteration business, so I'm use to hard work and deadlines. The thing different for me online is learning to market. Artfire does a very good job on this subject.
Where do you create or work? Do you have your own space or has it taken over the entire house?
I have a lovely empty nest bedroom, turned into my workroom. It can be viewed on http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciebags/
What advice do you have for others looking to go into their own crafting business?
I'm new at this myself, but I would say if you have a craft you're good at, stick to it, perfect your product, give good service, and have patience.
What’s one of the things you still need to learn?
Promote, Promote, Promote.
If you would like one of Maria's bags, please visit Franciebags!
Photos are courtesy of Marie Santiago
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