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March 2005's Diva
Kathryn Swan of
FelixAndAgatha.com
Inspired by her mother at a young age, Kathryn Swan has been experimenting with fabric all her life. A self-taught designer, Kathryn began creating her own clothing patterns as a teenager and hasn't looked back since. After paying her dues in corporate america, Kathryn began channeling her creative energies into the Felix & Agatha label, resulting in a line of cheeky yet sophisticated handbags and accessories.
Kathryn also credits her sister, artist Laura Swan, for her input on designs as well as her willingness to assist in myriad ways.
Felix & Agatha designs are created and individually constructed by hand in Kathryn's Chicago studio with the highest attention to detail and styling.
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The Gallery
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The Interview
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The Basic Lowdown:
Girlposse.com: Who are you?
Kathryn Swan: Kathryn Swan, supreme dictator & designer for Felix & Agatha
Girlposse.com: Where are you located?
Kathryn Swan: Sunny Chicago, IL
Girlposse.com: What is your creation / business?
Kathryn Swan: Handbags and accessories designed under the label Felix & Agatha.
Girlposse.com: Where can people buy your stuff?
Kathryn Swan: Online at www.felixandagatha.com and a growing number of boutiques.
Girlposse.com: Tell us something about yourself - your personality:
Kathryn Swan: : I love literature and comics, travel and art - anything that challenges one to think and expands your capacity for creativity. Specifically related to my profession, I love the challenge of blending engineering and aesthetics to create new structures and shapes for my handbags.
The Nitty Gritty:
Girlposse.com: How long have you been doing this?
Kathryn Swan: ? I've been sewing nearly as long as I can remember and began designing my own patterns10 or 15 years ago. The business had been incubating for several years and I've been doing it full time for a year now.
Girlposse.com: Beginning a business is a big step. How did this become a "business" vs. just a "hobby""?
Kathryn Swan: When I realized that I could no longer envision myself working in the corporate world and that there were no further steps I wanted to take down the career path I had been on, it made me decide it was time to take inventory of my skills and strengths and strike out on my own.
Girlposse.com: Did you have previous business experience - or was the business end new to you?
Kathryn Swan: I had been working in the corporate world for about six years prior to leaving to focus on my own business. While the focus and many of the tasks are different, I did learn a great deal of useful information about how businesses are run. However, running my own business still challenges me to learn something new pretty much every day.
Girlposse.com: What was (is) your biggest obstacle in selling what you create?
Kathryn Swan: Learning to be a self-promoter in this area has been something I've had to work on; that's something that doesn't just come naturally to me.
Girlposse.com: Do you find it difficult coming up with original ideas?
Kathryn Swan: Never - What I find difficult is finding the time to implement all of the ideas I have swimming around in my head.
Girlposse.com: How has the internet affected your business?
Kathryn Swan: ? It's been an effective tool to assist in raising awareness of the Felix & Agatha label. As a small businessperson, I also find it's an extremely helpful resource for networking and efficiently finding information.
Girlposse.com: What keeps you going on a bad day?
Kathryn Swan: The overriding sense of peace that I get from devoting myself to something I love and believe in.
Girlposse.com: Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Kathryn Swan: ? In Chicago: Penelope's, Tangerine, Krista K, Chicago Comics - All over: Anthropologie - Online: Girlshop, and umm, felixandagatha.com
Girlposse.com: What was the best piece of advice you've been given?
Kathryn Swan: In relation to business, I think the most helpful thing suggested to me has been to get involved with the Apparel Industry Board.
Girlposse.com: What advice would you give to a future Crafty Diva?
Kathryn Swan: That with a determined approach, you can make seemingly huge dreams a reality - you just have to realize up front that it's going to take time and a lot of hard work to get there.
Girlposse.com: Are they any other Crafty Divas or Entrepreneurial Empresses we should know
about?
Kathryn Swan: Adelaide NYC makes the most amazingly beautiful jewelry.
~March 2005
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Your Chance to Win!
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During the month of March, Kathryn is giving you the chance to win the delightful Invective Against Swans Tote.
This tote features tiny white polka-dots on a field of brown with vintage-inspired bluebird appliqué. Magnetic snap closure keeps all of your goods safely inside.
The value is $135.
So head over to our Contests area for details and to enter. Good luck!
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Are you a Crafty Diva and Entrepreneurial Empress? Or do you know one that should be featured in a future Girlposse.com issue? If so, visit our Crafty Diva Info Page for the details.
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2005 Crafty Divas Hall of Fame
2004 Crafty Divas Hall of Fame
2003 Crafty Divas Hall of Fame
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