Cassafrass designs started in 2007 in my 600 square foot apartment, in Austin TX. It started as a couple of bags, made for friends as gifts that I could afford, made on a hand-me-down machine with materials found in my closet. The first few weren't splendid, but my friends loved them, and immediately had compliments on them. With some trial and error, I saw that with a few ideas and lots of mistakes, I could make beautiful and unique bags.

A few friends asked for specific bags, so I started playing with sizes and shapes. Then a few more saw others and asked for one of their own. I soon saw that I needed to upgrade my equipment and invest in some hardware (oh yeah, it helped to learn how to sew a button hole AND a zipper!!), but maybe this could actually work! Finally, my mom's complaints about me never using a pattern as a kid made sense. She would cringe as I would make skirts that were slightly askew and shorts that only a mother could love (for real? she hated them). 10 years later, my disregard for patterns has come back as a blessing! And now? I understand how seams and hems work!! I even figured out that maybe drawing it out and measuring things helps.

By the end of 2007, I found myself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, observing my mom open a kite shop and working on my bags. My mom? Yeah, she started carrying a purse for the first time in her life when she saw one of my creations. Together we designed the "perfect" beach bag for her market, and with the encourgement of my family and friends, you find me here today.

No two bags are alike, as no two people are alike. Before you ask if I sell online, I initially tried to have an actual webstore. The problem that I encountered was that with each bag being completely unique, it's hard to choose what to post online and what to save for physical purchases. Also? I'd prefer each of my customers to see the bags in person before they spend the money. So, I decided that while a webstore won't work for what I'm doing, I can definitely share my designs on the web.

Please email or call me if you are interested in a bag. Some that are listed on the site may still be available, but keep in mind that there may also be some that are new and not up yet! You can also find them soon in shops on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.