Stash Couture Launches

Thus far these artisan messenger bags have only been sold in quiet back rooms. You know, the one down a dark alley, secret knock, a little adrenaline and you are in a brick warehouse sitting around a zinc-top table with a single light bulb dangling from the ceiling. They have been sent across the US and to far away lands like South Africa and Kuala Lumpur.

Stash Couture is owned and operated by Cheryl Schulke. When she's not designing bags and clothing (coming soon), you will probably find her behind the lens of a camera shooting for her freelance photography business or Refueled magazine. Check out Stash Studios blog, check out my fotos on Flickr or get an inside look at her adventures on Facebook.

Tell me about your bags:
We are located in the Houston area and we ship globally to qualified buyers. All pelts are new highest quality Brazilian, the same pelts used in modern upholstery and decor. Each bag is custom-crafted and hand-riveted by me in studio and will never be duplicated because of the variation in hides.

Tell me about about your business model:
When considering things to make, I always consider the impact. I try to live and work by the Woodrow T. Wilson quote:

You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.

The idea of producing stuff just for sake of production has never appealed to me. I am committed to utilizing the highest quality materials to ensure longevity and whenever possible I source supplies from old stock and gently-used sources.

I don’t believe in sweatshop labor and if I ever find the need to outsource, my business model is to utilize a community where our involvement provides properly compensated creative labor opportunities for folks who need the work.

In the meantime, as I grow my business, I daily try to figure out ways to give back. We were recently inspired by the guy who started Tom's Shoes. So we decided to collect 3.5% per retail sale to donate to Heifer International. This seemed the best way to complete the circle of what we are creating.