Mary Engelbreit Home Companion
February/March 07 - Spotlight

name: Claire Sanchez
birthplace: Baton Rouge, LA 1980
school: Savannah College of Art and Design, ‘03
profession: Handbag designer
best thing about being an artist: Creating something from nothing.
worst thing about being an artist: The math.
my mentors: My parents have always believed in
me and my talent, and that's made all the difference. They instilled me with a “do-it-yourself, we-can-figure-this-out, don't-let-anyone-stand-in-your-way” kind of attitude. Ann Lanasa, a faux finisher/mixed-media artist, was also a large source of inspiration for me. At age 15, I took a job as her studio assistant. She gave me my first taste of running a successful design business.

artist's statement
I'm constantly compelled to make something, anything. I like creating useful things—I want to elevate everyday objects to functional works of art. A soap dish is just a soap dish, but if it's beautiful and handmade, you suddenly love washing your hands. I cherish that connection between art and everyday things, and my handbags are my outlet for exploring my fascination with the art of the object.

an average day
“As the owner of a small-but-growing business, I wear lots of hats, from designing and developing my lines to communicating with the factory.”

muse
“I work intuitively. I begin with the fabric rather than intricate sketches. I manipulate the shape until I find a place to start, then I make the shape over and over again, usually 15 to 20 times, each time fixing something that's not quite right. I make my notes right on the fabric. Creatively, I'm always working, which leads to new inspiration.”
websites
americanapparel.net
apartmenttherapy.com
onlineorganizing.com
infomat.com

next
“Sourcing fabric takes time. I'm always looking for new materials and prints for future lines. The design process is long and intensive, so my life pretty much revolves around my studio.” find claire's work
clairesanchez.com