handmade good |

It’s HAP’s first giveaway week and with that, I would like to present to you: Gubsi Bags by talented Haute Homemaker, Amy Neumann!

I have known Amy for years and her customizable tote bag creations have become a widespread craze throughout my hometown. Amy hand sews these adorable totes, not only putting her own personal touch on her products, but her customer’s touch as well.

She offers a variety of options and a variety of fabrics to pick and choose from, or you can purchase a pre-made bag. A teacher by trade, her creations inspire us all to do what we love and share it with the world!

I’ve asked Amy a few questions about her line of Gubsi Bags:

What products do you sell? I sell tote bag style purses, toiletry bags, make-up bags, diaper bag sets and children’s school bags and purses.

How did you begin making and selling Gubsi Bags? I purchased a similar bag at a craft show and kept buying bags for gifts for my family. I decided that I could make the same bag and make it better. I found a pattern online and voile!

Where does the name Gubsi Bags come from? Gubsi evolved from an accidental nickname 15+ years ago. Nooms – Nubs – Gubs – Gubsi.

Where do you sell your products? How can I order one? I sell my bags through Etsy. The address www.gubsibags.com will bring you right to my home page.

What type of customer do you typically attract? I have sold bags to girls, boys and women of all ages. Teenagers have been attracted to striped prints, college girls add extra height on the bag to carry their laptop computers and we all know that women love ‘one of a kind’ products.

Where does your inspiration come from? My sister and I loved sewing and would produce small quilts from time to time. She and I were drawn to quilt shops and could shop for hours; working to find fabrics that coordinated with each other. I am always drawn to a particular fabric and love the challenge of matching it with something else. You’ll notice that many of my fabrics are florals. I love floral prints! Carrying a Gubsi Bag with a floral fabric adds a bit of ‘pop’ to any outfit.

So HAP readers, what is your Gubsi Bag style? I have a tote and make-up bag of my own, personalized with seer sucker and toile.

Looking for a creative gift? My sister picked out fabrics and had totes made for each of her bridesmaids. It was a great personal touch to her bridal gifts and provided a fab photo op!

And…because it’s GIVEAWAY WEEK, Amy has graciously offered a custom-made Gubsi Bag to one lucky winner. All you have to do is go to www.gubsibags.com and check out her line of products. Come back to us at www.hauteapplepie.com and leave a comment under this post, telling us about your favorite bag, what you like about the products, or what your Gubsi style is! The winner of this giveaway will be announced on Thursday, February 11.

We look forward to hearing from you and thank Amy for sharing her creativity with us!

THIS JUST IN: We’d like to congratulate HAP reader Cindy as the winner of the Haute Apple Pie Christine Tavares pottery giveaway! Usually we pick a winner at random but we were smitten with her clever idea for using Christine’s jar as a “Love Cup,” especially right before Valentine’s Day! Congratulations Cindy!