Corey’s Totes featured artist

What’s your name? Hello, My name is Corey Najarian Rice. Owner of and designer for Corey’s Totes and More, wife of one, mother of two.

What do you make? I started out making tote bags and have blossomed into making all manner of things including drawstring bags, lavender sachets, lavender eye pillows, eyeglass cases and most recently paper creations like one-of-a-kind gift tags and miniature paper gift bags. Oh! and decorations out of things from my garden, mainly corn.

How did you get started creating your artwork? I have been creative my entire life. Everyone I’ve ever known has urged me to take it public and now I have.

Where does your inspiration come from? Most of my ideas have been running around in my head for years but what they all have in common are using one thing to make another. I started by repurposing beautiful fabric I found at here and there. I have moved on to new fabric to make reusable items. I also find inspiration in my garden. I like to grow things I can use to make other things.

Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) I have my own room. Around here it’s called “Momma’s Room” and it is mostly off limits to anyone but me. I have dreamed my entire life of having my own little space and it turns out a small enclosed front porch does the trick. Occasionally my projects spill out to the larger floor areas and often the hand sewing is done outside in the hammock. At my house that’s call nap time.

Where do you sell your work? I started out at our farmer’s market in May this year. LOVE the farmer’s market! I also have some items consigned at area health food stores. I sell to friends often, and I have an Etsy shop with more listings on the way. www.coreystotes.etsy.com

Is your business full time? Part time whenever time allows. I mostly skip sleep since I am raising two small ones.

What’s your best selling item? Totes bags! People love their bags, for sure.

What do you do in your spare time? There’s a line in a song called Son of a Preacher Man, “Makin’ time to make time”. That’s me. I steal my spare time here and there. I read a few pages in a book, fuss in my garden, organize and reorganize my Room.

What other talents do you have? I sing.

Why do you think people should buy handmade? This is why…

Corey will be at Handmade Holiday on November 14 at Lincoln Park Barn in Grand Junction, Colorado