Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Pate.
Barbara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child, I was always making things. I had such a passion for creating art & working with my hands. My mom was in fashion and design in Germany when she was younger so I give credit to my mom for passing down her creative side to me. First becoming an artist & painter in high school and then majoring in Graphic Design in College with a minor in photography, I really submerged myself in all of the design classes required to complete my degree. I worked in the graphic design industry for a few years and came to realize that it just was not fueling my creative desire as much as I wanted. I wanted to be more free with my creativity and design. Merci Handmade Vintage started when I could never find accessories or jewelry that really spoke to me. Then the idea came to mind, well I can make my own. So it started with just a few leather handbags and leather jewelry pieces for myself, friends and family to do my first handmade show in Mississippi where I’m originally from.
After a lot of thought and determination, I made the move to Austin Texas in 2012 to pursue Merci Handmade Vintage full-time. Austin was so welcoming and I am proud to say that I just hit 10 years full-time this summer as owner/designer of Merci Handmade Vintage. I could not do it without all of my amazing customers throughout the years.
Merci Handmade Vintage is a small-based company in Austin Texas where I handcraft textile & leather satchels, full leather bags & leather cuff bracelets. My style I would say would be a bit of vintage, bohemian & western. Each piece that I create is one of a kind and I also create custom pieces also.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say it’s been pretty smooth. I am half German so I have a very strong work ethic and I m not afraid of a challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Merci Handmade Vintage is a small Austin-based company that specializes in handmade textile & leather crossbody satchels and leather cuff bracelets. I hand-make each piece from start to finish creating a unique durable product that my customers love since each piece is one of a kind.
I am most proud that I just hit 10 years full time as owner/designer of Merci Handmade Vintage and was able to purchase my first home here in South Austin in January 2022 making it possible to expand the company to larger production.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I would have to define success as how I feel at the end of the day knowing that I have such happy customers proudly wearing the work that I put my heart and soul into.
Contact Info:
- Website: merci-handmadevintage.com
- Instagram: mercihandmadevintage
Image Credits
Merci Handmade Vintage
