LOCAL Houston | The City Guide JULY 2016 | Page 57

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

LOCAL: When did you make your first bag and why?
Stash: I was at the point of pursuing my lifelong dream as a photographer. Then
someone gave me a leather hide as a trade for photos. I created a bag out of
the hide to carry my photography equipment. People were stopping me to ask
about it, so I sold it off of my back and made another and another.
LOCAL: Where do you find inspiration?
Stash: My inspiration is generated from particular characteristics of each material
and answering the challenge to create something lovely and lasting. Early on,
my personal slogan for collecting and creating was new ideas for old things. As
an artist, I have an interest in the concept of Wabi Sabi but I’ve naturally adapted
the idea to my own style. Perhaps the best example of this is a white cowhide
chair that anchors a corner of our bedroom. I found that chair in a ditch on the
side of a country road. She was tattered dupioni silk with a seat that someone
had tried to set on fire but she had such good bones. I held on to that chair for
12 years until I found the perfect snow-white hides to cover. I’m confident this is
not what the Japanese had in mind in regard to their practice of Wabi Sabi but
for me, it is the application in my life.

LOCAL: As a working mother who also happens to work with my husband,
can you share how you balance it all?
Stash: Paul and I will be married 24 years this summer. We are both dreamers
and doers. If we have an idea, we execute it. We’ve always found ways to work
together to build things: software, websites, furniture and leather goods. Our
greatest similarity is that we are always learning and researching the best ways
to execute ideas. However we bring unique skill sets to the partnership so there
is a balance. Ultimately we view our lives together with the kids as the ultimate
partnership. Early on, he realized marrying a creative, he wasn’t getting someone who was going to be ironing his shirts and doing dishes alone. We’ve
always divided the task and when one is busier with work, we fill in for each
other.
LOCAL: How do you find/create peace among all the chaos?
Stash: Since we each own our own businesses, work on special projects and
juggle two girls (ages 15 and 2), chaos is common. Humor helps us maintain
harmony. We remind each other often when we find ourselves getting overwhelmed that no matter how impossible a task seems, really all we can do is
take the next step.
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