My New PessyLee Camera Bag Arrives!!

For the last two weeks, I've been meeting the mailman on our doorstep.

He arrives at either 11:15 AM or 1:15 PM, and no sooner has he opened up our little mailbox, then BAM!  I'm standing there, right in front of him.

It's like the hinge on our mailbox flap is connected to our front door or something, and out I pop like a cuckoo on a clock.

You see, my hand-made, one-of-a-kind-designed, graffiti-style DSLR camera case by Pessy Lee was journeying in from Suzhou, a major city located in the southeast of the Jiangsu Province in Eastern China.  And I couldn't wait for it to arrive.

Pessy and I had exchanged 32 emails, not because things were unclear, but because I was SO EXCITED and kept thinking of questions to ask her.  This girl knows her stuff (and good cameras, too) and her product is like nothing I've ever seen out there.  Prior to finding Pessy, I had searched the Internet far and wide and couldn't find a single camera case that excited me.  Everything was boring, black, or sporty.  Yawn.

And then up popped Pessy Lee's camera case one night (when I had refused to give up the hunt), and I fell in love like an Instamatic.  The case is made of screen-print on washed denim, puffed with protective padding, lined with comfy fuzz,  and custom-sized specifically for my camera's body and lens.  All I had to do was tell Pessy what model I had, and she did the rest.

For you animal lovers out there, Pessy even makes camera cases to look like your pet!

But camera cases aren't the only thing that this fabulous girl does.  She makes patchwork wallets, messenger bags, fold-over clutches, canvas tote bags, lace handbags, and iPad covers.  Custom design is easy; just choose from her awesome array of fabrics, from funky newspaper print to elegant Russian poplin.

Here's my interview with the girl behind the business.   :)

1. First, please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family! What state do you live in?

I am now living in Suzhou, China, a beautiful city filled with rich historical stories. I love this city. This is not only the place I live, but also my family is here. It is such a happy thing. Like this city, I also have a peaceful heart. Currently, I run a local store selling some accessories and do some custom bags for some customers (referred from my friends), and my husband has his own business. In my spare time, I like to walk along the rivers and listen to the birds singing with my husband. :)

2. Next, tell us how your business came to be! Who inspired you? How did your talents develop?

My business idea comes from my graduation gift. When I graduated, I made some handmade bags for my classmates, and they liked them so much. This may be the uniqueness. The gift is a generation based on the knowing about them. After graduation, I think everyone should have a gift. They should be unique, full of feeling, not the things made by machines, so cold. I like to share how I develop the handmade technique. In my family, my mom loves the design and also has her own design. She is my teacher in the design lesson. Then, I try to make different handbags according to my ideas, and here I am, with some of my products. So, when you try to develop the skill, you’d better have a guide.

3. What difficulties did you have to overcome in order to be at the point where you are today? In other words, what or who helped you to “keep on keeping on”?

The most difficult and sad thing is your design conflicts with customer’s likeness. There was one time, I met a customer like to custom her bag. I was willing to share her idea. But after several and several time trying, you know, in order to make her satisfaction. I create a final work that is not my style. This would be a hard thing and conflict. It is a sad thing. My husband leaves me a word, be yourself. After that time, I try to communicate with my customers, to find out the balance between my design and their own ideas. I think, as a designer, we should have our own style and keep it.

4. Lastly, what is most rewarding about your business?

The most rewarding thing for me is to balance the customer’s satisfaction and my work. I am so excited to create a work that customer likes and also is my style. This may be the secret to my business. 

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How awesome.  You rock, Pessy.   Pick up one of her handmade creations today by clicking here and enjoy 10% off with the coupon code "FAMILYLIFE."  :)