The last few weeks have been a beautiful blur

Freezing And Fabulous: A Day with Jinks Photography

March 24th was one of those days where the air was cold enough to make you question your life choices, but the energy was warm enough to melt any doubts away. Jay, the beautiful human behind Jinks Photography, worked their magic turning my friend Emily and me into something resembling real models. Okay, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but damn, did we feel really fucking good! And my bags? They stole the show. If you're not following along on Instagram yet, you're missing out on some seriously stunning shots!

Market Magic: Handmade Dayton First Sundays

April 7th marked a special day—my first market of 2024. Set up at Eudora Brewing in Kettering, the place was filled to the brim with some of the most talented makers Dayton has to offer. It was an honor to be among them, surrounded by badass entrepreneurs who lift each other up. A good amount of my sales usually come from the other vendors and this day was no different. Amanda from Fetch Fresh Dayton stopped by and told me she’d been dreaming about snatching up one of my wallets all winter to pair with the Jeraldyne bag she bought last summer. Another vendor, Joyce of Dappled Paws, gushed about how she loves my bags so much and can’t wait until later in the market season when she’s made enough sales to buy one. Like I said, SO FUCKING SUPPORTIVE.

Get Ready For A Rant About My Love For Dayton

People ask me all the time why I love Dayton so much and that right there is why. It's the people—the "crusty" ones with hearts of gold who call this city home. Despite the challenges we face like vacant storefronts and high rent, there's a resilience and a sense of community that runs deep. Small businesses support each other and love each other and hire each other at full price. It's what fuels my dreams of transforming this city into a sanctuary for creatives—a place where art, friendship, and commerce thrive together. This little baby city is already so much and has the potential to be so much more.

Dreaming Big, One Tote Bag at a Time

With every stitch I sew and every market I attend, I'm one step closer to making my vision a reality. Whether I’m hustling at a market or working my shift at the pharmacy, I carry with me the faith of a community that believes in me.

Together, we'll continue to chase our dreams, one tote bag at a time, and together, we'll make Dayton shine brighter than ever before.