Amy Butler Designs

I started making small passport sized bags while living in Kansas City in the late 80's. There was a great energy about it. I sold to small boutique shops around the country, basically by hand-picking stores that I loved and making personal introductions. David and I moved back to Ohio (my home) in 1992 and started our little Art of the Midwest studio with two cats and about $1,200. Time was spent chopping wood for the 150-year-old cabin/house that we had rented on 190 acres of rural farmland, tending chores, and making art. I started creating surface designs for a friend who went into business as a design rep. in NYC. This I did at night mostly. We loved it.

After years of hard work fixing up two houses, and having been a contributing editor for Country Living magazine, I started thinking about those little bags that I had made less than 10 years ago. I wanted to create that feeling again so I started my sewing pattern business. My company, my brand, is really just a great vehicle to share my work. I love meeting other artists and trading notes. I love the process. Everybody has a personal story, and a personal creative voice. I just want to help my "friends" realize it.