Chit-Chats: Thiriya of Ickady Bag…

Dear readers, (mostly ladies! ;)) as promised, here is the interview with the lovely Thiriya!
Please tell us –who is the stylish lady behind Ickady Bags?

My name is Thiriya Teresa Ramingwong. I am the owner of Ickadybag, an online shop for handmade bags on Etsy.com.

What inspired you to start Ickady Bag and what is the inspiration behind the name?

Bags are always my passion. Prior to joining Etsy, I made tote bags for Ickady brand and sold them at the walking street markets in Chiang Rai, Thailand, for 2 years. I created Ickady Bag on Etsy with the help of my sister-in-law who told me about the site.  Ickady Bag would not be where it is right now without her help.  Thanks to Etsy and my sister-in-law, my dream of working at home came true.

The desire to create simple and stylish everyday bags for women and mothers is the main inspiration that drives Ickady Bag.

Where are you from, and do you draw ideas from local fashion and culture?

I was born in Chiang Rai, the top north province of Thailand. Now I live in Chiang Mai with my lovely husband. I did my  undergraduate study in Home Econimics where I learnt to sew, craft and be creative.

My ideas come from everywhere. For example, local materials and markets, magazines, shapes, and many more.

Do you create your own patterns?

Yes. I design and create and my own patterns. My sister-in-law also helps with designing.  All the bags are created in my pet-free and smoke-free home studio in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

From start to finish, what is your favourite part in the creative process?

I like the designing process. I often start the designing process in my head. When I like what I imagine, I draw it on paper. A lot of times, I design and create on the spot! One day, I walked into my studio, thinking that the bag I was working on looked too plain. Suddenly inspired, I grabbed a piece of fabric and made into a big bow and put it on the side of the bag. That was how I came up with the bow bag that you now see up on the shop. I think the interactive design process is the most fun part.

What are the inspirations behind your current collection?  I’m absolutely in love with all the bows!

The bows are integral to the collection! I had no idea I liked the bows that much but it turns out that most of my final designs include a bow somewhere on the bags.

I adore the fact that your bags are both practical, pretty, and roomy!  What kind of handbag should every girl own?

I think girls should choose a bag that not only looks pretty but is carefully designed to serve fundamental needs. For example, need for space, comfortableness, durability, sturdiness, organization, storage capacity, and etc.

What kind of girl do you design for?  Who is the ‘Ickady Girl’?

Most bags are designed for big girls, working women, mothers, and girls who love simple and stylish designs. Most of the designs come from who I am.

What are five essentials in your handbag?

Makeup – Don’t leave home without it.

Wallet – My life depends on it.

Notebook & Pen – For new ideas and sketches.

Facial tissue pack – It is always useful to have one.

Mobile phone – it can save your life, believe me!

Do you travel a lot?  I’m sure my readers who travel frequently will be excited to know you make duffel bags, too!
I traveled quite often with my husband, most of them are for his research works to other provinces and overseas. We already made 10 trips together this year! Earlier this year, we went to Australia and Japan. I have not yet decided whether to go with him to Japan and France later this year. I love visiting Japan where I get a lot of ideas from.

My duffel bag is not designed only for trips. It can be used as an everyday bag too!

Do you read any fashion websites or blogs?

I read a few fashion websites or blogs at least a few times a week to check out fashion trends and to seek inspiration.

What are your plans for Ickady Bag?

We currently plan for 6 months ahead. We hope to add a new design each month, and create new product lines using existing designs.

What is one quote or mantra that you live your life by?

Dream of what you can do and do what you dream.

Can you share some words of wisdom for anyone dreaming of starting their own business?

The first step is looking for something you will love to do. Something you can imagine doing every day. Passion will help you to get through everything and be successful one day.

Please share one interesting story or experience that Ickady Bags has encountered!

Sometimes customers forget that they have bought something online, and don’t pick up their packages!  I do my best to get in touch with them, but sometimes they don’t return my messages and the parcels end up coming back to me.  I think some people need to keep track of what they’ve bought and paid for!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this interview!  Here I am with my own custom Ickady duffel bag… absolutely perfect for use as an overnight bag, weekender, and of course, a wield-able carry-on!  The colour is this gorgeous navy blue, with a matching lighter hue inside for the lining.  Pocket lovers such as myself will revel in all the pockets to be found, inside and out!  I’ve stuffed this cutie full with a pair of jeans, 3 skirts, 6 tops, 2 sweaters (1 thin, 1 thick), clothing accessories, my Ballet Beautiful DVDs, and a book…  all set for my return to Vancouver!

Sweater: Roots Canada ‘Pure Comfort’ wrap jacket  (on sale for $69.99 in May)

Top:  Michael Stars jersey knot front top (on sale, $19.00!!)

Necklace:  Tiny Hands pancakes pendant necklace ($22.00)

Jeans:  J Brand ‘Kiki’ in shadow (on sale for $70.00)

Shoes:  Kelsi Dagger ‘Bettie’ leopard print ballet flats (on sale $30.00)

Visit Thiriya’s here… and if you get something for yourself, share with me, please!  I live vicariously through you, too! ♥

xoxo,

— Miss Cathie