Kate Woodman and Sharp Hill Designs

I had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of tea with Wilton's Kate Woodman.  She is the owner and designer of Sharp Hill Designs.  Today she keeps busy with her designs and fabric selections, but it wasn't always like this.  She spent her whole professional life as an attorney in the corporate world and then moved onto her second career as a board member of 3 nonprofit organizations*.  All very satisfying work!

But in 2004 while co-chairing the costume committee of her son's theater production, she fell back in love with fabrics and sewing.  These costume designs helped launch her into the beginning of Sharp Hill Designs.  First selling two-sided silk scarves, then belts and shawls.   Her inspiration then turned to handbags and totes.  They started selling faster than she could make them. 

Her creations can be found in high-end boutiques along the East Coast and beyond, and more locally at Bella & Co in historic Cannondale Village.  But it is Martha Stewart that has added the latest excitement to Kate's company.  Her vintage French grain sack cluth is highlighted in this month's issue of Living Magazine.  Before the issues even hit the news stand, the bag was selling!

Although Kate doesn't have has much time to sew these days with her growing business, she still enjoys the creative side of it all!

 

*A portion of the purchase price of every bag is donated to Sanctuary for Families, a leading provider in New York City of shelter, counseling, legal and economic stability services to survivors of domestic violence.*