I met Barbara Kindle almost six months ago at Moxie Craft Fest. She stood quietly beside her Bartique Designs sign & allowed me to sift through her variety of handmade bags, pouches, & scarves while asking a series of questions. Though she was probably wondering who I even was asking all those questions, she humored me by answering them & if there was one thing I picked up on immediately, it's: don't let her shy nature fool you! Her products are vibrant, happy, & definitely stand out from the rest. Since then, I've met her at a handful of other markets & each time, I investigate her inventory to see what new, zesty prints she has incorporated into her product line!
As a yoga-goer, Barbara was inspired years ago to design her very first piece - the extremely durable Yoga Mat Bag. Reversible, she designed this bag to be both fashionable & practical, with a weighted flap to keep the bag closed & a pocket for keys, cellphones, & other smaller items, all while protecting any yoga mat. In 2013, Bartique Designs was born &, with a degree in Fashion Design, she used her vision & artistic ability to create various-size bags, scarves, & even apparel. (I absolutely love her Kindness is Classy t-shirt, a campaign aimed to remind people to be kind!)
Her entrepreneurial journey started in 1987 when she started a swimwear company called, "Suits Me Fine," in Miami, FL. Her bathing suits were adorned with pearls & lace & sold across the East Coast & Midwest. She closed the business after becoming pregnant with twin boys so she could focus on doing what any good stay-at-home mom would do: devote her time to her children.
Today, Barbara incorporates fabrics from local vendors & some online vendors. "I try to support
small vendors in our local community, if possible. I take frequent road trips to find the great little
shops that have hidden fabric treasures," she says. This was one thing that definitely stood out to me about Barbara - she supports other local/small businesses when & where she can. "The artisan community here has embraced me and I have formed some wonderful friendships. I am so lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing, talented local artists that inspire me everyday. We lift each other up on those challenging days & keep the focus on following our dreams. Collaborating together has been so much fun & enhances the true artistic talent that we have in our little community. The ceramic medallions I use on my pouches are made by Elizabeth Pottery. The turtle stamped medallion is the perfect fit to our turtle prints & adds that extra coastal flair," - her top-seller! It is truly inspiring to watch vendors reinforce one another in such a way!
Like any business-owner with a family, she says her greatest obstacle has been learning how to balance work & personal time. (SUPER hard - don't I know!!!!) "It is a journey, not a sprint so I try to remember to enjoy the ride," she says. Regarding her greatest lesson, she says she's learned to pace herself & not succumb to the pressure we have the tendency to place on ourselves. Barbara intends to expand her bag line in the near future & focus on internet sales.
Find her & her beautiful designs at all the following locations:
www.bartiquedesigns.com :: at Omcore Yoga & Body at 1624 Frederica Rd #3, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 :: the Market at Sea Island :: Golden Isles Olive Oil at 306 Redfern Village, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 :: Dot & Army, Downtown Brunswick :: the Rose & Vine, Downtown Brunswick :: the Goodyear Cottage on Jekyll Island :: Lucy Gunn in St. Marys :: & future locations in California & Florida!!
Yoga mat bags are available at the Club, SSI on Demere Road, St. Simons Island, GA!
Be sure to stop by the Farmer's Market Pop-Up at St. Marys Waterfront Park in Brunswick, GA this Saturday to see some Bartique Designs & follow her on Instagram for all her latest styles!
Keep scrolling for more photos!
