Here’s Lucy

Purse maker puts success in the bag.

By Andrea Estrada
The South Coast Beacon

Lucy Rockwell won’t take offense if you call her a bag lady. In fact, she’ll probably appreciate the reference to the purses she produces and sells in the small kiosk at the corner of Anacapa and East Canon Perdido streets.

A new arrival from Tempe, Arizona, Rockwell set up shop with a sewing machine, miniature ironing board and collection of vintage fabrics from which she creates funky, one-of-a-kind handbags.

“I drove by on my way to the Sojourner and saw it was for rent,” Rockwell said of the tiny wooden space formerly occupied by Cloud Climbers, a business owned by Sybil and Dave DeMauro. “I wanted my own place.”

Currently, Rockwell’s inventory consists of the handbags, greeting cards, scarves she makes from old sweaters and jewelry designed by local artisan Julie Fiscalini. As the holidays approach, she will offer goods such as candles and other gift items made by other artists.

“I started making them three years ago out of old clothes,” she said of her line of purses. “Fabrics come from all over — thrift stores, estate sales, fabric stores.”

Using recycled curtains, dresses and other pieces of experienced clothing, the bags are as environmentally friendly as they are fashionable. Prices start at $45.

In terms of manufacturing, Rockwell averages two purses a day. Productivity depends on the number of browsers who stop by and the regular passersby who look to see what’s new.

She is at her sewing machine rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and recently added Saturday to her work week to take advantage of Farmers Market shoppers. A space heater on the floor near her sewing machine keeps the kiosk toasty and so far the wide eaves have kept her dry during rain showers.

“But when it’s nice, it’s like I’m sewing outside,” she said.