Holiday Marketplace Exhibitor Profiles: Katie Kalsi & Judy Seay

Katie Kalsi has a passion for art. Her creative spirit was evident in illustrations and paintings she created throughout her childhood. Growing up in Memphis, she fueled her creative fires with sewing, jewelry and art projects. Today her passion finds purpose in the wearable art that defines her unique and successful handbag brand.

Kalsi’s first handbag debuted in 2003 after she spent years expressing her creativity on canvas. She combined her painting and sewing skills to produce 23 hobo style bags that were set off by hand painted and interchangeable leather straps. Each bag made in the USA is created with luxe leathers, classic textures and vibrant colors that epitomize the free-spirited brand. The style of the bags combined with the artistic straps perfectly blended Kalsi’s passion for beauty and function. The line features three hobo style bags as well as clutch, satchel and crossbody styles.

Kalsi values the critical role her family, friends and heritage play in her success. In fact, she names each handbag style after friends or family members who offer ongoing encouragement and inspiration. Kalsi’s office sprawls throughout her parent’s old weathered barn in Tennessee. The barn and the surrounding environment blend comfort, durability, and dynamic energy, so the barn serves as the perfect backdrop to foster her creativity.

When Kalsi is not creating handbags, she volunteers with many charities across the Mid-South, including the Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Women’s Foundation of Memphis. Kalsi graduated from the University of Mississippi and lives in Memphis with her two daughters, Sophie and Sadie. Kalsi enjoys painting and exploring her surroundings for new ideas.

Check out her website here: https://katiekalsi.com or on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/katiekalsillc/

“I am both an artist and an educator. I have been sharing art with my students for 29 years. I have been an elementary art specialist, a middle school art teacher, a high school art teacher, and the ‘Young Artist’ program director for the Watkins School of Art Design and Film in Nashville, TN. I jokingly tell people that I have always followed my children through school and that they refused to allow me to go to Ole Miss with them. My series of tailgate dishes and paintings were my attempt to bring Oxford to me while my children were there. My inspiration usually comes from the things I love: my children, husband, mom and dad, sisters, my nieces and my new nephew, Texas and Ole Miss.” – Judy Seay

Check out her website here: artbyjudyseay@weebly.com