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Better Life Bags Giveaway!

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***** GIVEAWAY CLOSED *****

Today’s sponsor is my oldest Etsy friend. I actually found Rebecca on Etsy and noticed that she and I had a lot in common in business. So I contacted her and we started chatting about various business things and soon turned into friends. She runs the Etsy shop: Better Life Bags.

I have to tell you guys, her bags are SO great. She just made this beauty for me:

(Mine’s the one in the middle.  I love, love, love it!)

HBL:  How did you get started with your craft?

BLB:  When I was pregnant with my son, I couldn’t find a diaper bag that I loved. They were either too expensive or too boring. So, I decided to learn how to make a diaper bag using a fabric combination I wanted. I loved the thought of having a one-of-a-kind bag that I had designed myself! Luckily, I had just gotten a great sewing machine for my birthday and had sewn a little in my “younger years”. I had a dear friend help me get through the first one and teach me the essentials of bag making. Now I can’t break away from my sewing machine. It’s my better half.

Freitas Ruffle Clutch…I absolutely HEART Amy Butler’s fabric, don’t you?

HBL:  What do you love about your craft?

BLB:  I love taking pieces of gorgeous material, cutting it up, and sewing it back together into a fun bag creation! There’s something satisfactory about creating something from nothing. I also love that each bag I make is different and unique. My customers get to design their own by picking out fabric for each part of the bags I create. This makes for many different combinations and versions of the same style. It’s never boring!

Lovin’ these checkbook covers:  I bet she would even add some slots for credit cards if you asked her!

HBL:  Why did you decide to go into business with it?

BLB:  Well, I never planned to open a business with my craft. It sort of happened by accident. Like I mentioned before, I made myself a diaper bag and then posted pictures of it on Facebook. Within a week, I had a request to make one for a pregnant friend and she paid me for it! After posting the picture of that bag, I had another request for a large tote bag. And the Nicole was born. People kept ordering, so I kept sewing!

The Carla:  Design Your Own!

HBL:  Why did you decide to have it be charitable?

BLB:  I’ve always loved ordering from companies that help others with the profits, and I wanted to do that from the very beginning – which is why we named it Better Life Bags (“making lives better one purse at a time”). My brother had just introduced me to www.kiva.org and I thought it would be an awesome idea to donate 10% of the bag transaction to a low-income entrepreneur in developing countries. Each of my customers receive a print out of who their bag went to help and what they are going to do with the money. The cool thing about Kiva is that the money is only loaned out and gets repaid back to me over a few months. I can then reloan the money out to someone else. So it’s like your bag never stops giving back!

How awesome is this diaper bag?!  You can convert it to have backpack straps too!

HBL:  Tell me about your family.

BLB:  I have a wonderful husband who I fell in love with 5 years ago and married 2 1/2 years later. We have an adorable son who turned one at the beginning of this month. And much to our surprise, we have a little girl due in January to make us a family of FOUR!

The Maggie Ruffle Purse

HBL:  Describe a typical day for you.

BLB:  My son wakes me up at 8am and we snuggle in bed while he drinks his bottle of milk. Sometimes we stay there for an hour – sometimes 10 minutes. Either way, it’s my favorite part of the day. Mornings are usually busy for us and it’s good to wear my son out before his nap, so we run errands, go to Bible Study, play outside, go to library story time, etc… Naps are golden for me as I get some time to myself. Since my husband works part time and goes to school part time, he often has a few hours every day or so to spend with our son while I get caught up on bag orders. I’m very thankful for him and for his support for our small business!

The Nicole:  Design Your Own!

HBL:  Where do you hope to see your business go in the next 5 years?

BLB:  This one makes me excited! We just recently moved to a poor area of Detroit, MI where there are a lot of 1st generation immigrants from Yemen. These Yemeni women rarely leave their homes and can’t get jobs out in public because their families are very conservative Muslims. I hope to be able to hire some of them within the next five years to not only give them something to do at home but to also help them out financially. I’m so inspired by stories I hear of businesses hiring women overseas to make quality products and then providing a market for them to sell to in order to earn income for their families. I’m going to start highlighting some of these companies on my blog in the next few weeks… Christmas gift ideas! I REALLY want to use this business to help others profit like they do.

She is seriously such a great person and dedicates her life to helping others.  What a great person to support in business!  And you can be so happy to know that part of your money is going to help someone who is starting up their own business.  
Today she is going to offer you all $75 to her shop!
To enter this giveaway, just go to her shop, look around and comment back on what you love!
For more ways to enter (comment back each time):
  • Go visit her BLOG and follow her!
  • Like her on Facebook!
  • Follow Honeybear Lane’s Blog (this one)
This giveaway will close on Friday, October 22nd at 11:59 PM

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175 Comments

  1. The Carla slouch bag is the perfect thing! What fun to pick out your own colors, but it still fits on your shoulder to carry all those sippy cups and miscellaneous purse items we all have. Love it!

  2. Vini aka Pooh! says:

    Oh please pick me. Love the slouch bag in fabric 34!! perfect

    poohsden at gmail dot com

  3. I love the slouch bag but I also love the little Freitas Ruffle Clutch~

  4. I am now a follower of Better Life Bags!

  5. I liked Better Life Bags on Facebook!

  6. Ash Savage says:

    That Maggie is totally for me!

  7. Ash Savage says:

    I LOVE her on Facebook!

  8. I love the brynnda… I love the messenger style bags…

  9. t.erickson says:

    Wow!
    Though decision. I really like the Nicole and the Carla bag. And such an awesome cause! Keep up the great work.

  10. Oooo! The Carla and the Ruffle clutch are my favs! What a great shop!

  11. Kristin PG says:

    I'm a follower of her blog now!

  12. Everything is gorgeous. I especially love the Frietas Ruffle Clutch

  13. The Allen Family says:

    Since I'm pregnant I'd have to go with the Diaper Bag, but I also love the Brynnda.

  14. The Allen Family says:

    I follow her blog now.

  15. The Allen Family says:

    I like her on FB.

  16. The Allen Family says:

    I follow you.

  17. aliimberi says:

    I follow her blog! Great stuff!

  18. aliimberi says:

    I LIKE her on fb :0

  19. aliimberi says:

    And as always I follow your blog and on fb! Look at it daily!

  20. Amy@aes2.com says:

    Wow all the purses are so cute!!! I follow you!

  21. Ross & Amanda Goodman- but mostly Amanda :) says:

    I love her small totes. What a great way to supplement an income and help others. She sounds like a remarkable woman.

  22. Ross & Amanda Goodman- but mostly Amanda :) says:

    I follow your blog.

  23. I love the Carla slouch bag, and it's so awesome you can pick out what fabrics you want! I am now a follower of her blog.

    spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

  24. I just liked her on FB.

    spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

  25. leardonsbelle says:

    Wow what gorgeous bags. And such a great cause. I loved the Brynnda, Carla and Maggie. I don't know how I would choose! What a great baby shower gift!

  26. I will always follow honeybear!

    spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

  27. leardonsbelle says:

    I follow your blog!

  28. The Sweeter Sweater Company says:

    I love, love her bags; so cute! I would love a matching slouch bag, ruffle clutch, and check book cover.

    paskettc (at) gmail (dot com)

  29. The Sweeter Sweater Company says:

    I follow you fun blog through Reader.
    paskettc (at) gmail (dot com)

  30. Andrea Campbell says:

    I love the diaper bags!

    Heidi,
    I didn't know you were the brains behind this blog! I wanted to win one of your quilts for my new little guy!!!

    Andrea (Keller) Campbell

  31. Andrea Campbell says:

    I am following your blog!

  32. Andrea Campbell says:

    I follow her blog!

  33. Andrea Campbell says:

    I am a facebook fan!

  34. Oh, I just love the Maggie Ruffle Purse!

  35. I love the large tote bag and the check book covers!
    butler83ataoldotcom

  36. I follow the Better Life blog
    butler83ataoldotcom

  37. I follow honeybear lane!
    butler83ataoldotcom

  38. Ranae Broadhead says:

    following honeybear lane

  39. I love the Large Tote Bag (brown and green) and The Maggie Bag. LOVE THEM!

  40. I love the slouch bags! (One in orange and pink would be to-die-for. Or even a neutral. Amazing.)

  41. I like Better Life Bags on Facebook!

  42. I follow Better Life Blog!

  43. I love the Nicole bag or the Emily bag. I wish my diaper bag was more fashionable! And it's starting to wear out after heavy duty use for 2 kids…so it's time for a new one!

  44. I absolutely love the Large Tote – Nicole with the bright green fabric and zebra print!! Oh my gosh! It reminds me so much of the Wee Tea Cozy I made for myself!!

  45. I have signed up to follow Better Life Blog! Thanks for the chance!!

  46. I love the Carla bag!!!!!

    Its so cute!!!!

  47. I liked on facebook too!

    nicolecet at gmail dot com

  48. Mruna Mistry says:

    I love the Design Your Own Custom Small Tote Bag/Purse – The Cyndi! Really pretty bags!

  49. Mruna Mistry says:

    Follow honeybear lane…

  50. Traveling Thrifter says:

    I love the funky green and black styles…in every product they seem to catch my eye

  51. Traveling Thrifter says:

    I follow you and LOVE your blog

  52. I am totally in LOVE with that diaper bag/backpack!

  53. I'm a follower and I love your blog!

  54. We The Peterson Three says:

    I love carrying big bags and am looking forward to having another baby. For my first child, I always shopped for big purses instead of diaper bags because they are much trendier and I can use them for longer, the Nicole bag is perfect!!

  55. We The Peterson Three says:

    I'm a follower 😉

  56. We The Peterson Three says:

    I "liked" her on FB!

  57. i love the maggie bag and the slouch bag the carla.
    songyueyu at gmail

  58. i follow honeybear lane's blog

  59. Dallin and Ashley says:

    I love love LOVE the Carla bag with the fabric you have shown on your blog. So cute!!

  60. Dallin and Ashley says:

    I follow her blog!

  61. Dallin and Ashley says:

    I just "liked" her on fb!

  62. Dallin and Ashley says:

    I follow your blog!

  63. I LOVE the Carla slouch bag.

    qt_girl2000 at hotmail dot com

  64. I checked out her shop and love the ruffle clutches. Very cute!

    ~Jamie
    jamiepurple(at)hotmail(dot)com

  65. I follow Honeybear Lane.

    ~Jamie
    jamiepurple(at)hotmail(dot)com

  66. Beth Walls says:

    I follow both blogs and I "like" Better Life bags on Facebook, too.
    I love all the bags, but I think I like the ruffled ones the best right now!

  67. I love this idea: Design Your Own Convertible Diaper Back – Messenger to Backpack and More

  68. Cyndi Browning says:

    i follow honey bear! (cyndi_browning@hotmail.com)

  69. Cyndi Browning says:

    I follow Better Life's blog!

  70. Cyndi Browning says:

    my favorite is the slouch bags!!

  71. Christene {WhipperBerry} says:

    Wow. I am so inspired by this woman's drive and vision to not only do something she loves, but improve the lives of others. I love the loan idea and how these bags can give again and again. A beautiful, life lifting thing! Bravo! I love the design your own slouch bags and clutches. These are lovely!

  72. I love all the bags! I think the maggie ruffle purse is probably my fav! I think the most wonderful thing is that she is helping others with the profits!

  73. I visited and am following her blog!

  74. Christene {WhipperBerry} says:

    What a neat blog. I am now a follower of Better Life.

  75. Christene {WhipperBerry} says:

    I liked BLB on FB!

  76. Christene {WhipperBerry} says:

    I'm already a follower of Honey
    bear Lane. 🙂

  77. Heidi (Todd) Broberg says:

    love maggie ruffles…

  78. Heidi (Todd) Broberg says:

    follow on FB.

  79. Heidi (Todd) Broberg says:

    I already follow honey bear lane…YEAH!

  80. Heidi (Todd) Broberg says:

    follow blb

  81. Joan and Kevin says:

    I am a follower love the slouch bag.
    Thanks

  82. I love the slouch bag and diaper bag the most… beautiful! Thanks for the great giveaway!

  83. I also follow you. Thanks!

  84. i like the ruffle clutch, the slouch bag and themaggie! so pretty!

  85. i follow honeybear lane!

  86. i like betterlife bags on fb

  87. Silcox Stories says:

    My birthday is coming up and I have been browsing etsy regularly lately for the perfect thing to spend my b-day money on and Better Life Bags has been at the top of my list, I think I would go with the Nicole although quite possibly the Carla. I would love to win one and then be able to continue on her path or paying it forward by purchasing one for someone else for a gift!

  88. The Picanco Family says:

    I LOVE the slouch bag. It would be so much fun to pick out exactly which fabric I wanted.

  89. The Picanco Family says:

    I am a follower of your blog.

  90. I can't decide!!! However, if I had to pick one I would say tthe Ruffle Clutch.

  91. I love the diaper bag and changing pads (for obvious reasons, haha). Her patterns are so cute!

  92. I also follow Honeybear Lane's blog.

  93. I love the maggie bag, plus my purse fell apart this weekend and my hubby does not want me to buy another one, so this would be great to win

  94. kkfoster35 says:

    Her stuff is too cute! I like the Freitas Ruffle Clutch
    kkfoster35 at msn dot com

  95. kkfoster35 says:

    I'm following her blog (kkfoster35)kkfoster35 at msn dot com

  96. kkfoster35 says:

    I like her on FB (Karen Hargis Foster)
    kkfoster35 at msn dot com

  97. kkfoster35 says:

    I'm following this blog too!
    (kkfoster35)
    kkfoster35 at msn dot com

  98. My favorite is the Carla bag!

  99. I follow HoneyBear Lane!

  100. I love the Slouch bag, too cute 🙂

  101. I LIKE BLB on facebook and have since she started!!

  102. I follow BLB on her blog. I love how she does amazing things with donating to Kiva.org. She's inspired me to donate myself as part of her group.

  103. I love the NICOLE bag…mainly because it was named after me! I use mine every day and love how she lets you create your own masterpiece. I'm also in love with my Beverly bags and my Judi. I could go on and on forever!

  104. So many great bags to choose from. I think the Carla might be my favorite.

    jennifer.r.ingram at gmail dot com

  105. Like on Facebook too!

    jennifer.r.ingram at gmail dot com

  106. Boba'sMom says:

    I love the Maggie Ruffle. Gorgeous!!

  107. Boba'sMom says:

    I've liked Better Life Bags on FB.

  108. The Maggie bag is very cute.

  109. I follow Honey Bear Lane blog.

  110. I like Better Life Bags on FB.

  111. The Spencers says:

    I really love them all! The Carla or the Maggie are my favorite! So cute!

  112. The Spencers says:

    I Liked Better Life Bags on Facebook.

  113. The Spencers says:

    I am a follower of Better Life Bags

  114. Amy Juhasz says:

    What an awesome giveaway! I love the carla slouch bag. So so cute!

    amy_juhasz[at!]hotmail.com

  115. Amy Juhasz says:

    I follow HoneyBear Lane!

    amy_juhasz[at!]hotmail.com

  116. Amy Juhasz says:

    I follow better life bags.

    amy_juhasz[at!]hotmail.com

  117. Amy Juhasz says:

    I like better life bags on facebook.

    amy_juhasz[at!]hotmail.com

  118. What gorgeous work. I really had a hard time choosing just one because I love them all, but, I think I would choose the Cyndi if I were to win.

  119. I am now a follower of Better Life Bags via email notification. (fyi the email I use to follow blogs is different than the one tied to my comments)

  120. I follow her blog. [lovin'life (crystal)]

  121. I follow your blog. [lovin'life (crystal)]

  122. I would love the carla slouch bag!!

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