My name is Amy Yost. I’m 43 and have 2 children. I have struggled all my life with chronic pain, anxiety, mathematics anxiety, and big crowds anxiety. So I grew up learning to mind control my pain.
I haven’t been able to hold a regular job due to my chronic leg pain and anxiety. In 2000 my mom taught me how to sew by hand. I was never allowed to touch her sewing machine though ❤️. However when she passed away in 2005, I inherited all her crafting supplies.
In 2016, I bought my first sewing machine. I wanted to make a purse to fit my cellphone. I couldn’t find what I was looking for. So why not make one?
So I YouTubed the brand of my machine and watched a video on how to use all the features. Then I watched a video on how to make a purse. Well… I was not great at math at all, and the instructions to put it together were confusing to me. So I looked around my house for something square to trace around as a pattern. Ah ha.. cereal box!
So that’s how it began . I had all my mom’s supplies and she had a rubber stamp collection. One of the stamps fell out of a box with some fabric . That stamp is now use in all my purses.
The best journeys are not always in straight lines.
Ain’t that the truth. So when you look inside one of my RAmys LoveMyPurses, it’s stamped and signed by me .
So I ended up making that purse, then in 2016 I had my son. So I took a break on crafting. I started painting on canvas. That was different because of having to stand to paint and because it was messy. In 2019 I needed a new purse and got out my machine and made myself one and posted it on Facebook. I had lots of people wanting one so I made more purses.
it’s a struggle muffin when you have Chronic leg pain, with all the sitting and pushing the peddle foot to run the machine. But I push through it because I want to make purses.
From 2019 to present I have gotten so many good compliments on my purses. They are organized with awesome pockets. I try to make a pocket to fit your cellphone and a place to hang your keys. I make them crossbody/shoulder. Some are big enough to fit a book, a small tablet and other items. My purses usually have 6 to 9 pockets.
I uses snaps and Velcro to make them unique. I don’t really make any two alike. However much fabric I have, I will eyeball the size and cut it out free hand as I go.
I don’t sew straight, but that’s part of the journey I’m on. My purses are cute and really a statement piece to your everyday. I use holiday fabrics or really any kind of cotton fabric to make them.
I also have done a few custom purses. I cut a lady’s dress up and made her a purse. I tie-dye muslin fabric.
I am currently getting help with Vocational rehabilitation, I also sell purses and Tie dye T shirts at the common market on 8th Street in Muncie, IN.
My boyfriend came up with my business name. RAmys is for my 2 children, who have R names, and the Amy is my name. The phrase “love my purses” comes from my daughter when she had a handful of purses I made and said, “love my purses, mommy. “ So we call them RAmy (Ray-mes) Love My Purses.
I found a sewing machine that sews itself. I just push a button and guide it. My legs still hurt and fall asleep. I haven’t set up anyplace like flea market because I have anxiety with money and covid. So that has slowed by business down. I usually sale my purses through word of mouth. I have used Facebook marketplace . I have shipped to Michigan, Tennessee, Arizona, and in Indiana.
If you would like to purchase one of these amazing purses, go to’RAmysLoveMyPurses on Instagram or find Amy Yost on Facebook.
Website: ramyslovemypurses.com (still under construction)
Email: Amy@ramyslovemypurses.com
