CustomClothingStore.com

By Kimberly Mortson

OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT

Aladdin may have been best known for his magic carpet, but for Michele Kramp it’s her magic bags.

A textile artist from Canton, Kramp has been designing one-of-a-kind handbags since 2003 under the name The Magic Bag Lady. Unconventional designs, recycled fabrics and unique embellishments are all trademarks of her custom handbags.

Born in Redford, Kramp moved to Canton with her parents, James and Georgette Craig, when she was 10 years old. Kramp says both of her parents encouraged her creativity at a very young age.

“My mom taught us to knit, crochet and sew. She’s a strong, self-motivated woman and took great pride in how her three daughters looked growing up. From our hair to all the clothes she made us – we always looked so neat and put together,” said Kramp.

When she was in elementary school, Kramp first tried her hand at sewing by making her own doll clothes. After graduating from Plymouth Canton High School, she earned a degree in apparel design and merchandising from Wayne State University.

“It was my dad who encouraged my love of drawing, which I refined in college,” Kram said. “He allowed me to use his drafting tools and made sure my school projects were done well. He had high standards for all his daughters. He would say, if you have the proper tools use them, no excuses.”

In addition to drawing, Kramp took fine tailoring classes at WSU, where she learned all the old-school techniques, such as welt pockets, hand-sewn buttonholes and draping.

“I became even more proficient when I used those skills everyday working for a couple of local tailors,” she said. “Tailoring is much more mechanical and structural in nature but my sewing skills were so much better by the time I left.”

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