39b Char terBeest Kudla

I began my artist life by constructing willow baskets, then building boxes and finally designing handbags. I like to make things that hold “stuff.” I’ve been creating and crafting my entire life. My mother, Helen, taught me to sew at age five. I love combining color and texture, along with interesting shapes and good pattern making. All handbags start in my sketchbook, then I draft a pattern, find great fabric, and construct the handbags parts on my 40 year old Viking sewing machine. I love hand stitching and fashioning subtle details using beads, vintage buttons, linings and fabulous notions.

I am the director of The Very Merry Holiday in Baraboo. I have been in ALL 26 of the Fall Art Tours and, in the beginning, helped craft the event. I am married to Frank Kudla. We live in a 150 year old brick home in “Old” Baraboo. We love to garden, eat well, stay healthy and create interesting “arty” things to wear.