Today's featured indie artist is handbag designer Allison Bubash of AllyBu. She creates a variety of bags and purses ranging from totes and hobos to wristlets and tiny pouches. Not only is each piece handmade by a talented independent designer, each bag is also truly affordable -- nearly everything in Allison's Etsy shop is under $35!

How did you get started as a designer? I have been sewing for over thirty years. My father is a retired tailor so it came naturally to me. I have owned a custom window treatment business in the past but I really feel I have found my niche making handbags. It's so exciting to come up with a new fabric combination, or a different way to piece fabric together.

What inspires your work? That's easy ... fabric, fabric, fabric!

Who are your favorite designers? I love fabrics that are designed by Paula Prass.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? Well this is totally unrelated to my craft, but my favorite beauty must-haves are Mac eyelash primer and mascara. Fabulous for someone like me who is eyelash deprived!

Favorite fashion item would be a jersey wrap dress. I have them in several colors and patterns.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Although I have been sewing for several years, I am a newbie to the handbag venue. I strive to produce a quality item that I like. To create something just to please the market isn't for me. My husband teases me because each time I make a new style of bag, I proclaim it is my favorite. Then the next one comes along and so on ...

Where can people find your work? www.allybu.etsy.com

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.