SPIRAL LULU

Homebase: Malibu, CA

OWNER/DESIGNER: Christina Williamson

Sizes: Blankets 30" x 34", purses 9" x 10", with handles extended 9" x 13.5"; Wholesale prices: Purses $18, Blankets $33

One could say that the success of Christina Williamson's collection Spiral Lulu was in the cards - the tarot cards.

"The idea for the Spiral Lulu purses originated from sewing many types of 'mini' purses for an extensive Tarot card collection I accumulated," says Christina Williamson. It's no surprise that her hobby would flower into an exciting business. A former graphic artist and animator, Williamson won two Emmy Awards for her work in "Super Bowl XXXIII" and "Fox NFL Sunday" and has been employed by ABC, NBC Access Hollywood and Warner Brothers, so it's obvious that she knows how to turn a good idea into a saleable, exciting product.

Like so many creative women with children, Williamson needed to transition from a stressful career to a more flexible, income-producing business. "When I first started having my children in 1998, I needed to reformulate my life to accommodate this different lifestyle. I now have three girls age four to 11.  I was not interested in being absent from their daily lives." Spiral Lulu, her collection of purses and baby blankets, launched online in 2002.

Without any sewing experience, Williamson taught herself to cut and craft a purse: "When I first started designing and sewing I self-taught myself how to make a bag. Today, the majority of children's purses and blankets are produced by seamstresses on-site in my Malibu studio."

Moms will covet the chic faux fur children's purses. The beautifully crafted bags (intended for ages 5 through the tween years) are lined with printed cotton and have an inside pocket. The fluffy fur and clear handles lend a vintage feeling to the accessory. Shown here in a rich lime, the bag is available in several bright tones as well as animal prints and pastels.

Williamson's modern update on the patchwork baby blanket includes these lovely mixed print designs in sweet colors or more sophisticated tones. Each piece is backed with buttery soft white faux fur.

What's new at Spiral Lulu in 2010? "Spiral Lulu is focusing on a summer bag specifically for stowing snacks during travel. We are in the early stages of our summer collection that will provide a stylish, water resistant tote, using oilcloth as our main fabric. This material will provide a convenient option to snacks not necessarily needing a cooler for the trip. These totes will be produced in an array of retro-style patterns," says Williamson.

Another addition to the Spiral Lulu collection will be travel sets. "How many hours do you spend traveling with your kids in the car? People like to be prepared with quick ways to jump out the door and have everything they need. Spiral Lulu travel sets provide a convenient matching pillow and blanket easily secured and stowed for each child to use at their discretion," she says.

Check out the Spiral Lulu website in February when Williamson and her hardworking staff present the new items. Williamson promises that the colors, fabrics and workmanship will be couture quality. Not that we had any doubts!

Tel: 310-415-4995

E-mail: Christina@spirallulu.com

www.spirallulu.com

Originally published December 30, 2009