Meet Your Makers: Suzi Fortunato of Meanderer

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your handmade business:  My name is Suzi Fortunato.   I love to use up every bit of stuff.  I sew aprons (my favorite item, they are indestructible) and potholders from old clothing, tie dye, crochet...anything that pops into my head.  Taking old, unwearable jeans, cutting them apart and making something new, fun and useful is so satisfying to me.  It is a challenge to use every scrap, repurposing and keeping all that good material out of the landfill.  I love it! 

 

 

How did you come up with your business name?  I sew with a general idea and allow the fabric to dictate the end product.  One idea leads to another...meandering around...Meanderer!   My friend Elle, an organic farmer, needed good, sturdy reusable bags when selling her produce.  She also asked for kitchen items. We wanted to use the unusable.  With her help, an idea took off.

 

Where do you live? My family and I live in the south hills of Pittsburgh. 
 
Who’s in your family? I have three grown up kids, two are professional artists.  My dog is a very talented sleeper.

If you could sit down and talk to any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?  I would love to talk to my mom and dad again, just to tell them thank you.


What inspires you? Remaking. Recycling, repurposing.

What is your favorite item you make for Boutique 208 and why? Aprons out of old clothing, especially the ones made out of denim. 
 

What is your favorite item at Boutique 208 that’s not one of your own and why? It is so much fun to see what other people create.  I love the batik items in Boutique 208.  I can't do that and am sooo jealous!

What advice can you offer to someone who would like to start selling their handmade creations? It's been said too many times, but do what you love.  Keep the creative side of you alive and working.  It is who you are.