About

Well hello there, friend! I'm Lauren. I'm a designer, sewist, handmade artist, and fabric enthusiast. For the past five years since graduating with my BFA in graphic design, I've worked in various graphic design positions in the St. Louis, Missouri area running the gamut from magazine design, to marketing coordination and photo styling, to in-house university advertising. In 2011 I decided to go back and get my Master's degree. Upon graduating in August of 2012, I also quit my day job and decided to concentrate on Clever Betty full time.

Clever Betty started out as a part-time hobby on Etsy in 2008, where I sold handmade purses and hair accessories. My products were all crafted from recycled fabrics at the time. I spent a few weekends at local craft shows, and was a vendor at a local St. Louis store called Peridot, as well. In late 2012 Clever Betty has turned a new leaf and now combines my knowledge of graphic design and love of all things fabric and handmade by providing unique textiles that are designed in-house and are exclusive to the Clever Betty shop. You can also find DIY patterns and kits, and handmade-to-order specialties starting November 2012.

On a more personal note, I'm crazy for morning tea, cuddly animals, traveling, cooking, decorating, and anything that makes the world a more beautiful place to be. I'm a slight bit obsessive-compulsive about organization, check lists and being productive. I've known how to sew for more than half my life and am extremely grateful that I can now consider it a major aspect of my day job. I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world, Sean, and we live in St. Louis, Missouri with our two kitty furballs Nelson and Greta, and my (now elderly) childhood beagle, Lily. 

You can check out the archives at the Clever Betty blog, You Had Me at Handmade, to learn more about the makings of this shop and my life in general. Want to chat? I'd love to! You can contact me right here.