Marysville woman turns her sewing talent into small-business success

MARYSVILLE — Sometimes, life looks like sewing, and vice versa.

You want to make something. You get tools and training. You imagine the process.

You start. You stop. You improvise.

You finish one. You look back. You learn.

You start making another.

Krista Moser, who makes and sells handbags, has lived her life with the hum of a sewing machine.

Born with dyslexia, she struggled in school. At age 6, she couldn’t read; school was a place of confusion and struggle for her.

Her parents thought that she would enjoy something creative. At age 8, she took a sewing class at a fabric store. Sewing fit her. Within two hours, she churned out a bag that she would use to go to swimming lessons.

The bag was blue — her favorite color. Her parents were proud of her. She discovered her talent.

Moser went on to make all sorts of things: nightgowns, pillowcases, dresses and so on. She would look at things she wants to sew, think about how to make them, improvise and finish them. She didn’t need written instructions.

One stitch led to another. One project led to another.

At age 11, her teacher asked her to make costumes for a Fourth of July parade. She agreed and got paid for sewing for the first time.

Later, she became a teacher and taught children and adults. When she turned 14, the fabric store hired her as a sales representative.

Her learning disability improved over the time; she finished high school at age 17. Her parents mulled over moving to Hawaii. Moser moved out of her family’s house and rented her own apartment in Marysville.

“I couldn’t wait,” she said. “I always had big ideas.”

Moser sewed more — cushions, wedding dresses and whatnot. She would tackle any project. “I was almost fearless,” she said.

At age 19, she put down a down payment and bought a three-bedroom house in Marysville in 2002. She continued to work hard to refine her design. When she made a black handbag, it became a hit, she said.

Her father, Richard Moser, used his expertise as an architect and helped her create a studio in the house. That was the beginning of Krista Handbags, her small business.

Seven years later, six local stores sell her handbags that usually cost between $20 and $130, Moser said.

“This is definitely my career from now on,” Moser, 26, said. “I hope I can expand.”

It makes her smile thinking about how she met sewing and how sewing has shaped her career and life.

Moser said she’s busy with multiple projects. She’s also getting married later this year.

She is sewing her own wedding dress.

Tips from Krista Moser

Krista Moser, who makes and sells handbags in Marysville, shares some ideas on how small businesses can survive in tough economic times:

Be service-oriented. “You need to make money, but that can’t be your focus because it shows you are insincere,” Moser said. “I think people can pick up on that.”

Network diligently. You need to be engaged with people to find customers and get fresh ideas.

Don’t take rejections personally. Certain things are beyond your control.

Work out. Exercise helps you physically and emotionally.

For more information about Moser’s business, go to www.kristahandbags.com.