Erin Lane Bags with Lindsey Martin
Erin.Lane Bags with Lindsey Martin is always a welcome topic on Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. As a sponsor, as a personal friend… being together is always precious. Supporting each other is what yarn and handcraft is often what it’s all about. 
If you’ve heard Lindsey’s earlier visits, you may know, it was Lindsey’s need to keep her needles safely without getting lost that she and her mom began creating bags and needle keepers, forming a business using their two middle names to brand it with. Today Lindsey shared that her dad had gotten sick during that time and her parents lost their jobs so Mom felt extra committed to make this business work for all of them. Lindsey’s Mom passed away in 2012 and Lindsey felt compelled to keep the business going. In 2014, things came to a head with her teaching job and trying to run a business on her own. Erin.Lane Bags won out in 
that decision and Marly recounted that Lindsey’s dad was supportive, too, attending trade shows with Lindsey and trying to sell Marly EVEN MORE product. His health has deteriorated, though, and he passed away this last week.
It may seem incredible that Lindsey would choose to carry-out her commitment to guest today on the Yarn Thing podcast, but Lindsey says her folks would be most disappointed with her in not doing this visit today. If you heard the show today, you probably understood that better than we can explain, so we will continue with what’s new with Erin.Lane Bags. Some of us also have a need to stay busy, so…
A year ago, a successful crowd-funding gave Erin.Lane Bags the opportunity to have more choice in fabrics to create bags with. Being able to offer what customers want is always a smart thing in business and what they are finding is that customers love COLLECTING. Bags that commemorate the events or various fandoms have become a hot product for Erin.Lane Bags. The Sheeple bags have become a particular hit, which resulted from Lindsey working
with a designer to create themed Sheeple. For the California Sheeple bags, cartoon sheep surf, go hiking, or the tourist stuff. The Stitches South Sheeple do Nashville things, impersonate Elvis, visiting the Grand Ole’ Opry, sipping iced tea in a rocking chair….
The other idea was to let customers vote on what kind of bags they’d like to see. Just recently voting closed on what genres would be most welcome in a bag. Of course top posts went to the stitching crafts, knitting and crocheting. After that, Harry Potter, Stitch-tionary (sheep in intarsia, cables, etc), Star Wars and Dr Who tied, so Lindsey made the executive decision to not break the tie, but to do both. Which means we all win!
Really, hope you heard today’s episode, because you can hear how excited Lindsey is, now that the wheels here have started turning. There is talk about a Bob Ross Sheeple (think Happy Trees!), every SuperHero, SciFi, and other cos-play fun. In fact, there is plans for later this week an opportunity to watch her artist draw things live.
Not that everything with Erin.Lane Bags has been peachy. Lindsey says that Spoonflower changed their fabric printing process which puts a different chemical on the fabric and Lindsey is allergic to that chemical. The UPS Guy has taken to just throwing her fabric deliveries at the front door. But the excitement for her bags must be what is keeping her motivated. The Stitches bags at Stitches South SOLD OUT (it is a sock bag available only through the XRX booth and where you check in to get your badge in front of the market) Lindsey says she doesn’t even have one. The Stitches Midwest Bag goes on sale today, both Marly and Lindsey say to pre-order even if you are going so to make sure you’ll get one.
Please follow Erin.Lane Bags at their website: www.erinlanebags.com, make sure you are following them at their FACEBOOK PAGE (please, if you are on Facebook, DO FOLLOW for all the hot, hot, hot Erin.Lane Bag news), Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and there is a Ravelry group.
Here are the links to previous visits to Yarn Thing podcast, from 2013, from Jan 2015, October 2015. I also found the link to Fiber Hooligans which is where I first heard of Erin.Lane Bags and Lindsey Martin.
The behind the scenes video is also available at Marly’s Facebook page.
Categories: Podcast
Wonderful interview! I’m awed that she was so upbeat after such a loss but that says a lot about her character. Bet you two keep everyone in stitches at the PJ parties! Wish I could be there!
I loved getting to know Lindsey better on today’s podcast. Since I’m a relatively new knitter and Stitches South 2016 was my first knitting event, it was also my first introduction to Erin Lane bags. They’re fantastic!
OMG love erin lane bags. I haven’t had the opportunity to come to any of the Stitches events but they all sound amazing. Live in Louisiana so it’s kind of a trek.
I would love to attend a Stitches Event and the PJ party sounds like lots of fun.
The stitches events sound like so much fun. I love the Sheeple!
Thoroughly enjoyed this interview … very sorry for Lindsey’s loss. I loved the story of how Erin Lane Bags came to be. I would love to own one of Lindsey’s two-fer bags! Her needle keeper would certainly come in handy, not only for protecting the needles, but for insuring the stitches don’t go wandering away from the needles 🙂
My dream fiber festival vacation would be Stitches West in California! My condolences on the loss of your father. Thank you for sharing a bit of your parents with us. I can see why they have so inspired your work.
I was totally blown away that Lindsey was the guest so soon after her father’s passing but from what that I know of Lindsey, she has a strong work ethic and has always had the strength of her family behind her. I hope one day I get to run into you and her at a stitches pajama party.
Hi Lindsey, I lost my father May 5th, so I feel your loss. Hope you are doing well. I wish I could make it to stitches midwest. Some day I’ll be able to afford to travel. Lol
Hoping to make it to Stitches next February and join in the fun at the PJ party.
What a lovely interview…Lindsey is a delightful guest. The Erin Lane Bags story is so inspiring. Love those bags. I haven’t been to a Stitches yet…on my bucket list…
I love Lindsay and Erin Lane Bags. I got to meet her and her helpers at Stitches South and was so happy to get one of the Sheeple South bags. Once I had to use an Erin Lane Bag in a pinch as a purse and I got so many compliments on it. I love that they are hand made and a quality product!
What a great interview! Lindsey has a lot of energy and is a total crack-up! Having an Erin Lane bag would keep my stitches neat and tidy! Thanks for the chance to win….I love knitting two at a time socks!
I have never been to a Stitches event. Time to start lobbying my family for a family vacation! My son just had us watch Bob Ross on Netflix. Have to check out that Bob Ross Sheeple!
I look forward to seeing both of you this fall. Hears Stitches East is returning to Hartford.
The two of you had me in both stitches and tears. I could feel the love and admiration you ladies have for each other. Thank you both and Tammy for sharing your time and talents with us.
Such cute bags!! I’ve never been to a Stitches event but I think it’s time to plan for next years Stitches South!
I have never been to Stitches, but would like to one day. Cute bag, I love bags! Great interview. Thanks.
Stitches sounds like fun! The bags look so great!
So glad to hear about the success of Lindsey’s bags at Stitches events! And, I wish her the best as she adjusts to life after such a loss!
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Stitches West this year and see Lindsey’s booth. The Sheeples are a great idea.
My stitches are safe in Erin Lane bags.
One of my bucket list items is to go to a Stitches event. I would love to be able to see all of Erin Lane’s bags at the event.
Looking forward to seeing the Stitches Texas Sheeple! Stay strong Erin – just as your parents would want to do.
I would love to go to Stitches but live too far away! Heartfelt sympathy for your loss, Lindsey.
Can’t wait to meet Lindsey and see her Erin.Lane Bags at Stitches Midwest.
Sending comforting thoughts and prayers to Lindsey – both her parents sound like incredible people, and it was touching to hear her speak of them both with such love and regard.
I’ve been lucky enough to get my very own Erin Lane goodness at Stitches West, but like yarn and chocolate, can anyone every really have too much? 🙂
My condolences to Lindsey. I love the Sheeple concept, I am definitely going to try and get one of the bags at Stitches later this year!
My first “real” project bag was from Erin Lane, purchased at Stitches West. Several more have joined my collection, and I am looking forward to adding some Sheeple to the flock! I love the close friendship and mutual respect that always comes through Marly and Lindsey’s discussions – thank you for sharing with the rest of us!
I love Stitches!!! It’s where I first saw Erin Lane Bags, took a class from Marly, and met Tammy at the XRX booth. The perfect trifecta!!! Off to check out the possibility of preordering a Stitches Midwest Erin Lane Bag.
I purchased my first ever Erin Lane bag at Stitches Texas last year. So of course that led to another! I love her story and the bags!
I use to love going to Stitches South. It was practically in my backyard. The sheeples are an adorable concept. Thank you for the interview.
Someday I’ll get to a Stitches event. Loved the interview with Lindsey – and love her Erin Lane bags!
I am sure I am like so many others in that I hope to make it to a Stitches event someday! Very good podcast!
I can’t wait to check out her bags at Stitches Texas!!! I’ve never been to Stitches before, and I’m so excited to go!
Lindsey is such a hoot! When you guys get together you are so much fun! I loved seeing you both at Stitches South this past year. Love the look of the sheeple bags, they are so cool!
I loved hearing the interview with Lindsey. Sadly I have not been able to attend stitches in the past few years and have missed seeing her Sheeple bags. They definitely sound like winners !
Marly’s shows always has me in stitches! I hope stitches south does not go away next year… I heard it may move 🙁
I try to squeeze in some stitches everyday, whether it be sewing or knitting. I need to get my hands on some sheeple. They are so cute!
loved hearing this episode, it kept me in stitches. Can’t wait to see more sheeple.
When I finally get away and attend my first Stitches event I will be making sure that Erin Lane bags booth is a destination! My condolences to Lindsay! Your Sheeple are awesome!
It would be so amazing to attend a Stiches event– maybe one day! Great to hear Lindsey on the podcast.
Some day I hope to be able to attend a Stitches event and meet all the names on the computer screen. I even harbor a hope to someday teach at a Stitches event.
I have been lucky enough to attend several Stitches events and didn’t know about Erin Lane Bags. I will make sure to look them up at my next Stitches event
What a sweet, sad interview. So sorry for Lindsey’s great loss. Her bags look fantastic. After hearing the interview, I wanted to attend a PJ party with both of you because I’m sure you would keep everyone in stitches.
I have been listening for years and this is the first time I have tried to win a prize. The two-fer bag looks awesome. I do two at a time socks but on two dpns. I would love to be able to keep it all in one bag. I have also never been to a Stitches show. It is on my bucket list. Maybe if it comes to Cleveland in the future. Thanks for great shows, gals!
I would love to go to stitches sometime…especially the new one. Great show
Well it would be great to have an Erin Lane Bag, since I’m not able to Stitches.
Lindsey is always such a fun show to listen to. I so enjoy when she come on. I met her at Stitches Midwest a couple years ago. The new fabric themes sound AMAZING!!!!
I love Erin Lane bags and love the new Sheeples fabrics. Lindsey is a great guest, she has such an inspiring story. I haven’t made it to Stitches yet, it is on my bucket list. Looking forward to seeing more great bags by Erin Lane and more great interviews from Marly.
Podcasts with you two keep us in Stitches. Sounds like you have great fun together.
Driving from Maine to Michigan. Listening to Marly and Lindsey in Canada in the middle of the night. !t’s been too many years since I’ve been to a Stitches event. Perhaps next year! Thank you for saving the podcasts for us to listen to at odd times!
A crocheting bird is worth a sheeple with two sticks.