On her first birthday, Silvia Nikolov sat surrounded by objects representing various professions and, per tradition in her native Bulgaria, reached for the item emblematic of her future career. “Without any hesitation, I went for the needle and thread,” says the savvy seamstress behind waxed canvas and leather bags line, Clark & Taft Crafting Company. The matter seemed settled, save for one slight hitch: Silvia was terrified of sewing machines. “Growing up, my grandmother had a vintage Singer sewing machine,” explains Silvia. “She really wanted to teach me how to use it, but I was so intimidated. I thought: She’s gonna run right through my fingers! She could never get me near it.”
It wasn’t until well into her twenties, after she’d moved to the United States to study interior design, that Silvia gave sewing machines a second chance. “I wanted to pay tribute to my grandmother, so I finally decided to learn how to sew,” she says. “The first thing I made was our signature dopp kit.” At the time, Silvia was working a day job as a waitress and selling men’s jewelry on Etsy on the side. She added the dopp kit to her shop, and sales took off. Within six months, Silvia discontinued the jewelry line to focus on selling bags full time, and brought her husband Ivan on board to keep up with demand.
Today, business is booming, and the Austin-based couple has expanded their line to include a range of travel kits, along with totes and duffel bags. “It really started on a whim,” says Silvia. “The fact that it turned into a business that supports two people is just mind blowing. I forget to be proud—I have to remember to pat myself on the back. I could not be more grateful.”
Read on to discover Silvia’s updated take on an old-school aesthetic, meet her production partners, and shop the collection.
What prompted your transition from making jewelry to designing bags?
A few years into making jewelry, I just felt like I wanted to do more. I was craving more freedom of expression—the jewelry line just wasn’t connecting with me on the level I needed it to. I felt limited, and I knew I needed to venture into another product. It showed me that I wasn’t really meant to be a jeweler.
I’ve always been fascinated with bags. I love a functional bag, and I was searching for bags that were a little more organized, that had more compartments and pockets, and I couldn’t find anything. So my first product was born out of that need. I said, “Let me see if I can make something that’s more functional than what’s currently on the market.”
Tell me about the materials you use.
I’ve always loved natural materials, so when I started designing my first bag, that’s where I started. I knew I wanted to work with heavy waxed canvas and genuine leather, and I was very specific about the weights. To produce a quality bag, I knew I had to work with the best materials available.
I source my materials from Horween Leathers and Fairfield Textiles—both companies are family-owned and have been in business for close to 100 years, which is impressive to me. Because of the nature of my materials, each item has its own unique look and soul. I work hard to present and preserve the true beauty of each textile and piece of leather.
The materials are so classic, but your designs feel decidedly modern. How do you reconcile that tension?
Waxed canvas and leather are definitely symbols of quality and longevity. They evoke that older feeling of generations past, but most companies working with the materials feel a little outdated. There isn’t that cool element about them. So I said, “How can I translate these materials for my generation?” I’m in my thirties, and I wanted something that looked cooler and felt more functional.
I started working on my own aesthetic and developing our signature design elements. It’s important to strike the right balance between the canvas and the leather, so there isn’t one element that’s overpowering. The bags are very simple, and I always try to figure out ways to make them as functional as possible, because I know my customers appreciate that. I like to say that we merge old-school craftsmanship with the demands of today’s lifestyle. It’s all in the details.
You work with a small-run sewing factory in Oregon to help produce your line. How did that relationship come to be?
They’re called Spooltown—they’re actually part of Etsy Manufacturing. Before we found them we were doing absolutely everything in house ourselves. Then business really started picking up, and we were faced with the decision of whether to hire someone or outsource production. I was very on the fence about outsourcing because both my husband and I are perfectionists by nature, and I’d heard all these horrible stories about people losing time and resources trying to find the right production partner. I was really cautious and I did a lot of research.
I actually started searching locally here in Austin, and I even posted an ad looking for a full-time employee, but nobody applied for the job. Then someone suggested Spooltown. They’re 12 people, and the two women who run the production facilities are my age. We connected and they were very patient with my questions, because I had a ton. We started a relationship, and in March of last year I went and visited them at their facilities. I spent a couple of days with them, and they showed me everything. They really feel like family to me.
So your products are all made in America, using American-sourced materials. How did become a priority for you in your work?
It’s an interesting question because I wasn’t born in the United States; I’m an immigrant. So it doesn’t really stem from the fact that I was born and raised here, and that these are the materials I grew up with—that’s not the case. It’s more that I’ve always believed that if you’re a business owner, you have to support your environment. You have to support the people who work with you every step of the way.
I feel like we’re creating jobs by keeping our product American-made and sourced—it’s that personal relationship with living in this country and creating jobs, and ultimately helping the economy of the entire country. It’s very important for me to know every single person who is involved in the creation process of my products.
What does the future hold for Clark & Taft?
I don’t have any formal training in sewing and designing, and I didn’t have any training in business either, so the past four years have been about experimenting and learning. There were definitely failures, but after every single failure we would go back and ensure that we took the proper steps to not fail again in the same way. Creating those efficiencies was so important, and now that they’re in place, I finally think this is the year where we can focus on designing more products and bringing them to life.
I’m really looking forward to designing more large bags, in particular. We introduced the duffle bag and tote bag last year, but we’ve been working on a messenger bag for so long. I’m really hoping to introduce it this year. I’m excited to keep expanding the line.
Follow Clark & Taft Crafting Company on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Photographs courtesy of Clark & Taft Crafting Company.
44 comments
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 3 years ago
Wonderful line of bags, Sylvia and Ivan. They look timeless, but with a modern twist to them...very cool!!! Many blessings for your continued success! :)
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 3 years ago
Very nice and practical products! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
evolvewithmary from evolvewithmarycrafts said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! They look like excellent quality and are so stylish! Congrats on your success!
Olga from LinenAndTailor said 3 years ago
Great shop! Congratulations on the feature!
DeUno from DeUno said 3 years ago
Great story, beautiful design! Congratulations on the feature!
Cat Encio Dolls from CatEncioDolls said 3 years ago
LOVELY! very nice write up..! Congratulation's..I am so going Shopping Thank you <3 Cat @ CatEncioDolls
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Beautiful work, congrats on the feature!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 3 years ago
what a lovely bold, robust and rich line of bags! beautifully made. classic with a gorgeous rustic feel!! congrats on the write up!!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Awesome bags, love the sturdy looking duffle! Great feature!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
I love waxed canvas and leather, they are classic and durable. Congratulations on the feature!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 3 years ago
Beautiful/functional designs-the key to a successful business! Congratulations! I love what you said about learning from your failures. Blessings to you both as your shop continues to grow in 2017 and beyond!
Heidi Bondarenko from thecleverclove said 3 years ago
I live near Portland, OR and have looked into using Spooltown, too! Just lovely work.
Miguel De Crespo from WatchmenLeather said 3 years ago
Nice work. Congrats on the feauture.
Rosita from pillowlink said 3 years ago
Great designs. Congrats on the feature!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
Beautiful line of bags! Great designs! Congratulations on the feature!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
Great article! Awesome work!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 3 years ago
Love these bags! They are so lovely and large enough to carry a LOT :)
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 3 years ago
Very nice work. Congrats on the feature!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
Lovely shop. Congrats on the feature.
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 3 years ago
Classic, modern, and durable! That's what I think of when I look at your well crafted creations. They literally look like they'd last a long time, and have a style that will outlast all fads. The time and effort you both took to create long lasting quality bags shows through your work. Congratulations on your deserved feature, and I whish you continued blessings and success!!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 3 years ago
Beautiful bags! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 3 years ago
Wow, your bags are stunning! I wish I would have had the cosmetic bag when I used to travel for work. Congrats on the feature and I wish you and your husband a prosperous year!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 3 years ago
Beautiful designs ~ Classic ~ Everything looks so well made ~ Cheers to much continued success !
Donna Roberge from DonnaRobergePhoto said 3 years ago
Love your shop and beautiful bags! Congratulations and good luck for the future!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop!!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 3 years ago
I love your tote bags! Congrats on the feature!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 3 years ago
I love your bags! Wonderful craftsmanship, the quality stand out in the pictures! Best wishes!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. I wish you much success :)
Maria from StyleGraphicDesign said 3 years ago
Great idea for a gift!:)
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 3 years ago
I like your designs, especially the waxed canvas tote. Sivani Designs collections are timeless and look durable. Congratulations Silvia and your team!
Tony Lee from TAleatherworks said 3 years ago
Beautiful bags and good skill on thread sewing!
Sharon from YearsAfter said 3 years ago
Love your bags with their timeless rugged quality designs! They're great for everywhere anytime. Congrats on the feature!
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 3 years ago
Wow, I love the style of your collection! Congrats on the success! I can relate to the younger version of you being scared of the sewing machine... I have actually sewn through my finger twice! Who does that???!
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Lovely work! Congratulations on the feature!
Svetlana Nosacheva from Svetolia said 3 years ago
Bags look very stylish and modern, I dream about such a big, for trips and travel!
abelmagayanes said 3 years ago
Ma'am, I like men's messenger bag for my laptop 13". I want leather bag with good design. I don't use credit card so I've to pay it Thru bank account. Is it ok for You? If I like the quality of messenger bag I will buy again a traveling bag. Ma'am I need your email add for communication regarding my order. I REALLY LIKE YOUR BEAUTIFUL BAG..
cloudsandwaves2 from CloudsandWavesDesign said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats!
Michele from MyFairyJewelry said 3 years ago
Everything about this article is So Inspiring! A Huge Thank you to both Sivani & Katie, and Sivani your Shop and it's story have really given me the confidence to look for the help to see my visions thru to their Beautiful end! Your Bags are both timeless and Beautiful! Thank YOU again!
Elizabeth Knaus from FreshRetroGallery said 3 years ago
Silvia, best wishes as you keep designing and creating these handsome bags!
Lucia from LuluArtDesign said 3 years ago
Thumbs up!
yara dias from YaraOriginals said 3 years ago
Your Sivani bags are gorgeous, very beautiful and useful. I can see why your products sell. Best of luck. Yara
NICOLE said 2 years ago
Stunning collection of bags 💼