Moab Bag Co. - Moab, UT

edited by Michael Moran

While walking down Main Street in Moab, Utah, you'll likely spot a unique little storefront called Moab Made, selling goods made by local artists, setting itself apart from the gaudy screen-print t-shirt shops and ubiquitous tourist good stores. One such artist is Brandy Bowmaster, founder and owner of Moab Bag Company.

Bowmaster founded Moab Bag Company in March 2013. The company's products range from men's toiletry bags to tool bags and wallets made from recycled bicycle tubes. Each item is homemade by Bowmaster in the studio workshop space she shares with three other artists.

Bowmaster started her business shortly after moving to Moab. She was inspired to make the bags after she purchased her first sewing machine in order to pursue her desire for creativity.

"After a few simple projects, I realized I needed something more challenging, so a friend suggested bags," Bowmaster says in the "About" section of her company's website. "Bike tubes came into the conversation, and before I knew it, I was hawking my wares around town and online. It's only grown from there."

Bowmaster uses her sewing machines to stitch the rubber bicycle tubes together in order to create her products. Her goal is to have more bike tubes used for other purposes instead of filling up landfills. "I want the world to recognize what a valuable material bike tube rubber is, even after it no longer fulfills its primary purpose," she said.

Bowmaster focuses on paying attention to the detail and quality of her work. "I want to translate bike tube rubber's obvious qualities into the bags I make: durability, flexibility, strength; while at the same time highlighting its more subtle properties: versatility, suppleness, ease of care. All while maintaining its clean, simple lines," Bowmaster said.

“I'm a big fan of those little details, those things that let you know a maker has really thought a product through,” she added. “I pay a lot of attention to these things, so I can be confident in the quality and uniqueness of the products that I offer.”

Bowmaster uses social media platforms to promote her products, including Facebook and Instagram. She also sells her products through Etsy.com and Knackshops.com.

To see a range of Moab Bag Co. products, visit their website at http://www.moabbagcompany.com/ or their Etsy page (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoabBagCompany)