It's so great to have you here! There is much to see, so take your time and look around. I make unique and quirky leather bags. If you see something you like, ask me about it! I am also available for custom work. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram (@smartmagpiedesign) to stay up to date with the latest news.
My name is Cora Schomburg and I am the face behind Smart Magpie Design. For as long as I can remember, I have loved making things with my hands. I am a self-taught artist -- since I was old enough to read, books have taught me many new crafts and techniques. My love for books and language led me to pursue an MBA in Literature. However, while mentally stimulating and taxing, my studies left me wanting a tangible creative outlet. Bringing ideas to life in the functional physical realm is a most rewarding process and I aim for my pieces to not only be aesthetically pleasing but also to be purposeful and functional. I create to ground myself and enjoy the challenge of incorporating new ideas and experimenting with what is possible. The repetitive motion of sewing, whether it be sewing leather with a machine or stitching beads by hand, is meditative and quiets my mind.
I have used many different media, such as beads, paper, metal, and yarn. Beads are my first love and have stayed with me over the years as I created bead-woven and bead-embroidered jewelry. My latest fascination lies with leather and the unique textures it provides – from grainy pebbled leathers to soft and shiny cowhide. Leather allows me to construct larger, three-dimensional, as well as functional objects. Most recently, I have set out to combine my love for beads with the structural opportunities of leather by creating unique bead-embroidered bags – useable and wearable works of art. I am excited to explore this new path more fully.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, nature photography and reading. I am fascinated by micro textures (in tree bark, lichen, rocks, or ice crystals, for example) and how changes in light and color will impact the mood of a landscape. Many of my pieces are inspired by textures and colors I find in nature but also by literature and imagery from fairytales. A design idea will usually begin with a certain component or shape I want to use and then evolve throughout the process of creating. Color is my favorite design element and guides me throughout my creative process.
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