Linda's Story
Growing up mostly in Tennessee, except for the time in Thailand
(story published in the Chiang Mai Mail, 2002). Linda Edwards
spent many hours watching her mother sew everything from her brothers' shirt to
embroidering her linen handkerchief, to copying designer clothes to smocking
Linda's dresses. It was only natural that Linda discovered that she also could
sew and design.
Today Linda has her second, very different handbag company. But
some say the creative urge first bloomed when she began and developed a
moiré purse business in the eighties. That successful endeavor ran six years,
serving over 175 boutiques from Philadelphia to Dallas, involving over twenty
seamstresses at any one time.
Adult life began with a short, successful career in the
classroom, teaching primary children and then receiving an MS in education.
Family affairs, including children Matthew, Daniel, Emily, and Nathan, lead her
to other events and other experiences in the late eighties and nineties. Linda
published a cookbook called Eating to Entertain while working in college
administration at her alma mater, Emory & Henry College. Her earning the
Masters in Business Administration from The College of William and Mary and a
certificate in International Business from Virginia Commonwealth University
lead to her career as associate director of the Virginia Biotechnology Research
Park, Director of Economic Development for Louisa County, Virginia, and now
designing and importing.
But Linda's real loves are her children. She is inspired by
adventure, learning, photography, and spending time with people. Linda believes
that she has always received her most valuable information and life lessons
from friends and family.
The spirit of adventure has often taken Linda back to Europe and
to Thailand, both places she has lived. Combining all her passions, she took
her teenagers on backpacking trips through southern Europe and through Thailand
from the northern hills to the southern beaches.
"The Story of the Bamboo Handbag" will tell you
of her Thai discoveries that now she offers her friends and clients
(boutiques). Linda also organizes and
takes groups of friends and acquaintances on adventure trips (
Richmond Adventure Group) around the world. | 