The Betty & Mabel adventure began two years ago, when I was searching the internet for stoma related bags to keep my equipment in. Struggling to find a bag which didn’t look medical, I began sourcing the finest fabrics, leathers and fasteners to create a unique bag for my own personal requirements.  Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of making many bespoke bags for fellow ostomates, as well as selling toiletry, makeup and tote shopping bags to family and friends.

Founder Lynne is an expert in handcrafting. Her mother Barbara was a tailoress in Lancaster before studying needlework and textiles in the city.  Her late husband Mike shared her passion for textiles, working  as a skilled Leather Doctor in Cumbria for many years. “Mike would walk through the door with a skinned Merc, BMW or Landrover seat, or someone’s sofa cushion under his arm, and we would take it apart and draught a pattern to replace sections or mend rips.  He would then match the paint to the original, and by the time we were finished it looked as good as new.  He was meticulous in his work and we had a great partnership!” says Lynne.  For several years, Lynne designed and created bespoke ‘mohair bears’ , supplying the Teddy Bear Orphanage in Liverpool.  Lynne’s skillfully handcrafted bears were sold worldwide.

The business name is a tribute to the two grandma’s of the family. Lynne says “We have a strong family connection which constantly reminds me of what is important in life”.