Islander Priscilla Schleigh’s dream came true just over a decade ago when she opened her store, Giraffe, on Vashon.The Northwest native had fulfilled her vision of selling handcrafted artisan and fair trade household and personal items, while also sharing the artists’ stories from around the world.

On First Friday, April 7, Schleigh will realize a second dream: turning her extensive textile collection into functional art in the form of pillows and handbags.

Collected during sponsored buying trips to a variety of countries, Schleigh’s stack of woven textiles continued to grow as her opportunity to create something out of the weavings diminished with the number of hours spent tending the store.

Despite her passion for sewing and design, Schleigh knew she needed help manifesting her idea. So, she turned to Nancy Scott Wienker and Roxy Hathaway of ReGenr8, who design and sew handbags and accessories, to make pillows and handbags using her textiles.

“They made about eight pillows and six handbags with the geometric textiles from my recent trip to the Philippines,” Schleigh said.

While on that trip, Schleigh visited a former estate that showcases residence artists. The estate is owned by a retired neurosurgeon who gave seed money to the artists to grow their own cotton, rather than buying it from China.

“When I think about that collaboration, I just about tear up,” said Schleigh, who has long been an advocate for fair trade and supporting local artists and artisans. “He knows that the women would rather be independent. So here’s this gentleman, with means, who is helping these weavers and other artists.”

While she also saw some exquisite antique textiles, Schleigh said she steers away from them and toward the fair trade fabrics, which help create sustainable livelihoods.

“I’d rather support the ongoing skills of the weavers by buying the new pieces that keep those skills vibrant,” Schleigh said.