My name is Rebekah Karlen. I was born, raised and educated in the heartland of the United States of America. Looking back, forward, and around this world and my life, I believe the most important attitude of all is GRATITUDE. I founded RK Designs in 1991 as a cottage industry employing six seamstresses to make geese clothes. The sound advice I had received combined with my training, skills, and sustained efforts resulted in a viable livelihood for many years. God had heard my prayers and blessed me!

Keywords that describe my creations are:
Practicality, Cheerfulness, Quality Craftmanship.
I started sewing when I was just a child and had several very good instructors during my formative years. I have done dressmaking, tailoring and alterations for shops and as an entrepreneur for most of my life. Costuming, wedding attire, crafts, quilts, repairs, functional to whimsical, I have done it all and extensively. I especially enjoy designing my own patterns for the things that I create with my sewing skills, and I like all sorts of challenges that excersie my problem solving abilities.

What I’ve always liked best about my craft business (besides the people) is the fact that my products are cheerful. When the cares and worries of life start to weigh me down, I’ll retreat into nature. There is a natural order guiding the seasons and animals. Somehow the birds know when to migrate, where to fly and how to find enough to eat every day. These observations reinforce my trust that God’s love and wisdom is guiding and sustaining me too as I travel through life.

Over the years I’ve designed hundreds of outfits for all sorts of animals and I’ve sewn thousands upon thousands of items. During peak production, I’ve had six seamstresses. Both my children have lent their helping hands too. In 2006 I moved to the Pacific Northwest where I currently work as a teacher.  Designing and making things continues to absorb my interest as I explore new media, subjects and forms.