Have you noticed an increase in the number of crafters expressing an interest in making their own bags?
While most of the people who contact me tend to be more fascinated with jewellery-making, the demand, interest and general exposure of handmade bags has certainly grown in recent times. However, it is still nowhere near as high as we would like it to be.

What are the most popular colours, textures, materials, patterns and shapes?
When it comes to bags, I generally find that anything goes, and that includes everything from decadent leather clutches, to hand screened trompe l’oeil shoppers. When choosing which bags to sell on the site, I look for items with unique decorative touches that demonstrate great attention to detail and have been made using only the most beautiful and unusual materials.

Are any new or unusual materials or types of crafts being incorporated into designs?
Screen printing is becoming increasingly popular in bag-making, as are a range of more old-fashioned-looking accessories, such as vintage trimmings and buttons.

Who do you think handmade bags tend to appeal to?
There seems to have been a real shift towards the craft market over the past few years and consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of supporting smaller, homegrown businesses and keeping money in their local communities. Handmade accessories, and ones that appear as though they have been created by hand, have generally become very fashionable and this has inevitably filtered through to the bag market, seeing a growing number of crafters attempt to create their own. What's more, bags are now viewed very much as an essential part of any girl's wardrobe, and can often say as much about an individual and their personality, as their clothes do.

How can craft shop owners keep up with the latest bag-related trends?
The key is to keep a close eye on everything your customers are using, wearing and enquiring after, ensuring you take note of any new or interesting patterns. Independent clothing outlets, fashion magazines and high street retailers are also a great way of gauging what is likely to be the next big thing.

What do you think of the market at the moment?
Fortunately, it appears to be thriving and crafts are definitely becoming more mainstream. There are now more outlets than ever for crafts people to sell their wares, and we are seeing more and more craft-related marketplaces establishing themselves alongside the bigger brands, on the internet, as well as the high street.

How do you think the category will evolve over the next five years?
The internet has made it far easier for crafts people and independent designers to showcase their products to a wider audience and therefore compete with some of the bigger businesses on the market. Although the trend for handmade goods is still just emerging, I think it will last far longer than many of the other fashions we have seen over the past year – largely due to the huge following it has developed on the internet.

While I think the demand for all things handmade will continue to thrive online, I believe that, as the recession finally draws to a close and commercial rents begin to become more manageable, we will also see a resurgence of smaller, independent craft shops – something which will only generate further interest in the area and strengthen the position of the sector.

Rachael Lamb owns online retail store Hannah Zakari. For more information about her designs, please visit http://www.hannahzakari.co.uk