We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Indian-born artist Sowmya Parigi. She creates hand-painted, eco-friendly jute handbags, wine caddies, diaper bags and more, available online at her website SVA Creations.

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Merle OBrien, the Aspen, Colorado-based designer behind a line of eco handbags called OlovesM, which were recently handed out to celebs attending the Sundance Film Festival. These fashionable and environmentally friendly bags feature predominantly recycled materials, including a snazzy sport/diaper bag made from repurposed yoga mats.

How did you get started as a designer? I was in yoga class and the idea for my bags just popped into my head, so I ran off my mat and started doing a ton of research, and cut and sewed a lot of prototypes until I figured it out. I am one of those people who is always thinking about ideas, and some seem to work, while others just help me learn more do's and dont's about business!!

I have a confession to make.

I am absolutely fascinated with diaper bags, and I don't even have a baby!

The reason is that diaper bags actually make for amazingly handy laptop bags. They are usually padded, and have plenty of compartments for all those wily wires and cords. They are also infintely more interesting than the hundreds upon hundreds of black nylon laptop bags I see all the time. Best of all, diaper bags are big. However, for a real mommy, a diaper bag can be a pain in the butt because they are so big. They're not carrying a 1.5 lb laptop, they've got a screaming squirming little live monster in their arms.

Bella Fiore Couture makes the Diaper Clutch, a stylish and sleek answer to the oversized diaper bag. The diaper clutch is roomy enough to carry diapers, wipes, and the clutch itself unfolds into a changing mat. Add to that a choice of some pretty patterns (I like the plum scroll) and you've got yourself a great little bag.

Of course, I have no idea how a laptop would fit in there.