About Angel Arms Works

Angel Arms Works is where creativity, sustainability, history, and handmade craftsmanship come together.

Founded by Karen Guzak and Warner Blake, Angel Arms Works creates one-of-a-kind tote bags from a thoughtful mix of reclaimed, donated, recycled, and thrifted fabrics. Each bag is handmade with care and designed to give existing materials a new purpose.

Our Mission

We believe useful materials deserve more than one life. Our goal is to transform reclaimed and recycled fabrics into beautiful, functional tote bags that are made to be used and enjoyed.

Many of the fabrics we use are donated, while others are sourced from thrift stores and other places where existing materials can be given a second life. We also use purchased materials, including linings, thread, and zippers, to create durable, well-crafted bags.

Meet Karen Guzak

Karen Guzak is an artist, yogi, and community leader whose creative career spans painting, printmaking, and public art, with exhibitions in the United States and internationally.

She has also served as the Mayor of Snohomish and founded Green Snohomish, where she advocated for environmental awareness and sustainable practices. During COVID and beyond, Karen sewed more than 1,600 tote bags from reclaimed fabric, earning the affectionate title of “the bag lady of Snohomish.”

Meet Warner Blake

Karen is joined by her husband, Warner Blake, a writer, historian, and creative partner. Warner’s passion for local history led to his book Early Snohomish, along with years of essays and columns documenting the town’s evolving story.

Together, Karen and Warner bring their shared appreciation for creativity, history, and craftsmanship to Angel Arms Works.

Our Home and Studio

Angel Arms Works is based in a former church in Snohomish, which Karen and Warner have transformed into their home and creative studio.

Today, this distinctive space is where ideas take shape and handmade creations come to life. The building’s history remains part of its character, while its new purpose reflects Karen and Warner’s shared vision for art, creativity, and sustainable making.

Read more about the studio here.