Meet Our Founder
Karen's Journey
Our Mission
We believe in transforming waste into beauty. Every bag we create is handmade from repurposed and recycled fabrics, offering a functional and sustainable alternative to single-use plastics. Each piece tells a story of renewal, creativity, and care for the planet.
Meet Karen Guzak
Karen Guzak is an artist, yogi, and community leader who has spent her life weaving together creativity and service. Her art career spans painting, printmaking, and public art, with exhibitions both in the U.S. and internationally.
Beyond the studio, Karen has served as the Mayor of Snohomish and is the founder of Green Snohomish, where she championed environmental awareness and sustainable practices. During COVID and beyond, she dedicated herself to sewing over 1,600 tote bags from reclaimed fabric—embracing the role of “the bag lady of Snohomish.”
Meet Warner Blake
Alongside Karen is her husband, Warner Blake—a writer, historian, and partner in both life and creativity. Warner’s passion for local history led to his book Early Snohomish, as well as years of essays and columns documenting the town’s evolving story. His thoughtful preservation of history complements Karen’s forward-looking vision of art and sustainability.
A Life of Shared Purpose
Together, Karen and Warner lovingly renovated the historic St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Snohomish, transforming it into AngelArmsWorks, their home and creative studio. This unique space reflects their shared commitment to art, history, community, and sustainability.
Their lives remind us of Rumi’s words: “Let the beauty you love be what you do.” Every brushstroke, every written page, and every handmade bag reflects that guiding principle.
About the Studio
Our creations come to life at AngelArmsWorks, a historic church reimagined as a space for art and community.