CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

CdM Founder of Simple Peace Bags a Martha Stewart Contest Finalist

DeAnna Reposa dropped her youngest child at Harbor Day School this morning for the first day of class and headed for home, sad that summer was over and wondering how she would fill her day.

Then she opened her email and discovered she was a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made contest, one of 100 entrepreneurs chosen from across the country, for her Simple Peace shopping bags.

“I am so excited,” Reposa said this afternoon. “I’m not very good at tooting my own horn, but I’m proud of myself. I love the product.”

Reposa began her quest for reusable, pure shopping bags — eventually founding Simple Peace and creating the bags herself. Today, the bags are made in Santa Ana and are sold on her website as well as in high-end groceries and shops like Fred Segel and Barney’s.

The Martha Stewart contest “will honor 10 American Makers and one Audience Choice winner — creative entrepreneurs who are making products that are innovative, inspiring, and beautiful,” according to the contest website. “These small-business owners will be honored at the American Made event in New York City and will be featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine.”

Reposa said she heard about the contest and entered months ago (entries closed late last month) and then more or less forgot about it. Today, she learned she was one of 100 finalists chosen from 2,000 entries. Beginning today, voters can go online and select their favorites, with voting ending on Sept. 24. The winner should by notified on Oct. 8, the contest website states.

The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to New York City and a $10,000 grant.

Reposa said she spent hours today, sending emails to friends and using Facebook and Twitter to ask voters to choose Simple Peace from among products that include baby boots, jams, candies, dog outfits, paper crafts and more. Voters can vote once per day per email; to see all the entries and to vote, click here. Currently, the leader has 245 votes, and Simple Peace bags have 82.

Now that she’s a finalist, Reposa said she hopes she can get the votes to win.

“I’ve been happily and quietly under the radar,” she said. “”But it’s nice to be finally recognized.”

Photo courtesy of Simple Peace.