This week, the spotlight is on Sarah from The Stork House Prop Shop & Two Sparrows Boutique. Sarah is a 33 year old mother of two (Zack 4, and Sydney 2) and wife of almost 8 years. We asked Sarah to share a little bit about herself, take a look at what she had to say:
Sarah: I absolutely love to read, both fiction and non fiction. I'm reading a very cool novel right now, in parts, because I am editing, giving thoughts and constructive criticism to the author. This is her second novel. I thought this was super cool because I feel like I'm contributing to this author's creative process.
I also write poetry...although, where's the time anymore with two businesses and two kids? It's been a while.
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The Anastasia Bonnet by
The Stork House Prop Shop |
I love spinning yarn, and of course crocheting. My two Etsy shops are like hobbies because I love creating each piece. I don't feel like it's work, and I get a rush with each sale because it's validating that my creations are lovely in the eye of someone else.
MWL: What are your two business? Can you tell us a little about those and how they came about?
Sarah: I started my first business, called Two Sparrows Boutique, in 2012. I had been a stay at home mom for almost three years by then, and was feeling that I needed something that was just for me, that was mine, that was separate from me as a mother. I had crocheted as a girl, and loved it, but stopped long ago because crocheting as a teen was "uncool". I picked it up again in early 2012 and made a few items. My friends and family complimented my items and that put the idea in my head that maybe I should open an Etsy shop. So after lots of planning and creating, I opened my shop with a product line for women that includes hats, scarves, felted slippers, wraps, and other accessories.
I opened my second shop, The Stork House Prop Shop, in April of this year. I found myself looking at my kids' newborn photo albums a lot, and always loved the sweetness that the little hats and wraps added to those precious images. That is when I decided to open a shop that would offer newborn photo props. It was around the same time when I absolutely fell in love with handspun thick and thin yarn, so a lot of my pieces are made with specialty artisan fibers, some that purchase from others, but some of the yarn I spin myself!
MWL: What inspires you when you create?
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A sneak peek at Sarah's first
sari silk pixie |
Sarah: Oh gosh, this is a hard one. I'm inspired by how things make you feel, like chunky softness, or silky smooth, and I try to craft pieces around that feeling. I tend to love bright, fun colors, but I have to scale that back, especially for my newborn shop where I find people like more muted neutral or softer tones. I like to figure out how to put a twist on something classic. For instance, I felt wool and make slippers in my shop that sells women's accessories. One day I was in the middle of the felting process and I had an idea... bonnets are traditional newborn props, but I'd never seen a felted wool bonnet before - a new prop was born! Stemming from the same thought process is something that is in the works and almost complete. I love working with sari silk ribbon. It's unique and beautiful and I use it to embellish a lot of my props. I thought, why not make an entire bonnet out of sari silk ribbon - and so, here is a sneak peek of my very first sari silk pixie. The texture is amazing!
MWL: What is your favorite item that you've created?
Sarah: My favorite piece is the Anastasia Bonnet. It's a sweet little sweater knit bonnet, with a lovely tulle flower and brown satin ribbon ties. It's understated, but full of texture because of the little "pills" on the knit fabric. It's got an innocent, nostalgic vibe - reminiscent of the 30's.
MWL: Changing gears a little, your crafting space - OCD or organized chaos?
Sarah: My crafting space, GAH! Organized chaos for sure! I have a corner of our office as my crafting space for sewing. Crocheting usually happens on the sofa next to my hubby at night.
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| A peek into Sarah's crafting space! |
MWL: Name 3 things you'd like to have in your dream craft room.
Sarah: Lots of built-in space with bins to store my supplies.
A large work table with enough space to have multiple projects laid out at one time - I can't work on just one piece at a time.
An inspirational vibe, because my husband's Red Sox memorabilia just isn't cutting it! Something like this!
MWL: Oh all that is holy in the crafting world, this is gorgeous! Any crafters dream for sure!
MWL: Are there any crafts you'd like to learn how to do?
Sarah: I'd love to learn how to knit, but the multiple loops scare me! And I would love to learn more DIY stuff, such as refurbishing furniture, how to distress paint finishes, etc.
MWL: Do you have any vendor crushes?
Sarah: Yes, I do. I love the layer/tieback sets by Simplistic by Sondra, and I love No. 2 Willow Lane, they make the most stunning Victorian-esque bonnets.
Sarah has recently joined Made With Love, Props & More as a full time vendor. She is always bringing in new and fresh designs as well as her takes on the classics. She says, "it's important to make sure your props are crafted with quality materials and great care to ensure that they are well made. I'm ok with a small profit margin if I need to spend a little more on making sure that the quality is there." She takes great care in building relationships with customers so that they keep coming back, she does that by making certain her products are well made. "I don't cut corners, and I don't work quickly - I work diligently and carefully" she says. You'll want to make sure you follow her pages, The Stork House Prop Shop and Two Sparrows Boutique - we're excited to see what she comes up with next!
