Posts by Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
Sculpture
May 17, 2019

This Amazing Artist Recreates Exotic Birds as Lifelike Paper Sculptures

Artist Diana Beltran Herrera pays homage to all types of birds by meticulously rendering our feathered friends as paper sculptures. For years, we have marveled over her ability to translate birds' beautiful plumage and their majestic wingspans into faux creatures who, at first glance, look like the real thing. Herrera’s lifelike paper flock features birds of all shapes and sizes, from the majestic salmon-crested cockatoo to the fluttering violet-crowned woodnymph.

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Creative Products
May 10, 2019

10+ Stylish Bookends to Add a Creative Touch to an Ordinary Bookshelf

A bookend might sound like an unnecessary piece of decor, but have you ever tried to arrange your shelf without one? Getting a collection of books to stand upright is hard to do without one of these handy pieces of decor. Luckily, designers everywhere are making creative bookends that are both practical and add statement-making style to your home. Clever bookends go beyond their design to transform a shelf into a playful scene.

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DIY
May 4, 2019

15+ DIY Dress Patterns Offering a Creative Way to Get in Style for Spring

The changing seasons have everyone itching to switch out their wardrobe. If you’re someone who likes to refresh your outfits—but don't want to break the bank—we have a budget-friendly solution that will get your creative juices flowing. Try DIY sewing patterns! There is no shortage of stylish garments, particularly dresses, that look like high-end designer frocks for a fraction of the cost.

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History
April 30, 2019

Beautiful Tibetan Musical Notations Visualize the Rise and Falls of Buddhist Chants

Musical notations can go far beyond what is indicated on the page. For Tibetan Buddhists, these figures have religious importance that represent sacred sounds and ceremonies that have been passed along for generations. Visually beautiful, the sweeping notations help to shape their rituals by offering other forms of devotions, ways to ward off “feral spirits,” as well as summon divine figures.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.