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.
Embroidery
May 31, 2018

How Embroidered Clothing Transforms Ordinary Outfits Into Wearable Works of Art

Embroidered clothing can take regular garments from being ordinary to extraordinary. Hand embroidery, in particular, can customize solid-color clothing and turn basic silhouettes into wearable art. The possibilities are endless; by stitching bunches of flowers on a tank top, you can literally wear a bouquet on your body. Likewise, you can craft whimsical fashions when you sew creatures that seemingly run amok over a t-shirt.

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Creative Products
May 27, 2018

Star Wars Inspired Death Star Fire Pits Are Handcrafted With the Force

With the buzz still surrounding the latest Star Wars film and the anticipation of long summer nights, KG Metal Firepits (formally Farmington Firepits) unites the two in a playfully unexpected way. They've created a Death Star-inspired fire pit that roasts delicious s'mores while paying homage to the epic movie franchise–especially the unforgettable scene where this planet-destroying weapon is annihilated.

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Resources
May 24, 2018

25+ Imaginative Sketching Prompts to Help You Beat Creative Block

Have you ever opened your sketchbook with every intent to draw… but then you can’t think of what to sketch? Don’t worry—it happens to even the most seasoned professionals. Although creative block is real, it doesn’t have to be debilitating. To overcome this slump, it’s best to have some easy sketch ideas in your mental queue so that you can start drawing without missing a beat.

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Photography
May 18, 2018

Pilot Reveals How Dramatic Thunderstorms Look From Above the Clouds

The sights from 32,000 feet in the air are amazing. From that distance, you’re above the clouds and can watch the weather from an extreme bird’s-eye view. While it’s now common to snap a photo of the clouds from your seat, pilot and photographer Christiaan van Heijst does one better with his view from the cockpit. His cloud and weather photography features expansive glimpses of thunderstorms, sunrises, and the Northern lights.

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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.