Posts by Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
Photography
December 2, 2014

Oddly Charming Photos of How Teddy Bears Look Turned Inside Out

As a kid (or even as an adult), you probably had/have a favorite stuffed animal. Maybe it was one that you always slept with, or it was even your best friend. If you were ever curious what that creature's insides looked like, well, wonder no more. Brooklyn-based photographer Kent Rogowski turned stuffed animals inside out and revealed their inner workings for his series titled Bears. The results are simultaneously fascinating and strange.

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Design
November 22, 2014

Infographic Visualizes Which Countries are the World's Happiest

Which country is the happiest in the world? To find the answer, you simply need to look at this infographic published by MoveHub.com, a resource for people who want to live abroad. They visualized the data of Happy Planet Index (HPI), which shows to what extent 151 countries across the globe produce long, happy, and sustainable lives for their citizens. The index measures three components: life expectancy, experience well-being, and Ecological Footprint.

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Creative Products
November 15, 2014

Custom-Built BBQ Smoker Looks and Sounds like a Real Train

Steve, a retired iron worker from northern Illinois, is taking backyard barbecuing to the next level, and custom built himself a large smoker over the course of three years. But, this isn't just your average piece of equipment – it's one that looks like an old-fashioned steam engine! Reddit user DrewCIL, Steve's son, originally posted about the video on the site, and people have understandably been very impressed with his dad's handiwork.

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Design
November 7, 2014

Unique Flooring Made with Vintage Leather Belts

If you're looking for something that's more original than wood or carpet flooring, well, Inghua Ting has it. Her company is called Ting, and it reuses vintage and reclaimed leather belts and turns them into a unique home decor treatment. They reside on floors, are fashioned into rugs, and are even featured as interior accents for walls, stairs, and doors. Better yet, using these specially-collected belts means that no two pieces are ever the same.

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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.