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.
December 17, 2023

16 New Year’s Resolution Ideas for Creative People To Make in 2024

Every year, people declare their New Year's resolutions and are determined to make the coming 365 days their best yet. Many think about hitting the gym or getting their finances in order. But as a creative person, you might have different goals. If you’re struggling with what to focus on in 2024, we’ve got New Year's resolution ideas that artists, photographers, designers, and crafters can easily adopt.

Read Article


November 4, 2023

2023 Guide to Creative Christmas Ornaments So You Can Trim Your Tree in Style

Trimming the tree is an important part of Christmas decor. These small tokens that hang on the branches offer an unconventional form of personal expression. By incorporating specific ornaments into the overall decoration, you can create a customized tree that celebrates who you are and the memories you’ve made over time. Baubles are a popular way to trim a tree, but they are far from the most creative. Almost anything can be an ornament!

Read Article



August 19, 2023

How the Memphis Movement Went Against “Good Taste” To Inspire Designers Today

Trends are cyclical, and it seems that even the most outrageous ones find a way of coming back in vogue. Memphis design, a style synonymous with the 1980s, is one example of how a movement that, in the early aughts, would’ve seemed ridiculous is now back in style among influencers and tastemakers. Once called “a shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price,” Memphis design is now taken seriously by the design community.

Read Article