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.
Architecture
November 7, 2025

Traditional Greek Fisherman’s Shelter Reimagined as Chic Seaside Escape

Sitting on the coast of Milos, Greece, stands a type of structure that’s been around for centuries. Known as sirma, this traditional building from ancient Cycladic culture (circa 3300 to 1100 BCE) was essentially a cave dwelling with a built facade. The style housed a fisherman’s boat during the winter before gradually becoming a temporary place for them to stay.

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Creative Products
November 6, 2025

MoMA and Mattel Reimagine Classic Toys and Games With an Artist-Inspired Twist

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and toymaker Mattel are two powerhouse brands, albeit known for different things. MoMA is the home of thought-provoking modern and contemporary art, and Mattel is the umbrella under which brands like Barbie, UNO, and Hot Wheels exist. Now, the two have come together in an incredible five-year partnership to create products inspired by one another.

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Creative Products
October 31, 2025

22 Cacti-Centric Products That Creatively Celebrate the Prickly Plant

Do you consider yourself crazy for cacti? If so, you’re not alone. It seems like everyone else loves prickly pears and saguaros just as much as you do, and this plant variety is celebrated on products of all kinds. Now, it’s easier than ever to outfit your home in cactus decor and accessorize your wardrobe with it, too. From tea towels to curtains to cookie cutters, you can find cacti in many ways.

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Store
October 31, 2025

25 Art Gifts That Practicing Artists and Creative Enthusiasts Will Love

What are your earliest memories of art? Perhaps you recall scribbling on your walls with a marker or decorating your prized coloring book in a rainbow of hues. Whatever your experiences were, it’s safe to say that your life has been touched by art—even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person. And you're not alone; this is why art gifts are some of the most unique presents you can give someone.

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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.