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.
Crafts
October 3, 2023

37 Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Creatively Celebrate the Spookiest Time of Year

The Halloween season is upon us, and that means pumpkin carving is right around the corner. Now is the time to decide on your yearly jack-‘o-lantern design. There's always the classic motif of triangle eyes, a nose, and crooked teeth; but throughout the years, artists have shown us the amazing possibilities that can be achieved with a big imagination, the right tools, and a few handy tricks for how to handle the insides.

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History
September 8, 2023

Salvaged ‘Survivors’ Staircase’ Is a Symbol of Salvation for Those Who Fled 9/11 Attacks

A set of stairs known as the Survivors’ Staircase are part of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City. The granite and concrete staircase didn’t originate in the museum, though. Originally an outdoor set of stairs, they were vital to the evacuation of people fleeing from the attacks on the World Trade Center towers in 2001. The Survivors’ Staircase was connected to the northern edge of World Trade Center’s Austin J.

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Embroidery
August 14, 2023

Embroidery Artists Are Using a Needle and Thread to “Paint” Gorgeous Stitched Art

The art of hand embroidery has many techniques for stitching designs onto fabric. Just like approaches you’d find in drawing, there are a variety of ways to create images in thread that range from stylized to lifelike. For those that want to incorporate realistic imagery or the feeling of movement into their stitching, thread painting is the technique to use.   What is the thread painting craft?

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Jewelry
July 30, 2023

23 Pieces of Polymer Clay Jewelry That Are Tiny Wearable Sculptures

A great accessory is one of the easiest ways to express who you are. From quirky scarves to artsy socks, there are a lot of opportunities to customize your wardrobe—and we can’t forget jewelry! Depending on the materials, however, these accessories can break the bank. But thanks to jewelry made from polymer clay, you can wear stylish creations that are at an affordable price point. So, what is polymer clay?

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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.