Meet an Artist Day // Sara Freisberg



Hi, Everyone!

      I am so excited to introduce you to Sara Freisberg. I got to know Sara after admiring her Etsy shop (Tangled Happy) and e-mailing her about her work. Sara is a talented wife, mom, and crochet artist from Topeka, Kansas. She is passionate about creating beautiful things with yarn and hook. Sara also loves to inspire others to create.

     I hope you enjoy this interview. When you're done reading, please take a moment to check out Sara's Etsy shop and blog. If you enjoy crocheting or are looking for the perfect gift for a friend who does, consider buying one of Sara's amazing, affordable crochet patterns!
 

Jane's Tangled Headwrap Headband/Earwarmer Crochet Pattern HERE 





Infinity Scarf/Cowl Crochet Pattern HERE

You are extremely gifted in creating crochet patterns. What got you started on your creative path?

A few years ago on my birthday my friend gave me a gift card. With that card I bought a learn to crochet book. I read the book cover to cover, made all six projects and fell in love with crochet.

Who/What inspires your work?

Soon after I learned to crochet I discovered the blogosphere. It was colorful, inspiring, and a bit addictive... I'm continually inspired by many amazingly talented creative bloggers. Tangled Happy was initially created as a way to keep track of patterns and inspiring people I came across online. Have a quick browse around my blog and it won't take long to see what and who inspires me.

What advice would you offer to young creators?

Follow your passion, read inspiring books, find a mentor and make a point to connect with other artist locally and online. Most importantly... Take small action steps everyday toward your goals. These small steps will eventually turn into giant leaps in the direction you want to go.

How would you describe your studio or work area?
My husband and I share a work space in our home. We turned one tiny bedroom into an office for the two of us. My little space is currently surrounded by stacks of granny squares a few books and a little stash of my favorite yarn. I have a sticky note obsession and tend to keep track of my creative thoughts on these tiny pieces of paper that conveniently stick on the wall above my desk. I think this obsession drives my husband a little crazy but thankfully he tolerates what I call creative chaos.

Which of your patterns has been the most successful?
The Granny Stripe Boutique Bag is hands down my most popular pattern. It was the very first crochet pattern I had ever written and it's FREE! Since then there have been lots more Tangled Happy designs and I hope there will be lots more in 2013.

Did the success of your store come quickly or slowly? Both! I am a wife and mom to three girls. I also work outside our home 20 to 40 hours a week. Design time is limited to free time I find mostly in the late evening. So, although it seems like the store is growing slowly I have been amazed at how many sales I have had with only a handful of patterns for sale.

Do you recommend Etsy as a platform for beginning artists?
I do recommend Etsy as a platform for beginning artists! Etsy is a great place to share your art and be inspired by other artists. With a bit of SEO research and a small following Etsy makes it really easy for artists to share and sell their designs.

Is selling your patterns on Etsy a full-time or part-time job?Selling pattern on Esty is a part-time job that I hope to turn into a full-time job in 2013.

What are your goals for the future of your creations and store?
To create, inspire others to create and continue a journey creating a life I love.

Fun Kansas Trivia Questions: (Many of my {Gabrielle} relatives are from Kansas, so my family and I travel to Kansas frequently. When I learned that Sara is from Topeka, KS, I couldn't resist sneaking in a few Kansas trivia questions.)

Kansas State Game rules prevent the use of what animals to hunt ducks?
We should know this one considering my husband has been duck hunting a time or two. Our best guess... Live decoys? Correct Answer: Mules

What element was discovered in 1905 at the University of Kansas?
Umm... I really have no idea? Correct Answer: Helium

The world’s largest ball of ____ can be found in Cawker City, Kansas.
Yarn! Correct!

What is the official state bird of Kansas?
This one was easy... There's a giant statue of our state bird smack dab in the middle of our city. It's the Meadowlark. Correct!

Granny Stripe Messenger Bag Crochet Pattern HERE