We were lucky to catch up with Sabrina Simon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sabrina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve spent countless hours perfecting the patterns for my products. Trying something and then testing it out and making adjustments as needed. It’s always interesting to see how things evolve the more I sew it. My main focus is always can you wash it, does it make life easier or solve a problem and is it cute? I love trying new things and getting feedback on how to improve them or if it’s something that people will use or want. I’ve watched many YouTube videos for tips and tricks on how to sew some of the more difficult fabrics. My most recent challenge has been how to increase production. As a team of one, it is a challenge but I invested in an industrial sewing machine and learned how to batch things to be more efficient.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, I’m Sabrina Simon, Owner and Maker of Green Squirrel Studio LLC. I fell in love with fabric long before I learned how to sew. I jumped at the chance to make a quilt with my Grandma Simon when I was 18. I selected a colorful paisley print and we paired it with alternating rows of solid colors at a diagonal for the pattern. My main job was to cut the fabric and then iron the seams on the rows. I won’t lie I wasn’t super great at it, but I loved the artistry of making something functional. As we worked, my Grandma gave me tips and advice for when I made a quilt on my own and I use these today in my products.

I have three product collections: a Baby Collection, a Home Collection, and Accessories. The main thing that sets my products apart are the fabrics I use and my focus on functionality. The majority of my baby collection is made with cotton and Minky. Minky is extremely soft and absorbent; cleaning up the many messes that babies and kids make. I avoid overly babyish prints and I’m not afraid of bold colors. The UnPaper towels are made with cotton duck cloth and cotton terry chenille on the back. Functional and stylish, with no unfinished edges to unravel in the laundry. I think this is also what I’m most proud of. The time and energy spent making products I truly love and use.

It’s been a long journey starting this business. I’ve struggled with my self-confidence and have felt overwhelmed many times. Luckily, I have some amazing people in my life who’ve helped and encouraged me along the way. I honestly don’t know what I would do without their help. They’ve helped with everything from lint rolling and trimming products to helping set up and work at shows.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

One of the things I love about doing in-person events is meeting other makers and business owners. I love talking about what they create and purchasing from them. I think the most important thing people can do is get excited about handmade items. Find makers and business owners whose products you love and purchase them. I know we all have budgets and I completely understand that inflation is hurting everyone. Instead of buying from a big box retailer or focusing on getting a discount, focus on the quality and craftsmanship of handmade. If you can’t purchase something like, share and follow them on social media. Tell other people about them. There are lots of ways to support someone’s business and it means the world to those business owners.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect is being able to share something I love with other people. I’m proud of my products and I love seeing other people get excited about them. It’s almost as though I’m sharing a piece of myself, through my business and when someone connects with the product it means the world. I feel very lucky that I get to see people’s excitement in person and that I get to hear my family and friends talk about my products with other people. At the end of the day, I just want to make fun, functional products that are uniquely you.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.greensquirrelstudio.myshopify.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/greensquirrelstudio?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenSquirrelStudio?mibextid=ZbWKwL