Today, we’d like to introduce you to Sara Shiffrin. Sara was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Shelby St.clair.
Hi Sara, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
In many ways, I’m not entirely sure how I got started, because for as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with making things. I always wanted to learn anything that involved using my hands. Being an artist has always been a part of me, even before I had the words to explain it.
As a kid, I loved playing with dolls. I would cut and tape their clothes to make them more interesting. When I was in fourth grade, my sister taught me how to make a pillow using her sewing machine. That’s when something clicked. I started intuitively sewing clothes for my dolls, which planted the seed of wanting to become a fashion designer. From then on, I zigzagged through fashion and art, experimenting with all sorts of mediums, which eventually led me to fashion design school.
I attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and the more I learned, the more I fell in love with fashion. After finishing school, I began working as a handbag designer, and that’s when I feel my career truly began.
The reality of the fashion industry was tough. It was cutthroat and often lacked creative freedom, which led me to develop my own creative practice outside of work. I rediscovered my love for drawing, painting, and writing poetry. What started as a small personal practice to satisfy my creative needs has grown into something much more. Now, it’s a practice I document and share.
My goal is to create 1,000 pieces of artwork, each paired with a poem, over the course of my life. I think of it as a lifelong visual diary. As a bonus, I’ve even turned this into a side hustle, selling prints of my work along with products like mugs, t-shirts, and stickers.
Please talk to us about your creative work and career. What should we know?
My art and creative journey began with drawing and painting mandalas, but it has since evolved into a focus on bright colors and abstract shapes. That said, I still feel deeply inspired by mandalas, sacred geometry, and flowers. I’m very in tune with myself and my meditation practice, which influences my work. I often allow whatever needs to come out of me to flow freely, then later discover the meaning behind it and what I’m trying to express. Right now, I’m working on blending my love for art and fashion design. This has led me to give my website a bit of a makeover, but it will be back up by the end of the year. In the meantime, people can check out my work on Instagram, where I share my creative process and finished pieces. My handle is @sshiffy.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Shelby St.clair and Shelby St.clair & CO and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Shelby St.clair & CO.
Working with Shelby changed so much for me! It felt like she could see the potential in my work long before I could. That’s what’s so special about Shelby—she truly understands the importance of diving deep within yourself to break through whatever is holding you back. When we first started working together, I was embarrassed by my art, especially my poetry, and deeply uncomfortable sharing it. She helped me explore old memories that were keeping me stuck and guided me through releasing them.
Shelby also encouraged me to start small and gradually build confidence. One day, it felt like I woke up and I was just different. It’s funny to look back and remember a time when posting a new piece on Instagram made me want to hide under my bed. Now, sharing my work feels natural, and that’s really cool. Of course, I still have doubts and insecurities at times, but she gave me tools that I can always return to when those feelings arise.
I never thought of myself as a “businesswoman” and used to find that side of things overwhelming. Shelby broke it down in a way that was so digestible for someone like me, who is more focused on creativity. What I’m most grateful for is how genuinely she saw me and understood what I was trying to express. Her support for my work and growth was so real—you can’t fake that kind of thing.
She has a deeper understanding of life’s energies, and it’s such a gift. I also appreciated that she never pushed or tried to sell anything to me before I was ready. Her vibe is more like, “When you’re ready to go to the next level, I’m here to take you there.” I love that about her!
Website: sshiffy.com
Instagram: sshiffy
Other: TikTok: sshiffy