Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Baer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Sarah 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?

For me it started with curiosity, but the real progress came from doing the research and experimenting on my own. Botanical dyeing has such a rich history, and there’s an abundance of information out there. To start, I turned to books to learn how to grow or forage local plants that would give me the colors I wanted, and then adapted those techniques to make them my own. I like to say I have a “brown thumb,” but oddly enough, that’s probably what helped me succeed. Living in a suburban area with a dry climate and lots of wildlife, I’ve had to rely on the plants that can survive here. Those resilient plants have become the foundation of my dyeing process. The bag construction and design aspect has been an ongoing process of trial and error. I am continually adapting designs to make them more sustainable, long lasting and more functional.

I have a very high standard when it comes to quality and always aim for perfection in my work. But when you’re working with plant-based dyes, things don’t always go according to plan. Reproducing specific colors or effects can be a real challenge. Over time, though, I’ve learned to embrace the unpredictability of it all. Rather than trying to control every outcome, I’ve come to appreciate the uniqueness that each piece brings. The imperfections are part of the beauty of working with nature. The construction of the bags is where I can have the most control.

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

It all started with knitting. When I first began knitting, hand-dyed yarn was gaining popularity, but I found that the colors being produced didn’t always align with my aesthetic. So, I thought, “Why not try it myself?” I started by buying undyed skeins and growing dye plants in my backyard. The results were satisfying, but I quickly learned that wool fibers are sensitive to heat, so I switched to cotton fabric, which is much more forgiving in the dyeing process.

Once I had a stack of uniquely dyed fabric, I needed to make something with it. I started combining the hand-dyed fabric with repurposed textiles, scraps from past projects, and fabric gifted to me by friends and family. I sewed simple bags and totes, and from there, my designs began to evolve.

Even now, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of the dye world. There’s always something new to discover about what colors I can pull from different natural materials, and that curiosity keeps me motivated to keep learning. My background in biology has definitely come in handy, especially with the chemistry and math involved in the dyeing process.

The design and construction of my bags continues to evolve. Today, I focus on creating casual, functional bags in small batches, using canvas that I hand-dye myself. Because dyeing fabric is a slow process, I often combine it with repurposed or secondhand textiles when I can. I also incorporate high-quality fabrics and durable hardware that can be washed and repaired, ensuring each bag lasts and ages beautifully over time.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really illustrates my resilience happened when I first started Baer Built. I had no formal business training, and at the time, I was also coaching high school cross country and track. Juggling both roles made progress feel slow, and there were moments when I questioned whether it was worth the time and effort.

But I was determined to keep going, even if it meant taking small steps. When the pandemic hit and sports were shut down, I found myself with more time to focus on the business. This was a turning point. I spent most of my time working on dyeing and design techniques, but needed to start working on other aspects of the business. With a lot of research and asking questions I overcame some major obstacles, like building a website. I sought out support from others that were more skilled in photography, design, and graphic design, areas where I had struggled, and this gave me the push I needed to move forward.

Looking back, I’m grateful for that period. It taught me the power of persistence—how important it is to keep moving forward, even when progress feels slow or uncertain. That resilience has been a key part of building Baer Built and keeping me motivated when there is a new problem to solve.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The connections I make with other creatives and small business owners are so rewarding. Encouraging and supporting other artists and their work and in return feeling supported by people who appreciate my work can really make a difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://baerbuilt.com
• Instagram: @sarahbaerbuilt

Image Credits

Olivia Baer