We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Butler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’ve always been happy with my life but there is something about being an artist that feels, freeing. Before I started my business in 2021, I was a Social Worker. I worked with individuals that suffer with Substance Use Disorders, something that will always hold a special place in my heart. I worked from home for awhile during the pandemic. I was actually pregnant right before the pandemic started and my husband bought me a Cricut as a push present. He thought it would be a creative outlet while working from home. He created a monster with this machine and Galactic Sapphire was born. I decided to take my small business full time in August 2021 and it was one of the happiest decisions I’ve made.

I do think about what life would be like working a 9-5, whether it was a Social Work job or a different one. Would I be as creative as I am now? Would I be as happy? Would I push myself the way I do now? I don’t think so. Being a small business owner tests your limits, motivation and patience in a way that doesn’t feel like work. I call it “work” but it doesn’t feel that way most days. I’ve always been a crafter. I take after my mom in that way. I would craft with her as she would make gifts for my teachers at school, Christmas ornaments, random crafts, and basic arts and crafts time. It’s one of my favorite past times and doing this for a living makes me feel closer to her.

Being happier as an artist for me has a deeper meaning. It allows me to be at home with my son every day. I don’t miss any moments and he loves to be included and be creative. Being a mompreneur is my favorite part of the “job.” I couldn’t do this without my husband either, he really is the backbone of my business journey and biggest supporter. His belief in me allows me to dream even bigger.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m Sarah! Born and raised in Michigan. My cricut machine was purchased as a hobby, to make things here and there during the pandemic and after my son was born. (My son also has a name that you won’t find on keychains and keepsakes, so my cricut solved that problem.) After about a year, I started Galactic Sapphire. I began to enjoy what I was making, at that time I was really focused in on faux leather earrings and wristlets. I really enjoy crafting/making holiday themed items, especially Halloween. Halloween is my favorite holiday and time of year. I mainly created holiday themed items and launched them during those times. Business was good but it wasn’t what I hoped it’d be.

My second Halloween as a business owner rolled around (which is really June/July in the retail/craft world) and I couldn’t contain my excitement for the products I was making. My husband and I’s number one rule with this business was to “make things that make me happy.” I realized I liked what I was making before but I didn’t love it and it could probably show as I marketed my products. In August, my rebrand happened. Galactic Sapphire was now a Halloween 365, spooky, celestial, and magical small business.

There had to be other people like me right? Halloween and a spooky aesthetic 365, right? Yes! My passion really beamed through my products with my spooky launch in August and it hasn’t stopped since. There are many of us out there (Halloween 365 businesses) but it solved a problem for the spooky people at heart that really shine during September/October. You could find spooky and whimsical items all year, unlike big box stores.

I’m so proud of the rebrand, honestly it feels like it’s been this way since the beginning. I still make holiday themed items during those times but most products will have a tone of mystical, celestial, magical and spooky. I can’t forget my fellow moms either. I make mama, cat mom and dog mom items too!

I make/press everything by hand, myself. I couldn’t be more proud to share my handmade art with you all. Currently, I carry handcrafted drinkware, apparel, and accessories for the spooky, whimsical and spooky at heart.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing your art be loved, appreciated and shared. Today, a social media presence is key for an online business. Every like, share, comment and save truly makes a difference to small businesses. To see my art being viewed hundreds or even thousands of times, liked and saved can be surreal. It gives us as artists validation, even when we don’t need the “superficial” likes, follows, and views. They can be important for the business in regards to being suggested or recommended to someone else’s page which builds a following and can lead to more sales. It can also be detrimental to our mental health when it dips. It’s important to stay consistent and show up, even if you are “only” showing it to 10 people. I say “only” lightly. As artists, we can get discouraged when social media views plummet (am I right?). But think about it, if you were public speaking about your art and 10 people are standing in front of you telling you they love it, you would be astounded. Once I read that, I realized that I show up for my business, myself and my art because whoever likes, comments, shares and saves are your people.

When you shop from a small business that person really does do a little dance when each order comes in and that person is always me.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are so many! You hear about starting your own business books, business mindset books, etc. But it can be hard to find resources that target building a social media following when your an artist, knowing your worth, how to price your products, etc. Building an online brand, in a semi post pandemic world is hard. So many people started a hobby turned business in 2020, me being one of them a year later. There is more competition now then there was in 2020. I follow a few social media managers on Instagram who share tips for free and also have online courses and subscriptions with exclusive insight. I’ve listened to a few podcasts targeted toward Etsy sellers (Grow My Etsy Shop being my favorite) and I really learned a lot regarding SEO, listings, etc.

It’s hard to know what, where and when to invest in your business and I believe it’s something that you realize as you learn more about your brand and yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: Galacticsapphireco.com
• Instagram: Galacticsapphire
• Facebook: Galactic Sapphire
• Other: Tik Tok- Galacticsapphire