Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Hakala.
Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am from San Antonio, Texas but I have been living in Austin for about five years. I moved here after I graduated from college and during a time where I was thinking more seriously about what I wanted to do with my life. I started taking some studio art and jewelry courses at ACC just for fun and it ended up really jumpstarting my creative process. I had just started to teach myself how to bead around the same time that my mother passed away very unexpectedly. It was the worst time in my life, and I really dove into beading as a way to cope with my grief. My Mom was always very supportive of me and she is who empowers me to continue following my dreams. I have no business background, so the transition from creating for fun to running a business had a huge learning curve. But being able to work for myself and spend my time doing what I love is so rewarding that it makes all the boring stuff totally worth it. I look forward to becoming a more capable small business owner and continuing to improve at my craft. I make every single piece myself by hand and I love to experiment so most pieces are one of a kind. I think that makes every piece more special, and it allows me to evolve a little with each completed work. I’ve gotten the privilege of working with other local businesses, shout out Passport Vintage and Damn Glam, that I admire and I have been able to connect with a community of creatives both IRL at local markets and online. I am really just thankful to have found my home with beading.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest challenge I face is taking time for myself. Honestly, 90% of my thoughts are bead-related, I just really love it and there’s no shortage of ideas to try out or business tasks to get done. I’m definitely guilty of creating unrealistic expectations for myself, it’s a balancing act that I’m getting better at.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make hand-beaded accessories, home goods, really anything I can think up. I think I am best known for my bags, cardholders, and lighter cases. I’ve been making them for about two years now. I think what sets me apart from others is my range within beading. I use different types of weaves, different shapes and sizes of beads, and overall many different patterns, styles, shapes, and colors in my work. I am most proud of the variety in the things I have made and that people familiar with my work are able to identify it as mine from a glance. There’s an undefined but understood style/look that I think ties all of my work together.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are making tamales with my family every Christmas Eve.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@sarahhakala.com
- Website: sarahhakala.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahhakalamademe/
Image Credits
sarah hakala
