The Kansas Creative

In June 2012, Sarah Ash opened Sarahendepity, a sweet little boutique in Lindsborg offering unique handmade and vintage items.   And she doesn’t just curate the shop–she also contributes to its stock with her own beautiful metal and upcycled jewelry pieces, which are created in the studio space at the back of the shop.

I had the pleasure of visiting Sarahendepity, located at 132 1/2 N. Main in Lindsborg, KS, but unfortunately missed Sarah that day.  (She also happens to be a farmer and was in the throes of this year’s early wheat harvest at the time!)  However, I was able to catch up with her via the interwebs, and she told me a little about herself…

“I grew up south and east of Wichita in a small town named Douglass, Kansas.  In college, I met my husband and we moved to Lindsborg, Kansas, so that we could start farming.  I finished my degree in business administration at McPherson College.”

Though she has always been a crafty person, she didn’t start creating jewelry until relatively recently:

“I worked in an office for many years but always felt like I needed to be home with my family.  So, after quitting my day job and finding Etsy, I thought it was a perfect fit for me.  Since March 29, 2009, I have been selling my jewelry and antiques full time on Etsy.  My shops […] helped me launch my new brick and mortar store, Sarahendepity [which] is a combination of my antique collection and my handmade jewelry.  Plus, I have incorporated many other talented Etsy artists whom I have met since 2009.”

Sarah’s creativity doesn’t stop with jewelry, though.  She says, “My mom always thought I was a ‘Martha Stewart’ of sorts.  In addition to jewelry making I dabble in knitting, crochet, and sewing.  I am mostly self taught, though I do take workshops and classes whenever I can, and I read lots of books and magazines.  When I first started jewelry making, I made a lot of beaded pieces, but soon found metalwork and never turned back.  I enjoy playing with fire and making my own designs out of sterling silver.  All of my bracelets start out as a plain sheet of metal which I cut and shape myself, then I etch a design or I stamp quotes into the copper, brass, or nickel silver. I hand-dye all of my own leather.  Many of my pieces contain pieces of found objects.  I like to upcycle as much as I possibly can, and it makes the pieces even more unique!  I use quality materials in everything that I make and take special care to ensure that each piece of jewelry will last through the years.”

If you’re in Lindsborg, stop by and say hello to Sarah!  And if you’re not in Lindsborg, you can say hello to her on facebook or check out her online shops: Sarah Anntiques and Que Sarah Sera.