What is your name?
Sarah Wachowski
What is the name of your business?
S.J. Handbags
Where can customers follow your work?
Instagram | Facebook
How did you end up in Buffalo? Are you a Buffalo native?
WNY native….live in Cheektowaga and love the Buffalove here in Buffalo
How did you become a ShopCraft member?
Found ShopCraft on Instagram and fell in love with the ideas and messages that this collective has.
In what way(s) is your work and/or lifestyle environmentally friendly?
I LOVE to recycle and reuse! I use vegan leather which is animal and environmentally friendly.
I am proud to use vegan leather, it often surpasses its animal counterparts when it comes to its waterproofing nature and even uniformity of color. Vegan leather offers a wider aesthetic scope then actual leather and its manufacturing is no more harmful to the environment than real leather; while not harming animals.
We also up-cycle old garments to help utilize the mammoth volume of waste filling our landfills (here in the United States as well as across the globe.) But if we’re being honest, up cycling gets our creative juices flowing ensuring a one of a kind design that we all can be proud helped the environment and is a stylish addition to our line of products.
Describe your creative process in as much detail as possible:
Inspired by fashion and nature! Love the simplicity that nature offers and the versatility that comes with fashion and design. Each piece is designed with functionality and the most judicious use of materials. Less waste while also having a great functioning and fashionable handbag.
What does it mean to you to be a member of an artist collective like ShopCraft?
It means to be apart of something greater than myself! To be a part of a family that shares the same beliefs and creativity as me is amazing.
How do you order your wings?
Mild with a side of ranch ?
What is the most meaningful thing a customer/client has said to you about your work?
“You do such beautiful work, I’m a sewer and I know.” and “It looks so professional, you’re very meticulous.”
If you could share a piece of advice with people who think they are ‘not creative’, or don’t think their art is ‘good enough’, what would it be?
All forms of creativity is art! It’s a different point of view, a different perspective that maybe someone wouldn’t see otherwise and that’s the whole point. We all have “it” in us, we all offer something great to the many forms of art.
What about Buffalo inspires you?
The community, the people. The love and pride that we all have for this city (and WNY area).
What is your favorite charitable organization?
Anything thing that helps children and dogs, SPCA and Courage of Carly
What is your most prized possession?
My family, my children ❤️
