I first learned of Sarah's Silks when my oldest daughter was about 2 years old. She was playing with some play silks at a friends house and I was very drawn to them...the colors, the fabric, the imaginative play. I immediately went home and ordered a few silks for my daughter. When they arrived and I gave them to her, she knew just what to do with them. Over the years we have accumulated many play silks that have been used to build forts, play dress up, carry their dolls, as doors, waterfalls, and so much more! When Hip Mountain Mama was first created, Sarah's Silks items were some of the very first products I added to the store. We absolutely love the imaginative and creative playthings and the fact that Sarah's Silks is still a family owned company. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Sarah, the owner, of Sarah's Silks and she was very generous to also offer a giveaway!
Suzy Thank you, Sarah, for taking some time today to talk with us.
Sarah Thank you for asking me!
Suzy Can you tell us a little bit about why you started Sarah's Silks and where the inspiration came from? Sarah I was a nurse and wanted to work at home to be with my baby, so I was open to a business. My friend and I dyed some silk as a fun project one day; I saw how beautiful the silk was to play with and decided to try selling it. There was a small Waldorf toy store in our town, the owner grabbed them up and asked for more. And we grew from there. Creating the rainbow silk and many other items inspired by the Waldorf early childhood curriculum.
Suzy What attracted you to the Waldorf philosophy?
Sarah I read about Waldorf schools in Mothering magazine in 1989 when I was pregnant with my oldest son and knew it was for me. The careful way the curriculum is structured to meet the growing child at each stage of development is perfect. And of course I love the creative play in the kindergartens!
Suzy There has been a lot of concern over the past few years about products made in other countries. Can you tell us a bit about where your products are made and what the working conditions are like?
Sarah Silk is an ancient product of China . My husband is Chinese and has spent time in China making a photo journal of how our silk is made. He first went to the farmers who grow the mulberry trees, it takes up to 100 trees to make one pound of silk! And one pound of silk makes around 8 play silks. **Note-The trees do not die... They keep on growing leaves to feed the silk worms, the good part is that farmers are planting lots of trees in China in order to feed the worms, and there is a terrible deforestation problem in China.
Then he went to the silk worm raising farms near by. And the spinning and weaving locations.
He finally went to the village near Shanghai where the women sew our playsilks, they hand hem the edges. We have an agent there who has worked with us and these same women for 10 years. We pay them above the average pay for sewing, and they are in their homes with their kids!
Mike also visited the Chengdu Waldorf School in China . He played string games with them and had a delicious lunch! We are partnering with some of the handwork teachers on silk painting projects.
I feel it is important not to dismiss all “made in China ” products but rather to look carefully and see how things are made, and to see the conditions of the workers.
(Please view a slide show on how Sarah's Silks Play Silks are made here)
Suzy If you had 1 day without and any responsibilities, how would you spend it?
Sarah Snorkeling in the coral reefs off the coast of Belize , with my family.
Suzy As a fairly new business owner with young children I am often inspired by other successful business owning Mamas. Can you share your secret for creating your successful business while also raising your children?
Sarah Learning to use a sling in 1994 was the absolute number one thing that allowed me to dye silk, contact customers, fill orders, etc. while nursing! I was lucky to have a husband who was laid off his job in the first year I started, and then between the two of us we worked (at home) and watched the kids. We have 3 boys, 20, 16 and 10. They have been given many jobs over the years, from modeling, to product testing, to dyeing, and now Josh (20 year old) has taken over making string games; it is his job while in art school.
Sometimes I get up early and work and sometimes I work late at night. It can be tricky juggling it all, but I am grateful to have been able to be with my kids and work. They all understand business too, can explain profit margins, wholesale marketing, and more!
Suzy Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy life to share with us today!
Now for the giveaway! One lucky winner will win a Mini Set perfect for a 2-5 year old! This set includes a fairy tutu, fairy garland, and heart mini streamer. (over $40.00 value) Here is how to enter
Please leave a comment here and tell us about your favorite Sarah's Silks items
Join Sarah's Silks Facebook Fan Page
Join Hip Mountain Mama's Facebook Fan Page
We will announce the winner on Friday June 25...Good Luck!
Inspiring Mama:: Sarah Lee of Sarah's Silks & A Giveaway!
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