if you've been in rock paper scissors lately, you've seen there's a new kid on the block. we *exuberantly* welcome sarah jane winter on board (side note: i like to call her SJW b/c it's glamourous, a la the one and only sarah jessica parker / SJP!)! we love her not only for her can-do attitude, her eye for merchandising, her graphic design background, and her sweet photography skills, but also for the simple fact that she wears a necklace with a small letterpress wood block in the initial of her husband! i mean, is she a perfect fit or what? if you want to learn a little more about her than what you'll find here, read on below!
Q: WHERE ARE YOU FROM:
All over? I grew up in upstate South Carolina. Studied graphic design and photography at Appalachian State in N.C. Worked as a graphic designer in Wyoming for 4 years after college. After that I spent a year in Switzerland followed by 3 years in Minneapolis.
I've loved all the places I've lived but don't ever want to see another moving box. C-Ville will be home for a while and I'm very happy about that! This town in amazing.
Q: WHY ROCK PAPER SCISSORS? ARE YOU A PAPER LOVER:
I love the combination of graphic design projects for small businesses (menus, business cards, logos…) and personal usage (invitations, stationery…) I also love being on the downtown mall and meeting all sorts of people. Opening boxes of gorgeous, witty letterpress cards everyday also helps!
I am a life long paper geek! My Mom jokes that she never hired a babysitter for me as a child, she just left me with a stack of paper & crayons and I would entertain myself for hours. She had to force me to play with dolls & other toys.
True story: at the Christmas kindergarden party my teacher asked what each child was thankful for. Most kids said "Mommy/Daddy" or "Baby Jesus." Me? "Paper and Scissors."
So yeah, Rock Paper Scissors is a good fit for me!
Q: WHAT WERE YOU DOING (JOB-WISE) WHEN YOU LIVED IN SWITZERLAND:
I was an au-pair for the world's sweetest 4 year old. The whole experience was amazing.
I wanted to learn French but I quickly realized that all I needed was to point at the best looking chocolate croissant and no words were necessary. Also, the Swiss are all about efficiency and they simply will not wait while you stumble through sloppy francais. In addition, they are sticklers for precision and they will probably correct your English as well as your French. Bon chance!
Q: HOW ABOUT IN MINNESOTA:
Freelance graphic designer and assistant photographer / studio manager for Liz Banfield. She is brilliant - and somehow succeeds in editorial, commercial and wedding / portraiture work.
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR MOST-FREQUENTED HANGOUT IN MINNESOTA (OR FAVORITE THING TO DO):
The bike paths in Minneapolis are fantastic. Non winter months are precious & Minnesotans make the most of every non-icicled moment.
Q: YOU JUST GOT MARRIED IN MAY, TELL US YOUR FAVORITE DETAILS FROM THE WEDDING:
I'd say the location. We chose a small island on the S.C. coast where I grew up spending summers. We found a plantation surrounded by gorgeous marsh water and did the whole thing outside sans tents. The huge oak trees with spanish moss, the magnolias blooms, the grits & bowties…. it was fun to show my husband's Minnesota family what being a southerner is all about.
Oh, and his nieces proved to be the most adorable flower girls imaginable.
Q: YOU MOVED TO CHARLOTTESVILLE IN JUNE, WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE SO FAR (COULD BE ANYTHING, RESTAURANT, SHOP, ETC.)
My ideal day would be a hike in Shenandoah followed by Mas for Tempranillo & those unbelievable Boquerones.
C-Ville also has fantastic spots that focus on the menu & not just drawing in a crowd. The beer list at Court Square Tavern, the tacos at La Michoacana, the chef at Royal Indian who will make Rogan Josh for you even if its not on the menu, I love these places.
