As Seen On : Sarah Koff
Sarah, please tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m from the Baltimore suburbs originally, but I now live in the seacoast of NH. I live with my husband Drew, two daughters, dog Mango and 3 chickens in the woods, surrounded by our many homestead-lite projects: gardens, fruit trees, maple sugaring, pizza oven, you name it. I make woodcuts, both to sell in fairs/my website/shops and as commissions, mostly logos. My work is inspired by a deep connection to forest, seacoast and wetlands that surround me.
What has your path as an artist/maker been like? What are your favorite mediums/subjects?
It was a surprising path! I originally trained to be an environmental writer and teacher, and then went back to school for a master’s in natural resources. My desire has always been to make connections between people and the natural world. Printmaking was just a hobby, but it was thrown into hyper-mode after we moved to New Hampshire to a new town without friends/family nearby, and with a brand-new baby in my arms. It became my lifeline, and it wasn’t too long before I realized it’s all I wanted to do!
Tell us about Sarah Koff Studio…When and how did you decide to start your creative business? How has it evolved from the beginning iterations?
Sarah Koff Studio began, honestly, as a way for me to be creative as a new mother. I made greeting cards and sold them at the local farmers’ markets. I didn’t have any grand plans; I just wanted to have a reason to keep making. It evolved after a few years, when I realized I wanted to actually get good at the craft. I started taking it more seriously, with longer-term aspirations in mind. I took as many classes as I could, sought out opportunities for feedback, and basically said yes to everything to see what worked for me. It was exhausting but it helped me learn so much. And now, 13 years later, I make small edition woodcuts that I sell on my website and in a few big annual fairs, plus I make block-printed custom graphics for small businesses and organizations. It’s a quiet period right now as I work on commissions and prepare for summer, but I will be demoing at the League of NH Craftsmen fair for 9 days in August (at Mt Sunapee) and I highly recommend visiting the show!
And how did Ink + Light start? What sort of services do you and Katie offer your clients?
Ink and Light Creative started during the pandemic, when my co-conspirator Katie Goodall and I decided to team up and work together under an umbrella name. She is a fantastic documentary-style photographer and I make logos, and we both tend to work with mostly farms (we met, after all, in an agroecology class in grad school!). So we wanted to give our clients a way to tell their unique stories through both photography (light) and block printed graphics (ink). We offer photography sessions, custom block-printed graphics, website audits, and graphic design projects that clients might need, from CSA box designs to truck wraps.
Did anyone mentor you along the way?
Yes yes yes! I am so grateful to the people who have mentored me. Most recently I finished a year-long formal mentorship program with Julie Lapping Rivera through Zea Mays Printmaking. I really loved working with her (not only is she super talented but she’s a really kind, thoughtful mentor), and I decided to always pretend that Julie is looking over my shoulder. Otherwise, I have had many teachers over the years help me figure out both technical elements as well as business goals. I also keep a small group of friends and family at the ready for any questions that arise (I call them my board), and I’m enormously grateful to them for their wise counsel and patience with me.
How was creativity and self-expression fostered for you?
As one of four kids, I grew up with a very resourceful/scrappy mother who hand-made everything she could (and still does). I learned early on that hand-crafting something was far more satisfying than buying it, so things like curtains, halloween costumes, even prom dresses– I made them all. Constantly doodled in all my notebooks. I didn’t do much with fine art until college, when I took some drawing classes and loved them, but it never occurred to me to pursue art until I realized you don’t have to call yourself an Artist to make art. You can just… make art. It’s not that complicated.
How does it shape your life now?
And it’s an absolutely critical part of my life now, not just because I’ve built a business around it but because it’s a part of me that makes me feel joyful and grounded and challenges me and teaches me patience and problem-solving.
Are there any goals that you would like to pursue outside of your business?
Always. I am always trying to grow my own food in the summer, despite living in the shady woods. I’m trying to learn fiddle so I can be good enough to someday play in Irish trad sessions in a cozy bar somewhere. I’m a member of my town’s sustainability committee and we’re trying to improve our community waste stream by educating about composting and styrofoam recycling, etc. I’m trying to be strong so I can avoid injury, and as part of that I’m trying to hike more 4000-fters in the Whites. Oh, and I’m trying to raise two girls to be balanced, happy humans!
How did you and Amy come to know each other?
I’m pretty sure we met at a show– I immediately liked Amy, not only because of her beautiful jewelry that really spoke to me, but also her general, grounded aura. I wanted all of her pieces and I wanted to be her friend.
And how have your paths crossed since?
I am always so happy when I have the chance to see Amy. We tend to do shows together at least once a year–thanks to her inviting me down to events in Amesbury. We have gone on an artist retreat, taken a pottery class, are doing a book club, and I hope lots more interaction will happen in the future!
What other activities/interests do you share with Amy?
Besides making art, I think we both like to bring people together (she is so excellent at helping pull together shows for her local community!), being outdoors, eating really good food, movement, travel, and helping improve our communities.
What pieces of Amy’s jewelry line do you wear? What drew you to those pieces? What do you like about wearing them?
I rotate between the cavo studs, mina hoops, and sliver dangles, and I usually have the gaea cuff on too. I love wearing Amy’s work because it is simple, well-made, hand-crafted, high quality, and unique: all qualities I want people to think about my work too!
How are you most often seen wearing these pieces?
Jeans, a few layers of shirts covered by an overshirt. I get ink on everything so it can’t be too nice! Jewelry is the one “nice” element that I wear to feel pretty, polished, professional, and like I have a sense of style.
Is jewelry the first thing you think about or the last thing you adorn with when it comes to outfitting for the day?
The last (and best) thing!
Thank you so much for reading the latest installment of As Seen On. You can learn more about Sarah + her beautiful work here.
Be sure to visit Sarah at the League of NH Craftsmen fair in August and hopefully with me at an event in Amesbury!
And in honor of Sarah, each of her favorite designs will be 20% off on my website through the end of March.
If you or someone you know wears AVE jewelry and is interested in being featured in this “Ode to the Wearers", please reach out so that I can learn more about you and what you wear.