
Mother Stories
Meet Sacramento Mom Sarah Perez of Electric Sun Creatives
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Michelle Drewes
Apr 26, 2018
First it was Sarah Perez’ work—shiny, sculptural, metal mobiles—that stopped us in our tracks while scanning the vendors at West Coast Craft. Then it was her Sacramento-based work/live space—filled with the dreamiest industrial, to-the-ceiling windows—that we spotted via her Instagram feed. Naturally, we knew we had to get a closer look at it all, and the woman—and mother—behind the Electric Sun Creatives brand. Follow along below as we go deep with the mother of one (Harper, 4) on all things motherhood, art, and the work/life juggling act.
- "We live in a 3-bedroom loft apartment in the converted Warehouse Artist Lofts of R Street, in downtown Sacramento. We’ve lived here since its opening, 3 years ago. All thanks go to my husband, as he spent the night on the sidewalk in line in order to get our names on the list; he was #25 out of hundreds. It paid off."
- This light!
- "The warehouse was built in 1915, as fireproof storage and then was converted into artist lofts 3 years ago. The windows are original, and of course are our favorite feature of the space, along with the original cement columns and ceilings. They did a wonderful job at keeping the soul of the original warehouse alive, while partitioning the space with beautiful textured walls and other features of a modern space. Fun fact: Our 3-bedroom has been a game changer creatively, as we’re able to use the master bedroom—the largest room in the apartment—as our studio. The other two rooms are our bedrooms. It’s a short commute to work!"
- Harper, in her room, wears a thrifted dress.
- "I strive for a comfortable space, that’s clean and filled with texture. A little eclectic, a little boho. Lots of plants. Lived in."
- Sarah wears thrifted denim coveralls.
- "I’m slowly but surely collecting only what will make me happy, with the long-term in mind. And, no furniture placement is permanent in my home. In the new seasons of life, I tend to shift the house around. In fact, after these photos were taken, the house will go through a complete 180 shift. It keeps the space fresh and exciting. A renewed space gives me life."
- "All of her toys are stored in her room, but we let life happen as it will. Stepping on Legos is a regular occurrence."
- "It’s a bright, fun space. We have a graphic abstract forest on one wall and pops of color all around. We didn’t want to get too fussy with it, making sure it’s a usable, imagination-inducing space."
- "The trundle bed is a special piece, as it’s from my childhood. I also love the Aly Barohn and Maja Dlugolecki work on the walls—two artists that I know and love."
- Golden girls.
- Artsy details, everywhere.
- "Pros—it’s a short commute. And, I get to see my family throughout the day when I take breaks. Cons—it’s hard to separate life and work. The dishes are always calling my name."
- Wheels to get around Sacramento.
- "I love sitting up against the cushions in bed, feeling like my head is in the clouds. The old fire escape is a fun element as well."
- Dried floral elements, scattered about the house.
- Sarah wears a thrifted handmade peasant top from the '70s, thrifted High Sierra jeans, and The Line of the Sun earrings. Harper wears a thrifted Pink Vanilla dress and handmade felt crown.
- "We love raising her in one of the most culturally diverse places in the country. Also, we live minutes from wonderful parks and live above store fronts and amazing food. She’s been able to experience community, in all levels of intimacy, by living where she does, as we’re regulars at places and people know her by name. It’s powerful and we’re grateful that she gets to experience it."
- "It’s interesting that, having grown up in a suburb of Sacramento, I hated this place—and never thought I’d come back after living elsewhere for 7 years. But now I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We’re firmly planted, with so many beautiful roots in the dirt of this gorgeous city."
- Shelfie moment.
- "We’re spoiled to have the best collection of local establishments just a short elevator ride down to the WAL Public Market, in the same building that we live. There’s the vintage haven Old Gold, Camellia Coffee, and the most delicious poke from Fish Face. We’re spoiled."
- The pin says it all.
- We just can't get enough of this room!
- "Comfortable. A little un-done. Intentional, but not fussy."
- One of Sarah's mobiles.
- "Since raising a child, I’m a more confident, assured Sarah. I wear what I please because I know what I like."
- "Coveralls and overalls are easy and comfortable. A go-to is a pair of high-waisted jeans and a thrifted shirt that gratifies me to know it cost $5 at the most. Although, a worthy splurge of mine was a Kara Thoms two-piece set from The Poppy Collection. I love the way I feel when I wear it."
- "I live by my Urb Apothecary and Sigil Scent products. I wash my face with Urb Apothecary’s Willow Charcoal Cleanser and follow with some Rose Rosehip Oil by the same maker. When getting ready for a new day, I do a swipe of Honest Company’s mascara (it doesn’t irritate my eyes), a little under-eye brightening with Pixi Illuminating Tint & Conceal (an easy way to put on sunscreen), and then I spray myself with Sigil Scents Aura (it’s a staple in our home). I’ve learned just how important scent is to my well-being and beauty routine."
- Plant life.
- Sarah wears a Kara Thoms navy two-piece from The Poppy Collection and WKNDLA earrings. Harper wears a dress by The Odells.
- "I take moments throughout the day to be quiet and pray. Getting outside to ride my bike is huge for my brain clarity, too."
- "With being full-time makers, our life is so fluid and unpredictable at times. The times for myself are random, but I’m content with it. I’m not shy about asking my family for my own time and space when needed."
- The look of love.
- "Having a front row seat to this creative soul’s journey of growth and discovery. I delight in showing her the love of family and community, the importance of connectedness and kindness. We get to do that."
- "There’s this quote I read recently that had me smiling and cringing simultaneously—'I plan to give you love, nurturing, and just enough dysfunction to make you funny.' I fear the effects of my own dysfunction. But am learning to rely on the grace we have for the journey, to try my best and ask for her forgiveness with humility along the way. I’m constantly seeking opportunities for personal growth, for her sake. But I legitimately hope her sense of humor is killer."
- "We found out when I as pregnant and were elated by the news. I adore this beautiful mix of raising a feisty, tenacious, tough human, balanced with this nurturing, considerate, and beautifully sensitive and in-tuned soul. She has this beautiful mix of both and I want to nurture it."
- "We don’t know where we first heard Harper, but loved and agreed upon it immediately. As for her middle names, she has two, which is keeping in tradition with my husband’s family. They’re all about the two middle names. Jean and Elizabeth are named after her great-grandmothers."
- "She is 4 now, which is my favorite age thus far! She spends her time drawing any figure she can muster and naming it a Pokemon. Can you tell her buds are older boys? It’s one of my favorite things to watch her imagine these wild creatures with 20 legs and big eyes."
- The fridge mural scene.
- "I did, but admittedly it came sooner than I thought, with the pregnancy being a surprise."
- Sarah's work space.
- Sarah wears a West Coast Craft sweatshirt, thrifted High Sierra jeans and Lotta From Stockholm clogs.
- "Gratefully, I had no difficulties throughout my pregnancy. When asked recently when the happiest time of my life was, hands down it was that season of growing a human and establishing our roots in downtown Sacramento. We were living in a tiny one bedroom apartment with not much money to our name, but there was so much simple beauty in that season. Life was vibrant and filled with potlucks with friends and exploring our city by bike up until her arrival."
- "Talking to the mama bears in my life was the most valuable."
- "I had a beautiful childhood filled with so much possibility. I’m grateful to have been raised by two parents who wanted to give me every joy and opportunity they could provide. If I was interested in something, I had lessons or a class lined up right away. I hope to create that same sky’s-the-limit experience for my kiddo."
- "I have this mix of strict boundaries and a relaxed connectedness. Manners and kindness mean a great deal to me, which I hold her strongly to. But being silly and low-key is a big value of mine. I would say my husband and I have similar parenting styles."
- "Keep your expectations at a healthy low, so that you can better find—and choose—contentment even in the sleepless nights or sick days stuck at home. It helps you cope and enjoy your little one's journey from infancy to toddlerhood so much more."
- "At this point in our lives, we’re pretty set on one. This kid of ours is pretty rad; there’s something beautiful about intentionally focusing on this one lovely soul. One of us from this little crew of three is always saying 'we’re best friends.' I adore that."
- "I am an artist, working with manipulated metal sheet to create wall hangings and kinetic sculptures/mobiles."
- "I grew up in Elk Grove, a suburb of Sacramento, and split town the fist chance I got. I first landed in Providence, Rhode Island (long story), then L.A., Orange County, Marin County, and finally Oakland right before our move back to Sacramento. I went to college a number of places, never finishing a proper degree. At the beginning of my college career my focus was on education, but I disliked it immensely. I thought I needed to choose a 'normal' career path. Once I had the chance to redefine my life one of those years, creativity was an obvious choice—one that had always defined my life. I took every art class I could get my hands on in the different towns we lived. Eventually these classes lead to my journey of working with metal—first jewelry, then eventually going bigger with wall hangings and mobiles."
- "Motherhood brought this tenaciousness that I don’t know I possessed at quite the same caliber before. My career started when I was pregnant and has progressed partly because of the responsibility I have felt to show my daughter what hard work and heart looks like."
- "We do! It’s one of the biggest reasons why we love this city so much. Family is close by and the community we’ve built is just outside our doorstep. The people we have around us are absolutely everything to us."
- Shining bright.
- "It’s hard. But that’s why I have 2-week turnaround times on my designs. I've gotta have ample time to do all the things. And I’ve surrounded myself with encouraging friends that understand my crazy schedule. A parenting/family balance has thrived, as my husband works from home as well. We try to prioritize quality time even throughout work days."
- "I do when I spend an entire day in the studio to meet deadlines. I’ve learned to combat it by having hyper-intentional time together the next day. I’m trying my best and I’ve learned that it’s enough."
- "It’s huge! I think about it all the time. I want Harper to see that her mom is scrappy—in all the best ways—persistent, and kind in her business and life."
- "I want to go big with my work. I would love to do more installations and perhaps a gallery show of more complex work. We’ll see!"
- For more on Sarah, her family, and her work, check out the Electric Sun Creatives Instagram feed.
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