Celestial Stephanie
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Stephanie Savage Flynn
Friends this week I feel extra joyful because I get to introduce everyone to my friend Stephanie Savage Flynn. We met through the wondrous world of Instagram. She really is celestial - she folds the most heavenly paper stars which I am fortunate to have in the Chalet. She also creates brilliant paper bows, does amazing needlework, is an avid cook - she is just crazy creative and intersperses beauty in all she does!
my very own Flynn Collection Stars on the Chalet Mantel
So Stephanie tell us about your family and growing up: “I was born and raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts, ten miles west of Boston. I have a beloved older sister who is the ying to my yang. I met my husband here, and we are lucky enough to be raising our own family in this special town. I have two kids – a daughter 9 and son 7, both of whom are in elementary school. I spend the majority of my time volunteering with local community organizations and our schools. Life right now is crazy busy, but it is all good! Pre-COVID, we popped into Boston regularly for special meals, shopping trips, museum visits and Red Sox games. We are still Patriots fans despite Tom Brady and Gronk leaving us for Tampa.”
Stephanie’s grandmother Gloria stitched this needlepoint pillow
I know you are an avid stitcher please tell us more: “I love needlepoint! My maternal grandmother Gloria (from New Jersey!) taught me to stitch when I was a teenager. Prior to that, we were ALWAYS doing crafts when we got together. She taught me many things like how to sew, decoupage, garden, cook from scratch and polish tarnished silver. My grandmother was very creative, was meticulous in her craft form and had an exquisite eye. Although she passed away 14 years ago, I still feel very connected to her, not just when I stitch but, whenever I am working on a creative project or searching for a treasure at a thrift store, something she also enjoyed doing.”
Stephanie created the adorable bracelet, clutch; as well as the personalized needlepoint placards on these bags shown in the home of her parents. She comes from a family of collectors - her mom Diane loves antiques and her father Robert a retired surgeon, is now an art historian and collector. Stephanie grew up attending antique shows and visiting many museums and art galleries with her parents.
“I have always loved nature and have been inspired by the natural world around me. As a child who spent summers on Cape Cod – I used to daydream about all the amazing things I could make from objects found by the sea: shells for necklaces, bouquets of foraged beach roses and wild heather, driftwood sculptures. I still love my time on the Cape, as I am endlessly inspired by the ocean. That is what I love - creating new things from what I find in nature. I can think about what I want to make and execute it. Its totally accessible. I also love cooking, canning, pickling and digging for clams. My Aunt Donna was a Home Economics teacher and now she brings these lessons to my daughter. The next generation is learning.”
her daughter and son
“A wonderful memory from childhood is about this chestnut tree I found. It was full of such beautiful shiny objects. Just like a kid finding a beautiful shell. I felt this way about these silly little chestnuts. I asked my dad to drill holes in them so I could make a necklace. I finally made my necklace. Recently I found a chestnut tree – they are smooth they are shiny they fit in the palm of your hand. I took my daughter to collect them. They do look like beads. I made my sweet husband drill them and now I have my new garland. I offer on my website. I love being creative with what we find in nature.”
“Its the idea of using found objects and turning them into something else.”
Flynn home mantel decor holiday 2019
Bows Stephanie created for the Wellesley Free Library Virtual Gala Gift Boxes.
Folding stars is just one of the ways Stephanie shares her creativity with those around her. She likes to fold paper into other shapes… like the bows she recently finished for the Wellesley Free Library. In addition, Stephanie assists her local Wellesley Hill Junior Women’s Club with various events including Wellesley Kitchen & Home Tour.
Can you tell the readers where you attended college and what you studied: “I went to school at Connecticut College, a small liberal arts college in New London, Connecticut (also by the ocean, no surprise there!). I was a Government (political science) major with a double minor in English and Religious studies. Perhaps the most impactful part of my college experience was studying abroad in Rome. My mother is of Italian descent, so I have always felt particularly connected to Italian culture. I LOVED my time in Italy – not just studying, but eating, drinking, walking, and exploring Europe.”
Stephanie oh my goodness you must tell us how you ended up with a personally autographed picture of Julia Child: “A neighborhood friend was attending a cooking trade-show in Cambridge, MA, I was about 9yrs old at the time - all I knew was there would be samples and Julia Child was to be there and I had the brochure from the trade-show and she signed it for me… for years it was just tacked up but, my husband had it framed for me. When I met her she was Julia Child – she was not an Icon that she is now, she was the first person who did cooking on Television.”
Stephanie found this Gucci dust bag at her local swap shop and hand stitched it to a denim jacket.
Your original IG handle was Wellesley Picker: “I love treasure hunting! During non-COVID times, our town has a “swap shop” area at our dump. It is a fun place to stop – I have found Tiffany crystal there, a beautiful rattan settee, sterling silver frames, to name a few. You never know what you might discover, which is part of the fun! I also like to visit thrift stores, antique malls and of course, estate sales, all for the thrill of finding a treasure or something that can be beautifully rehabbed. Aside from the fact that older pieces tend to be better made, I love purchasing or finding something with history. I enjoy making my home unique and finding special gifts for friends. There is an environmental component to my madness too. Buying vintage or secondhand is the ultimate form of recycling!”
Can you share with the readers why you decided to start your business: “I am JUST starting my business! I’ve mentioned our “swap shop”- last year I stumbled upon some beautiful Thibaut wallpaper samples there. I took them home because I knew I just had to have them. The only snag in that venture was what to do with random wallpaper scraps. They sat in my craft closet for quite some time, until my daughter was home sick from school. We are digging through my supplies to help pass the day at home, and I was reminded of my beautiful find. I took them out again and was inspired to start folding stars.”
December 9, 20219 Stephanie shared this image on Instagram. I left the comment: How do we get one?
To my delight, friends and followers on Instagram including you loved my stars Friends even “donated” scraps of their own designer wallpaper for my use. I quickly folded what I had and sold out almost immediately. This year, I planned ahead and started folding as soon as the world shutdown in March. I am very grateful to my friends who shared their leftover paper with me. I have a small inventory stashed for a holiday sale and even have a wholesale order!”
Congratulations on your site and the wholesale client - can you tell us who: “It’s with Dina Holland Interiors for her Honey & Fitz Collection. Last year during the Wellesley Kitchen & Home Tour we met. I created Sets of 3 Stars from wallpaper curated by Dina Holland. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”
holiday 2020 Flynn Collection
What are your goals for 2021: “My goals for 2021 are to stay healthy and happy. Happiness for me is first and foremost, spending time with family (I hope to see more extended family in 2021!). Nevertheless, I also cannot wait to get back to traveling and exploring more freely. If the world continues to battle COVID, I will be grateful to have more time to be creative and nest at home.”
Stephanie thank you so very much for sharing your creative beauty with us! You can find Stephanie on her Site and Instagram.
Til next time friends stay safe and wear a mask!
