At Scout we are inspired by people who create. We recently scouted FireFly Notes by Vancouver artist Sandy Bahrich and thought they were pretty darn great, so we tracked down Sandy and asked her a few questions.

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Originally from Victoria, Sandy has been living in various Vancouver urban locales for the past 15 years. Recently she has found herself in the burbs of Richmond. Always a creative person, Sandy ran an online vintage clothing company called Cloak & Muff Vintage for a number of years, and after developing a self-described “unnatural fondness” for rubber stamps and ink, she began her online Etsy shop, FireFly Notes. For her, designing paper goods became a necessary release for sanity’s sake at the end of a busy day mothering two boys. You can find an ever changing menagerie of creations from Sandy at www.fireflynotes.etsy.com.

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Indy Profile

Tell us three things about your neighbourhood that make you want to live there: A recent transplant from the city to the burbs of Richmond I try and make the most out of the cultural diversity in my hood (food!). I can walk to the Richmond night market for choice meat on a stick in the summer. I am a quick drive down the street to TNT market for cheap crab when the need overtakes me. Lastly I have Fruiticana market at my finger tips where I can bop around to Bangra music videos whilst I pick out my veg.

Vancouver shop that carries your products: People can find my wares at www.fireflynotes.etsy.com thus far!

Where do you enjoy shopping for supplies in Vancouver? I love Daiso! This is the huge Japanese $2 store in Richmond. Great crafty things hidden on those shelves!! Michael’s too of course. For clothing, Main Street. Too many shops to narrow down! Vintage, local designers, thrift…all that and great eats too. Makes for a good shopping day. For jewelry: being a mom of two wee men I don’t wear a lot of jewels but I do have a big plastic ring fetish. There is a great little shop in Steveson that has a great assortment but the name of it escapes me. I got one stuck on my finger last time I went in and the ladies were very gracious in helping me…

Is there a local designer who you admire and why? A ring thing again! I love Anat Basanta. I have one of her big chunky silver rings. One of my most prized possessions. Powerful and strong yet feminine. I think you can find her work down at Granville island the Vancouver Art Gallery, and of course online. There are so many wonderful Vancouver artists and designers to be found on Etsy also. Enter the name Vancouver and amazing work pops up!

What inspires you? I enjoy viewing life as poetic as possible. I try and let everything inspire me. My friends and family, music, words, the unspoken…..far too many things to list!

Tell us about your favourite space to work: On my English oak dining table with a glass of wine in my hand, kidlings tucked away in their nests – I spread out my supplies and play.

What is your favourite Firefly design right now? This would probably have to be my “George Herbert Quote” card. I designed several cards to choose from for a friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I thought this one seemed sweet and hopeful. The Mexican Jesus Matches get en honourable mention. Kitschy and Fun.

What sort of music do you listen to when you are working? I tend to throw 90.9 fm on the radio. I don’t speak a lick of French but it is a great mix of jazz and classical and at that time of day I long for smooth adult sophistication when Dora and friends have been burning holes in my eardrums all morning.

Is there a Vancouver event that you look forward to attending or taking part in? I look forward to attending the Spring Fling Sale at the Cambrian Welsh Hall (Main and 17th) Saturday March 21st. There will be many local artists and designers there.

Why is Vancouver a good city for indie design? I think we have a distinct west coast edge in that we have so much natural inspiration right out our doorstep. I have also felt a lot of support from other local designers. It feels like a big ol’ family of encouragement out there!

What are Firefly’s plans for the future? To continue to grow and promote my Etsy shop and perhaps join the craft fair/market circuit in the summer time.

If you were to choose one of your cards to send to the Queen, which one would you choose, and why? I would make a totally new one for her. Something with a Corgi on it!!!!

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