About Us
Handmade textile designs by Sarah McDonnell are at the heart of Sarah Ellen Co.
Each design starts as a stack of small fabric squares, carefully folded and arranged into intricate patterns. These captivating designs are then meticulously photographed, edited, and digitized to produce stunning artwork that perfectly blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
Discover the unique beauty of these handcrafted masterpieces and bring a touch of elegance to your space with Sarah Ellen Co.'s exclusive collection.
Our History
November 2020
After being laid off from her job at the Walt Disney World Resort, Sarah was inspired to start her own business. Passionate about textile arts, she began exploring ways to translate her creativity into scalable products.
December 2020
Sarah designed and listed fabric ornaments on her Etsy store. While they received positive feedback, their production costs made it challenging to sell them profitably.
February 2021
Shifting her focus, Sarah began creating fabric magnets, which she sold online and at craft shows. Although moderately successful, they required significant labor for limited returns.
May 2022
Sarah started transforming her spherical ornament patterns into flat designs, creating intricate textile artworks suitable for wall displays.
August 2022
Realizing the need to sell her pieces through galleries, Sarah concluded that her original artworks were not accessible to the general public.
June 2023
Determined to make her art more widely available, Sarah brainstormed ways to reproduce her designs as prints and canvases. She explored effective methods for photographing her work.
September 2023
After consulting with photographers and an archivist, Sarah discovered that producing photorealistic copies would be prohibitively expensive. Experimenting with vectorizing her artwork proved successful, offering a fresh yet distinct style and opening new possibilities for her business.
December 2023
Sarah Ellen Co. was accepted into the MBA Capstone Business Review program at Mississippi State University. A team of students collaborated with Sarah to develop a robust business plan.
January 2024
Sarah decided to launch her business with pillow covers. This product was both sustainable and practical, offering customers an easy way to refresh their home decor with seasonal designs at a moderate price point.
March 2024
Sarah secured two grants totaling $2,500 through the Venture Catalyst program at Mississippi State University.
April 2024
At the E-Center’s Startup Summit hosted by Mississippi State University, Sarah earned the People’s Choice Award along with third place in the Retail category, receiving a total of $1,250 in prize money.
May 2024
Sarah used the award funds to establish her company’s website and produce product prototypes.
August 2024
Sarah received her first working model, marking a major milestone for Sarah Ellen Co.
November 2024
Timothy Wunrow joined Sarah Ellen Co. as Chief Executive Officer, enabling Sarah to transition into the role of Chief Creative Officer. This shift allowed her to dedicate more time to the design and creative aspects of the business.