Meet Sandy Knutson-Grebner | Designer/Creator
We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandy Knutson-Grebner and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sandy, what are you inspired by?
I’ve always had a knack for seeing things as they “could” be rather than their original intended purpose. My creative side comes from my mom. She was an expert miniaturist and there were times she needed a piece for a diorama or doll house and when she couldn’t find it outside of our home, she ended up making the piece from discarded other means. This always intrigued me and taught me to re-use/re-purpose things to keep them out of landfills and bring new life to something that perhaps outlived its current use.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I had the opportunity to work within the Insurance industry at a young age. I had planned on staying with this job until I found what I really wanted to do in life. Fast forward 40+ years in the insurance industry and many opportunities for promotion up to the executive level of the last firm. I was fortunate enough to be able to retire early to follow my dream. I discovered while in the early stages of retirement, I felt lost. I no longer had to check my emails and phone 24/7, I no longer needed to worry about getting on a plane for meetings, nor the responsibility of the large staff I managed. After about 6-8 weeks, and longing to work on creative projects, I decided to start my business “A New Purpose.” Not only did I need a new purpose, but the things I wanted to design and create were from discarded previously owned Jewelry. The business name A New Purpose has dual meaning both for me personally as well as my creative desire to make new things.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d start out having lunch at a quaint restaurant within our downtown area. After lunch on day one, we’d visit some boutiques for ladies clothing, shoes and household items. We would then come back to my home for a great BBQ and some drinks on the patio discussing the day. Day 2, we’d go to the thrift shops. Searching for the perfect picture frame for an artist’s rendering gifted to me. We’d also look for vintage jewelry, ornaments and such to be repurposed into jewelry for my business. Following the day of shopping and laughs, we’d go to a movie and relax. Dinner after the movie would be Mexican with the best Margarita (no salt) in town. Back home for the evening – catching up on the ideas for the next and final day before we needed to say goodbye.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom and my dad for different reasons. My mom for her gift of creativity passed down to me. I watched her talents as I was growing up and definitely shaped my creative eye. My dad for his business savvy and his unquenchable belief in me. They both always believed my talents and supported my desire to grow within my professional career along with my creative side. Two books from my youth helped develop my will to never give up. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory reading about how Charlie was unlike the others, but with his patience overcame the obstacles. Mary Poppins because of the phrase “Anything can happen if it you let it.” This has stuck with me throughout my career and into my current business life as I believe if you think you can, then you will!
Website: https://anewpurpose.shop
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anewpurposesandykg
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