Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Billings.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Barbara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a very creative home. My mom was a hippie of sorts and my siblings and I ran around the woods in the country, barefooted and wild. She taught us crafting, drawing, and art, and we were never not making something with our hands. From a young age, I loved clothes and fashion and dreamed of becoming a fashion designer.
After college, I left my old interests behind in favor of the “safe” route with a career in advertising, which left little time for creativity. After a few years, I felt called to do something different and saw little glimpses of my old interests peeking through.
It was about that time that my mom introduced me to knitting. She was going through intense cancer treatments that left her in the hospital for days. Knitting helped pass the time. She always encouraged me to try it, but I was too busy and very intimidated. A few years after her passing, my aunt taught me to crochet during a weekend visit. From there, my interest in fiber arts grew strong. Looking back, I believe my mom was showing me the way to a passion with purpose.
I dabbled in any fiber arts and textile work I could, teaching myself to knit and taking classes through the guild to learn to spin yarn and hand-weave on a floor loom. I slowly obtained the proper equipment to practice and make at home and have been at it ever since.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Making something you love into a career is a slow process. My biggest struggle is choosing creativity over security; a steady paycheck, insurance, and benefits. Now that I have kids finding balance and prioritizing my business over all of the other responsibilities is ongoing. I’m starting to get to a place where I feel comfortable asking others for help. I truly believe my business will thrive if I just give it the chance, and that’s something I’m working towards everyday. I’d say that’s my biggest challenge.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Stranded Sheep story. Tell us more about the business.
The Stranded Sheep is a textile company specializing in handspun yarn, handwoven goods, and knitwear. All of the products are made by hand with passion and love. I am most proud to be doing a craft that many people did hundreds of years ago to provide for their families. It’s exciting to see this craft thrive in an age where fast fashion is dominating. I hope to inspire people to think about where their clothing is coming from, ask questions and go back to the basics, even if it means paying more or making something yourself.
My hope is that The Stranded Sheep evolves into more of a lifestyle brand with an emphasis on simple living, small-scale farming, homesteading and homemaking.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
There were years where I was unsure about what I should be doing with my life. I knew there was something missing, but I didn’t know what. I’ve been really lucky in my life, but I also have worked extremely hard to get to where I am today. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and that my life is playing out just as it should.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4269 Earney Road
Woodstock, GA 30188 - Website: www.thestrandedsheep.com
- Phone: 678-687-9761
- Email: barbara@thestrandedsheep.com
- Instagram: @thestrandedsheep
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/thestrandedsheep
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