Meet Karen Matthews

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Matthews. 

Hi Karen, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sawdust & Sage was started in January of 2017 by myself and my then 19-year-old son Tyler. Tyler was always interested in carpentry and I had just left a career in luxury cosmetics a few months prior. After taking the holidays off – the first one in 20 years – I was seriously struggling to figure out what to do next with my life. I loved being creative and using my artist’s eye so Tyler and I started making rustic signs and other items out of recycled pallet wood. Pallet wood was chosen because it was readily available and free, perfect for learning and practicing with. 

After a couple months, it was necessary for me to go back to the work world. I would have loved to stay home and continue to learn and grow the company from that point and that would have been a really lovely story but we needed to pay bills! For the next 3 years, Tyler continued to work on his skills. I would help with designs and marketing to local Facebook groups and Etsy at night and on weekends. I often painted until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer! Tyler taught himself to make a variety of outdoor furniture and made all the signs for me. His persistence and determination were so amazing to watch. As his mother, I was so proud of his work ethic and maturity. Learning was and is just part of who we are. When Tyler was 10, we decided homeschooling was the right path for us. His learning style was very visual and tactile. I always tried to emphasize and value his natural talents, so our woodworking business was a natural fit. I knew he was a neuro-diverse person and giving him the support in order to blossom was of the utmost importance to me. I think everyone has a gift. 

In late 2019, we both thought he needed experience working with other carpenters at a “regular job” and sought out vocational rehabilitation. In order to qualify to be in that program, he would need new tests to show where he might have challenges. In January of 2020, he was diagnosed on the spectrum and accepted an apprenticeship with a local remodeling company in Raleigh. He loved going to work and showed up early every day. About a month into it, the pandemic hit, and his apprenticeship was put on hold. At that same time, my husband (and Tyler’s stepfather) was laid off too. What to do? Well, we decided to push ourselves into making our little family business thrive. 

By November of 2020, we were ready for a craft show. We were selling online but the outdoor venue, The Community Marketplace in Willow Spring, felt like a safe place. They had all the protocols in place and certainly, with my background in sales I was missing that customer-facing contact. More and more people understood the value of shopping local and so we did it. There’s just something about that time of year I love, and although our creations look cute in pictures- nothing beats an in-person glance at someone’s handiwork. Our rustic farmhouse vibe really lends itself to Christmas. Our scarecrow/ snowman porch leaners, wooden wreaths, Christmas tree collars, sleds, and door hangers are all good sellers for us. 

From last fall through February 2021, we experienced significant growth and I was finally able to leave my office job to work full time with Tyler! For the past six months, we have really hit a stride that would not have happened if we didn’t decide to take this leap of faith. It has not been without a few struggles here and there. Thank goodness for the most part we’ve avoided the surge in prices of lumber due to us favoring recycled materials. Over the summer, we introduced several new items including our custom recycled pallet wood barn quilts and other Boho/Tribal style artwork that along with our trash can corrals, fire pit covers, front porch planters have kept us incredibly busy! 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We have always had to overcome challenges when it comes to learning new things, and this was no different. Until I left my job to pursue our family business Tyler and I would have to communicate via text during the day. I would draw little pictures on scrap paper and that was HARD. The first day we worked together at home, we were able to communicate face to face and take care of having questions answered immediately. Tyler said, “Yeah, that is way better!” Being on the same page and working together is a tremendous positive swing in the right direction. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
All of our items are almost completely made from deconstructed pallets. We tear them apart, mill the wood, and make a variety of things for your home and garden. Our most popular items are our outdoor furniture sets, benches, scarecrow/snowman porch leaners, In this house sign, and Christmas Tree Collars. Now with the addition of the barn quilts, we believe we have a new customer favorite! 

I’m proud that we have a mother and son partnership and are helping each other realize our dreams. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
NC is a beautiful state and Raleigh is an amazing city. The surrounding areas, especially to the south where our business is located is surrounded by farms and trees with friendly supportive people. 

Pricing:

• Barn Quilts range $85-$200+
• Tree Collars range $75-$115
• Trash Can Corral $250
• Scarecrow/Snowman Porch Leaner $45
• Handpainted Sunflower Bench $150

Contact Info:

• Email: sawdust1997@gmail.com
• Website: www.sawdustandsage.co
• Instagram: @sawdust_andsage
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawdustsage
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SawdustandsageShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav