30 Years: The Origins of Sticks
Decades of craftsmanship and storytelling
January 1, 2022, marks Sticks’ 30-year anniversary!
Sticks has built a rich heritage that's been carefully crafted over the past three decades. As we prepare for our 30-year anniversary in 2022, we'll be sharing a video series that showcases our origin story and spotlights the people who have shaped our journey. We hope you'll join us in reflecting on our roots and celebrating where we're headed.
The Origins of Sticks
Sarah Grant is a life-long artist. Raised in Ames, Iowa, she earned a Master of Arts in intaglio printmaking and Master of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Iowa.
In 1992, Sarah was asked to create an original wooden nativity for Better Homes and Gardens. Inspired by her experience engraving metal plates as an intaglio printmaker and wood-burned boxes found at antique stores, she embraced the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind piece that told the nativity story.
Once Sarah’s friends and family saw the artwork, everyone wanted their own. Word spread of the distinctive hand-drawn, wood-burned, painted style and it was irresistible. It took off like a runaway train. And so began the 30-year journey of Sticks.
In the early years, Sarah led the company’s business development and creative direction beyond her career as an artist. She grew our strong roots, all wrapped around a love for storytelling, patriotism, and honoring histories.
Sticks has received national acclaim for our distinctive lines of furniture, accessories, and object art. All of our handmade pieces are artfully crafted from birch, poplar, and driftwood sourced from local rivers. They are designed with our hand-drawn imagery, etched contouring, and vibrantly blended paint.
What originally started with designing smaller items such as nativity sets, ornaments, and candlestick holders has evolved to include larger items such as dining sets, beds, armoires, custom art installations, and murals. Our product lines have constantly evolved thanks to the imagination and expertise of our collaborative team of artists and feedback from customers.
The ride has had many ups and downs, but our commitment to telling stories, creating memories for our customers and ourselves continues to be at the forefront of our mission and purpose.
Today, Sticks is home to 40 employees, serves retail and independent customers nationwide, and supports a growing network of artisans who share our values of American craftsmanship and distinct artistry. We have continued to grow and evolve under the leadership of Rachel Eubank, our current president, along with Sarah’s continued support and expertise, and our top-notch team who is truly the fabric of what we do.
