An Inspired Chat with Sabrina Santiago of Yonkers

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sabrina Santiago. Check out our conversation below.

Sabrina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
What happily surprises Me about My Clients is their genuine curiosity of My Work. I’ll be at My booth, and before initiating conversation, They will stare intently at My pieces. I give them that time before verbally engaging because My intent is for My Works to have them engage in thought. If My Work can strike an emotion from them, that in of itself is rewarding.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Casa Cherrywood Carvings was born through the time of The Pandemic. While the world was on lockdown, a hobby became a full time business that started in a one car garage. With over 4,000 pieces sold, hundreds of crafts shows under My belt, My Vision is to maintain My Connection with The Hudson Valley and have My Artwork find forever homes across all counties and hopefully beyond.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The most defining relationship is the one I have with My Oldest Son, Christopher. Born with Cerebral Palsy as a result of medical malpractice, Christopher has been a nearly three decade life lesson in perseverance, humility and compassion. His disability has pushed Me to advocate for His right to exist in a world that at times sees individuals like Him as an afterthought. And while some of the world may look at Him with a glance of pity, I see Him as The Strongest Man I know that endures and inspires.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It will get better. I Promise.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
What a question!
There are so many ways to answer that. Ultimately, I would say Yes, weather its the conversations I have or the art that I create that people see; pain is reflected in the colors that I use. calm is conveyed in the creations that I ultimately complete, sorrow is echoed in the cover songs that I sing and peace?…I’ll let the world know when I get there.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“She never quit.” I think that’s the only thing I would want said at that time.

A young lady who I consider a friend asked Me for a reference, and I could give Her nothing but well earned praise.
Not too long after, a friend of Mine was on deaths door and by The Grace of a Higher Power, He was spared.
For both of Them, I told Them the same thing:
“I wont wait until You’re gone from this world to say what an amazing person You are. You can’t hear Me when You leave this world. I would rather tell You and share that about You while You’re here, when it matters the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://casacherrywood.com
• Instagram: casacherrywoodcarvings