This summer, EOH has taken on a whole new dynamic as we have added quite a few members to our company. Each of these women have unique gifts that allow them to contribute to our team as a whole. We are so grateful to be advocates and learners of each other’s talents, and as such, we want to share a little bit about the hearts, drives, and passions of those behind the scenes at EOH. So, let’s meet and greet EOH’s fantastic and creative customization artist, Anna Barnes.
Anna Barnes has the whole package—insanely talented designer, meticulous sewer, detail-oriented artist, and full-time mom. Stepping into her East Nashville home, Madding and I got to take a look into what seemed like a real-life Anthropologie but just with more kids toys. Anna’s home, quirky and colorful, only pieced together her insanely unique and rockin’ personality. We absolutely love her creative spirit and innovative ideas that help customize your perfect invitation, announcement, or personal paper.
What is your role here at EOH Custom Paper Lovelies?
A: My main role is helping Emily with design work on the computer (illustrator, photoshop, InDesign) and revitalizing the Christmas collection. Projects I have helped Emily with have included – Custom baby shower invitations, custom birthday party invitations, custom baby announcements, wedding programs and Christmas design.
As an architect (in a former life), my creativity and design training comes from a slightly different path than others in this industry. My mind thinks in diagrams and through drawing my thoughts out so working through designs with Emily in this manner has helped us efficiently discuss our ideas on paper before ironing it out on the computer.
I am also helping bring a new branch of customization to EOH by sewing paper. By adding thread and layering pieces onto paper lovelies, we are able to give clients a very custom and personal feel to their orders.
What is your biggest passion in life?
A: My biggest passion (and focus) in life is my family. Oliver (4), Lilian (2) and Georgia (6 months, pictured below) have completely changed my focus and priorities. When I was working full-time as an architect, I quickly realized that the lifestyle I was pursuing in that industry was not one that would allow me to focus on my family like I felt I needed to. Luckily, my husband and I were at a point in our lives where I was able to stay home and work part-time trying to see which direction I felt like God was calling me and our family. I am the type of person that requires a creative outlet and focus so working with Emily these past few months has allowed me a lot of flexibility to stay home with our kids but also allows me to work in a creative field that helps bring joy to people. I love using the creative and problem-solving part of my brain to work while still being able to play and love on our babies. Another thing I love and am drawn to is sewing – mainly quilts, blankets, and things to cuddle with that you can’t have enough of. Sewing is my old-lady outlet for creativity because I can focus on it to take my mind off of things, or I can do it while sitting on the couch and paper piecing heirloom quilts. I love using my hands and seeing something beautiful and unique produced. And I am obsessed with fabric and love collecting it.
What would the “perfect” day look like for you?
A: A perfect day for me would be exploring the city with our perfectly behaved children. But since that is highly unlikely to happen because our kids are a bit wild, I will happily take a day of sleeping in while Joe takes care of the kids, and then, we explore the city we love with our mildly behaved kids which wears them out to have an early bedtime. Or just a day to myself – that would be nice too.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?
A: This past year, our daughter Lily got very sick with pneumonia at Christmas, and we ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks over the holidays. We were very close to losing her, and it was a very scary 2 weeks for all of us. Being 9 months pregnant and the planner I am, I had the holidays planned out to a ‘t.’ I had stressed about the smallest details and worried over the silliest things. Throughout that experience, I realized that the things I had been stressed about and the worries I had were so unnecessary, and I should have just been enjoying our time with the kids and with our family. Throughout our hospital stay, I was forced to give a lot of major worries (instead of the frivolous ones from before) to God and let Him handle it and He did. Lily recovered (longer than we expected but again I think God was teaching us a little patience), and she is healthy and thriving now.
What is one word that describes your personality?
A: Intricate, Purposeful, and Intentional (I helped her pick all three…hehe)
Thanks so much for meeting and greeting our newest EOH team member. We are so thankful to share Anna with you for a bit! Stay tuned for more introductions, so you can get to know more of the wonderful people at Team EOH.
Photos Courtesy of Madding McFadden & the EOH team
