Unplugged Inspiration: Jayme Sanders, Mint
Starting this month, we are rolling out a new feature called Unplugged Inspiration. There are amazing people doing inspirational things that make it easier for us to take time from our screens and we want to reward them for their work and let you know about them.
Jayme Sanders
This month, we are highlighting a woman who has been inspiring people to take time from screens and make beautiful things with their hands.
Jayme Sanders has a knack for finding unique crafts that are trending and making it something we could all replicate. Not a fan of social media herself, Jayme knows how to use it to inspire others but then put it aside so she can make connections IRL. Her artistry certainly begs to be photographed but as Jayme puts it, she encourages people to “stop pinning and start doing!”
She was inspired to create her business after working with the Navajo Nation where she saw intergenerational crafting bringing people together. She saw the power of making things together in a group as a great way to open up conversations and to feel productive, things that are helpful in combating urges to check our phones.
In late 2016, Jayme took her ideas and formed Mint Studios in San Diego. As an Experience Curator, she helps people have meaningful gatherings. Starting with a brick and mortar in Carlsbad, she set up a studio for classes with a no phone zone and boatloads of inspiration for adults and children. The classes were an instant hit and soon luxury hotels and some other businesses were eager to have her offer classes off-site at their locations. Now in 2020, Mint has expanded to Northern California, Arizona, and beyond with efforts including corporate retreats. Class participants may find themselves creating a gorgeous succulent arrangement overlooking the ocean, trying their hand at wood burning a meaningful message into a cheese board, or taking a stab at leather-working deep in the Redwood forest. Mint studios provides all the supplies, tools and instruction making it easy for even the novice crafter to create a masterpiece.
Corporate executives from the likes of Salesforce, Google, Netflix, and Uber hold their retreats in nature settings like Auto Camp where the limited wifi, awesome natural beauty, and crafting opportunities from Mint all combine to make the perfect recipe for focus and connection. Jayme’s approach is to use subtle messaging urging people to look up, be present, and make sure their time is well spent.
So how has COVID affected business?
Mint is busier than ever with online classes for some and outdoor retreats with social distancing in nature for others. As for her family (a husband and 3 children), Jayme couldn’t resist the chance to take them along on her working adventures. “this is the one time it is acceptable to do alternative homeschooling while on the road. I’m jumping on this opportunity! We do lessons in the morning and then the kids have plenty of time to go exploring outside. Their classroom this fall is Yosemite, the Redwoods and Moab and it’s fantastic.” Follow along with mint on Instagram @mintstudiosd or visit their website at www.mintstudiosd.com.