Moving from Los Angeles to Brooklyn, multi-disciplinary designer Virginia Sin founded SIN in 2007. She spent a decade in advertising as an art and creative director until deciding to focus on her own line full-time in 2016. A collection of beautiful and intentional creations, SIN is made up of intricately hand-built, crafted, and woven American-made goods, all embedded with sensations of comfort and hominess.

By working slowly and with her bare hands, Virginia aims to produce pieces that make you feel good and give you a reason to spend time in your own space. This past month, however, the artist has been working hard to keep her small business operating. We asked her some questions on how she’s been managing to take care of herself amid the busy-ness and what tools have been the most helpful for her.

Have you started practicing a new daily ritual that you didn’t have time for or that you didn’t feel the need for previously?

I've been incorporating morning meditation before I allow myself a cup of coffee. This is not an entirely new ritual, but it was difficult in the past to stay consistent with this practice. Now more than ever, I find it incredibly healing and grounding to be able to sit in stillness since the rest of my day is go go go.


Did you start reading or watching anything recently that brings you comfort?

I've been reading a lot of business books which as nerdy as this may sound, I absolutely love! I love learning and staying curious. Of course I like to mix in some less academic content like watching Tiger King or catching up on movies I've been wanting to see like Knives out. My husband and I also really love board games and we've been playing backgammon at least one or two rounds a week mixed in with some Settlers of Catan. Again hyper nerdy but I love strategy games and it gives me an outlet for my highly competitive self :)


Staying home has meant more time to be in the kitchen for us. Have you been cooking? Have you discovered any nourishing recipes that are your favorite right now?

Yes! I live to eat so yes, my husband and I already love to cook at home, but with quarantine put in place, we are really taking it to the next level. Our favorite recipes are from NYT Cooking + food52. I attempted a butter chicken recipe last night and it was nourishing and comforting for sure. I also tried cooking with ghee for the first time, I love the flavoring. We are also making our own yeast, so hopefully next week we will be able to make some homemade bread. 

Any playlists or artists you can share for focusing while working, unwinding in the evening, or releasing pent up energy any time of day?

When fulfilling orders, I've been listening to the POLLEN playlist mixed in with some Surf Rock Sunshine when it gets too intense. Both on Spotify. I also like to work in complete silence sometimes. I find it very calming as well.


It can be hard to get exercise when we’re inside most of the day. Have you found fun ways to get physical activity in?

Fulfilling orders by packing boxes (believe it or not, it's a lot of physical labor especially when packing fragiles :))


Have you begun any unexpected projects?

Wish I could say I have the time but I'm currently just trying to keep the company afloat and taking on the workload of my entire team which I had to lay off, in hopes that I can rehire them all back once we are allowed to reopen.


How have you been staying connected to family, friends, and the outside world?

A lot more FaceTime!

Any tips for boosting our immune systems and staying healthy?

I've been eating an orange everyday.


Do you have any general/overall advice for remaining calm during this period? What has felt restorative for you?

I think the quarantine has almost been like a global sabbatical for us all. Only in stillness are we able to really hear ourselves and question things that we didn't have time for... and re-evaluating what it is we are so busy chasing after. I know for myself, it's been incredibly validating to see what I do presently feels like my true calling.

I haven't been able to imagine myself doing anything else for a longtime, and during times like this I feel even more assured. I feel tremendous gratitude that I have found what I love and I am lucky enough to be living my dream every day. That is a gift I will never take for granted.


SEE VIRGINIA SIN'S COLLECTION ON OUR WEBSITE


Images by Sharon Radisch
Interview by Ivy Schneider