Our Story
Strey Designs creates functional works of art that fit your life. We balance elegance with durability in each of our handcrafted leather pieces, which are skillfully made in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Owner | Designer
Sarah Butala is a Minnesota designer and entrepreneur who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Her career in art was a long and multifaceted journey. She draws inspiration from her past training in painting, drawing, woodworking, textiles, and sculpture. She worked as a puppeteer, art teacher, muralist, and set designer before embarking on her passions—fashion and leatherwork. Sarah lives with her husband, daughter, and their pets in Bloomington, Minnesota, near the majestic woods along the Minnesota River.
The Strey Story
“Everything in my life led me to this point. Which story do you want to hear? The time I transformed my grandfather's Big Mac farmer overalls into a backpack with a few cuts and stitches? Or when an expensive prom dress was out of the question, so I found a Calvin Klein pattern, the most inhospitable fabric, and headed to the ball like a modern-day Cinderella, bippity-boppity-boo? My story is one of necessity, and that’s probably why, as a designer, making objects that serve a purpose is so important. Growing up, living with little meant if I wanted something, I made it.
Now, I prefer it that way.”
—Sarah Butala Now, I prefer it that way.”
