Shannon Richards (formerly Shannon Hird) is the owner, founder, head instructor and pattern designer for the Muse Sewing Workshops.

Here's the long version of how Muse came into being......

"I created the Muse Sewing Workshops as a way to bring people together to explore and expand their creativity. To inspire people to believe in and follow their dreams and to live their lives as an expression of those dreams not as a denial of them!
The Muse Sewing Workshops has provided a place, since 2002, where people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels can join together to learn how to sew and express their creativity while learning the fundamentals of design, fashion, and product development. I have strived to offer something for everyone whether you are an absolute beginner, have been sewing for years and and are just looking to "fine tune" your skills, or if you find yourself thinking about starting a career or business of your own in the industry.
I have been sewing for over ten years. It all began with the desire to make clothing of my own. I made enough sundresses, skirts and handbags to fill my closet. I liked sewing so much that I wanted to learn more about it and ended up getting a part time job as a costume maker at a local theater in Albuquerque, NM. I basically faked my way through the tasks given to me as I was practically still a novice, but I was determined to learn. About a year later I was offered a job in Santa Fe, NM, also as a costume designer at a couture costume shop called "The Costume Salon". I accepted the job immediately and eventually moved up to Santa Fe to work there full time. Those of us who worked at the "Costume Salon" were free to use our imaginations and to create whatever our hearts desired. It seemed like heaven for me at the time - just what I needed fresh out of college.
Although I had been working as a seamstress and costume designer for a few years I was never formally taught and I found myself interested in learning to sew the "right" way - neater, cleaner, with more patience. I sought out a local fashion designer and asked if I could work with her either as an apprentice or an employee. She graciously took me on as an apprentice and soon after decided to hire me full time. It was by working with her and other professional seamstress' and designers that I learned to perfect my own skills. I learned all about alterations, interior design and sewing, custom clothing design and production, pattern making and much more. I was very lucky to have worked along side so many inspiring, creative, and entrepreneurial women.
I guess they must have rubbed off on me and in 1999 I decided to branch off on my own and design, produce and sell a line of handbags under the name "Muse Handbags". Muse handbags were sold all over the U.S. and in many places in Europe, Japan and Australia. In 2002 I moved to San Francisco, CA (Yeah!!!) and decided to take a break from making handbags. But I couldn't stay away from sewing all together so I started sharing my skills and love for sewing through private sewing lessons. I taught the very first Muse Workshop in September of 2002 to a full crowd. The workshops were so popular that I quit my day-job to teach full time. I am continually inspired by my work and my students.
Now, after three full years of teaching hundreds of classes to hundreds of students, I am, again, branching out and expanding Muse. In the New Year of 2006 I will be launching a brand new line of easy to follow, accessory patterns based on my experience teaching all of my amazing students over the last few years! Stay tuned for more info - I still have a few more surpises up my sleeve!!

Overview:
1993-1995 : Massachusetts College of Art : majored in Fashion and Jewelry
1995-1998 : University of New Mexico : majored in Art (BFA)
1997-1999 : Taught Art & Photography at the Harwood Arts Studios : ABQ, NM
1997-1999 : Costume Creator ACLOA Theater : ABQ, NM
1998-1999 : Costume Designer/Creator Costume Salon : Santa Fe, NM
1999-2001 : Assistant to Fashion Designer "Tangoleva" : Santa Fe, NM
1999-2003 : Muse Handbags
2002-present : The Muse Sewing Workshops & soon to be released Muse Patterns!