Swiftie Sarah De Vera is Spreading Kindness
Handmade by Sarah De Vera.
Huntington Beach Days interviewed local Sarah De Vera after she generously handed out Swiftie friendship bracelets at the Bella Terra showing of The Era’s Tour in October 2023.
Are you originally from HB?
I grew up in Redlands, but I’ve lived in San Diego, Long Beach, and of course, Huntington Beach. I’ve been in HB for about 9 years or so.
Which Taylor Swift concert did you attend?
I attended the Eras Tour at Sofi on Friday 8/4, which was night 2. My husband was my date along with some of our family. I’m so lucky that my husband is a Swiftie and we could enjoy it together. We each bought the black Eras T-Shirt, and a black hoodie but I regret not grabbing that gray quarter zip.
How long have you been a fan of Taylor?
I’ve been a fan since Taylor Swift’s debut album, and this was my first time seeing her in concert. We had tickets to the Lover Tour in 2020 and were so disappointed when it was cancelled indefinitely due to Covid. Leading up to the Eras Tour, we all started making beaded bracelets months in advance and were excited to trade when we got to the show. I will never forget my husband having a ball asking everyone with a carabiner full of bracelets “Do you have ‘My Tears Ricochet’?”, his newly discovered favorite song at the time.
What was your favorite part of the show?
It was so fun to meet other Swifties and see everyone’s outfits. I’ve never seen so much glitter and bright colors! People are so creative, and everyone was so nice!
Swifties are so full of love and you really feel the good energy all around you. It was truly like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
It’s been a hard year for me and my husband with some family and health related issues. There were some pretty low lows but the concert was such a high high for us. We were so blessed to get to experience it together along with family. I didn’t realize I was going to be so emotional when Taylor first came on stage but I was!
It was such a release of all the pressures and bad things that we have endured, and the concert shook me, woke me up, and said “YOU’RE ALIVE!”.
Live music is such powerful medicine. I often wonder if anyone else had a similar experience.
My favorite part of the show was when Taylor sang “Long Live”:
“If you have children some day,
When they point to the pictures,
Please tell them my name!”
I have never heard a crowd sing so loud, so beautifully, and so full of conviction. It truly reminds you of the things that connect us in a world that loves to divide us.
Tell me more about your inspiration to start the bracelets.
Most of the time, I traded bracelets with other people who were also trading bracelets. But I started to realize that I had a lot more I needed to trade and should probably start giving some out. I looked around for someone I thought might like one and I spotted these two girls in their early 20s who were dressed up and chatting while waiting in line for the restroom. I noticed they didn’t have any bracelets, so I asked them if they wanted to pick one. They were so happy and said they didn’t have social media and didn’t know people were doing this until they arrived. They ended up picking a pair of matching green and white bracelets that said “Starbux Lovers”. I love the idea that they still got to join in the fun and they each have a matching set of friendship bracelets to commemorate the day.
At some point, I spotted this guy and girl who seemed like they were a couple. He was wearing a T-shirt with images of Jake Gyllenhaal’s face on it and a thin red “X” over each one. I knew it wasn’t meant to be malicious, but was all in good fun, and asked to take a picture of his outfit. The girl who was with him seemed happy that I complimented his outfit and offered me one of her bracelets from her wrist. Hers were such a unique style with letter beads, beautiful silk woven bands and they were adjustable! I could tell they took a long time to make and I could tell she probably didn’t bring them to trade because she only had a few on each wrist. I picked out a raspberry and white woven bracelet that said “Karma” and she helped me put it on. Out of all the bracelets I got or made, that “Karma” one was my favorite.
How did you learn how to make bracelets?
I purchased the materials on Amazon and looked at Instagram and TikTok videos for inspiration, but I learned how to make the silk woven style, like the “Karma” one, from “@CurlyMade” on YouTube. She has a video called “How to Make a Basic Square Knot Bracelet” and that’s what I used.
What inspired you to come to the Bella Terra showing on 10.15.23 to pass out the bracelets in the audience?
When I learned there was going to be an Eras Tour film in the movie theaters, I knew I wanted to learn how to make the silk woven style of bracelet and I loved the idea of making enough to give out to people. I hoped it would be a keepsake that would remind people of a good memory. I also wanted the people who may not have been able to attend one of the live concerts to be able to join in the fun and feel connected. I also hoped I would make a Swiftie friend or two. In total, I think I made about 70 bracelets for the film and was able to give them all out. People seemed to really like them and that made me really happy.
Do you have plans to sell them?
I have not started selling them, but I have made a few special requests and sent them out for free. I honestly just like spreading joy and I’m treating it like a random act of kindness for now. I think we could all use a little more of that. I also made a few for friends and family in the new year that had their “word of the year” reminder for 2024 on it. Mine says “Hopeful” since I’m wanting to move through this next year with a bit more lightness and optimism. I’m not against selling them in the future but I’m not there yet. If anyone reads this and would like one, please DM me. No promises to get to every single one but I hope to pick out a few requests and send them out.
In HB where are the top 3 places you go to visit to find kindness/inspiration?
All my favorite HB places contain a food element.
I have a favorite bench overlooking the ocean near Dog Beach. I won’t share which one because I don’t want it to get too crowded, but if you live in HB I highly recommend you find yourself a favorite bench. My husband and I like to go out there to clear our heads or sometimes we take lunch to go and enjoy it on “the bench”. For quick take-out options, I highly recommend John’s Philly Grille on Beach Blvd or Da Hawaiian Kitchen’s Chili Pepper Chicken (CPC) on Adams Ave.
Sometimes I like to take myself to Sunday Breakfast or Brunch at Park Bench Café on Goldenwest St. There’s something about the warm comfort food and the outside seating in the park with the birds singing. People can bring their cute dogs here and just have a great breakfast outside and I love that. They also have great coffee.
Venturing up to Sunset Beach, I love this cozy Italian place called Roman Cucina on PCH. It’s always a great environment, great cocktails, great service, and a delicious meal. It’s also right next to a beach access path. After dinner, we have a tradition where we take the short walk out to the sand and put our feet in the ocean before heading home. If you are going to do this, I recommend keeping a just-in-case towel in your car to knock the sand off before you head home, though.
