Chapel Hill Resident Sold Handmade Flowers to Make Ends Meet
Sandra Theard began selling her pipe-cleaner creations in April 2026 to support her daily needs.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
In April 2026, 70-year-old Chapel Hill resident Sandra Theard began selling handmade pipe-cleaner flowers for $10 each. Theard, who lives on $1,300 in monthly Social Security benefits, uses the income from her craft to cover gas, food, and daily necessities.
Why it matters
Theard creates these flowers to maintain financial independence while managing daily costs such as maintaining her vehicle, which has reached 340,000 miles. Her work serves as a personal effort to sustain herself while she navigates a property tax appeal with the Orange County Board of Equalization and Review.
Theard requires 45 minutes to construct each flower, which she sells for $10 apiece. She manages these production efforts alongside a fixed income of $1,300 in monthly Social Security benefits.
The players
Sandra Theard
She is a 70-year-old Chapel Hill resident who crafts and sells pipe-cleaner flowers to supplement her fixed income.
Morris Hogan
He was Theard's great-grandfather who built a one-room schoolhouse for Black children following the era of emancipation.
Orange County Board of Equalization and Review
This local government body is currently reviewing a property tax appeal filed by Theard.
The details
Learning the craft through YouTube videos, Theard sets up her flower sales in the parking lot of the First Horizon Bank on Franklin Street. Her project honors a family legacy, as she is related to the historical Chapel Hill Flower Ladies who operated from the 1920s to the 1990s.
Timeline
1853: Sandra Theard's great-grandfather, Morris Hogan, was born.
1920s-1990s: The Chapel Hill Flower Ladies sold flowers in the area.
1960s: Theard was a young girl living in the region.
April 2026: Theard began selling pipe-cleaner flowers.
Market Landscape
Theard's work reflects a continuation of the tradition established by the Chapel Hill Flower Ladies, who were local landmarks from the 1920s to the 1990s. This effort highlights how local individuals leverage historical community ties to navigate modern economic pressures.
Residents may encounter Theard selling her flowers in the First Horizon Bank parking lot on Franklin Street. Her story highlights the reality of managing fixed-income budgets amidst rising costs of living.
The takeaway
Theard's initiative shows how personal creativity can be utilized to supplement fixed Social Security income. Her efforts demonstrate a persistent community connection that bridges her family's past with her present financial requirements.
Further reading
For more stories on community-driven support, visit the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Tar Heel.
