"A Day In The Life With Jennie"

Some of my cohorts on here have shared a bit about "recycle, reuse, and upcycle".  Well, I found another Etsy artist that takes “old” and makes “new”.  I had seen Jennie’s shop before and thought she had some pretty nice items.  As I read through some descriptions, I was more intrigued.  Naturally, an interview with her was in my future, and I’m happy to say, was in hers as well.  So today, I invite you to come with me on a journey to an Elegant, Eco-Friendly Crochet Boutique, and spend  . . .

A Day in the Life with Jennie, owner of

“SoSoRosey”

Click here to enter sosorosey's shop

Dude:  So Jennie, how long have you been creating handmade products?  I see you have a lot of crochet items – is that your passion?

Pure Happiness Cotton Floral Coaster Set

Jennie:  Everything in sosorosey is crocheted in some form or another- it is definitely my passion!  I’ve been crocheting since I was about 10 years old- I made some killer outfits for my stuffed animals and dolls, lol.  I graduated to blankets and scarves and sweaters over the years, then found my love for crocheting with fabric to make rugs and bowls.  I can’t imagine a day going by where I am not crocheting something and dreaming of the next project!   

Dude:  What inspired you get into this area of crafting?

Jennie:  My grandmother taught me to crochet, and I’ve always loved the feeling of being linked to her in this way.  Crochet caters to my ordered, neurotic side and provides a creative outlet at the same time. 

Dude:  Tell us a little bit about your process for creating.  

Jennie:  Oh my- my work area is all over my house!  Seriously, my fabrics and yarns are more or less centralized in the downstairs guest room, and when I get to choose what I feel like making, I survey my multitude of material choices and just pick what feels right at the time.    

Vintage Inspired Ornament Trio Retro

Custom orders are a bit more involved- and organized, thank goodness.  I love to receive requests from people looking for something special- like rugs, toy baskets, or keepsakes.  My first step is to gather fabrics for the project and share photos with the customer.  We chat back and forth to be sure we’re on the same page, and then the work (fun) really begins.  I love to keep people involved in the whole process, so updating progress photos is a big part of the job, too.

My favorite item is usually whatever I happen to be working on at the time.  I am currently super excited about my Rosey Goes Retro line of vintage inspired Christmas decorations.  Vintage-Inspired-Ornament-Trio-Retro  I’m also pumped up about a stocking stuffer idea that I have in the works for a team challenge.

Upcycled Baby's Heirloom Toy Basket

One of my most inspiring recent projects was a custom toy bucket made to match a baby’s nursery.  It was primarily crafted from customer provided fabrics- the baby’s own receiving blankets, and some of her late grandmother’s gowns.  I felt incredibly honored to bring this idea to life. Upcycled Baby's Heirloom Toy Basket   
                

Dude:  Where do you typically get your supplies?

Jennie:  I have a big weakness for cotton yarns, and I buy them wherever I find them- online, craft stores, Wal*Mart- you name it.  I typically get my packing string and jute twine in hardware stores.  My favorite supply to shop for is fabric, though.  I get that at my AWESOME local thrift shop.  They have the BEST selection of mismatched sheets… I just browse the aisles and try to envision them all cut up and hooked together again. 

Dude:  Where do you get your ideas for your items?

Upcycled Shapely Pencil Pot Burst

Jennie:  I carry a notebook with me wherever I go, and I keep a running list of ideas that I’d like to work on “someday”.  I always try to challenge myself to create new patterns and techniques – some of these turn out pretty well, and others are miserable disasters- I mean, learning experiences.  I’m really fortunate to have some very creative customers; many of my items came about because someone asked “Do you think you could make….?”                Upcycled Shapely Pencil Pot Burst

Dude:  Where do you sell your items?  
     

Jennie:  My work is currently sold in my Etsy shop and in a handmade boutique called The Muse in historic downtown Frederick, Maryland (http://www.shopthemuse.com/).  I’d love to get my goodies in more local shops and galleries – like so many people I just need more time in the day!

Dude:  A little birdie told me that you have had something published.  Can you tell us about that?  What, where, when?  How did you get into that and do you have anything else in the works?

Jennie:  Two of my pillowcase bowls are included in the Lark Books publication Craft Challenge: Pillowcase .  ( http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Challenge-Dozens-Repurpose-Pillowcase/dp/1600594026) That came about purely by happenstance, when I was contacted by one of the editors through Etsy, I don’t have any other publishing gigs in my immediate future, but I’ve learned in this business you never know what is right around the corner J

Dude:  Anything else you'd like us to know?

This is a proud moment   http://thedecoratingdiva.com/eco-friendly-rugs-2009-top-12/  I'm number 5 :)

Dude:  That is totally awesome!  I can understand why that was a proud moment. Congratulations on that Jennnie.

Dude:  Do you have a blog or any other sites that you are involved in that you would like to share with us, and we can link in our article?

Jennie:  I do have a blog where I love to get input on new projects and share new finds.  I also have a vintage shop on Etsy where I stock the shelves with fabulous vintage fabric and other goodies that I find when I’m out searching for crochet material.

http://sosorosey.blogspot.com/  and  http://www.etsy.com/shop/sosorosey

Thanks Jennie.  I have enjoyed getting to know YOU and have loved wandering around in your shop.

Well, I’ve learned so much here once again.  I’m not the “creative” type myself, but after seeing all her fun upcycled items, I’m thinking that I need to find a way to spare some of those old linens and sheets of mine, and see if they too can be “upcycled” into some beautiful handmade works of art!

Have a wonderful weekend, and don't forget to stop back each and every day to see what new, informative and fun things we're up to around here!!!