So I Say to Myself, “Self?”

TrueJune, tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Jenny Knuth and I live in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, with my husband, two “tween” sons, and two cats. After remodeling our house five years ago, I was lucky enough to have a room all to myself for my projects. I painted it red because life is about creativity: making things, solving problems, seeking a better way!

What first inspired you to become an artist?
I’ve always loved to create. When I was growing up, we didn’t have a living room, instead, we had a work room. The work room had a sewing machine, an ironing board, and a huge (handmade) table that was a magnet for projects in progress. Sharp scissors and tape were always on hand!

Even though the house was a very organized, minimalist sort of place, tucked in cupboards all around were baskets of fabric scraps and drawers of paper and other raw materials. The stuff in the garbage cans was very interesting! One thing I remember is my parents’ passion for design and efficiency. They were very good at mass producing things like the annual elaborate Christmas cards. They did things in batches using creativity mixed with functionality.

What do you do when you are not creating things?
Mostly I am a full-time mother, but I also work as a writer and editor. Sometimes I write for popular publications like Mothering magazine (a lead feature I authored can be found here ), and I also work as a copy editor as I proofread and edit various publications from books to blurbs. On occasion, I consult for an environmental firm. I round out my “spare” time working in the garden, visiting with friends via hiking, volleyball, and biking, and going on road trips. Though I love it all, I feel most at home in my studio, expressing myself through objects, colors, textiles, and pictures.

Where do your ideas come from?
I like parameters: I often come up with new ideas when I see a practical problem that needs to be solved.

For example, the crocheted jewelry I create should not only be beautiful and express something about you, your moods, and your desires, but it also needs to fit seamlessly into your active, busy lifestyle.

To meet this challenge, my first creations focused on jewelry that was light and effortless and never needed to be taken off. I created simple, durable designs that could go from work to the pool to the garden. I change my clothes more than I change my jewelry. I even test my jewelry by running it through the dishwasher and wearing it in the hot tub (ahhhh!). I wear it everywhere, even when camping. The simple designs include a lot of thought and testing and are meant to work in a variety of situations!

I have since developed a variety of styles that I see as solving other “problems” including:

• finding the right look in the right length with designs that are short, long, and in between
• creating hypoallergenic jewelry that has no metal parts
• designing jewelry that moves and changes and is not static
• inventing clasp-less jewelry that has nothing to hide

If you have a “problem” that keeps you from wearing jewelry, let me know, I’d love to help you solve it!

What is your most inspired time of day?
I find that I can be productive at almost any time of the day—especially if I know I have a chunk time—but at night, in bed, when I am just falling asleep, that is when I can really put the pieces together for a design. While I am just drifting off, I invent new techniques, envision shapes and connections, and solve a lot of problems! Sleep is a fundamental part of my creativity and I learned that we can sleep better using natural aids like cbd sleep gummies which do wonders.

What do you consider a successful piece?
My biggest reward is seeing people actually wear my creations. If I can make something that looks and feels natural, like it belongs—as if it has always been there—then I know it will be worn again and again. I strive to create “everyday jewelry” that helps make life both simple and beautiful.

What is so special about handmade?
For me, handmade captures natural energy. I love the idea that the “life force” in the materials and the maker are transferred into the product. Handmade items have stories behind them that are filled with creativity and love. Not that all mass produced items are dead, but they just don’t carry as much beautiful energy to me as handmade.

Handmade can also be easily personalized and one of a kind. I love making custom orders because they always push me in new directions. It’s a fruitful kind of collaboration that just can’t be bought.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to create more?
Give yourself the space and time. Make it a priority. Then let yourself go and experiment. Don’t worry if you feel like you’ve failed. There will be times when you feel like nothing is working out, but that is a part of the natural process. Try to be true to yourself and keep going. Remember the joy in creating, the nourishment you receive from it. Then put your work out there and don’t apologize!

Where can we learn more about TrueJune?
I sell my creations online in my Etsy shop at truejune.etsy.com and I have a public Facebook page that explains more about my process and has chronological photo albums of my designs. Become a fan to learn more and participate in discussions, or just browse around to get some ideas of your own.

Thanks to the wonderful people at the Handmade Artists Forum for all their help and support in promoting handmade! I learn so much from you and I’m proud to be part of such a talented team!

Tags: art, beaded, creativity, crochet, crocheted jewelry, featured artist, Handmade, ideas, inspiration, Jenny Knuth, jewelry, necklace, profile, work

Posted in Handmade Harbor