02.28.08
My Interview with Jenny, Owner of Jenny Hofer Designs
Meet Jenny Hofer, Owner of www.jennyhoferdesigns.etsy.com and http://icraftblog.blogspot.com
Where are you located? Omaha, NE
What do you design? At the moment I primarily work with fabric and yarn, creating sewn handbags and housewares, and knitwear accessories.
Where/How did you learn this? My mom taught me to sew when I was little, and I remember creating my first purse when I was eight. I sewed it all by myself (it even had a divider panel inside!) and my mom sewed in the zipper. She also taught me to knit when I was about the same age, though she is now quick to say that I have surpassed her in skills. I love how my knitting skills are a direct reflection of how my great-grandmothers practiced the same craft. They taught my mom, who lovingly passed it down to me. I am excited to do the same with my own daughters!
Favorite Artist who inspires you? I love Amy Karol and her work. And who doesn’t love Martha?
Where does your inspiration come from? I’m really drawn to color, pattern, and anything that demonstrates a nice aestetic balance. So, I could be inspired from a piece of fabric, a cool magazine ad, and I always love a reallly good Treasury listing on Etsy.
What do you do to combat creative block? Take a break, read a book, just try to get away for a little while and let ideas percolate on their own.
Where do you design your creations? Several years ago I claimed a tiny walk-in closet as my workspace. It is adjacent to our home offic area as well as my bedroom, so I kind of float between those spaces when designing something.
What does your work space look like right now? Messy! I have been getting better about keeping my sewing area a little neater, but the floor and bottom shelves of my tiny closet are always overflowing the extra “junk” that gets cleared from our office and bedroom. My five year old daughter frequently tells me, “Mom, you should really clean up in here!”
How does your family feel about what you do? My husband loves it. He is the first to mention my business anytime we are with others. And my kids love it too, though I get a lot of requests to make stuff for them-especially from my daughters. They’ve already wizened up to the idea that Mom is pretty crafty and has lots of supplies.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Make what you love. Don’t be afraid to show it off a little and to use your own items-you never know when someone will ask “Where did you get that?”
Best advice you received when starting your own business venture? Keep track of expenses! (from my husband of course)
Favorite part of owning your own business? Creative freedom, and I love the idea that people from all over the world can see what I make (and are willing to pay for it as well!)
Least favorite? Keeping track of expenses!
How do you relax? I love to nap. If only my three year old loved it too, life would be much easier.
Favorite color? I am loving kelly green these days!
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Not yet, but it will.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? I would always get a nap, and then I would make more stuff!
A sample of Jenny Hofer Designs products. For all products, please visit Jenny’s website.
