Hello and Happy Sunday friends!
Let’s get to know Jeanna from Kneaded Love who makes super cute clothing in Vermont for any/all the little ones in your life! She’s taking a break from making and baking up in the woods to come down for the BBB!
Hi there! First things first: What’s your name, what’s your business name, where are you from, and where are you currently located/crafting?
My name is Jeanna Jensen-Segal, my business is Kneaded Love. I’m from Rochester, Vermont, and am currently crafting in a pine forest four driveways down the road from the farm where I grew up.
How did you get your start? Please tell us a little bit about how your business went from an idea to what is is today.
I’ve been sewing since I was four years old. Other kids played with their toys and dolls, I made clothes for mine. I started making baby clothes while nannying during the summer of 2009, just a few skirts and dresses. But it was the arrival of my niece Isla that inspired me to start sewing like a fiend. Once she was wearing my dresses, other people started asking for them. My mother has a studio and gallery in our town, and gave me space to display my clothing.
What inspires you the most to create?
For the baby clothes, my inspiration is Isla. No question. She’s my little homeslice, and I absolutely adore her.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
Almost all of my fabric is 100% cotton. I have some new things I’m working on using wool and cashmere, but never any synthetics.
Do you have a favorite color palette?
I love bright colors! When choosing fabrics, I look for crisp lines in the printed patterns, bright colors, designs that will look good on smaller people. In general I steer away from pink, though I have given in a little to please some customers.
Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them?
My mother, Judy Jensen, has been an artist her whole life. She taught me to sew, and is why I’ve always had full access to a great ceramics studio. Looking at her work, most people can’t believe it was all done by the same person because there is such a variety of styles. I love my mother’s work not just because she’s my mom, but because she has managed to stay excited, curious, and exploratory after all of this time. And she does it with a sense of humor and whimsy. My mother taught me about Craft as an art, about making things by hand and making them well.
Crossfox accessories (www.crossfoxshop.com) is Emilie Bosworth-Clemens, a girl I went to high school with. Her clothing is beautiful, comfortable, and has pockets in all the right places. I was recently given a dress from Montreal-based Little Houses (www.littlehousesclothing.com) and literally kept it on for three days the first time I wore it. Again: very comfortable, with excellent pockets.
Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? (Nothing TOP-SECRET, of course!)
As my muse and favorite model grows, I’ve been adding styles accordingly. Now that she’s talking and starting to choose her outfits, I’m sure she’ll influence new styles even more.
What are some other things you like to do when you are not busy making awesome stuff?
I make other awesome stuff… mostly the edible sort. I pickle anything and everything I can get my hands on, make and sell sorbets, and bake all sorts of things— from tiny perfect cookies to wedding cakes. Mostly I like to feed people, so I’ll invite friends over to sit at my table and let me make them food and cocktails. These rounds of Fat Kid (my favorite game) usually start with a pickle tasting, end with gelato and sorbet, and have many other courses in the middle.
What are the top 3 reasons someone shopping at the BBB 2012 should be sure to stop by your table?
1. Everyone you know is having babies and those babies need beautiful clothing.
2. My clothes are a nice alternative to screen printed onesies and tees (which are also great!).
3. There’s a chance I’ll have cookies to share. No promises, but it’s always a possibility.
What is your favorite background noise to listen to while working?
I have a 13.5 hour playlist that is all funk and soul, about half of it James Brown, and another that is just under ten hours of old school hip-hop— KRS, De La, Tribe, Public Enemy, Run DMC, etc. Both of those get a lot of play. But when I really need to buckle down and get things done, I stream archived episodes of This American Life.
Where do you (craft) work?
In a Marlette mobile home from 1969 in a pine forest four driveways down the road from the farm where I grew up, in Vermont. Specifically in my living room. Everything is sewn on my beloved and ancient Singer 401A.
What is your favorite mythical beast and what do you think their favorite crafty past time is?
When I was little I used to tell people I wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up, but now I’m partial to unicorns. If two unicorns worked together they could knit.
