WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?
Hi! I’m Jennifer. I’m from Columbia, SC. I have spent my entire life in the South, with stints in both the Carolinas and several years in Florida. I trained as a children and family therapist, but now find myself studying the craft of machine embroidery. I work out of my home studio in Columbia.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.
I started from scratch with learning how to digitize my designs and stitch them out, so I mostly learned by screwing things up again and again. I take a lot of inspiration from so much of what I love about the South. I sketch designs and then digitize a first stitch out. Sometimes designs come together quickly (yay!), but sometimes I wrestle to figure out the best way to translate the design to stitches or what color stories to use. It has been a humbling process, but also so full of growth. Wait — am I talking about my art or myself?

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
ALL THE THINGS. I find inspiration from nature, architecture, my loved ones, fellow artists. The South is full of incredible people doing interesting things. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place!

FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.
I hiked the Chilkoot Trail, which is the same route the gold miners took through Alaska and British Columbia during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 19th century.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.
How walkable the city is — a lovely riverfront stroll can easily turn into in night out with dinner & drinks.

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?
I am proud to come from a long line of makers. I get so excited by the connections that can be made with others when I share what I create. What a gift that I can help someone celebrate a special moment, grieve a lost loved one, recall a cherished memory, or just enjoy the beauty of a new piece of art. 

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?
Just keep making stuff. You learn by doing, messing up, and trying again. Don’t let yourself get hung up on making everything perfect the first time. You’ll get there eventually!