Interview with the artist - Jenny from Bug Eater

"I have been knitting since my mom taught me years and years ago when she got tired of seeing me sitting around and doing nothing."

Well done, Jenny's mother, I say! Please welcome a dear friend I met on Plurk years ago and let's jump right in.

Tell us a little about who you are and where you come from.

My name is Jenny and I am an Alaskan Native Yupiaq Eskimo, I grew up in a very small Yup'ik village on the West coast of Alaska. I now live near Chicago with my husband and family. I've lived down here for 13 years now.

 

Lace weight cowl or nachaq (From the description: "A nachaq is basically the hood of a parka (atkuk). These days it is also a word used for hat since not everyone wears parkas anymore." Bet you didn't know that. I didn't.)

 

What's your craft and how did you get to do it in the first place?

I knit and crochet. My mother taught me how to knit when I was about 12 years old. I didn't get into it until I was about 17 or 18 and at that time I dove into knitting with lace weight yarn and  (what seemed to me at the time) tiny size 3 needles. As for crocheting, I was taught by my grandfather's sister. I made a bunch of granny squares ,but never got to finish the whole thing. After I went off to college my mom asked what I wanted to do with them and I had no idea. She asked if I wanted her to sew the squares together to make a blanket. It was a great idea and as a thank you we decided to give it to my grandfather's sister. She loved the gift and told me that she still uses it!

 

Mix and match crocheted newborn baby hats

 

I think this is one of the most asked questions – where does your inspiration come from?

 

My inspiration comes from wanting to knit something beautiful and eye catching. I love making gifts for people, especially when I know they'll be worn and appreciated! Not exactly sure if that's an answer for "inspiration," but that's it for me.

 

Fingerless armwarmers made to order in different colors

 

Tell us a fun thing about yourself. 

 

No idea!

 

Do you do other crafts, if yes, what?

 

Well, I mostly knit and crochet. Once in a while I will cross stitch. I have so many started cross stitch projects that I would love to finish one day. 

I also bead and make bracelets, necklaces and earrings with seed beads. When I first started I was very young, making single stranded "jewelry." When I got older, I found a necklace that my mom's grandmother made for her and I copied it. I still love making that pattern.

Which one of your pieces is your absolute favorite?

 

One of my absolute favorites I had listed to sell, but after a little while I unlisted it because I could not part with it. It is a deep purple lace cowl that I made and couldn't stand the thought of selling it. I am planning on making other cowls in the same pattern some time soon.

 

Knitted North Star scarf

 

Which one was the hardest to make and why?

 

I don't know if there are any things that, for me, were the hardest to make. Maybe the full fingered gloves because they're custom made to fit the buyers and I have to make sure the  fingers will fit their measurements.

 

Is there someone whom you admire and who inspires you?

 

All the women in my family are crafters of some sort. Almost everyone can do  knitting, sewing, beading, crocheting, weaving. Hand sewing clothes out of fur was the key to the survival of my ancestors. I wish I could hand sew things like parkas and boots like they did way back then, but sadly it has become a dying art. I admire them all because it all ties us together.

 

Men's hand knit fingerless gloves

 

If you had free choice of just one supply you can use for your craft, what would you be dreaming of, no matter how expensive?

 

That would definitely be Qiviut (the wool of the musk ox)!!! I have been telling my husband for years that if he bought me a baby musk ox to raise I would be happy for the rest of my life. Sadly, it hasn't happened- yet. :D

 

Do you sell online, if yes, where can we find you?

 

I have shops on Zibbet, ArtFire and Etsy.

Is there anything you feel you need or want to tell the world outside now?

 

Eat your veggies, drink plenty of water and don't forget to buy my stuff! :D

 

 

Thank you, Jenny ... or should I call you Bug like I'm used to? I bet there's a story behind that, too!! ;-)