This is the 7th interview of a featured seller participating in our April ArtFire giveaway running Wed. 4/1/09-Tues. 4/7/09. The theme is Eco-Friendly, and all of our sellers offer a 10% discount during the giveaway week and a purchase from any ArtFire shop during that week gets you an extra entry into the giveaway. Buy from a featured seller that week, and we up it to 2! Today's interview is with Jenn Joyner of NinjaJenn. Jenn is donating this precious Earth Day Upcycled Scrabble Tile Pendant.
Here's Jenn...1. Biographical info:
name: Jenn Joyner
Location: Kannapolis, NC (about 20 miles north of Charlotte)
Family size: just me!
I make pendants and other jewelry using wood, resin, paint and paper. I also like to use upcycled/recycled materials as often as i can
2. Who and or what inspired you to become an artist? Was there a specific event or period in your life when you decided to go this route and why? Was it the right decision?
I've always been into creating things. I think it just runs in my family. All the men in my family are diamond cutters and/or goldsmiths, and all the women sew, cook, dance, paint, etc... so it's in my blood. I decided to devote myself to my art full time last year. I just got tired of now doing what I love on a daily basis, and I thought I should give it a shot! It has been rough, and making ends meet is sometimes hard, but I couldn't be happier... so yes, it is TOTALLY the right decision!
3. Define your craft as you see it and explain the mental and physical process you go through to create what you sell. For example, do you spend 90% of the time creating and 10% listing or 70% ruminating on an idea and 30% of the time bringing it to life?
That's a tough one! I'd have to say I spend 100% of my waking time thinking about what I want to create... it's always in the back of my mind! And I spend about 75% of my time actually making things. I LIVE my art... I take it with me wherever I go, and I love to talk about it, think about it, involve myself in it... whatever!
4. What purpose does your art serve in your life? Is it just paying the bills?
It's my therapy, my release, my sustenance, and my sometimes headache. It makes me who I am.
5. Are you a full-time artist or a double agent?
Full time! :0)
6. What other creative outlets do you employ?
I paint, sculpt, and cook along with my "normal" jewelry making.
7. Why do you like selling on ArtFire, and why is being apart of the upcoming giveaway important to you?
I LOVE artfire because of the people. It's not the only site I sell on, but it IS the only site I think of as family. Being in the giveaway is important to me because I LOVE the idea of being "eco friendly"... and I want to let people know that I try my best to be just that at every turn.
8. Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t assume just from browsing in your shop.
I used to think I would be a corporate drone for the rest of my life. I have a degree in business administration, one in accounting, and one in communications. I am totally "ready" for the corporate world, and I was once a "suit all day" broker. (PS. I was MISERABLE! LOL)
9. What have you learned about yourself by being an artist? What have you learned about others and/or society?
I've learned that I am happiest among other creative types, and that I can NOT be happy UNLESS I am creating something. I've learned that others in this community are truly AWESOME, and they will be supportive of me even at my worst... and when I need it most. <3
10. What have you learned about yourself by being a business person? What have you learned about others and/or society?
I've found that, even though I know how to do all the "right steps" to run a business, I still think 90% of it is malarkey. I've learned that we are taught to be cutthroat and hard edged in the business world to survive, but the reality is that the more "human" you are the better off you will be.
11. If you weren’t the artist you are today, what else would you be?
I can't imagine anything else to be honest. I used to be a bartender, and that was about the most fun job I've had besides this one, so I guess I would have to choose that... but please don't make me! LOL
12. What advice would give to someone who wanted to start their own shop on ArtFire or another handmade venue?
Make what you love. Be honest and sincere in all you do. Ask for advice and be willing to listen.... really listen. Be aware of your competition but don't dwell on it. Let your work show who YOU are and the rest will come...
13. What flavor of ice cream are you and why?
I'm more like baskin robbins... I'd have to say i'm ALL the flavors... I have pretty severe ADHD, so I tend to be a lot of things at a lot of different times. I'm totally quirky, so, while I can say what flavor I WOULD be, I CAN say I sure wouldn't be vanilla!
Now see, all ninja's aren't scary! Some of them are downright hilarious! Thanks, Jenn!
Interviews of other sellers in this giveaway: Chelsea Lynn Designs, Jennuine Candles, Campgirldesigns, CobWebPalace, MeaCulpaBodyandBath, Green Hill Soap Co.
Want to peek at past giveaways? January February March
See you tomorrow with another awesome interview!!! ~Lori
2. Who and or what inspired you to become an artist? Was there a specific event or period in your life when you decided to go this route and why? Was it the right decision?
I've always been into creating things. I think it just runs in my family. All the men in my family are diamond cutters and/or goldsmiths, and all the women sew, cook, dance, paint, etc... so it's in my blood. I decided to devote myself to my art full time last year. I just got tired of now doing what I love on a daily basis, and I thought I should give it a shot! It has been rough, and making ends meet is sometimes hard, but I couldn't be happier... so yes, it is TOTALLY the right decision!
3. Define your craft as you see it and explain the mental and physical process you go through to create what you sell. For example, do you spend 90% of the time creating and 10% listing or 70% ruminating on an idea and 30% of the time bringing it to life?
That's a tough one! I'd have to say I spend 100% of my waking time thinking about what I want to create... it's always in the back of my mind! And I spend about 75% of my time actually making things. I LIVE my art... I take it with me wherever I go, and I love to talk about it, think about it, involve myself in it... whatever!
4. What purpose does your art serve in your life? Is it just paying the bills?
It's my therapy, my release, my sustenance, and my sometimes headache. It makes me who I am.
5. Are you a full-time artist or a double agent?
Full time! :0)
6. What other creative outlets do you employ?
I paint, sculpt, and cook along with my "normal" jewelry making.
7. Why do you like selling on ArtFire, and why is being apart of the upcoming giveaway important to you?
I LOVE artfire because of the people. It's not the only site I sell on, but it IS the only site I think of as family. Being in the giveaway is important to me because I LOVE the idea of being "eco friendly"... and I want to let people know that I try my best to be just that at every turn.
8. Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t assume just from browsing in your shop.
I used to think I would be a corporate drone for the rest of my life. I have a degree in business administration, one in accounting, and one in communications. I am totally "ready" for the corporate world, and I was once a "suit all day" broker. (PS. I was MISERABLE! LOL)
9. What have you learned about yourself by being an artist? What have you learned about others and/or society?
I've learned that I am happiest among other creative types, and that I can NOT be happy UNLESS I am creating something. I've learned that others in this community are truly AWESOME, and they will be supportive of me even at my worst... and when I need it most. <3
10. What have you learned about yourself by being a business person? What have you learned about others and/or society?
I've found that, even though I know how to do all the "right steps" to run a business, I still think 90% of it is malarkey. I've learned that we are taught to be cutthroat and hard edged in the business world to survive, but the reality is that the more "human" you are the better off you will be.
11. If you weren’t the artist you are today, what else would you be?
I can't imagine anything else to be honest. I used to be a bartender, and that was about the most fun job I've had besides this one, so I guess I would have to choose that... but please don't make me! LOL
12. What advice would give to someone who wanted to start their own shop on ArtFire or another handmade venue?
Make what you love. Be honest and sincere in all you do. Ask for advice and be willing to listen.... really listen. Be aware of your competition but don't dwell on it. Let your work show who YOU are and the rest will come...
13. What flavor of ice cream are you and why?
I'm more like baskin robbins... I'd have to say i'm ALL the flavors... I have pretty severe ADHD, so I tend to be a lot of things at a lot of different times. I'm totally quirky, so, while I can say what flavor I WOULD be, I CAN say I sure wouldn't be vanilla!
Now see, all ninja's aren't scary! Some of them are downright hilarious! Thanks, Jenn!
Interviews of other sellers in this giveaway: Chelsea Lynn Designs, Jennuine Candles, Campgirldesigns, CobWebPalace, MeaCulpaBodyandBath, Green Hill Soap Co.
Want to peek at past giveaways? January February March
See you tomorrow with another awesome interview!!! ~Lori
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