5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Things About Jenny from A Bird In The Hand Art

Craft & Design

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In this week’s 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 we meet Jenny from A Bird In The Hand Art. She works with many different methods and materials to create her art, but despite the variety, maintains a solid voice by incorporating a strong motif- birds. I think it’s brilliant, and I’m sure she never runs out of inspiration. Jenny is also the first crafter to claim sandpaper as one of her favorite tools!
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One Project You Are Particularly Proud Of
1. A tray that I painted a couple of years ago. It was the first bird that I had ever painted and I did it by following a step-by-step out of a songbird painting book. We still have it in our apartment because I don’t think I could part with it.
Two Mistakes You’ve Made in the Past
1. Only two? Well, staying in grad school as long as I did. I was miserable six months in but I kept hoping it would get better. Nope! I don’t regret going to school though because I think it taught me a lot about finding something that I love and not worrying so much about finding something “successful.”
2. Painting our kitchen orange. Ugly, ugly, ugly. Luckily it is turquoise now.
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Three Things That Make Your Work Unique
1. Using materials in new ways. It’s both my gift and my downfall. As soon as I make one thing or learn a new technique, I’m looking for ways to use it in a new way or combine it with something else. It’s led to some unfinished projects. I can’t ever knit anything too large because as soon as I figure out my technique works, I want to start over and try something new.
2. Variety. I can’t stick to one craft so I’ll try anything. Painting, knitting, sculpting, metalwork. If there is a class or book on it, I’ll try it. Shoot, I don’t even need that, just give me a craft store and I’ll read the back of the box.
3. Novelty. I try to keep my pieces fresh. I definitely am inspired by others and don’t presume that no one has ever made something similar to me. But I do my best to make every piece really stand out.
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Four Tools That You Love to Use
1. Pliers. Essential for jewelry-making and pretty much anything I do. They are my daily crafting tool.
2. Sandpaper. It’s such a small thing but can make a huge difference between a finished and unfinished piece.
3. Sewing Machine. I just learned to use it this year, but it’s been so helpful. I’m no longer limited by thinking “oh well it would take so long to sew that.” I can do a quick seam whenever I want!
4. Photoshop. Of course for editing photos for showing off my work, but also for editing images to use in my work. I paint birds but then love to use the images over again in different ways. Photoshop is great for editing them in the way I need.
Five Inspirations
1. Nature. If you’ve spent any time on here, you know I use birds in a lot of my work. They’re so pretty!
2. Pinterest.com. Yeah, I could spend hours looking on here.
3. Thrift stores. I like to go about once a week and do a lap. I’ll find fabric to use in my pieces or a cool wooden box to fix-up.
4. My Husband. He is so supportive and a great designer himself. I love bouncing ideas off of him and listening to his thoughts (yes, you can go awwwww).
5. Blogs. I subscribe to way too many blogs because there are about 150 new posts in my google reader every morning. Oh my. There are just so many creative people out there!

8 thoughts on “5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Things About Jenny from A Bird In The Hand Art

  1. cassie says:

    thats really neato. I feel the same way. I can’t help it, I have to paint, sew , sculpt, crochet, doodle, anything to keep busy and learn new things. Blogs, nature, and significant others, it is all so nice isn’t it!?!

  2. Memories for Life Scrapbooks says:

    I love Jenny’s work and her birds are so beautiful! One of my favorites are her bird ornaments…so unique!

  3. Jennifer says:

    I like that your husband is on your list of inspirations, because this seems so realistic and wonderful.

  4. storybeader says:

    what a fun article to read! Her birds are so pretty! {:-D

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