Jennifer Deshazer is a craft, sewing and DIY blogger, writing about her latest projects on her blog A Jennuine Life, which she founded in 2013. Jennifer has been creating all of her life, from making dolls with her grandma and cross-stitching and crocheting with her mom. As an adult, she even learned to quilt and started her own craft group. She now sells her craft items and PDF patterns on Etsy. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Jennifer Deshazer.
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1) In your own words, describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
Part of my original tagline for my Etsy shop was “simply sweet creations”. I think that’s a fair description of my aesthetic - I like clean lines with something unique added.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
Most of my patterns have evolved from a garment I first made for one of my two daughters. Sometimes I’m inspired by a detail I’ve seen, or sometimes an activity.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
Without a doubt, that would be Lauren Dahl of Pattern Workshop/Selvage Designs/Baste & Gather. Lauren is a rockstar combination of creativity and drive, with a huge business and marketing acumen. When she puts her mind to do something, she accomplishes it with remarkable capability. Not only do I respect her talents, she is directly responsible for helping me establish my business by providing tools I needed to succeed.
4) When looking for inspiration, is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
It’s more a matter of having time to act on my inspirations! I keep a notebook with sketches I’ve jotted down, and refer to that when I need a reminder.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
I have found pattern making to be a “perfect storm” combination of my creative and analytical sides. I’m an accountant by training, and part of that background is working with data and documenting work processes; precisely the skill set needed for writing tutorials. Add in my left brain creativity and you have Jennuine Design. Capitalize on the skills you have and develop the ones you need to succeed.
