whileshenaps.com

Sewing, blogging, and creative business.

  • Home
  • About
    • About Abby
    • Submit a Story Tip
  • Sewing
    • Abby Glassenberg Design Patterns
    • Free Patterns
    • Softie Sewing Tutorials
    • Softie Design Tutorials
    • Stuffed Animals (the book)
    • The Artful Bird
    • Featured Soft Toy Designers
    • Fostering Your Creativity
      • The Pattern That Changed My Life
    • Kid’s Crafts
    • Selling Your Handmade Softies
    • Sew-a-Longs
    • Studio Updates
    • Teaching
  • Blogging
    • Blog Design and Organization
    • Building Great Email Newsletters
    • How to Write a Great Blog Post
    • Increasing Your Traffic
    • Monetizing Your Blog
  • Business
    • Being Self-Employed
    • Legal and Financial Issues
    • Getting Published
      • Traditional Print Publishing
      • Self-Publishing
        • Patterns
      • Book Reviews
    • Online Culture of Craft
    • Ecommerce and Etsy
    • Marketing
    • Customer Service
  • Newsletter
  • The Podcast
    • Episodes
    • Sponsor the Podcast
    • How to make a podcast
    • Podcast Recommendations
  • Hire Me
    • Consulting
    • Freelance Writing & Design
    • Workshops & Lectures
  • Shop
    • Ebooks
    • Digital Patterns
    • Print Patterns and Kits
    • Specialty Supplies
  • Courses
    • Email Marketing Jumpstart
    • Learn to Sew Puzzle Ball Animals
  • Cart
    • My Account
    • Checkout

Podcast Episode #85: Jennifer Judd-McGee

November 21, 2016 3 Comments

jennifer-judd-mcgee-episode-85

On today’s episode of the While She Naps podcast we’re talking about building a career as an artist and illustrator with my guest, Jennifer Judd-McGee.

Jennifer Judd-McGee is a full time artist and mother living and working in Mount Desert Island, Maine. She describes herself as a nature lover, obsessive doodler, path finder, and appreciator of paper, fine point pens, and detailed patterns. Jennifer creates papercuts, illustrations, mixed media collage and monoprints that are reflective of her surroundings. She shows her work in galleries and licenses it to companies around the country.

collage_mapping_a_course

Mapping a Course by Jennifer Judd-McGee, mixed media collage 2011

Jen talks about living with Multiple Sclerosis and how her work has changed, and blossomed, since she was diagnosed. She also talks about the challenges of balancing motherhood and working as an artist.

cut_0022

From Here to There by Jennifer Judd-McGee, papercut 2011

illo_impervious_tinyart11

Impervious by Jennifer Judd-McGee, illustration 2012

Jen has been selling on Etsy since 2007 and she’s still there. We talk about why she likes Etsy and what the marketplace has done for her and her career.

Recently Jen opened a brick-and-mortar shop called Swallowfield in Bar Harbor, Maine. She explains why she decided to make this move and how she’s approaching curating inventory for the store.

pp-blurbtargetcard

Jen’s work for Target.

jjm_landofnod_bedding

Sheets Jen designed for Land of Nod.

For several years Jen was represented by an illustration agent and did commercial work for clients including Target and the Land of Nod. In our conversation she explains what she learned about herself and her values during that period.

holiday ornament with bird by Jennifer Judd-McGee

Laser etched holiday bird ornament available in Jen’s Etsy shop.

Several times over the course of the last decade Jen has invested in equipment to propel her artwork forward including buying large format printers and a laser cutter. We discuss how to know when it’s worth the financial risk to take these leaps.

jjm_gallery_shot_small

Sail cloth flags Jen made and installed at College of the Atlantic in 2014.

During our conversation we refer to this beautiful video that lives on Jen’s About page on her website. Hear how it came about and what effect it’s had on her business. Here’s the video if you’d like to see it:

Jen also mentions:

  • Her Epson P800 printer
  • perfectposters.com for creating and shipping high-quality prints
  • Lilla Rogers
  • Nahcotta
  • Haystack Mountain School of Craft
  • Surtex
  • being featured by Etsy
  • More & Co.

And, of course, I ask Jen to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. Jen recommends:

  • In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney

Follow Jen on Instagram and on her blog to see new work. If you’re in Bar Harbor, Maine be sure to stop by Swallowfield to pick up a special, handcrafted gift and in the meantime, take a look at Jen’s work on Etsy.

+++++

Made by Rae

This episode is sponsored by Made By Rae. Made By Rae is an independent sewing pattern company specializing in simple, modern clothing designs for women and children. Designer Rae Hoekstra brings you sewing patterns that are easy to follow and learn from, with a focus on good fit. Whether you are just beginning to sew or have been sewing for years, you’ll love how approachable and versatile these patterns are. Use the special offer code WHILESHENAPS to get 10% off your next purchase in the Made by Rae shop. Offer expires December 31, 2016.

+++++

You can listen to the show by clicking on the arrow below, or subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher so you never miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, tell a friend about it! Thank you so much.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email

You might also like:

Filed Under: Episodes, The Podcast

« Language Matters: Making Quilting More Inclusive
Black Friday Sale: 25% Off Everything Plus Free Shipping »

Comments

  1. Louise says

    November 21, 2016 at 11:08 am

    I really enjoyed this episode.
    My favourite podcast, it’s never intimidating.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer Judd-McGee says

    November 23, 2016 at 11:51 am

    Thank you so much for this opportunity, Abby. You made it a lot less awkward and uncomfortable than I’d anticipated, and I really appreciated your thoughtful and researched questions.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. While She Naps podcast - Made By Rae says:
    November 23, 2016 at 11:46 am

    […] friends! Just a little note to let you know that I’m sponsoring this week’s While She Naps podcast. I listened to the episode yesterday while I was running/walking (I’m getting back into […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome! I'm Abby Glassenberg and I'm glad you're here. While She Naps is a blog about designing and sewing stuffed animals and running a creative business.
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Get the Newsletter

Get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week. Sign up for my newsletter:

Bestselling Ebook

Join the Trade Organization

Etsy Shop

Books By Abby

Stuffed Animals Book Trailer

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2018 · Abby Glassenberg · Design by Shay Bocks

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.