Artisan Snapshot: Jen Johnson of Mama's Magic Studio

And now, for our final installment of our "Artisan Snapshot Series" - Jen Johnson of Mama's Magic Studio! Jen is our fearless SF Etsy Team Captain (for almost a year now) and we couldn't have made it this far without her. 

Get to know a little more of what's behind the magic by reading just a bit more about Jen:

• Who are you? And what drives to you create!?

I'm Jen, the Mama in Mama's Magic Studio, and I make Handmade Magic. I've always been a crafty, creative sort. Before my kids were born, much of that creative energy went into writing (I'm a published poet). When I became a mother, all that changed. My son was born in 2005, my daughter in 2007, and even as life has settled down a bit after those whirlwind baby days, I still find it really hard to carve out the kind of time and focus that my muse requires. (Aside from blogging, I don't do a lot of writing these days.)

Bird's Nest Pendant for a Boy & a Girl
by MamasMagicStudio - $37 USD

 But I still have a lot of creative energy, and I find myself going a little crazy when it doesn't get used. Handcrafts and jewelry design are good outlets for that energy for me right now while I'm staying home full time with the kids. When the kids see my hands busy making something beautiful, they are able to understand "Mommy is BUSY!" Sitting in front of a computer screen or staring at a piece of paper with pen in hand doesn’t have the same effect!

When & why did you start your Etsy shop?

I opened my first Etsy shop (bfbeads) in 2006, when Etsy was still in Beta. I closed that shop shortly after I opened Mama's Magic Studio in 2008.

I believe that something truly magical happens when an artist's hands create. When the hands finish the work, something new and beautiful exists in the world. To me, that's magic -- even though I know and experience the effort and skill required by every step of the process. Handmade magic is not the result of a wave of a wand! It's a labor of love, and (aside from being a Mama) the most satisfying thing I know. I opened my Etsy shop to share that magic and love with the world.

Knitting Needles & Yarn Earrings in Magenta
by MamasMagicStudio - $20 USD

What other favourite hobbies/activities do you enjoy?

I'm a bit of a crafting junkie, and I enjoy learning new skills and techniques. I've taken classes in basket weaving and millinery (hat making). I enjoy knitting, quilting, sewing, cooking, and playing with my kids. My husband and I used to be pretty good swing dancers; I wish we had more time to keep in practice. I'm also a huge bookworm, and when my hands aren't busy with parenting or crafting, they are usually holding a book.

To find out more about Jen & her awesome creations, please click on the links below:

ETSY // WEBSITE // BLOG // FB // TWITTER 

ARTFIRE // SF ETSY BLOG

Check out Mama's Magic Studio & 16 other artists at Winter Wonderland Craft Bazaar - Saturday December 4th, from 1PM to 9 PM at Urban Bazaar (1371 9th Ave, San Francisco).

RSVP on Facebook!