community ^ makers
Reinventing the cartwheel through modern quilting and print-making CartWheel
VKC: Why do you make? Jessica: Honestly, I make because I have to. For as long as I can remember I have used the process of “making” as a form of self expres- sion and self therapy. VKC: How has your brand evolved over the past few years? Jessica: My brand has transformed along with my lifestyle: It has morphed from a mobile pop-up shop in a school bus to a focused studio practice at the Bauer building. I have stream- lined my artistic practice to focus on surface pattern design and fiber-based processes. VKC: What materials do you love to work with? Jessica: I am a material based artist, I find inspiration in exploring what a material can do and how I can challenge it. These days I am mostly working with fabric, dye and print. VKC: What do you love about Kansas City? Jessica: I love how KC feels like a small town and how supportive the creative com- munity is here. VKC: What is important in your workspace? Jessica: Positive energy, natural light and good tunes. VKC: How are you changing the maker land- scape in KC? Jessica: I saw a need in KC for artists and makers to sell their work, so for the past five
years I have been highly involved in organiz- ing pop-up events such as the Gypsy Market, Crafts n Drafts, Crossroads Block Party, and Boulevardia. I made it my main focus to give other makers in the community an outlet to show and sell their wares. Now that we have such a strong momentum of markets in town, I have stepped back from organizing and am focusing on my own work. VKC: What do you hope for the future of your business and the maker community? Jessica: For my business and artistic practice,
I hope to continue to broaden my creative community and collaborate with new artists. And for the maker community, I hope that it con- tinues to grow and appreciate the value of handmade and lo- cally made goods. For more information, visit cartwheeljess.com.
46 vintagekc fall 2016
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