Featured Seller: Mignonne Handmade

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mignonnehandmade

Story by mignonnehandmade

Published on Feb 13, 2012 in Shop

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Well, being a mom is a big part of who I am these days. I have two children, Emma (5) and Milo (8 months). They are my main priority, and I consider myself so lucky to be able to be home every day with them; these years go by so fast. My husband Aaron is super supportive of Mignonne Handmade.

What would be the title of your memoir? Why?
I honestly don’t know how to answer this question, so my husband thinks it should be One Woman’s Obsession With France: The Jenn Wood Story. Haha!

Where does your inspiration come from?
So many places. Sometimes I see a color, shape or general style that inspires me. Sometimes it’s a time period or work or art that I like, and it evolves from there.

What does handmade mean to you?
Something that is made by a person with love and care. It can never quite be duplicated, making each piece its own. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had the tendency to pick one of those things that is not like the other.

Who has been most influential in your craft?
I think my craft has evolved through contact, inspiration and encouragement from all the people in my life.

When did you know you were an artist/maker?
As a kid I was always obsessed with art, drawing, sculpting – making anything, really – and that passion only grew as I got older. I remember having a sketchbook when I was about 13 or so, filled with sketches of shoe designs. My shoe obsession continues to this day.

How would you describe your creative process?
I think creating something really good is in the doing. Sometimes I end up just sitting down and making something, anything, and it evolves into what I want it to be in the end. Also visual stimulation (films, art, fashion) is very important.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?
Since fashion is a major artistic interest for me, I think it would be amazing to visit the studios of famous French clothing and millinery designers through the ages. I know that’s cheating, but I really have a hard time picking just one of anything.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Probably stuff my daughter has made for me. I know it’s corny, but it’s really true. I just love her adorable drawings and paintings of our family. Also, I do love the handmade woodwork table my husband made for me.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?
Again, just sitting down and tinkering, looking at things that inspire me. Having someone to bounce ideas off is great. This past year, Mackenzie Goodman came to work for me and bacame an assistant designer. She is amazingly good at what she does, and I can always count on an honest opinion from her when I’m working on new collections.

Where would you like to be in ten years?
Everyone who knows me is going to laugh when they read this, because they know what I’m about to say. I really would love to live in Europe someday, specifically France. My husband is really into the idea too, so he got me Rosetta Stone in French for Christmas. He would like to live in Germany, so I told him we could compromise and live in the Alsace region of France, which borders Germany. They speak both French and German there. I would also love to still be creating; my goal is for Mignonne Handmade to evolve with me.

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