When I started the “Travelling crafters“ section of this website, I wanted to post articles about things to discover for fellow crafters: places to visits, shops worth buying, museums with awesome artworks, but also other crafters to meet.
I wanted to showcase the DIY artists I loved most and give the opportunity to know them better to the people reading what I write.
Well, one day I met Jessica Devin online, while gathering the first content for my list of embroidery and stitching shops reviews. She’s been a valuable collaborator for that project! Since she’s an awesome embroiderer, specialising in needle painting, I thought she was the best artist to begin my “Meet the maker” series.
First things first: who are you as a crafter and what do you do?
My name is Jessica Devin. I’m a hand embroidery artist based out of Chicago, IL. I’m a wife, and mother to an amazing little 6 year old boy.
I specialize in a technique called silk shading, also known as needle painting, thread painting, or soft shading. It’s a technique that utilizes mainly long and short stitch and split stitch, and at times satin stitch, stem stitch, french and/or colonial knots, and bullion knots, plus a few other stitches that can be used to accent the piece to make it look more realistic. The finished piece resembles a painting, thus the name, needle painting.
I average around 100 colors per piece, and they take around 60 hours to complete. While I practice many forms of surface embroidery, silk shading is my passion.
I’ve been featured in publications such as Stitch Magazine, have been featured by the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design, as well as various online blogs and magazines.
That’s awesome! And I see why you have all rights to be known for your art: your pieces are amazing.
How did you begin with embroidery?
I fell into embroidery a bit by accident. I’ve been sewing and stitching my whole life, but didn’t find free surface embroidery, then latter silk shading, later in life. My mother had hand embroidered Christmas stockings for every member of the family years ago, but never one for herself. I decided one year I’d make her one. It was love at first stitch. I’ve been embroidering every day since.
A project you are particularly fond of?
I honestly love every piece I stitch. It’s like magic for me watching a piece come to life one stitch at a time. But if I had to choose a favorite, it would be between my Chestnut Headed BeeEater or my Enchanted Fairy. Both were so incredibly fun to make. Challenging, but so much fun.
What are your plans for the future with your crafting business?
I honestly have so many future plans, it’s hard to keep them all straight. After I finish up these next few commissions, I’m going to be taking a break and start getting back into filming embroidery tutorials, and work on my YouTube channel.
But my long term goal is to teach. I’d absolutely love to open a small school. It why I started my Facebook group, Art of Embroidery. So I can help others that want to learn and grow in their stitching skills. I love seeing people fall in love with this beautiful art form. It’s so therapeutic, calming and rewarding.
Could you give a tip to fellow crafters wanting to start their own crafting business?
My biggest tip for anyone starting up a business to be ready to put on the hat of an entrepreneur. There’s a lot of work that goes into running a business. Wether it’s getting a business license, to keeping track of all your records, to having a place to store inventory. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
And also get ready for a lot of social media. Like it or not, it’s an invaluable tool for any business these days. You have to put yourself and your work out there.
But most importantly, Price you work for what it’s actually worth, don’t undersell yourself. When prices are too low, not only are they hurting your business, but it hurts other artists as well.
Don’t undersell yourself or your work. The creations you put into this world make it a more beautiful place, they deserve to be sold for what they are worth.
Your time is valuable, and what you create is valuable. They’re are always people willing to spend money on beautifully creations.
I totally agree: never underestimate your time nor your skills!
And speaking about social media, I saw on your Facebook page that you make embroidery-themed jewels as well!
Oh, the jewelry. It’s honestly a bit of a hobby. But I make necklaces that are embroidery themed. They aren’t super fancy, but I do plate the gold and silver myself onto the charms. So they have a lot of either. The chains and fixtures are either sterling 925 silver, or gold filled. I’m working on a rose gold version and a platinum version of my gold needle necklace at the moment.
Thank you, Jessica! Meeting you was lovely!
I hope I tickled your curiosity about JDevinEmbroidery.
Also, if you know other crafters I should meet (yourself, maybe!), please tell me in the comments section below.
2 Comments. Leave new
What a beautiful interview! Jessica’s passion for finding the perfect vintage fabrics really shines through, and it’s clear that dedication is what makes her embroidery so unique. I especially loved hearing about her “zero waste” approach; it’s inspiring to see crafters incorporating sustainability into their work.
Thank you, I am glad you appreciate Jessica’s work and dedication!