Evolving to Go Slower - with Jen Strauser

Feb 19, 2025 · Summarized Feb 19, 2025

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Key takeaways

Crafting at a leisurely pace can enhance the joy of making and allow deeper connections to the creative process.
Community support is vital in creative fields; collaboration fosters friendships and enhances creativity.
The quilting industry is affected by fast fashion trends, which can lead to unsustainable consumer habits.
Creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment is essential for nurturing future quilters.
Personal growth in artistry comes from reflecting on one's journey and adapting practices to align with individual values and passions.

Summary

Embracing the Slow Craft

In this episode, Sam Hunter talks with Jen Strauser about her evolution as a quilting maker, highlighting her shift from creating fast, quick projects to embracing a slower, more mindful approach to quilting. Jen reflects on the importance of the process over the final product and shares how slowing down has allowed her to find joy and satisfaction in her work. She discusses how she now values the journey of making quilts rather than counting quantities—illustrating that true artistry often emerges from a deeper connection to the crafting experience.

The Role of Community and Collaboration

Throughout the conversation, both Sam and Jen emphasize the significance of community within the quilting industry. Jen recounts her experiences organizing blog hops and supporting other quilters' projects, demonstrating how collaboration can enhance creativity and foster friendships. They share anecdotes of creative camaraderie, illustrating how networking and mutual support have enriched their crafting experiences and promoted a vibrant quilting culture. Jen's role as a cheerleader for her peers showcases the power of uplifting one another in creative spaces.

Navigating the Quilting Industry

Jen and Sam discuss various challenges within the quilting industry, including the impact of fast fashion on fabric consumption. They express concern about the increasing volume of fabric collections released by designers each year and how it contributes to hoarding behaviors among crafters. The conversation touches on the importance of conscious consumption and the need for sustainability in the craft community. Jen shares her journey towards fabric design, emphasizing her transition to solids and blenders as a way to simplify her work and reduce waste.

Teaching and Mentoring in Quilting

The discussion segues into the world of quilting education, where Jen shares her philosophy on teaching. She believes that her primary job as a teacher is to encourage students to experiment and take creative risks without the fear of making mistakes. Jen contrasts her positive teaching experiences with some negative encounters from her past, highlighting the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for quilters of all skill levels.

Personal Growth and Artistic Evolution

Jen reflects on her personal journey in the quilting community and touches on her efforts to remain true to her creative instincts. She expresses that she has moved away from the fast-paced culture of making quilts quickly and instead is invested in deepening her practice and exploring new artistic avenues. This evolution has led her to a more fulfilling relationship with her work, allowing her to fully engage with her creativity.

Show notes

041 - Jen Strauser talks about the way her process has changed, and she now is more interested in the journey of making than counting how many things she can make, and how speed is no longer her proudest attribute as a maker!

Show Notes

Jen Strauser Website - https://dizzyquilter.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jenstrauser/

Deborah Fisher - https://fishmuseumandcircus.com/

Bonnie Christine Immersion - https://www.bonniechristine.com/immersion

Stacie Bloomfield Surface Design - https://www.staciebloomfield.com/

Margaret Fabrizio - https://margaretfabrizio.com/quilts/index.html

Jamie Whalen - https://www.youtube.com/@jamiewallenchannel

Barbara Persing - https://barbarapersing.com/

Lisa Calle - https://www.youtube.com/@lisahcalle

Teresa Duryea Wong - https://teresaduryeawong.com/

Jacqueline De Jonge BeColorful - https://quiltingbookspatternsandnotions.com/collections/becolourful-by-jacqueline-de-jonge?srsltid=AfmBOoqagbzp7WylZLZ7MGzN1-g0-CIopG_RhJDI1HdrJL_vXI706drI

Yellow Brick Road Quilt by Terry Atkinson - https://atkinsondesigns.com/products/yellow-brick-road-pattern

Island Batik - https://islandbatik.com/

Ruby Star Society - https://www.rubystarsociety.com/designers

Rashida Coleman Hale - https://www.rashidacolemanhale.com/

Sarah Watts - https://www.sarahwatts.com/

Kim Kight - https://www.kight.kim/

*The Artist’s Way - https://amzn.to/40Mw3b3

*Big Magic - https://amzn.to/3Q8K4el

*Affiliate link - I might make a commission but you don’t pay more

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Where to find Sam Hunter:

How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz - www.revcraftbiz.com

Hunter's Design Studio - www.huntersdesignstudio.com

Embroidered Journey - www.embroideredjourney.com

Creatively Sorted - www.creativelysorted.com

Sam Hunter Art - www.samhunterart.com

The RevCraftBiz Podcast is a Quilt Talk™ product

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