Introducing Jenelle from Eco Print by Jen. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Sydney, New South Wales, Jenelle creates ecoprinted fabric using eucalyptus leaves.
Find out why Jenelle started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I love eco printing eucalyptus leaves and gumnuts onto fabric and paper. This is also referred to as botanical printing. I start off by gathering fallen leaves from local trees that will print and give good colour and marks. The leaves are placed on the fabric, rolled up into bundles and boiled for many hours. It is always such a surprise opening the bundles to see the results.
The smell from the gum leaves is intoxicating and nothing is wasted, it all goes back on the garden when finished. Another interest I absolutely love is lino printing. This starts with sketching the design onto the piece of lino, which I carve using small sharp tools. Once carved, the ink is rolled over the lino and a print is transferred onto paper after applying pressure by hand. A lot of my work includes native trees such as banksia and eucalyptus as well as beach treasures.
Each one of my works has a story behind it.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I think I have always had a creative side. As a child I would sew clothes for my dolls and as a teenager would make my own clothes. Later, I would make clothes for work colleagues in my spare time. I started a dressmaking business while my kids were babies and very young. I guess it is part of who I am, always wanting to be making and creating.
I recently stepped off the full-time working treadmill by retiring from the legal profession and this will give me more time to create new works. I am still a JP and enjoy providing this service to local the community.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
I'm so inspired by the beauty of nature, the old trees that shed and give their leaves and bark. I tend to pick up leaves and shells wherever I go. If you open any hardcover book at my place you will usually find some pressed leaves inside.
I love the ocean and the movement, sound and colours. The inspiration comes from what I see and feel. As soon as an idea comes to mind I try to write it down, even if it is in the middle of the night.
Where did you learn your craft?
The sewing side came very early from my beautiful mum. The lino printing started after I was given a sample kit a few years ago. I took an evening lino printing course at a local art school to learn some invaluable techniques.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
I feel it is important to express yourself through your art and work and not hold back waiting for the right time to come along. Experiment and take chances and learn as you go. The fact that an item has had so much thought, effort and love put into its creation makes handmade artistry incredibly special.
Jenelle is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Handmade Marketplace of Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Eco Print by Jen make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
