Sublime Stitching

Visit Jenny Hart's website, (www.sublimestitching.com), for everything cool in the world of embroidery, including brand new patterns of some of my more sultry tattoo designs! To learn more about Jenny, here's the introduction for an interview I started with her for Juxtapoz magazine. She thought I'd be a good interviewer, but Juxtapoz thought my questions (below) were a little too silly, nixed me and ended up doing the asking themselves. Isn't there room in the world for things that only I find funny? Hey, I guess that place would be www.mitchoconnell.com!

 

                   Jenny Hart Get's Real with Mitch O'Connell!
I first saw Jenny Hart's needlework almost 7 years ago (maybe in Juxtapoz?), and it knocked my socks off. Usually when "Craft" gets anywhere near "Art" I expect to see it exhibited at the State Fair 4-H barn (and I'm not putting that down). Jenny took that I Love My Grandma stitching, pumped up the volume (expect all my phrases to be out of date, I'm old), kicked out all the balloon holding teddy bears and homespun ye olde country decor, pulled up a moving van full of the Hip, Hep and Happenin' and shot off in two directions, a line of super popular home embroidery kits and amazing personal work. I dashed off a fan letter and wormed my way into a trade, she got a go-go dancing Tura Satana of mine and I got a brand spanking new stunning portrait of my wife and kids. I couldn't keep from blurting, "No trade backs!" I was also pleased that Jenny asked me to come up with her portrait/logo. Since, besides being talented, she's also tall and gorgeous, it practically drew itself. In those 7 years her popularity has grown ten-fold (if not more). Thousands are enjoying her stitching kits (including my family) and her gallery shows are selling out to superstar celebrities and regular folk with great taste. So, let's all sit back, take a load off, hang loose and learn a little about the Miss behind the Magic as I Mike Wallace her!
Do you prefer to be called M'Lady or Jenny?
Tell us about Jenny, "The Early Years". If it's dull, please make up something interesting.
Do you like puppies? I do!This new crafting movement is huge. What's up with that? I spend most of my time at Monster Truck Rallies, drinking beer and lifting heavy things, so I really haven't been paying attention.
I'm guessing you, a female, make more money than I do, a man. Do you think that's fair?
In preparation for this email interview I checked out jennyhart.com, your showcase for full blown gallery work. The stuff is jaw droppingly, feel it in the pit of your stomach, spot on HOT. How come?
What art inspires you most ... of mine? Just joking! But if you insist on answering, I won't stop you.
Would you call yourself a hero, or would you call yourself a heroine?
Do you think the kits available at sublimestitching.com make the best gifts for, a) Birthdays, b) Christmas, c) Mother's Day, d) Earth Day e) Just Because, or, f) all of the above?
Your kits are cool for the menfolk too. My son, who I play catch with regularly, plans to stitch the Lucha designs on his jeans. I guess that falls under comment, not a question.Do you get to hang with any of the movie stars and top 40 musicians that purchase your pieces (The Flaming Lips, Carrie Fisher, Tracy Ullman and Elizabeth Taylor come to mind)? Any juicy stories? Do you ever get to ride in a limousine? What's Ryan Seacrest like?
Has all the gushing praise heaped upon you gone to your head? Are you all full of yourself or still a wonderful, kind, loving, generous person?
What's next for a Jenny Hart?