Jen Starbird creates amigurumi crochet patterns inspired by unknown, unusual, threatened, and extinct creatures. Her goal is to educate people about the amazing diversity and gorgeous complexity of the natural world. She wants people to see the creatures she makes and think “Wow, I never knew that animal existed. I want to learn more.”
How did you get started designing with crochet? Always an artist, or was there a “moment”?
I have always loved using my imagination to create new things and tell stories.
In high school and college, it was theatre and voice that provided an outlet for my creativity. However, I was reluctant to pursue a career in the theatre, so I turned to my second love for grad school: archaeology. It wasn’t until I left grad school to raise my son that I picked up crochet.
Initially, it was simply a means to keep busy, giving myself something to do while I focused on my toddler. I had always thought I would return to school for my PhD and a career in academia. I honestly never imagined crochet would become the center of my creative world, much less a viable career.
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It was not until I first made the Crafty Intentions Dragon pattern that I truly fell in love with amigurumi. Then Megan/Crafty Intentions contacted me about being a tester. With her encouragement, I eventually started writing my own patterns, and I found the creative spark I had been missing for so long.
What do you do differently? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?
Most amigurumi designers focus on the more charismatic animals – tigers, pandas, etc. While these creatures are amazing, there are so many species out there that fly under the radar of public perception. Animals that have adapted to their environments in strange and extraordinary ways, highlighting the diversity of life on our planet. I translate these unknown, unusual, threatened, and extinct creatures into yarn.
What motivates you artistically?
My goal is to educate people about the amazing diversity and gorgeous complexity of the natural world. I want people to see the creatures I make and think “Wow, I never knew that animal existed. I want to learn more.” If that leads them to appreciate the world we live in and take steps to care for it, then I feel I have made a difference.
Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
I find inspiration in the natural world. Sometimes I see an animal in a nature documentary and think “Hmm. That is really cool. That animal needs to be made in yarn.” I have long been fascinated by the fauna of this world, and many of the creatures I create are based on animals that I have long known about but want to learn more.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
Definitely a planner. I like to research my subject first, get information on their environment and habits, as this affects how a creature looks, what traits they display. Then I fill a Pinterest board with as many pictures of my subject as I can, from as many angles as I can find. Sometimes I will sketch a quick outline of the animal, particularly larger bodied animals, to help keep me on track as I work.
How do you make time for creating? Do you try to create daily?
I do try to create something each day, whether it is designing my own pattern or creating something from another designer’s pattern. With two teenagers, a dog, a cat, two gerbils, and my husband in the house, things can get pretty crazy around here. Crochet is not just work for me – it is my Zen space.
What are the indispensable tools and materials in your studio? How do they improve your work?
- Quality yarn. Malabrigo Rios, Cascade 220, and Tangled Pixie are some of my favorites. Other than the Tangled Pixie yarn (which is from an indie dyer), I get a lot of my yarn from my local yarn store, YarnCom.
- Safety eyes. Almost all of the eyes I use are hand-painted by DarkSide Crochet.
- Comfortable crochet hooks. I’ve bought from a few different businesses, particularly CC by Fran and Up Up and Crochet Studio.
I try to buy from small businesses, particularly woman-owned businesses, whenever I can. It is important to me to support my fellow artists.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
My workspace is filled with half-made projects. I try not to start something I do not plan on finishing, but sometimes my muse can be fickle – there are times when I need to put a project away for a bit and wait for further inspiration.
How has your work changed over time?
My goal is to make my crochet creatures as realistic as possible within the limitations of the medium. Over time, as I learn new techniques and perfect others, I have seen an evolution in my art towards the more realistic. While I love my early designs, sometimes I look back and am tempted to rewrite them to make them look more like my current output. However, I generally have so many new things I want to work on that I am not sure if I will ever get to that.
Where can people see your work?
I have most of my artwork on display on my Instagram account and Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/starbirdcreationsstl
https://www.instagram.com/starbird_creations/
I also vend at festivals 3 or 4 times a year here in St Louis. Though they can be exhausting, those festivals are some of my favorite events of the year. I love meeting and chatting with people who appreciate art.
Interview posted March 2024
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