Maker Spotlight: IndyCraftivist
Erica Sagon
Editors note: Cardinal Spirits asked local artisans to create holiday ornaments for our online gift shop, with 100% of sales going to the artists themselves. Get the know the people behind the ornaments!
Today, meet Indy fiber artist Jocelyn Sparkles of IndyCraftivist, who created these sweet cardinal ornaments.
Hi Jocelyn! Introduce yourself.
I am a classically trained costume maker, and with the pandemic closing the entertainment industry, I have taken my love of upcycling and learning new skills to a whole new level and created IndyCraftivist.
Where are you from? Where have you lived?
I’m from Indiana. I graduated from both Westfield High School and Indiana University. After college, I moved to New Jersey and worked in New York City. When the economy crashed in 2008, I moved to New Orleans. I was in New Orleans for 9 years before I moved back to Indiana. My work has also taken me to Scotland, Poland, Japan, Serbia and Saudi Arabia.
Tell us about a skill that you have, other than being an awesome artisan!
Tenacity! Given an end date, I can get through anything.
What inspires your art?
Making others happy.
What would surprise people about the art you create, or your process?
That aside from skill, you need an incredible amount of tenacity, to make it through most projects.
Looking back at all that you've created, do you have a favorite piece?
December of 2018, I finally learned how to crochet while I was working the Yuletide Celebration at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. It was the first time I had learned a new skill in a long time. I was pretty terrible at first, but I kept at it. The following winter I bought some really nice yarn and made myself this adorable blue neck scarf. It was one of my proudest projects.
It's happy hour. What are you drinking?
A White Russian, I love coffee.
What's your coffee order?
There’s a brand of coffee that used to be in Castleton Square Mall, when I was in high school, called Barnes Coffee and Tea. They have this amazing flavored coffee called Santa’s White Christmas. It has a coconut, sweet caramel, vanilla and nutty flavor and reminds me of a childhood hug.
Any favorite places on the Internet?
TikTok has been my quar-entainment. I’ve learned so much ridiculous information from it.
Tell us about a podcast, movie, book, TV show, album, subscription, etc. that you consumed and liked! We're all looking for good recs right now!
During quarantine I've done my fair share of reading. I firmly believe we should learn something new every day. So, I’ve been reading up on things unfamiliar to myself, but necessary to understanding today’s world. If I could recommend any of the books from my journey, to the masses, I would pick either the New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or So You Wanna Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Both give a better understanding of where we are today and how we got there.
Most used emoji?
🥰
Favorite condiment?
Mustard. I can never have enough. At any given point, there are 5-9 different flavors in my fridge.
Want to give a shout-out to anyone?
Cardinal Spirits, Arts Council of Indianapolis & #IndyKeepsCreating Fund, Actor’s Fund and @artists_surthriving. Thank you for supporting the arts.
Thanks so much, Jocelyn! Beyond the ornaments you created for Cardinal (shop here), where can we browse and buy your art?