Ask Around: Jenni Bowlin

Jenni Bowlin. When I hear her name I think "fresh." If I were to continue to rattle off the words that come to my mind when I think "Jenni," they would be country, vintage, clean, repurposed, simpler times, and uncompromising style. She knows what she does well, sticks with it, and continues to give us signature Jenni Bowlin, release after gorgeous release.

Besides all that, she's just as sweet as sweet can be. I was so excited to finally get to meet her at CHA Summer 2008 after being such a longtime fan:

A happy occasion for Cath

Let's get to know Jenni a little better, shall we?

Jenni lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two young sons. She is the owner and the creative force behind Jenni Bowlin Studio - a boutique papercrafting manufacturer with a “Vintage Fresh” attitude. Everything she creates has a vintage edge and a general “re-invention” theme. She is also the owner of Mercantile, a web-based company offering monthly papercrafting, project and jewelry kits. A published designer, Jenni’s work has landed on the pages of Creating Keepsakes, Autumn Leaves Publications, Family Circle, Country Living, and Mary Engelbreit Home Companion. Jenni is also an accomplished teacher, offering classes at stores and conventions across the country and the web.

Hi Jenni. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for us! We can't wait to hear your answers, so let's get started. Is trend-watching important to your creativity? Why or why not? If so, how does trend-watching manifest itself in your work?

Very interesting. I remember distinctly our first CHA and the week we were leaving I received a JCrew catalog and on the cover was a women sitting in a beautiful dress amidst a million flowers. The colors completely represented the line I was debuting at show! It was very gratifying to see this and have some sort of affirmation that I made a good choice, but I wouldn’t say that I ever look to current trends to guide my way. Since everything I do has a “vintage” base, I would say I am always looking to the past and trying to interpret it in a fresh way.

What websites, blogs, magazines, ads, etc. are the most inspirational to you in terms of trend-watching? Why do they motivate you?

I already confessed I get the JCrew catalog and that is a huge inspiration to me as is Country Living (and as was Country Home and Cottage Living – I miss them so)! Although I love the Internet I spend a lot more time thumbing through actual magazines and catalogs, constantly pulling things out and adding them to my inspiration book. I also spend a lot of time at Anthropologie. It is so refreshing just to walk around in there and take it all in. When I need a break and a creative jumpstart, I head there!

Glitz and Glam from JCrew

Hudson Valley Farmhouse from Country Living Magazine

At Home from Anthropologie

Name a designer (or two) in the scrapbooking industry that inspires you. What do you like about his/her work?

I have always loved Rebecca Sower and continue to keep track of her blog. She is amazing to me.

Without giving anything away that you are working on, what trend(s) are you currently watching?

I think bling will continue to be big, but maybe in a more subtle way?!? I have something up my sleeve!

Photo courtesy of Jenni Bowlin

What advice can you give to paper crafters who are interested in incorporating more trends into their projects?

Pick up the latest paper crafting magazine - and read this blog! Sometimes I feel out of touch with the trends in paper crafting, especially since I spend so much time with my head buried in an old trunk or thumbing through an antique photo album! So I always make sure to pick up the latest issues to see what everyone’s using and how they are using it!

In your opinion, what paper crafting techniques are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing?

I think “inking” and “masking” are big now, and for good reason! You can get a different look from one person to another, depending on the ink/mist, etc. they use, what paper they use as a base, etc. One mask can go a long way!

A project Jenni created using a mask

In your opinion, what paper crafting products are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing?

To go along with above, I would say misting inks, but specifically those made by Tattered Angels, Ranger, Maya Road, etc.

What is your favorite part about your job as Creative Director of Jenni Bowlin Studio and why? What is your least favorite part about your job as Creative Director and why?

I always have an excuse to go to Anthropologie or the antique store and my hubby doesn’t complain! And. . .even better, I can write off almost anything which also makes him (and me!) happy! The downside, however, is that I’m always under pressure to come up with something new. Once we go to show and debut a new line, I get about a week off after then and I’m right back at designing for the next show. It is a never ending cycle - but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Image from Anthropologie

Name some doors that have opened to you as a result of being connected to the scrapbooking industry and what that has meant to you.

I was asked to do something for Country Living magazine for Easter about 2 years ago – it is so wonderful to be recognized for something you just love to do, especially when the source is from something you highly respect. This was a very cool thing!

Which retail stores tend to get your trendy juices flowing?

Hmmm, did I mention Anthropologie?? Really though, there is nothing better for me then an early morning at the Flea Market. Just ask my husband – I can’t sleep the night before!

Image from Anthropologie

Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, Jenni! It's really a treat to get your take on trends and your process!

Now friends, I'm sure Jenni would love to know what you took away from her comments here today. She's also very excited to offer one lucky winner all 12 of her moxie fab Rub-on Singles--some of the coolest products of the CHA Summer show! (They also come in silver!)

Leave Jenni a comment by midnight MDT on Sunday, September 20 and these could be yours!

Thanks again to Jenni,

~Cath