We were lucky to catch up with Janna Murphy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Janna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

About 9 years ago I was looking out my front window watching a neighbor boy walk home from school. The wind was blowing and he was trying to cover his face. I thought to myself I can make him something that is thick and good for him to keep warm and cover there face when they go play. I had two of our three kids at the time and figured it would be fun for them to have something also. So I invented a item I called a Cozy Cowl. It’s a double layer piece of fleece that has a large seam to keep the fabric to stand up. My neighbor loved it and so did our kids.
Once I saw how much they all used them, I started making them for others as well. People began asking me if they could pay me to make some for their kids.
I decided that If I was going to get paid to make these than I wanted to make an impact on others. I began sewing the Cozy Cowls and donating one for everyone I sold. I gave back to many schools, shelter and the homeless.
I took my kids with me when they were young so they could see the lives that were being blessed. It made me happy to be able to help in a small way.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For as long as I can remember I have always found joy in the little things. The way the colors look in the sky, how a flower can bloom in so many phases. Or how a persons hair or clothes blow in the wind. These simple daily moments have always sparked inspiration, feelings and creativity. As visual learner I have learned to embrace this as a blessing instead of a struggle. Allowing my creative side to thrive by fueling it with ways to express itself.

I had always been around sewing machines, fabrics, paint and jewelry as a child. Some of my fondest memories are sitting next to my mom while she showed me how to sew. Watching my great grandmother knit or painting ceramics with my grandma were times I wish I could go back and repeat.

It became clear that I loved the arts, I had a knack for fashion and I love decorating stuff. I graduated High School and then attended the Aveda Institute. I became a Color Specialist and worked behind the chair for many years. I loved my job! I loved teaching others the concept of how color worked. How one look can transform a person with just a few simple changes. It became my passion to teach and to teach women how to embrace themselves and there beauty.

I realized as I was teaching others to love themselves and embrace life that I needed to do the same. I needed to remember what I loved and things that made me happy. That is when I received my first sewing machine from my mother in law. I started to learn to sew and I also took up a knitting class. The joy and happiness that came from this gave me an outlet to express myself. I was crafting and creating and soon people started asking me to purchase the items I was making.

My small business Josie & Leo started up and I have been plugging away at it ever since. My online shop has a bit of everything on it. I make some of the fun earrings, the knit hats, cozy cowls, headbands and many other items. Plus the site is filled with beautiful boutique clothes. I love to help others look and feel there best. The best part for me is giving back. Sometimes it maybe just a little bit and other times it I am able to give a lot. I take them to local shelters and organizations around the MN area.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My father passed away when I was in my early 20’s. I struggled for a while to find my way after that loss in my life. When I stepped back and allowed myself to heal it allowed me to open my eyes and see all that was around me. To really see life in a new way. That’s when my creative side started to shine. I feel that having a new way to look at life brought out a side of me that wanted more. More connections, more fun, more embracing and more love.
I create my work from the heart. I add love and passion into everything I make or do. I want people to feel that energy when they buy something from me and when they are getting their hair done.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of all of this is seeing the faces of happy people. Hearing and seeing their joy is what makes creating and being an artist worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @josieandleo , @josieleoroxie
• Facebook: Josieandleo or Janna Sanchez-Murphy

Image Credits
Family pic @shella.safonov Shella Safonov