We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Carlson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I first learned to weave in 2015 from a magazine article in Molly Makes. The magazine came with a tiny little loom that I made my first piece on. At the time, weaving was just starting to come back into style, and there weren’t a lot of tutorials online. I had to figure out a lot on my own, which was both exciting and challenging.

If I could go back, I’d probably invest in a structured course or seek out a mentor earlier. It would have saved me a lot of time troubleshooting and experimenting.

I think the most important skill I’ve learned is warp tension, without the right amount of tension the weaving can be a floppy mess or form into a tight hourglass shape.

One of the biggest obstacles was simply finding the time to weave. With young kids, carving out uninterrupted time was tough, still is to be honest. Plus without many tutorials available, I had to rely on trial and error. But, in a way that slow, hands on style learning process helped me develop my own style.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jessica Carlson, a fiber artist living in Clayton, NC. I’ve been interested in arts and crafts from the beginning. I remember as a kid, setting up a little booth on the side of the road selling decorated clothespins instead of lemonade. Creating things has been a constant in my life, but weaving became something special. In 2021 I decided to go for it with my weavings and started selling them at markets and pop up shops.

I create handwoven wall hangings with yarn and felt. My designs are playful and childlike, inspired by the magic of nature-soft flowers, fluttering moths, and tiny, storybook-like mushrooms. I love incorporating textures and shapes that feel like they belong in a fairytale.

One of the biggest problems I solve is helping people find unique, handmade decor that feels personal and special beyond mass-produced art. My pieces are made with care, blending fiber art with natural and whimsical elements.

I believe what sets me apart is my sense of playfulness. I want my artwork to inspire joy.

I feel like I’m most proud of myself for being vulnerable and sharing my artwork with the world. It’s a creative outlet that brings me joy. That passion carries into my work, and I hope that I might inspire others to put themselves out there and do the same.

Each piece is made with intention, patience, and care. My brand is more than fiber art. It’s about slowing down, embracing handmade craftsmanship, and bringing a bit of magic indoors.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think it’s important for society to support artists. It can be as simple as complimenting and sharing their art. Whether in person or social media, buy from them when possible. If that’s not possible, help connect them with potential buyers. Share their work. Post about them on social media, tag them, and give them credit. Also, I think it’s important to understand that creativity comes in waves, and artists need space to rest and recharge.

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

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the joy of creating something from nothing. I love taking an idea, a feeling, or a bit of inspiration and turning it into something tangible and meaningful. There’s something so special about watching a weaving come to life, thread by thread and knowing that it’s a completely new piece that didn’t exist before. I also love sharing my work with others. The connection it brings me. Seeing something I’ve made bringing joy to another person is the greatest feeling. It’s also about simply giving myself permission to create. Weaving is my space to slow down, explore, and express myself. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about the final piece, it’s about the process, the growth, and joy of making something with my own hands.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Okeedoe_art
• Facebook: Okeedoe

Image Credits

Doug Harrison