We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jj Antunes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with JJ below.

JJ, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew when I was little that I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally. I grew up in an immigrant household; my mom came from Terceira, Azores, Portugal, and my dad from Lisbon, Portugal. Thanks to my mom, I was always surrounded by the arts—not because she pushed it, but because I observed it.
She was the one who introduced me to art. I remember her constantly crocheting everything from baby blankets to king-size blankets, buying yarn in bulk, sewing home decor, and fixing our clothes. These were skills she had learned growing up, as fiber work was a common tradition for girls in her community. I find it beautiful that she brought that tradition with her to America and, in turn, passed it down to me.
I was mesmerized by her skills and the final pieces she created. I remember watching her gift baby blankets, working stitch by stitch, day and night, on the couch upstairs. The way people reacted was always so warm and appreciative. They truly loved her blankets—and I say that without bias. She made several for me, but one in particular stands out. I chose the colors: yellow, green (both light and dark), and orange, and she crafted a striped blanket in what I call her signature stitch, a technique she picked up in America. She even made a matching pillowcase. When she finished, I was ecstatic. Her blankets are filled with love, and they have this incredible weight to them—it was amazing.
Eventually, she taught me how to crochet, and from there, I taught myself how to sew just by observing her. That sparked my love for drawing, and soon I was fully immersed in the arts. I loved colors, unique styles, and all things creative. Deep down, my younger self always wanted to pursue something artistic, but I never knew if it was truly possible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My artistic journey started in high school, where I found a mentor in my art teacher, Mrs. Clinton, who always challenged me and pushed me to expand my creative boundaries. Her encouragement played a pivotal role in my decision to apply to art schools across the country, eventually leading me to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Moving from Rhode Island to the Midwest was both a challenge and a blessing—it forced me to grow not only as an artist but as a person. I’m currently a senior majoring in Web and Multimedia with a minor in Graphic Design, set to graduate in May 2025.

You may be wondering why I’m sharing my personal creative journey rather than just focusing on my business. The truth is, my shop is an extension of me. It began in my sophomore year at MCAD, when my older brother encouraged me to open an Etsy shop. I didn’t take it seriously at first, but by the summer of 2024, I made the commitment to give it my all and launched my first official collection. Before that, I was already creating commissions for friends, which gave me the confidence to take my work to a broader audience.

My creative practice is deeply intertwined with my crochet work, but it extends far beyond just that. I also focus on other forms of fiber art, such as sewing and fashion design, blending these traditional techniques with digital elements like Augmented Reality and graphic design. This fusion allows me to push the boundaries of what’s possible, integrating both tangible and digital mediums to tell a more complete and interactive story.

One of the things I love most about my work is how it serves as both a form of expression and a tool for healing. My pieces often reflect personal experiences and broader issues that I, or those around me, have faced. Through my art, I hope to create space for others to find healing as well. Photography is also central to my practice—it helps me capture emotions and document my life while also serving as a medium for creating content for my projects, like my magazine series, Revenge Magazine.

Graphic design plays a huge role in my practice too, from branding and marketing to crafting the visuals for my projects. It allows me to experiment with balance, layout, and typography, which enhances the impact of my work. Whether I’m designing promotional materials or creating custom graphics for my crochet pieces, graphic design helps me bring my ideas to life in ways that one medium alone could not.

One of my favorite projects to date has been Obrigada Mãe (Thank You, Mom), an art installation where I combined crochet with Augmented Reality. The project featured a freehanded crochet heart square and 3D-scanned cardigans I had made, allowing viewers to interact with the work through a QR code that led to a digital experience. It was a tribute to the skills and love passed down through generations in my family—especially from my mother, who still teases me that I’ve surpassed her skills!

Currently, I’m working on Revenge Magazine, a multimedia project that explores themes like self-expression, identity, and personal experience, all while reflecting on current world issues. The magazine will feature interactive Augmented Reality elements, so readers can scan covers or posters to access hidden digital content. This project brings together all of my skills—design, technology, photography, and storytelling—to create a unique and immersive experience.

Ultimately, everything I do is deeply inspired by my family, especially my mom, who introduced me to the art world and instilled a sense of passion in me. Seeing her joy as my shop began to grow has been one of the most fulfilling moments of my journey. As I continue to grow my business and career, I’m excited to explore more creative possibilities and use my work to connect with others in meaningful ways.

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

I believe that we should uplift one another no matter what. And this logic can go for anything. For artists, even a share or just engaging with our posts on social media will help us out tremendously. With this economy and current state of things, it’s understandable not being able to afford small businesses sometimes. But social media and engaging is usually free for many!

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

I want people to be themselves, heal, and be warm. Being able to create clothing and/or work for others to heal from and to be authentically themselves is what carries me, and so does my mom.

Contact Info:

• Website: currently website is in progress, ill update it in my instagram bio once finished!
• Instagram: @jjphobic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-antunes-1a25a41b6/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/jjphobic
• Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Bimbochet?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

  Tiktok @jjphobicc

  Crochet Instagram @bimbochet

Image Credits

The photo with the 3 screens credits to @hollieleggett_