We were lucky to catch up with Jovahnna Anderson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jovahnna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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?
The first image that comes to mind when I think of crochet is my grandmother sitting in her favorite chair working on one of her many projects. Growing up (when she wasn’t sewing) she was always crocheting blankets, dolls dresses, and stuffed animals. Years later, as a struggling graduate student living out of state and on my own I received a handmade crochet scarf for Christmas from my sister-in-law. Something about receiving a gift that cost that person their precious time and focus made me feel so loved and appreciated. I was immediately brought back to my childhood. My mind was flooded with all of the precious gifts my grandmother made me and the hours she dedicated to her craft. Within the week I was on YouTube learning how to crochet the very basics, such as how to make a slipknot, how to hold a crochet hook and learning simple stitches. I started with a scarf, first for myself, then for my dog. All of a sudden I was opening an Etsy shop of elaborate crochet scarves. Balancing my day job with my studies was difficult enough, but then add my love for crochet that seemingly skyrocketed overnight — I just couldn’t balance my time between them any longer. Sadly, I closed my Etsy store and put crochet aside for a few years.
Jovahnna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am originally from a very small town in Nevada but I have always loved Tucson and the desert in general. I grew up wanting to be a singer and would perform any chance I could. Music eventually brought me to the University of Arizona where I earned my BM in voice performance and where I would also meet my now husband and fellow musician. Upon completion of my graduate studies at the University of Denver, we moved to San Diego as Apprentice Artists for San Diego Opera and continued to pursue a career as classical musicians. When COVID-19 hit, the music abruptly stopped and returning to Tucson to establish our home (something my husband and I always planned) was our next step. Less than a year later, our first daughter was born, followed by our second just two years after (February 2023) and I have been blessed as a stay-at-home mother ever since.
From the time I was an elementary student, art (and music of course) were my favorite subjects. Throughout the years I continued to draw and illustrate, eventually teaching myself how to be a digital artist – something I aggressively pursued during the pandemic. I did commissioned portraits, logos, social media art challenges, greeting cards, and reinterpretations of original pieces. Unfortunately my hyper-focused attention to this craft ultimately caused a substantial artist block and the illustrations became fewer and fewer. Crochet, however, was something I always returned to. It became somewhat therapeutic as I would curl up in the corner of my favorite couch with a coffee or glass of wine (depending on the time of day) and watch an old episode of Grey’s Anatomy. With hook in hand and yarn by my side I felt calm. It’s incredibly satisfying being able to figure out how to work something as simple as string into something pretty and complex. That is, if you ever finish it. I have many works in progress dating back months, some even years, but the finished pieces make me proud.
I love being able to crochet a hat for my daughters, or purses, or matching dresses and seeing the excitement in their tiny faces upon receiving them. I feel equally grateful when customers walk by my tent at a craft market and they comment on the intricacies of my earrings. It’s important to me that my dedication to detail is reflected in my craft so that any buyer will see the worth and uniqueness in their purchase. When you think of crochet, you may initially think of scarves, blankets or beanies. While I still enjoy those products, my goal is to take that concept and turn it into something as tiny (micro even) and original as possible. That’s why micro crochet earrings became my business. They’re different, a little quirky at times yet so beautiful, extremely lightweight, colorful and bold. Just imagining of the pattern possibilities and color choices makes me excited to crochet. I believe passion and strong craftsmanship makes for a successful business and that’s something I strive to portray in each of my pieces.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think a lot of people may see crochet as sort of a pastime, something they can do themselves. And they’re right, they can do it themselves, that’s part of its appeal! However, not everyone who says that will pick up a book or watch a tutorial learning how to do it. And for me, it’s so much more than a pastime. It really conveys one’s story, work ethic, creativity and energy. Being a creative is also very personal. When you look at someone’s art or craft you’re also getting to know the artist – the way they think, what inspires them. Anyone who has ever made anything somewhat creative with their own hands, has experienced a sense of pride and accomplishment and maybe even disbelief because they were inexperienced and unfamiliar in the beginning. As you continue to grow in that craft your work starts to reflect the type of artisan you are and the years of study you’ve acquired and techniques you’ve adopted. Crochet keeps us warm, it carries a family history dating back generations, it provides comfort, its decorative and beautiful, It’s an opportunity to incorporate a little of myself in every piece. I hope to make that connection with creatives and non-creatives.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Shop local. Build a relationship with your local artists and vendors so you don’t just see them as a business, but as the mother, father, daughter, teacher, person they are. Go for quality over quantity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @reality_jo_designs