PDX Profile: Jenn Alvin, of Illusionaire Design

Jenn Alvin is one of those geniuses who find scraps and cast-offs, and bring them back to life as useful, beautiful things. Jenn's bags and clothing sometimes reveal their pasts, and sometimes you'd never know you were looking at recycling in action.

Definitely visit Jenn's website, Illusionaire Designs, for a closer look at her work.

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How and when did you start down this road of making things from recycled materials?
My grandmother, Virginia, was a very prolific artist. When my siblings and I would visit her during summer vacation, she loved to coach us through craft projects. One of the more memorable projects involved beads, fabric paints and a huge stash of my grandfather’s T-shirts. I think it took four shirts, but I fashioned a very hip 80’s-esque off the shoulder blouse and fringed skirt. I’ll bet my dad has pictures of me in it someplace.

More recently, I’ve just gotten fed up with the craft mart box stores where they charge an arm and a leg for ordinary craft supplies that often aren’t very high quality. Working with recycled materials is much more interesting, more environmentally friendly - and more cost effective.

Do you start with an idea of what you'd like to make, or does a particular material lead you to make something specific from it?
It depends. Some of my materials fall into the inspirational category, such as these terrific plastic sports knee pads I found at SCRAP about a year ago. I took one look at them and thought, “Purse bases!” An hour or so later I was back in my studio with a knee pad in a vise while I drilled holes around the perimeter so it could be connected to the fabric without glue. If I’m excited about an idea I want to work on it RIGHT NOW. I keep a little black sketch book with me for when I get a new ideas or notice an innovative design solution.

I also get asked to make specific items, such as a messenger bag. Usually when I get custom requests I interview the person requesting it to determine colors, textures, size, and features of the item. Then it is a wild goose chase through my stash to determine what I have on hand that would fit the bill.

I imagine that you have a pretty impressive collection of stuff in your studio. How do you stay organized?
An ad hoc system of many boxes, drawers, and containers. Fabric is stored in a series of boxes with labels ranging from “unnatural” to “upholstery.” There are about a dozen different shoe-box sized plastic boxes, each with a different notion inside. One for bias tape, one for ribbon, one for implements of embroidery, and so on. There are two different boxes for zippers based on length. Beads and buttons are either in pill jars or a flat tackle box.

When I’m really in my groove stuff tends to go flying, necessitating a quarterly deep cleaning and re-organizing. I’m trying very hard to keep my stash in check. My biggest challenge is using the materials on hand before going out and looking for additional stuff. I love the thrill of the hunt, but I have a finite amount of space in our studio.

What is your favorite materials score ever?
Ooooh, good question! My favorite single item was a large piece of red naugahide rescued from a diner bench on its way out. It became a fabulous hobo bag.

However, there have been a couple of estate sale lots that I have picked up on eBay that were just incredible. Going through one of those boxes when they arrive is better than my birthday. I love seeing little handwritten notes in button boxes and the needles stuck through forty year old airline tickets. One lot I picked up contained a large manila envelope of dozens of travel sewing kits from hotels, airlines, and drugstores.

What is your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft"?
I think of craft as creating something with a tangible, often practical, end product, such as a knitted scarf, sewn quilt, or wood worked bench. Art is a bit more difficult to nail down, but there is often a lot of art in craft. Art is more subjective and encompasses a broader horizon.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
For supplies, SCRAP, Knittn' Kitten, Whole Nine Yards, and Bolt are at the top of my list. For getting creative, any coffee shop that doesn’t mind me hanging out with my yarn for a few hours does the trick. My studio is in the Goldsmith Building of Old Town, and I love visiting my neighbors on First Thursdays because they always have great projects underway.