Craft Riot Vendor: Textile Fetish

Jennifer M. Ramos

Textile Fetish (or Jennifer M. Ramos, photographer)

Textile Fetish on Facebook
jennymeg@textilefetish.com

Give a brief product description.

Textile Fetish sells one-of-a-kind, handmade items, made mostly from reclaimed and recycled materials.

Jennifer M. Ramos, Photographer specializes in urban decay and environmental portraiture.

How did you get started?

A good friend who'd moved to Chicago found out I had a sewing machine so she'd send me shipments of fabric and patterns so I'd make her daughter some clothing. This is how I honed my skills. With all the leftover scraps, I put together my first patchwork bag and that's where it started.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Practical need and resourcefulness drive my inspiration to create items that are both useful and unexpected in texture and color.

Describe your workspace/workroom.

We just bought a house in May. My studio is the room with windows to the backyard, and doors to the living room and the laundry room. It's pretty neat!

What has been your favorite winter holiday gift to make or receive?

Gosh, I love making aprons, because they are so practical. I also love the trades I am able to make at holiday shows. Some of my favorite handmade gifts include artisan soaps and soy candles. The handmade item I wear most proudly is a necklace from Holli Brown mosaics. It's made from a plate and there's a story that goes along with it that always makes me cry.