Comments on: CraftSanity Episode 98: A Conversation with Pincushion Maker, Jen Segrest

By: Sachi

Sachi — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 15:17:54 +0000

Loved this episode! Too often the “Craftosphere” tries to always be so perfect & shiny. I love people who have honest viewpoints and charisma for what they do! Sometimes I feel pressured to assimilate, because I love crafting. Breath of fresh air…real talk from real people. We don’t all have to be the same. We don’t all have to agree. Thank you for not editing this podcast down to something less than what it was! Viva la Craftsanity!

By: Leah Virsik » Blog Archive » On getting published

Leah Virsik » Blog Archive » On getting published — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:13:36 +0000

[...] are different ways to go about getting published. Jen Segrest in this Craft Sanity podcast talks about her work getting published from it’s initial discovery on Flickr. That was enough [...]

By: dawn

dawn — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:40:10 +0000

In my opinion, art is an object, experience, performance etc. rendered in a medium that can be appreciated aesthetically and captured (at least partially) in tangible form that expresses the maker(s)’ original ideas. I don’t make an art and craft distinction, insist on a particular training program, or require absolute originality. Painting calls for specific skills, which can be added to, transformed, or even ignored, and so does quilting. Artists can be trained or self-taught, and so can knitters or glass-blowers. The important thing in evaluating all these different types of works is whether they are interesting aesthetically, rendered skillfully (for their purposes), and says something that hasn’t been said before in just that way.

Also, the form/function distinction seems unhelpful. Sure a painting is made solely to engage the eye and a pot-holder mainly to keep your hands from burning, but would the Mona Lisa be less “artistic” if da Vinci had painted it on a chair? Is a painting necessarily less original and important if it covers a hole in your wall? It’s probably true that most people put fewer original ideas and less skill into a pot-holder than da Vinci put into something that he meant to be art, but that is proven by the result (objective) and not the intention (subjective).

And a lot of the time when people think they’re debating about whether something is art or not, they’re actually trying to decide if it’s good or not, which is the only important divide.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:50:38 +0000

I”m with the appreciative crowd here in comment-land. It was nice to have a realistic and unvarnished and unedited viewpoint from Jen. Too often nowadays people either self-edit or get edited, and don’t express their true selves. While I took some things she said with a grain of salt (because I can, after all, think for myself), I appreciated that she had a valid viewpoint and the guts to express it. And that JAH had the guts to put it on the podcast. And that Jeff had the guts to make a tiny political joke (it’s a joke!!). I also appreciated the information on Flickr, Artfire, etc.

I say less playing it safe, and less apologizing, and more free thinking and expression!

By: Tamdoll

Tamdoll — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:52:41 +0000

Great podcast, as usual!!! This one definitely had a different tone, and was thought provoking.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:45:23 +0000

Just another voice to say although this podcast had a different tone, I did appreciate hearing about alternatives to etsy and some of the perceived problems. It was clearly one person’s opinion, and I was happy to give it a listen! Also, I thought Jeff was clearly joking and Jennifer was quite clear that her listeners’ political viewpoints were irrelevant to her. Keep up the good work Jennifer! I love to hear these long conversations with crafters everywhere. Good luck in your new job situation– I can’t wait to see what opportunities turn up for you!

By: Katherine

Katherine — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:31:04 +0000

I thought this was the best episode I’ve ever heard. I don’t necessarily agree with all points of view presented, but it added a little spice and made for a fun listening experience. I think Jeff is a hilarious addition to the show as well! What I find the most offensive, is the guest’s comments left here. Jen S., I love what you do and support your right to express your point of view. However, I don’t think it is fair to blame podcast editing, or lack thereof, for how your message was portrayed. Frankly, to use your own word choice, if you were assuming that it would be edited more, that was a stupid assumption. We all know what happens when you assume. You said what you said the way you said it, now stand by it.

By: Jen Segrest

Jen Segrest — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:52:40 +0000

I think if the podcast had been edited down it would have come across more concise and less rambly for sure, I’m glad some people got me though.

Oh, and I think as a result of this podcast, Etsy closed my store on Monday. I had more of less been waiting for them to do it when I stated working for ArtFIre. No reason was given, and they didn’t even sign the email which is their MO I hear when they don’t know for sure they are doing it by the book.

Jen Segrest

By: Kyla Crawford

Kyla Crawford — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:11:24 +0000

Personally I am not offend by this podcast. It is a seller’s point of view, Jen Segrest gave some valid points about etsy. I agree with Jeff about her comments being thought provoking and it is always important to reevaluate your own views.
As for Jeff’s comment it was a joke.

I am sorry to hear about Juno. I am sure she had a wonderful life.

By: Julia

Julia — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:09:48 +0000

First, let me say that I am so, so sorry about Juno. We lost our beloved old dog a few years ago and it was weeks before my husband and I could look at each other without sniffling. A good dog is family. I also wanted to put out there that you can get a mobile vet to come to your house so that you can be with your pet when she passes. I realize that with children that might be frightening and complicated, but it is an option that worked well for us. Our dog raised our cat, who never, ever left her side. We were able to all be together, with the cat laying next to her when the time came, and somehow that helped.

As for the interview, there was a lot that I liked about Jen and the pincushions are cute. It was just a very different interview than CS listeners are used to, as it focused more on perceived problems with etsy than on what Jen actually does in a crafty sense, and I think that detracted from the interview overall. I also think that the way in which Jen presented her ideas about etsy made it hard to give them real consideration. When a person rants like that it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that their opinions are not well thought out. I think Jen probably has some very interesting things to say on the subject but it was hard to get through the manner in which her ideas were presented. I did find her comments on Flickr and other newer venues to be really interesting. I just wish that she had stayed a little more balanced. It had the potential to be one of the more informative shows in terms of on-line resources for crafters. Maybe you guys could do a follow-up interview that was more focused? I’d listen.

As for Jeff’s comments, I didn’t think twice about them, but I’m an independent, so it’s possible that they didn’t phase me because they weren’t directed at me. Anyone who has listened to you knows that you are fair and interested in all of your listeners. I’m sure Jeff is, too. I’d just categorize the joke as a “blip” and move on.

CS is great and I feel really lucky to have it to listen to. Please just keep doing what you’re doing and don’t worry about ramping up so much now that you are leaving the day job. We all love the show exactly the way it is! Congrats and good luck!