Knitzengiggles

Featured Fiber Artist: Jen Hintz

21 Aug 2009 1 Comment

by knitzengiggles in Uncategorized Tags: dyeing, etsy, fiber, fibromyalgia, FMS, interview, knitting, ravelry, roving, spinning, yarn

Both Knit Wit and I have to struggle every day with a disease called Fibromyalgia.  In addition to dealing with the actual disease, we have to deal with people’s misconceptions about the disease, such as it doesn’t exist, we don’t look sick so we can’t be sick, we’re just depressed, etc.  Through Ravelry, I have found many support groups for fiber artists with Fibromyalgia, as well as an absolutely wonderful person, Jen Hintz.  She runs an Etsy shop called FibroFibers which donates proceeds from each sale to a Fibromyalgia charity.  She is truly an inspiration for all of us who use fiber arts to help cope with chronic illness.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, when you started knitting and spinning, and anything else you want the world to know!

I started knitting several years ago just out of curiosity, and perhaps a year later tried out crochet as well.  I was instantly drawn in, and my fiber obsession has snowballed from there.  I soon started dyeing my own yarns, and this week I’m getting my own spinning wheel!  I already have a little voice in the back of my head chattering about a drum carder, but I know I need to get established with spinning first.

2. Your shop (FibroFibers) donates money from each sale to a Fibromyalgia research charity.  What inspired you to do this?

I myself have fibromyalgia, and for me yarn and fibromyalgia are linked because I started knitting shortly after I had to quit my last job due to illness.  At that point I had not yet been diagnosed, and knitting provided me with a productive distraction.  If I hadn’t stopped working I might never have tried knitting, so it’s a bit of a silver lining.  I decided to donate money to the NFRA (National Fibromyalgia Research Association) because to this day I’m shocked at how little most people (including healthcare providers) know about fibro, and the deeply-held false ideas many have about what this disease is and how to treat it.  I chose the NFRA in particular because they are a small but totally independent organization with no ties to the big pharmaceutical companies; this makes me more comfortable trusting them to be unbiased.

3.  You run an Etsy shop and have your own website.  Do you spin full time or have a job to supplement your income?  Any advice to hopeful fiber dealers?

I do not work another job.  Being a one-person company means that if something is going to get done, I have to be the one to do it.  It’s not easy, but I love what I do and can adjust my schedule to suit my abilities moment to moment.  I’m not getting rich by any means, but after just under 2 years in business I’m doing better than I expected and am continually growing the business.  The only advice I can offer others is to just dive in and try things, and don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice.  I’ve found that the fiber-arts subculture is generally an extremely friendly and generous one.

4.  Your yarn and roving are gorgeous!  Any insight to your spinning/dyeing techniques?

I work “fast and loose”.  If I’m in a blue and green mood, I splash that on and see what happens.  I really should take notes when I’m dyeing so that I can more easily replicate colorways, but at the same time there’s a certain appeal in knowing that every skein of yarn or bump of roving is absolutely unique.

5.  As a spinner of your own yarn, what’s your opinion of acrylic?  Avoid it like the plague or use it for when you need a very washable item?

Acrylic absolutely has its place in the world.  In my other shop I sell crocheted shopping bags, and acrylic really is the best material for them.  Cotton is good too, but for strength and durability you just can’t beat the acrylics.  The huge range of colors available is also nice, as it allows me to appeal to just about any customer’s tastes.

6.  Many fiber artists struggle with FMS or other chronic illnesses.  Does knitting/spinning help you?  How does having a flare-up affect your work?

On my worst days when I don’t feel well enough to do anything, I can still do some simple knitting or crochet.  It provides me a distraction while also giving me some validation; I may feel like hell, but I still accomplished something.  Flares can hamper my work especially with regards to dyeing because it requires being on my feet, lifting things, working carefully with heat and chemicals, etc., but I’ve been able to tweak some parts of the process to allow myself some time to sit and rest between steps.  The good thing about working in several different aspects of fiber art is that if I’m not feeling up to one thing, I can usually manage another.

7.  What’s your weirdest, wackiest, or most unbelievable fiber-related experience?

There’s always a moment of giddiness when I take a pan of yarn out of the oven and take the lid off.  No matter how carefully I plan, the colors always do their own thing and surprise me.  It’s almost always a pleasant surprise!

Thank you Jen for the interview and good luck with your business!

-Purl Girl