Meet Jessica Brewster | Artist & Scientist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Brewster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, how do you think about risk?
In my life, I have come to known as a “Jess of All Trades”. people often ask me “what dont you do?” truthfully, there are so many things that I dont do, but I am always willing to give it a go. My formal education is in Neuroscience. after years of work in academia, I have finally let my artist self run the show. I have been a waitress, a gym instructor, a salmon fisherman, a ranch hand on a cattle ranch, a cook, a neuroscientist, a seamstress, the list goes on. without taking risks, I would have no idea that I could pursue whatever goal sits before me. As a student and then professional in academia, it is so scary not to be taken seriously, so jumping into the art world guarantees feelings of silliness. and with a business name like “Hot Girl Handcrafts”, I often get people who raise an eyebrow at me. continually overcoming the fear of judgement allows me to take risks that have grown my self and my inner artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art medium for my business, Hot Girl Handcrafts, in predominantly crochet! I have recently expanded to sewing and leather work. I create couture, bespoke, handmade, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces. I make clothing articles including swimwear, lingerie, outfits for dancers (pole, Go-Go, burlesque), as well as seasonal pieces for everyday fashionistas. I have also been known to make menswear, predominantly in the form of speedos (Yes, you can wear them in water!). I do not have a brick and mortar shop but I do manage online sales and frequently host pop-up events. It has not been a glamorous journey into the world of designer clothing sales. learning to grow my confidence in my art has been a huge step, but I continue to practice and it pays off bountifully. One of my practices is to wear my pieces when I go out dancing, and to have plenty of business cards ready when people compliment my outfit. This has been my best form of advertisement, and I have been known to pull out my inventory after a party and host a trunk show out of the back of my truck. Sometimes my outfits look so attention grabbing that I have to hype myself up to leave the house, but after months of people telling me about how cool my outfits are, the fear has turned to confidence and excitement. In making pieces for others, I aim to make something that makes them feel totally beautiful, wonderful, shiny, glamorous, one-of-a-kind, unique…because they are! you are art, so you should adorn yourself accordingly.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If they are here on the 3rd Thursday of the month, I am dressing us both up in Hot Girl Handcrafts and going to the Global Funk Dance Party, hosted by DJ Herm at Zemam’s Too (The Ethiopian restaurant), its the best party in town. we would have to get tea at Scented Leaf Tea House and a slice of Pizza from Time Market. I LOVE roller skating so Skate Country is on the agenda. probably a stop at bookmans used books and then sushi from Sachiko afterwards! We could read poetry at Hotel McCoy the first Sunday of the month and get a honeycomb milkshake from the screamery after!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I truly have so many to thank for helping me, loving me and supporting me on my journey! I would like to thank one of my first mentors, Suellen Roediger, My high school art teacher. She allowed me to make art for art’s sake, and to find the joy in the process along the way. I would also like to acknowledge the book “The Artist’s Way” given to me by a fellow artist and friend, Tina Bolt. It has released several internal stop blocks in my journey as an artist, all while nourishing the parts of me that want to have fun. Thank you to everyone who cheers me on as I continue to grow!

Website: hotgirlhandcrafts.com

Instagram: hot.girl.handcrafts

Image Credits
David Wang and Genesis (IG: gelisuva)