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Jena Johnson

@Jenasjems

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About

Inspired by life's wonders and driven by love and loss, my art reflects resilience and beauty in every moment. It's more than toys; it's a journey of healing and connection, embodying comfort, love, and resilience. Each creation serves as a reminder of life's precious moments and the power of human connection, aiming to bring joy, solace, and warmth to those who embrace them. I started my etsy shop shortly after my first baby boy died during childbirth. I was always an artist, I paint murals, crochet and make jewelry but I really discovered how much art meant to me in the days after my baby Marc's death. I especially grew to love crochet even more than I had before because it gave me something to focus on and every minute I spent counting stitches was another minute I had survived and the minutes turned into hours and I was making it. We have had three more children Jack, Olivia and Archie. My life is full of love and art brings even more joy to my days. I use cherry blossoms in my shop logo and images to honor my son and his brief life. “The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.” — Homaro Cantu

Artist Statement

The world feels heavy right now. It hums with grief, noise, division, and a constant undercurrent of uncertainty. It is easy to feel small inside it and to wonder what meaning can be made, what beauty can still exist, what tenderness can survive? My work lives in that question. Through fiber, texture, and mixed media, I create pieces that honor the quiet, often overlooked moments. The ones that do not make headlines but still hold us together. A small object. A soft form. A playful detail. These are not escapes from reality, but gentle acts of resistance within it. I am drawn to the idea that small things matter. That something held in your hand can carry comfort. That color, softness, humor, and care are not trivial. They are necessary. In a world that can feel sharp and overwhelming, I choose to make work that is tactile, imperfect, and human. Work that invites you to pause. To feel. To remember that even now, especially now, there is room for joy.