Pat Sloan's Celebrity Interview - Heather Jones of Olive and Ollie

Let's get to know my friend Heather Jones of Olive & Ollie...her company of inspired goods made by hand. Heather is so talented and has such fresh ideas, and adorable models who actually live WITH HER!!!
 
When was your FIRST quilt sighting?

I’ve been surrounded by quilts my whole life, so it’s hard to pinpoint an exact time that I first saw one. In fact, my great-great aunt Ollie made one for me that I’ve had since I was a newborn, and it’s one of my most cherished items.

***** I'm also so happy for people that have had quilts as part of their life since they were young, that's the best!

Did she inspire you to start quilting?

I’ve always been drawn to quilts and I love fabric, so it’s been a natural progression for me to become a quilter. I’m drawn more to modern quilt designs, and I  remember feeling so inspired by the quilts in the Gee’s Bend exhibition, although it took me quite a few
years and a lot of courage to try my hand at. But now, it’s all I want to do!

***** The Gee's Bend quilters have inspired so many people. Do remember my interview with Suzanne Woods Fisher? She also was inspired!

Tell us how your got your business Olive & Ollie started and how it was named. 

I’ve always been crafty and have sewn on and off for a long time. I actually used to paint a lot too and would love to get back into that as well. Olive & Ollie came to be almost accidentally. When I was pregnant with my first child, and found out that he was a boy, I was really disappointed at the lack of cute things for baby boys on the market, so I began to make my own.

I made bibs, blankets, and appliquéd tees and onesies for him, and soon friends asked me to make some for them as well. I did this on this side while I continued at my day job part time after he was born in August 2006.

Then, my husband and I were surprised to find out that I was pregnant again, when my son was only 9 months old. I continued to work at my day job, as well as making things on the side to sell, but when my daughter was born in February of 2008, I knew I didn’t want to go back to my other career. I had an 18 month old and a newborn, so I decided to just go for it, and have been working hard since then.

I decided on the name Olive & Ollie, after two women in my family. My great-grandmother on my dad’s side was Olive, and my great-great aunt on my mom’s side was Ollie. My middle name is Olivia, after them, so I feel like I share a common bond with them. Both of them were strong women who made all sorts of things by hand, both out of necessity as well as desire, and both believed that handmade was best. They both passed away when I was a child, but I have really strong memories about them. I am also lucky to have the quilt that my Aunt Ollie made for me when I was a baby and it’s one of my
most treasured things.

***** Now I love her even more!! It gives me goosebumps to know people have put so much thought into naming a company or a product. And look at how cute the grammie and auntie are!

What is your favorite antique or traditional quilt pattern?

I love Grandmother’s Garden and Wedding Ring quilts. I really enjoy all different kinds of patterns, but I’m especially fond of quilts from the 1930s and 40s. I’m really drawn to bright saturated colors, but I also love more subdued ones as well. My favorite fabrics are woven cotton and cotton chenille.

**** I found this really wonderful outfit in Heather's store... and you can tell she loves the images and feel of the 30's and 40's... put into brights! I want to wear this myself!!! Think she would make a big girls size?

We all have parts of the process we 'prefer' more than others. What part of quilt making do you 'Prefer' most and why?

I really like designing, and coming up with fun, and unexpected, combinations of fabrics. I like to mix and match prints from different designers and lines. To me, there’s nothing more exciting than that “a-ha moment” when you suddenly see two prints side by side, and realize that they would work really well together in a quilt or another project.

*** Is that red cupboard TO DYE FOR??????????? I want it when your bored with it Heather!

Do you do other crafts besides sewing for your business?

I dabble in a lot of different things. I used to paint a lot, especially when I was in high school and college, and while I don’t have much time to do it these days, I‘d really love to get back into it more. I love to refinish furniture and redecorate, and I’ve recently begun to really enjoy photography.

Did you have a career prior to Olive & Ollie and what was it? Do you still do that career while having your design business?

I did. I majored in Art History in college and worked for a number of years at the Cincinnati Art Museum in the curatorial and education departments. Then, I took a wild turn professionally and became a licensed realtor. My husband and I wanted to have a family and I didn’t want to put my children in day care if I didn’t have to, so I thought that I could work part time as a realtor and do a lot of work for home. Unfortunately, I really disliked working in real estate, although I have to say that I gained some business skills that I wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise.

***** The kind of skills really come in handy!

How do you fill your soul? What I mean by this is - what makes you SO HAPPY that you know that if you do this you are experiencing a little 'Heaven on Earth'.

I love being with my two young children and my husband. It might sound cliché, but it’s so amazing to see the world through your children’s eyes. They look at things with a certain freshness and make me see so many things in a whole new way. I also love gardening and visiting the farm where my father keeps his horse.

**** See the fabric in this dress? THAT is how Heather and I started to become friends on Twitter... I wanted some more of the one color and she had it.. a little trading back and forth and we became new friends!

When you start a new project do you have a ritual you follow? Like cleaning your work area, going to lunch with a girlfriend, buying fresh flowers?

No, but maybe I should! My work area tends to stay a bit messy, and I think that I’d be a lot more productive if it wasn’t!

Do you have a process to get your ideas started? I use a theme and words. Some people use photos, fabric swatches... etc How do you come up with your quilt and your clothing ideas?

Designs and inspirations just pop in my head, sometimes at the craziest times of the day, so I really try to keep a notepad or paper and pencil near me at all times. I’m also the type of person whose brain rarely shuts off, so I’m always of thinking of new designs and patterns that I want to tackle. Now I just need more hours in the day to get them all done.

 Your involved with your Local Modern Quilt Guild chapter. Tell me what a typical meeting is like.

Yes, I am the founder and current president of the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild. We currently meet at the home of one of our members. We are totally spoiled because she is an incredible host whose husband loves to bake, so we usually have wine and the most incredible soft pretzels made from scratch. Our meetings are really laid back, and always include a show and tell portion, some sort of swap, and often a demonstration by one of our members as well.

**** Anyone in Cincinnati should hook up with this group... and then you get to eat the best pretzels and meet Heather!

Heather you take beautiful photos. Do you take a lot of photos? Do you style many of your shots? How do you make your eyes so blue!!!

Thank you! I do take a lot of photographs and have recently really fallen in love with the process. Right now I just point and shoot, but I’d love to learn more about the technical aspects of photography. I style all of my shoots and use an antique drying rack that I’ve had for years as the foundation for most of the photographs of my designs. My eyes are naturally blue, but I have a feeling my photographer tweaked the color a bit with Photoshop on my recent headshot.

You blog like me, how did you get started with a Blog? Did you already journal and took it online? Did you want to use a blog instead of a website?

I’ve had my blog for a long time and originally started it as a place to share photo and new designs with my customers. I’ve really gotten into blogging more recently and love to do it. I wish I had more time to devote to my blog, and I’ve actually made a vow with myself to update it more often.

What is coming up in the "Land of Heather"?

I just got back from The Creative Connection Event in Minneapolis, which was an amazing experience. I was interviewed by Nancy Soriano for F&W Media’s new website, which should go live sometime in October. I’m going to be featured on Sew4Home.com in October, and I will also be attending Quilt Market in Houston this fall. I’m actually working on a quilt for the Riley Blake booth using Hooty Hoot fabrics, and the pattern will be featured on Riley Blake’s Cutting Corner’s College on their website.

And a few on the light side...
The Book you are currently reading -  Unfortunately I don’t have much time to read these days, with the exception of children’s books

Your Favorite Movie - Gosh, so many, but my most favorite of all time would probably be The Wizard of Oz

A Song that makes you 'dance the happy dance - Rockin’ Robin by the Jackson 5

The Color you have always LOVED- Aqua blue

Visit Heather at

www.oliveandollie.com
www.oliveandollie.etsy.com
www.oliveandollie.blogspot.com

Comments

[Linda P]

I read this, and don't think I commented, but thought of it several times during the day. She really has some cute stuff!! Loved the photos of Olive & Ollie, and yes, I lusted after the red cabinet too!!

[Linda]

I so love those clothes---they would be so fun to wear......

[shauna Rawlinson]

I want all your stuff! Maybe then I would make the very cool quilts-Oh and maybe you should come along too. . . just sayin. Congratulations on your beautiful work!

[Sarah B.]

A lot of Heather's designs are too modern for my "country-lovin" family but I LOVE the Olive and Ollie kids line! In fact, I see that girl's Christmas outfit being made sometime soon... my girls love a good ruffle edge!! Very cool interview and it's always interesting to hear how someone comes up with their pattern/company name. It's sentimental and endearing... Cheer!

[Sandi]

Great interview! Really enjoyed reading about Heather and her story. Her photos of her grandma and aunt reminded me of my great grandma and my Aunt Marie. :-)

[Stephanie in Michigan]

I always enjoy your interviews, Pat. I like how you insert your comments along the way.

[Jocelyn]

Great interview! Such beautiful work and vibrant colors. Thanks!

[Shirley in Canada]

Super interview! Heather's clothing for kids is wonderful! Very inspiring, Pat! Thank you.

[Sandi Colwell]

Wow, what a great interview. I recently started following Heather on Twitter and now I feel like I know her better. I can't wait to check out her website. I love this inspiring quilting/sewing community. Everything seems better when shared with a quilting friend!

[Karen, lillybelle Custom Designs]

Awesome interview! Love Heather's work ~ her colors, patterns and techniques are inspiring!!

[Sew Create It - Jane]

What an interesting interview...I'm off to make a fresh cup of tea and head over to her site to have a look :o)