Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Nichols.
Kristina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been involved in the arts. Growing up that included a little bit of everything – I was involved in music, dance, theater, and art, and I could never quite make up my mind as to which one to continue studying. I was a tried and true theater camp kid, who also spent countless hours at the dance studio, and still carved out time for piano and violin. Alongside the formal training, I was always a maker. From a young age I would stitch and create – I can’t even remember a time before I knew how to knit and crochet.
I had decided in high school that I wanted to focus on dance, and attended Interlochen Arts Academy, a boarding arts high school in Interlochen, Michigan as a dance major. While I was there, I noticed so many other things I wanted to get creatively involved in. I eventually changed my major from dance to theatre design and production and started doing costume work. After running out of classes to take in my major, it was suggested that I try a weaving class in the art department. On the first day of that class, we had to assemble the giant floor looms that had been in storage over the summer. While that was a daunting task, it gave me a great understanding out the gate of how a loom works, and how cloth is made. Over the course of that year, I fell in love with fiber arts.
For my undergrad, I completed a BFA in fiber arts from Kansas City Art Institute, and when faced with the daunting task of life after college, I went the safe route and went into education administration. leaving the arts as more of a hobby. I subsequently completed a master’s degree in arts administration, and have spent the last 25 years working at Interlochen Center for the Arts, where I am currently the Vice Provost of Education Operations. Two kids later and decades of spreadsheets, brought me back to finding a way to bring my creative background back to life. In 2018, I started applying to art shows again, and have spent the last 7 years building up my textile business.
I named the company Just a Little Warped, as a play on both the fact that you have to be a little warped to build up a full business in your “spare time”, as well as a play on the weaving term “warp”. The warp is the threads that you thread the loom with, that eventually become the vertical threads in a weaving. My work in general is in small scale or small batch productions – usually weaving 10-15 yards in any given pattern or structure before moving on to something different as opposed to large scale production runs. So – just a little warped – seemed appropriate.
In the last few years, I’ve been participating in both regional and national art shows. Local to the Traverse City region, I have done shows with Crooked Tree Arts Center, the Dennos Museum, and the Sutton’s Bay Art Fair. Nationally in the last year, I’ve participated in American Craft Made – Baltimore, Smithsonian Craft2Wear, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show, and the Brookside Art Annual. I’ve also found a great passion for teaching in textiles. I teach classes for adults regularly for North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota, and have started teaching for Green Door Folk School in Traverse City.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think that there’s anyone who is working to make a living as an artist has had a smooth road. I’ve had to learn the art of working in tiny spurts to be able to fit it in. In a busy house with two teenagers, and a full time job, I have become a master at trying to figure out what I can accomplish in one hour a day. It’s actually pretty astonishing what you can accomplish when you’re pressed on time, but dedicate the consistency to it.
But also overall, there’s the whole business side of being an artist, that I feel has just not been taught well. You have to do everything – marketing and promotion, website management, bookkeeping, tax work, shipping, inventory management, supply ordering – oh, and make the work! You constantly feel like you’re not doing some (or sometimes all!) of it well. But for me, the answer has been just keep pushing on the best you can – because it’s all that you can do!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
While my background in fiber arts covers most aspects – knitting, crochet, felting, dyeing, weaving, sewing, and more – I have mostly focused on the weaving aspect for the last several years. I have always loved that in the fiber arts, what you make is tangible, and has purpose. I make mostly bespoke handwoven wearable accessories and home goods.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t let what you don’t know overwhelm you to the point that you don’t start. It’s an easy trap to get into. Most of the time, you just need to get started. The art world is full of people who are happy to share their experiences and expertise – sometimes you just need to ask! And don’t underestimate your family and loved ones that you surround yourself with. My kids may groan when I ask for help, but they always do it, and my incredible husband Brett is my biggest cheerleader and champion – not to mention, my best art show set up helper and salesman!
Pricing:
- Variable based on materials
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justalittlewarped.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justalittlewarpedart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justalittlewarpedart
