FunIsuue

MODERN FOLK WARE
An Interview with Jennie Johnsrud
Tell us about Modern Folk Ware! How did things get started?
A few years ago I went on a wilderness retreat and there was this weird moment
when I had to jump across a river and it became the perfect metaphor
for my life at the time. I came home and quit my retail job, ready to calculate
the risk of working for myself like I had to jumping across that river. I had
been a potter for close to 20 yrs, but the timing had never been quite right
to try it full time. In its broadest sense, Modern Folk Ware is about craft,
simplifying things and getting clear on what’s important to you. In a smaller
sense, it’s me making pottery and practicing living a quiet life.
Where are you from? Why did you choose to live in Santa Fe?
I was born and raised in Minnesota. After college, I completed an apprenticeship
in New York state and hit the road to find a place to live that would
be friendly to craftspeople. I ended up in Santa Fe briefly, but there was a job
opening at Santa Fe Clay that I really wanted so I stayed. That was almost 15
yrs ago . . I’m still hooked on the wide open skies, sun and incredible beauty
of New Mexico.
What made you want to start your own business?
Honestly, years of working for other people! At a certain point I realized that
as an employee I was showing up and working hard to make other folks businesses
happen, when I could also do that for myself. Believing that I could
do it was the hardest part.