Meet Jennifer

Hello! I’m Jennifer Johnson - Weaver, Teacher, Mentor, Creative Facilitator

Weaving is my passion, teaching is my gifting. I am continually fascinated at what the human spirit can create!

Students range in age from 4 years to 97 years. Never too young, definitely never too old either!

Jennifer Johnson weaver, wearing a yellow and brown mobius shawl and a Dorset button pin

FAQs

  • Weaver since 1990. Embroidery since 1980. Crochet since 1988. Yes, I played with yarn as a child!

    Teacher since 1992.

    Passionate about helping YOU create that which makes your heart sing!

    Retired Museum Curator. Life-long interest in historical textiles and the care and preservation of textiles.

  • Weaving! All forms - from the smallest pin-looms and box loom bands to the largest looms (10 shaft Ulla Cyrus, 59” weaving width).

    Natural Dyes - obtaining color by collecting materials from her home property and gathering from the nearby fields.

    Crochet!

    Dorset button maker

    Hardanger embroidery

    Tatting

  • We all know the tale…someone’s grandparent had a loom, it’s now in the attic/basement/barn/garage - been there for YEARS…and they’d like to begin weaving or sell the thing to make room for new toy.

    But…they know nothing about the loom, or how to get it fixed, or what it’s worth (if anything). Can you help?!

    Yep. I can. And do. Some I rescue. Most I refer. But please call. Because there’s gems out there in the cold, dank spaces of storage units.

  • Yes! Historic handwoven items (coverlets, garments, blankets, anything handwoven fabric).

    Need to know what something is? Let’s find out!

    Desire to know how to care best for that baptismal gown? Come to the studio and let’s evaluate it.

    Tips on laundering (or not!) that precious heirloom item - definitely!

    Seeking background information on what IS this cloth (found in a box in the back of a closet)?!

    Cost is $30 for an hour. Resources for archival storage will be referenced (so bring a notepad and pencil). Contact Jennifer to schedule a date with your history!

  • Why not?

    Low taxes, large open farm fields and a warm welcoming community drew us to Greencastle.

    The house drew us also - 5 acres in a literal 100 acre wood.

    Need I say more?

CV

Master Weaver certificate candidate, Olds College, Olds, BC Canada

M.A. Museum Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

B.A. Art History, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL

Presenter: Weaving Indiana Guild (April 2025 - Around the Block, profile drafting explained; June 2023 - What loom is for you? Counterbalance, countermarche and jack looms compared; January 2021 - Weaving to go! Inkle band weaving)

Fiber Arts Instructor and demonstrator: Putnam County Historical Museum, Greencastle, IN - both on their historic barn loom and for special events on my own equipment, too many dates to record

Workshop leader: Illinois Prairie Weavers Guild (January 2022 - Weaving bands on inkle loom, rigid heddle loom and table loom)

Presenter: Bloomington (IN) Spinners and Weavers Guild (October 2021 - Bands on the Run, Baltic pick-up bands)

Study Group Teacher and leader: A Strong Beginning study group, Illinois Prairie Weavers Guild, 2018 to present; average attendance of 14 guild members (27 guild members registered with study group)

Author: Putnam County HIstorical Museum special exhibition publication, “Heirloom Coverlets from Private Collections: II. Weavers’ Craft” October 2023-January 2024.

Weaving Instructor, Tabby Tree Weavers, Fishers, IN - Weaving 101 (Beginning Weaving on a multi-shaft loom); Weaving 102 (Color gamp - Twills and more!) 2022 to present

Additional experiences:

2020-2017 - Weaving Instructor, Plymouth Place Senior Living Center, La Grange, IL

2020 - 2006 - Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council, St. Charles, IL. Council Merit Badge counselor coordinator. Committee Chair - Pack 68 and Troop 514. Den Leader - Pack 68.

2012-2010 - Substitute Art Instructor, Home School University, West Chicago, IL.

2017-2005 - Educator for Johnson School, K - 12

1998-1996 - Curator, DuPage Historical Museum, Wheaton, IL

1996-1992 - Registrar and Exhibit Preparator, First Infantry Museum at Cantigny, Winfield, IL

1992-1989 - Curator/Registrar/Educator, Swedish American Museum of Chicago

1989-1986 - Assistant Registrar and preparator, Augustana College Collections, Rock Island, IL

Holding a handmade textile is feeling a person’s creative spirit.

— Jennifer