Meet Renee Jones | Fiber Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business when my children were very young—one was just 2 months old, and the other about 18 months. At the time, my husband had just been deployed, and I was home with two babies while also working part-time. My life had changed dramatically. I was busy, sleep-deprived, and craving something that would ground me—something that made me feel like myself again.

Ironically, in the midst of all that chaos, I chose to add even more to my plate by starting a business. I began by selling clothing I purchased from wholesale distributors, along with some handmade jewelry. But it didn’t take long for me to see how wasteful the clothing industry can be. The products I received were often poorly made, didn’t look or fit as advertised, and left me with unsellable inventory. I was shocked by how quickly that waste added up.

It became clear that fast fashion wasn’t something I wanted to be part of. So I pivoted and committed fully to creating a handmade business rooted in quality, intentionality, and sustainability.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Currently, I work full-time as a pediatric Occupational Therapist, supporting children with disabilities in the school setting. I love what I do, and with the rhythm of my schedule, I carve out time to create on weekends, during holidays, and throughout the summer.

Before becoming an OT, I studied metalsmithing in college with the intention of becoming a jeweler. But within a year of starting the program, one of my professors told me she believed I was actually a fiber artist. I adamantly disagreed—but here I am, twenty years later, completely immersed in the world of fiber art.

Since beginning this journey, I’ve made plenty of mistakes and experimented endlessly. To this day, I’m still learning and exploring. Lately, I’ve been especially excited about incorporating plastics into my work. After reflecting deeply on the environmental impact of waste, I’ve made intentional changes in both my personal and artistic practices to reduce my carbon footprint. I’m currently exploring the use of single-use plastics in my weavings, and I’ve been continually surprised by the unexpected beauty of this discarded material. I’m eager to keep pushing this practice forward and to see how this medium continues to evolve in my work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were planning the perfect weekend in the area, I’d start with an early morning hike in Boulder or Golden—both offer incredible views and peaceful trails. From there, we’d head to one of Denver’s many fantastic food halls, with Denver Central Market still holding the top spot on my list.

After lunch, we’d explore the vintage shops along Larimer Street and pop into some of my favorite small businesses that support local artists, like Three Arrows Gallery and Fern and Skye. Next, we’d stop by the Denver Art Museum to check out the latest exhibitions and hopefully catch an artist talk.

For dinner, I’d choose from Denver’s amazing lineup of restaurants—Mercantile is always a standout. Then we’d wrap up the night with a cocktail on The Source rooftop before heading to Red Rocks for an unforgettable concert under the stars.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My success and happiness are deeply rooted in my family. I’m incredibly grateful to have a supportive husband and children who understand how important art is to me. They embrace my constant need to create and are my biggest cheerleaders every step of the way.

Website: https://Eastandmarket.com

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Image Credits
N/a