About the Maker!

Hello!

If you don’t already know me, my name is Jaclyn Bartelt. I have been crocheting since 2016, designing since college, and crafting since forever. I wanted to take this opportunity though to tell you a little about myself outside of my crocheting!

Where are you from?

My dad was in the Air Force so I did a lot of moving growing up. I never lived in the same house for more than a few years, giving me lots of opportunities to change up my style and purge old stuff and clothes. I also attended several different schools, so I have gotten pretty good at making friends and adapting to new places. Overall though we lived mostly in the Midwest, but my favorite places were Texas and California.

Are you married?

Yes! I got married in 2017 in Napa Valley to the love of my life. We met in college and fell in love during a production of Pride and Prejudice, he was Mr. Bingley and I was Jane. We have since moved across the country and my husband is currently a Lutheran Pastor. We have loved these first years of marriage. There have definitely been ups and downs, but we keep God at the center of our marriage and that keeps us strong. I don’t know what I would do with out my hubby! We have now lived in 5 different states as a married couple and the adventures never seem to end. I am very excited about what the future holds for our family.

Did you go to college?

I went to Concordia University in Irvine California. I studied Theatre, with an emphasis in Acting and Directing and minored in Studio Art. It was a smaller university so I got to dabble in almost every aspect of performance to include acting, costume designing, set painting, set designing, building, and tearing down. I was even chosen to direct my own One Act play my senior year. The whole thing was done in gray scale, and it was awesome. The school I attended was also a liberal arts college, so I was fortunate enough to get to explore subjects outside of my major. We were able to read and study the classics like Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Shakespeare, create connections between history and literature, and understand math and science beyond the numbers. We were taught how to think for ourselves and to be “wise, honorable and cultivated” citizens

What do you like besides crochet?

I have tons of hobbies besides crocheting. I recently took up knitting, I am not great at it yet, but we will call it a hobby. I spend a good amount of my time reading. Mostly YA fantasy and adventure books, but I love reading from a variety of genres like education, biography, inspirational, and classic fiction.  If you need a book recommendation make sure to send me a message! I paint (remember that Studio Art minor?), preferably with acrylic or watercolor, but this has definitely been the hobby put on the back burner since our move.  I also love printmaking, playing guitar or ukulele, cosplay, singing, and putting together giant puzzles.

I am also a huge Disney fan. My nursery was classic 90’s Disney, and my “on repeat” toddler movie was The Lion King. While I was in college I was an Annual Passholder for Disneyland, so I spent most of my free time on Mainstreet and eating Dolewhip. I had little qualms about waiting 60 minutes to meet my favorite princesses, and know the fastest routes between rides. I cannot wait to take my daughter someday and share the magic with her! My favorite princess is Cinderella, but Tiana is a close second (and has a better soundtrack), and my favorite non-princess movie is Big Hero 6. I’m also a BIG collector. Jim Shore figurines are my all time favorite, but I have over 100 Tsumtsums, dozens of Pop Figures, and other various knick-knacks (mostly Cinderella themed). My entire dorm room and first apartment were decorated solely with Disney merchandise, and my daughters nursery is now covered in most my Disney goodies!

I think I covered basically everything. But if there is anything else you want to know, please comment! I would love to hear from you and answer any questions!