Jessica S.

Sewing, Crafting & Creative Arts

New York City

• I'm the designated crafty friend! I've hosted a button jewelry-making workshop and gotten all my friends hooked on making shrink-art charms.
• I was a DIY bride! I handmade much of my wedding decor, floral arrangements and even created my own beaded headpiece for the reception.
• I'm a decoupage queen and longtime magazine collector! I've even cut up a magazine from the 1930s for my crafts, but I'm still working up the courage to cut into my special 1950s issue.

Hi, I'm Jessica Smith, a creative arts enthusiast with a background in sewing, crafting, youth development, and community engagement. I've volunteered with Sew Hope, a nonprofit sewing collective in St. Louis, MO, and taken multiple sewing classes at its sister location, which has deepened my appreciation for sewing and creative reuse. I also worked as a Community Engagement Manager at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for 2.5 years, where I partnered with schools and community organizations to create opportunities for girls to learn, connect, and grow. In this role, I facilitated hands-on activities, including arts and crafts projects, that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. My teaching philosophy centers on creating a welcoming environment where all children feel empowered to explore their creativity, experiment with new skills, and express their individuality. I believe the creative process is just as important as the finished product, and that making mistakes is an opportunity to learn, problem-solve, and try something new. I encourage children to think outside the box, collaborate with others, and take pride in bringing their ideas to life while celebrating each child's unique strengths and interests. In my free time, you'll usually find me browsing thrift stores for textiles and crafting supplies for my next project. Right now, I'm sewing a pair of pants with my new serger and transforming a vintage picture frame into a velvet-lined jewelry display. I love exploring new creative mediums, as I've even taken a blacksmithing class where I made my own cast-iron cheese knife! When I'm not working on a project, you'll find me studying, as I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student. My coursework has deepened my appreciation for fostering confidence, encouraging self-expression, and creating supportive spaces where children can discover their strengths and explore their interests.