Favorite Handmade Item – Jessica Near

This week we’re sharing the favorite handmade item of local maker and handmade business owner Jessica Near! Jessica owns and operates Opposite of Far: a handmade business built on the backbone of play and imagination! Jessica lives in Ellettsville with her partners in crime (her husband, cats and dogs) and every day is enlivening the imaginations of youngsters across the globe! You can find Opposite of Far masks locally right across the hall from us at The Green Nursery or on her website: http://oppositeoffar.com/. When it comes to handmade, Jessica certainly knows a thing or two! Her beautiful home is filled to the brim with handmade gifts from her travels and meetings with other makers.

I live a handmade life. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, self-starters, handmade, homemade & hand crafted! For as long as I can remember I have been receiving, making & giving handmade gifts. And now I own a thriving handmade business- I love that full-circle.

To choose only one favorite is nearly impossible. My home is full of special handmade gifts – either made by loved ones or thoughtfully chosen- which makes me so very happy every single day!

I have chosen to tell you about the quilt one of my very best friends made for me about 8 years ago. This quilt was Allison’s very first quilt ever, made as an engagement gift and celebration of the new path I was happily starting on. This queen-sized quilt was a huge undertaking, because she doesn’t do anything small or easy and because Allison respects the craft and skill of everything she takes on- whether it’s a complicated recipe (she’s amazing in the kitchen) or a queen sized quilt!

Allison carefully chose fabrics that reflected me, my likes, my personality and my mood at this time in my life. The top of the quilt is made in blues, beige and greens with delicate florals, bold & moody florals, a lovely lady print and some mod prints too. The edges are a warm blue wool blend with a hand stitched binding of soft faux suede blue. Allison chose a bold orange floral pattern for the backing, a beautiful contrast to the soft moodiness of the top.

This quilt has been a staple in my home since the day Allison gifted it to me! There are now some little tears and rips that need to be mended, but I kind of love these marks of wear because it shows that this quilt has been loved and well used. This beautifully and lovingly handmade quilt will surely be an heirloom passed down in my family for generations to come!