I am Genifer Brown of Downtown Genifer Brown Designs. I create wearable art. It isn’t quite jewelry because there really aren’t actual jewels involved. My work involves pendants, pins, earrings, and bracelets made of hand sculpted clay and various types of fiber.

What is the worst craft fail you’ve had?

For fun, I sculpted the H.P. Lovecraft creation Cthulhu. If you’ve read Lovecraft, Cthulhu is described as being this huge, horrifying monster that causes the people unlucky enough to see him to go mad. I carefully read the descriptions of Cthulhu and began sculpting. When I finished, the top half of Cthulhu turned out just as I wanted, but when I looked at the rest of my work, I realized that I had sculpted this completely horrifying entity with sexy, curvy women’s legs. It looked incredibly silly…I ended up re-doing the legs a couple of times to get them right. Dread Cthulhu lies dreaming…with his girlish gams.

Where do you get your materials from?

I get my clay from Hobby Lobby or Michael’s depending on who is having a sale or where I have a coupon. The fiber I purchase from various sources, including Goodwill (I “reclaim” any cool looking textiles I find), Paste, and The Bead Store (my source for the fantastic sari ribbon and recycled silk). I also find materials on etsy every once in a while.

If you could talent swap with another local St. Louis crafter for a day who would it be?

Ok enough about you!  Tell us what you like about Paste!

There is a really nice fiber selection! I found some great yarns to use in some of my fall and winter work.

My work is currently available at Paste, and beginning in October at a shop in Belleville called Piece by Piece. I occasionally do craft fairs, but not really often, maybe once or twice a year. I have an etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5151975).