Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Schreppel & Matthew Windsor.
Hi Jordan & Matthew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Since we were children, we have both known the answer to the burning question “what do you want to be when you grow up.” Not everyone could understand when we answered “an artist” or “happy” until 2017 when our paths crossed and we started the journey creating what is known today as Crow Mother Collective.
After having our son in 2018, we signed up for our first vending experience at a (what was then) small festival called ReKinection. We spent months creating an inventory of the most unique handmade jewelry, paintings, macramé, and wood carvings with our brand new baby watching every step of the way. The event ended up being the best experience of our lives and the people loved what we were creating together. We spent the entire next winter building our online business, preparing for the spring festival season, booking events, and paying the bills strictly off of our artwork for the first time in our lives. It was so scary, and not all events were as accepting as our first one, but ultimately so worth it.
The next festival season went even better than we anticipated. The art we were creating was pouring from our fingertips. We met so many guides and friends that season who showed us the ropes of doing this as a full-time profession.
That winter of 2019 is when we dreamed up the vision of Crow Mother Collective. Laura Lockton, the founder of ReKinection, was one of our biggest guides and inspiration. Matthew and I wanted to bring the opportunity to others to get their hands on all kinds of different art supplies and mediums that they otherwise might not have access to or the time in their day to day lives to use. When we first started out years ago, it took us quite some time to acquire the finances and materials we needed to try a new art form that we really wanted to learn. Over the years though, we have filled shelf after shelf of every kind of material from paints to brushes to beads to the point we couldn’t get to all of it if we tried. We really wanted to find a way to share this with the community.
We developed the idea of having workshops led by live artists and a “creation station” filled with diverse art supplies so people could come participate and take something home with them to remember their experience at the event. When we brought the idea to Laura of what Matthew and I were trying to create, she did not hesitate to bring it on as an expansion of ReKinection’s visual art section with her absolute full support.
Shortly after, I became ReKinection’s Visual Art Coordinator. This has given me the opportunity to coordinate with some of the best live artists in the country who offer workshops that contribute to ReKinection’s event and bring the vision of Crow Mother Collectives and our creative space beyond anything we could have ever imagined. We have since continued to expand this ever-growing group of coCreators, in turn making this event cherished in people’s hearts who come near and far to experience the Midwest in its true beauty.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It did not come without struggle. From living out of hotel rooms, on friend’s couches, and a treehouse in the middle of winter, sometimes we didn’t know if this was the right path. It took years to finally develop our skillset and find the mediums we flowed well with. Eventually, we got our feet on the ground, had a strong support system, and created a beautiful home together.
After we got into vending and traveling events, we faced a new set of trials. From driving across the country and fitting a 20×10 set up into a tiny little car (we got really, really good at tetrus) to not making our vending cost money back and being weeks behind on bills, we still managed to find our way. It took every ounce of energy to build what we have, but the hardest struggle of all was the doubt from others that we would.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Through our development as artists, we have definitely become skilled in various different mediums. Matthew and I are always pushing each other out of our comfort zones to learn and try new things. Matthew specializes in hemp macramé, wood carving, woodturning, and the culinary arts. I am a watercolor artist above all and have just begun intuitive portrait painting. I also create wire-wrapped sunglasses, earrings, necklaces, and upcycled art.
Matthew and I are also very passionate about recreating normal kitchen delicacies and making them gluten, dairy, and soy-free. A definite favorite of our friends is Matthew’s vegan cashew cheese. When we can’t get in the flow with our art, we get creative in the kitchen, and we absolutely love to feed our family and friends.
But the creation we are by far most proud of is, of course, our beautiful son. It is a gift to get to experience this life with him and show him he can be whoever he wants to be with our full support.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The beauty about our lifestyle is that it is almost entirely a hands-on experience. We do not have much time to get invested in the online resources available to us outside of running our business. However, our involvement with ReKinection has led us to grow exponentially as people and creators. The individuals on our team are truly a constant reminder of why all of the hard work and trials are completely worth it. Their strength and wisdom are the best resources that inspire us daily.
Pricing:
- Wire Wrapped Sunglasses from $40
- Hemp Macramé Hanging Planters from $30
- Prints of Jordan’s Original Artwork – 4×6 Magnetic 2 for $10 – 8×10 Prints $20 – 11×14 Prints $40
- Earrings and Jewelry from $20
- Hemp Macramé Dog Leashes from $40
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowmothercollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crowmothercollective
- Other: https://rekinection.com/
Image Credits
Jordan Alexis, Zach Ferguson
