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The Garment Chooses You
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2018/09 - September
Are landmark events happy accidents or part of some divine plan?
Jude Stuecker, accomplished Asheville Fiber Artist, is convinced some things are simply meant-to-be.
It was her destiny to meet puppeteer Karen Pritchett from Berea, Kentucky, when she (Jude) was nine, and Karen 21. Karen planted a love of fabric, art, design, color, and stitchery deep in Jude’s soul. Over the years she nurtured it.
“I also got much of my training at Penland School of Crafts and feel it really changed me from a hobbyist to a professional,” Jude says. Thanks to Karen and Penland, Jude’s inner tree of creative genius blossoms every day.
Jude’s current passion involves several processes that produce exquisite, one of-a-kind, hand-dyed, hand-printed, hand-stitched garments. She loves watching customers try on her wearables. For potential buyers, it’s a bit like choosing a Harry Potter wand. Do you choose the wand (in this case garment) or does it choose you? At craft fairs, by interacting with customers Jude gets excellent feedback in exchange for some quality customer time and marketing exposure/strategy-planning.
With so many aspects of production, you’d think Jude could be overwhelmed. Quite the opposite. She says, “Each process and each day have a different feel about them. One day I am dyeing, the next I am printing, the next I am stitching, and ‘sew’ forth. Alternating sets of skills keeps me on my toes. I am rarely bored.”
Her quality work is rewarded with membership in the distinguished Southern Highland Craft Guild. Watch her video at judestuecker.com, produced by her neighbor Will Eccleston of Kinetiscape Media, to view her quality garments. They’re fit for royalty or for those who simply want to look and feel like a queen. Email Jude at [email protected].
You can meet Jude at Smitten’s Third Thursday, September 20, 5:30 P.M ‘til the fat lady sings and the cows come home. Trunk show through Saturday, September 22. Call (828) 526-9300. Smitten’s address is 468 Main Street in downtown Highlands. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; and Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. You can email [email protected].
