Meet Jacquelyn Roesch-Sanchez | Fiber Artist/Entrepeneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacquelyn Roesch-Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacquelyn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Without my ability to take risks, I would have never had a career! From the start, when an interesting opportunity presented itself, I instinctively looked into the possibilities at hand. I’ve been fortunate to see when there was potential for creating a business and knowing that by acting swiftly and surely, I could achieve an amazing result. The excitement of developing an idea into a working entity has been a part of my adult life since my early years in New York City. My first business was Express Yourself, a craft gallery in the West Village from 1970-1972. After that first attempt, I had 5 clothing-related businesses, one more gallery, and an art tour business that brought watercolor painters on painting holidays in France. The most enduring career in my life has been my hand-loomed knitting business that has had many iterations over time. From Juno in 1976 that eventually evolved to Knittedware.com that began in 2010, I’ve been involved with creating Art to Wear and Fiber Art. Every step of the way has been filled with the joy of design, color experimentation and a never-ending fascination with the world that surrounds me. Taking risks feeds my soul.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My professional life has had many twists and turns, but being a fiber artist has been a constant since 1976. For a short time, I worked for a clothing designer who specialized in hand-loomed knits. The designer moved her business out of New York City, so I began to experiment at home using a knitting loom and 125 cones of colored viscose thread that I had collected from a yarn supplier. My first creation was a kimono jacket made from 65 colors of thread. My passion to collect more colors of thread became possible through a long-term relationship with Majestic Rayon in NYC. I bought 2 cones of thread from every dye lot that was dyed in-house at their facility on West 23rd Street for many years. I collected more than 2,000 (3/4 lb) cones of thread resulting in an amazing array of colors. My focus was (and remains) to combine progressions of colors to form spectrums of an infinite variety with hand-loomed knitted clothing as my major art form. I was accepted into Julie: Artisans Gallery on Madison Avenue in 1977 which began a 36 year artistic relationship that also gave me exposure and representation at galleries in Boston, Aspen, Boca Raton, Santa Fe, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Over time, my Art to Wear has been included in art exhibitions in Museums across America, Europe, Japan and Korea. During the late 1970’s through the 1980’s, I also rendered knitted costumes in collaboration with costume designers for Broadway plays, movies, TV commercials and dance companies. Two separate sweater lines and a velour sportswear business rounded out my repertoire of clothing-related businesses. Every experience added to my learning curve as an artist and designer.

During the years I lived in New York City and Montclair, New Jersey, I owned or co-owned and operated 8 businesses that were created from inspirational ideas and my willingness to take risks. I owned 2 art galleries, 5 clothing-related businesses and 1 art tour company that brought watercolor artists on painting trips to France. The key elements that drove me to try these businesses began with my ability to take risks when opportunities presented themselves. Then the availability of funds to set up and operate a business, along with my interest and passion for the products brought everything together. Some businesses involved partners, but most were solo endeavors.

There were many obstacles to overcome in each of the businesses that I attempted. My determination to find the answers and to try every available pathway to success gave me the drive to find the solutions to problems. It wasn’t easy, but I never gave up trying. For me, the hardest part of any business is marketing the products. I’ve had a variety of successes and failures…and I’m still learning to this day.

In 2010, I started my present business, Knittedware.com. Maturity and a peaking sense of artistry now has me turning out the best work of my life. The freedom to make anything that comes to mind is thrilling and exciting. Wearables are evolving into wall pieces and ceiling swags with the never-ending inspiration of light and color and nature on parade.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Palm City, FL near Stuart. If my best friend came to visit for a week, we would start with Sailor’s Return in Stuart for a lovely lunch outside overlooking the Marina. Then off to see The Oceanographic Coastal Center and the Elliott Museum if it wasn’t a day to be outside. On a sunny day, a trip to Hutchinson Island for an afternoon at the beach would be the best with dinner at Hutchinson Shores or Kyle G’s on the water. The next day, a trip to West Palm Beach to the Norton Museum to look at contemporary art and have a delicious lunch in the museum’s restaurant. Then off to shop in down town WPB and dinner at Il Bellagio. Progressively traveling south, the next day brings us to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens for a beautiful outdoor walking tour and a sushi lunch at the Cornell Cafe. Back on the road for a special overnight at Ocean Villas in Deerfield Beach that sets us up for a kayaking trip and an early day on the water. By evening we’ve arrived at Lauderdale by the Sea and find La Capricciosa for gourmet pizza and an evening walk on the beach. Off early to Miami after a night with friends. Two days booked at the Boulan South Beach where we can enjoy everything Miami has to offer. The first day we have tickets to Superblue Miami, an immersive art experience and after lunch at the outdoor food trucks, we head to the Rubell Museum to see their wonderful collection of contemporary art. Dinner at the Lincoln Eatery rounds out a busy day as we enjoy strolling back to our hotel. On our last day, a trip to the Perez Art Museum with its hanging gardens and exquisite architecture lends an atmosphere of calm and serenity. Off for our final tour of the Design District where a late lunch at Caja Caliente leads us on a walking tour of the amazing murals and architecture in the surrounding the area. As I drive my friend to the Miami airport for her trip home, we enjoy talking about the memories we made on our wonderful week together.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friends and family have always been supportive towards my artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors over the years. From encouraging words to financial and physical support, I have been blessed with many who helped me on my way. I want to especially thank my daughter, Mia; my dear friend, Joan Pagano and my life partner, Boyd Wright who have stayed the course with me through thick and thin.

Website: www.knittedware.com

Instagram: KNITTEDWARE

Linkedin: Jacquelyn Roesch-Sanchez

Facebook: Knittedware and Jacquelyn Roesch-Sanchez