Jodi Levine will inspire you to roll up your sleeves and get crafting. “Love using items from the supermarket and recycle bin!” reads her Instagram caption (indeed, most of her arts and crafts projects require little to no money). A mother of two and a lifelong crafter, Levine studied painting formerly in RISD before returning to her original passion. “When I look back at my time in art school, I loved every minute of it but I also felt a little lost in that I didn’t fit into any one department,” she later admitted in an interview with David Stark.
“The world has changed so much since I was in school and the word ‘craft’ was perceived very negatively,” she added. “The whole design/DIY/craft world has exploded which is great for those of us that like to make stuff and dabble with lots of media and don’t fit neatly into the art school categories.” It was also great for Levine, having landed the perfect job in the Craft Department at Martha Stewart Living, where she worked for over 19 years.
Now based in Brooklyn with her husband Fred and two sons, Sammy and Lionel, she continues pursuing her passion, transforming everyday items into inspiring ideas. “I look back on what was distracting me from my fine art work and it was what I have ended up doing professionally,” she notes. “But I am so grateful for my fine arts education. It gave me the creative tools needed in any area of design like color, composition and an appreciation for the natural world.”
Now, she passes on her knowledge to others, featuring regularly in programs like The Today Show, MARTHA, NY1, CBS Morning Show, and The View. You can also follow her tips and trick via Instagram. Keep your hands busy!
