Interview with iWunder

Tweet Meet Jennifer of iWunder

Who are you?

My name is Jennifer Wunderlich, and I am a scientist and teacher by day, and a compulsive knitter by night. I grew up in Southern Maryland surrounded by tobacco fields, left all that behind to pursue a marine biology degree at Eckerd College, and have been bopping around the country every since. I have taught various forms of science and math in various types of educational settings, and have lived in fabulous places like Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and near the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia.

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I currently live in St Petersburg, Florida, where I met and married my husband Ray. He owns a vitamin store and graciously gave me a really long German last name that means “odd or strange in a brilliant, magical sort of way.” We spend our time traveling around the state visiting parks and preserves, and keeping lists of all the Florida native plants we encounter.

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Nerd + Nerd = True Love.

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When I am not studying municipal solid waste and landfills, my current research topic of choice for my masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy at USF St Pete, I am buried under mountains of yarn in my living room. I worm my way out occasionally, knitting needles in hand, only to dive into another mountain of luxurious fibers and see what sort of inspiration hits me this time.

What do you create?

Mostly hand knit scarves, but also crocheted luxury cowls and flower brooches.

How did you get started?

My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 7 years old, and I taught myself to knit when I was 21. I've always been making something with yarn and needles.

What is unique about your products?
Probably the materials. The brighter the color, the better. I prefer to seek out original and unique wool yarns that are handspun and handdyed by other artisans, that way no two of my creations are ever the same. I also buy yarns that are rescued or reclaimed from old sweaters, and knit up new things to give the yarn a new life.

What has been your biggest challenge in developing your business?Learning the best sort of advertising strategies to get my name out there. Selling my wares in Florida is pretty difficult, but selling to colder climates and internationally really helps move my items

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What is your favorite feature on Etsy?

The clean, uniform look of every shop, and how they are all the same. I like the consistency from shop to shop.

What other interests do you have?

I'm very interested in garbage and the waste stream, I play clarinet quite well, and I have a great interest in native Florida plants and their bird/butterfly associations.

Where in Florida do you live?

St Petersburg, since 2001, I love the downtown, I love that it is near the ocean, and I love the thrift stores.

What animal would you like to be?

My cat, Gray Kitty. He is either all go or all stop. And he is gone for most of the day. I really want to know where he goes, what he does, where he sleeps, and what is going on in his mind. He is an All American kitty.

Beautiful scarves!

Makes me wish we had more cold snaps here in Florida!