We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jenny Bolhofner. Check out our conversation below.
Jenny, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
This year has been particularly hard on my family for several reasons, namely the loss of my grandma. Through everything, I was also working on the largest creative project of my life. There were many times I felt like throwing in the towel, but I’m so proud of myself for persevering. Looking forward to a big year in 2026.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jenny Bolhofner and I’m the owner and artist behind Olive This Felt. I began my creative journey 11 years ago after the birth of my oldest daughter, Olive. Although I loved being a mom, I craved a creative outlet. One day while nursing Olive and scrolling, I stumbled across a page on making felt food. I was hooked. I scoured the internet, learning all I could about felt and embroidery. I stitched a few things and opened my Etsy shop a few months later. Fast forward to today, I rarely make any felt food but mostly stitch custom ornaments, mobiles, baby shoes, garlands and portraits. I’ve also started creating patterns and tutorials of some of my more popular items.
Currently I am gearing up for the holiday season which is always my busiest time of year. I’m also putting some finishing touches on a big project debuting next year.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
When I was maybe 9 years old, my Dad took me along to a car dealership when he was looking to buy a new car. They had a coloring contest going on at the time and I entered my page with high hopes. Low and behold I won- not only bragging rights to being the best artist at a local car dealership, but an award of a giant gift basket. I remember feeling on top of the world. It was in that moment that I realized I had the power to do something with my art and even have an artistic career one day.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me a great deal this past year. There were many months I was traveling back and forth to help my Mom care for my ailing grandma. She had lived with us when I was growing up and had been a huge creative influence for me. I struggled to balance helping her and seeing her decline, being at home for my husband and kids, and continuing to run my business.
It was in the suffering that I grew. By the grace of God, I learned I could handle a lot more than I had ever imagined. I persevered through exhaustion and grief to complete my largest creative project to date. I learned to let go of more and come to peace with the fact that I have very little control over anything. When life is full of success, it’s easy to think you’re in control and claim all the good things as our own doing. But suffering taught me that my life is truly not my own. It is a gift that should not be wasted or taken for granted.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies in the art world is that you need to gatekeep any and all knowledge you have- what supplies you use, how to do certain techniques, how to market your work, how to make passive income, etc. I think many creatives fear that if they share what they know, their work will no longer be as special or valuable, and someone else could come along and do the same thing. But here’s the thing- you can teach someone your process, and sometimes even the same project, and their work will never be the same as yours. Everyone has their own flare and style. And those things can’t be replicated or taught.
I’ll admit, there was a time when I fed into the gatekeeping lie and I was protective about sharing some of my processes. But I was quickly humbled when I remembered that I learned everything about felt and embroidery from watching videos and tutorials of other artists creating. How could I in good conscious not divulge the knowledge I had learned over the years? Art and creativity are meant to be shared, not hoarded away in secret.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I used to think, “Once I hit 10k followers on Instagram, I will be happy.” But after one of my reels went viral, and my follower count surpassed that goal sevenfold, I quickly realized how wrong I was. The old adage “Be careful what you wish for,” is a saying for a reason. I felt like Aladdin, having my wish granted by the genie, but then discovering that wish wasn’t as straight forward as I had once thought. I was suddenly flooded with requests for an item I had no wish to replicate. I had the followers, but no way to turn that into growing my business and generating a profit.
I also learned the hard truth I had so often heard grownups talking about when I was young- you can never be fully satisfied when you chase after worldly things. Everything is fleeing. You will always want more, and just be left feeling empty. In the end, I learned it isn’t about grasping for every milestone or award. It’s about striving to be a better human being. It’s much more fulfilling to focus less on myself and my business goals, and more on sharing, encouraging and inspiring others on their creative journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.olivethisfelt.com
- Instagram: @olivethisfelt
- Facebook: https://www facebook.com/olivethisfelt
- Other: Email:
olivethisfelt@gmail.com
