my story
Hello, I'm Jennifer and I am passionate about colour and reducing waste. My mission is to create vibrant art and design that makes you feel good and reusable products that replace their disposable alternatives. My motto is live brightly and give generously!
In 2007, I launched a line of fabric gift wrap called Furochic, inspired by the Japanese furoshiki cloth and I wrote a book called Wrapagami, the Art of Fabric Gift Wrap, published by St. Martin’s Griffin/Macmillan, NYC. Although I received positive press, the market wasn't quite ready for this "gift wrapping revolution" (Chatelaine magazine) in North America. I am now relaunching these reusable wraps, printed with my original illustrations. Some of my customers from 15 years ago are still using my wraps which is exactly as they were intended, to never be thrown out!
I was born in Toronto and grew up in Europe which has greatly influenced my art and design. I currently create in my sunroom studio in Victoria, on Vancouver Island and am inspired by my teen children, Ava and Oliver, who are on their own artistic and musical journeys.
Photos by Carla Unger carlaungerphotography.com
western living magazine article
Read about Playford wraps as a way to make the holidays more sustainable.
interview with jennifer on canvasrebel
Learn how Jennifer got started in her creative career, her mission and insights, in this interview on CanvasRebel, an inspiring website about creatives, leadership and entrepreneurs.
MOSAIC ART
Having created mainly digitally for years, I craved working with my hands and enjoy making handcrafted mosaic art. The one of a kind nature to this art appeals to me as does mixing a traditional art form with a pop art and vintage sensibility. I create spontaneously, repurposing vintage ceramics (sometimes already broken) and Italian glass.
I am honoured to have my LOVE mosaic featured in issue #55 of Uppercase Magazine on page 90 as part of a feature on craft inspired by type and design.
Design & illustration
For the past 25 years I have had a rewarding career as an art director, designer and illustrator in the fields of editorial, publishing, advertising and product design. I have worked with some great clients including LA Times, Delta Airlines, The United Way, The Royal Bank of Canada, Zoomer magazine, Orca Book Publishers, Food Illustrated UK, Façon magazine Australia, Mudpuppy/Galison, Klutz Publishing, Enigma magazine and Running Press.
Collage for Façon magazine. Model photos in collage taken by Paul Dear