Kansas City Star article, Sunday July 5th, 2009

Jeanee Duval, designer, crafter
Jeanee Duval, graphic designer for Hallmark, owns Dirty Laundry, a side business of handmade aprons and bath fizzies.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Graphic designer at Hallmark and crafter who makes products under the label Dirty Laundry, www.handmadebydirtylaundry.blogspot.com. Her work sells at Bon Bon Atelier, 314 Westport Road, and www.Etsy.com.

What’s your personal design style?
I recently took a quiz (at business.ikea.com) that said I’m Scandinavian Urban. That makes sense, because I love graphic prints and things with a 1970s look.

How did you get into crafting?
My mom was always crocheting and needlepointing when I was a little girl. And my grandmother, Mildred Barrett, my mother’s mom, was always so fashionable and put together. But I didn’t do crafts growing up. When I moved in 2005 to Kansas City to work at Hallmark, I was around all kinds of creative people. The lady who’s written all the apron books (EllynAnne Geisel) was coming to town, and her aprons were on display. To welcome Geisel, Gloria Kirchhoff of Hallmark taught a creative-renewal workshop, and I thought I could develop my own pattern and make an original apron.

Did you know how to sew?
No. She (Kirchhoff) encouraged me, saying I had the patience needed for sewing. Later, I took a five-week course at Hallelujah Alterations & Sewing School in Kansas City (4706 Holly St.). I had class every Monday. I discovered I loved sewing. I made an apron for a friend hosting a barbecue, and she loved it. So now I’m making aprons.

What kinds of aprons are popular?
I find that people respond most to what I call my “crafty” aprons. They have multiple pockets that are good for crafting, gardening or even walking dogs because they can hold a cell phone, keys and other stuff.

What kind of sewing machine do you have?
A light blue one I found on eBay for $80. It’s a Kenmore Mini Ultra. It’s a cute little thing, and I love it. I don’t need an expensive one with all the bells and whistles.

Describe your home.
My husband (Shaun Duval) and I live in a two-bedroom loft downtown. He’s a DJ who plays at Blonde and Nara. We’re busy between our jobs (he additionally works as a freelance graphic artist), and I teach Zumba classes. We always ask each other for advice and eat dinners together.

What’s the story behind your Dirty Laundry brand?
The logo is an urban June Cleaver, a great hostess and gift giver who cooks and cleans on her own terms. It’s a reflection of me. I also make cupcake bath fizzies, which goes with the apron theme. The scents for summer are creamsicle, raspberry, mint and limeade. I love to bake and cook. (She’s on a social networking site in which the members share recipes at www.mixingbowl.com.)

What stores and design blogs inspire you?
RVA (a store in Springfield, Mo., www.redvelvetart.com). Making it Lovely blog (by Nicole Balch of Oak Park, Ill., www.makingitlovely.com). Her place is how I want mine to look. It’s sleek with a touch of craft. I also love the Fly blog ( www.flygirls.typepad.com). And because I love graphic design, I read a blog about product packaging (dieline.typepad.com).

When you were a student at Portfolio Center in Atlanta, you received a tour of the legendary prop closet at Martha Stewart Living in New York. Tell us about it.
There are aisles and aisles of shelving jammed packed with these amazing things to use in magazine photos. Dishes, vases and sleighs — yeah, there was this wall with like 10 antique sleighs. Everything was organized by item and color and, of course, there was more than one version.

Why do you think crafting has become so popular?
Moms weren’t working outside the home as much for those of us born in the 1970s. Our moms made quality things — our clothes and bedding. That’s influenced us and we’re revisiting that. We want to be creative like that in a fresh and sophisticated way. I’m happy when I’m making things.

by Stacy Downs