It’s All Their Fault: Profile # 1

The first in a series by Katy of muchacha K

Many creative people can trace their influences back
to family, friends, snapshots embedded in the mind,
left by defining moments of childhood. Others of us
can trace the path of our creativity back to a point
of encouragement, given in a particular time, at a
particular place, that for some reason mattered more
than all the others.

Boston Handmade member Jessica Burko, of Reclaimed To You, traces her biggest creative influence to a group and a place called Appel Farm Arts and Music Center. It is an overnight summer camp that she went to for two months every summer from from ages 10-15. Jessica explains, “This was the place where I first learned about photography, and where I also learned to work with my hands in a range of other mediums like beading, sewing, metalwork, and ceramics. It's an amazing place and I know I would not be the person I am today with the sense of community I have if it wasn't for all of the friends, teachers and mentors I knew over my five summers there.”

Jessica’s fine art works can be seen online today on her web site.

This profile is the first in a series, naming, thanking, and blaming (with much love) those who have influenced us the most!