JPD Partners in Craft

JPD Partners in Craft began in 2018 as a creative response to something Johanna Parker was seeing again and again: talented makers were inspired by her whimsical folk art and wanted to incorporate the spirit of Johanna Parker Design into artwork of their own. Rather than treating that enthusiasm as something separate from JPD, Johanna created a collaborative network where independent artists and entrepreneurs could work with her recognizable imagery while bringing their own materials, techniques and creative personalities to each piece. The result is a collection that celebrates both the distinctive world of Johanna Parker and the individuality of the makers who help reinterpret it.

That's what makes Partners in Craft different from a traditional licensed collection. A familiar black cat, ghost, witch or other JPD character might become an old-fashioned papier mâché lantern in the hands of one artist and a spun cotton figure, chenille ornament or tinsel-trimmed tree topper in the hands of another. Makers such as Pamela Plant, Rachel Garrison, Vintage by Crystal and Stony Layne Collections each bring something different to the collaboration, using materials that include spun cotton, papier mâché, crepe paper, chenille, tinsel, wood, clay and decorative paper. Johanna's visual language ties the pieces together, but the individual maker's craftsmanship remains an important part of the finished collectible.

Halloween is especially at home within JPD Partners in Craft. Black cats, ghosts, bats, witches and other vintage-inspired Halloween characters work beautifully as focal points on a mantel, feather tree or tabletop display, especially when surrounded by bottle brush trees, pumpkins and coordinating Johanna Parker collectibles. Christmas tree toppers and ornaments bring the same collaborative spirit to winter decorating, while occasional patriotic and St. Patrick's Day designs give collectors opportunities to enjoy JPD folk art during other celebrations. Mixing pieces from several Partners in Craft makers can create a display that feels wonderfully collected while still sharing Johanna's recognizable artistic personality.

Why Buy JPD Partners in Craft from Traditions?

Traditions has long appreciated the artists and small makers who keep handcrafted holiday folk art thriving, which makes JPD Partners in Craft a particularly natural collection for us. These collaborations allow us to offer Johanna Parker collectors something different from her larger licensed collections: pieces where the personality of JPD meets the individual craftsmanship of another creative artist.

Serving collectors since 1994, Traditions is a family-owned holiday store with a carefully curated selection of folk art and seasonal collectibles. Our team personally inspects items as they arrive and photographs our products in-house so collectors can appreciate the handmade details, textures and embellishments that distinguish one maker's work from another. We also carry the broader Johanna Parker collection, making it easy to coordinate Partners in Craft pieces with familiar JPD characters across Halloween, Christmas and other holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is JPD Partners in Craft?

JPD Partners in Craft is a collaborative program created by Johanna Parker Design in 2018. Johanna works with independent artists, makers and small businesses who interpret her recognizable folk art style through their own creative mediums. The program supports handmade and small-business artistry while allowing collectors to discover JPD-inspired pieces that can be quite different from traditionally manufactured Johanna Parker collectibles.

Who makes JPD Partners in Craft collectibles?

Partners in Craft is a network rather than a single manufacturer, so the makers and types of products can vary. Traditions has carried collaborations from artists including Pamela Plant, Rachel Garrison, Vintage by Crystal and Stony Layne Collections. Depending on the maker, pieces may feature spun cotton, papier mâché, wood, clay, chenille, crepe paper, tinsel and other traditional craft materials.

How do JPD Partners in Craft pieces coordinate with Johanna Parker collectibles?

They're especially easy to mix because Johanna Parker's artistic style is the common thread running through the collection. A handcrafted Partners in Craft black cat, ghost or witch can be displayed alongside Johanna Parker papier mâché figures, ceramics and other folk art without everything looking identical. For Halloween, try combining different materials and heights with bottle brush trees, pumpkins and vintage-inspired decorations. The result keeps Johanna's recognizable visual personality while creating the layered appearance of a collection assembled from several artists over time.