justJenn Brings Geeky Stationery, Comic Cookbook and More to San Diego Comic-Con

justJENN

​justJENN is a stationary designer, popular recipe blogger and all-around creative lady with a penchant for Star Wars birthday parties and comic character-themed treats. This year, she'll be at San Diego Comic-Con in the Small Press section of the exhibit hall, armed with copies of her comic book-styled cookbook, O.G.-- Favorite Recipes, and an assortment of cute accessories for nerds who still love to write with pen and paper.

We emailed Jenn a few questions about San Diego Comic-Con and her times in the Small Press area.

justJENN

​How many years have you been attending San Diego Comic-Con? How long have you had a booth there?

I've been attending Comic-Con off and on for over ten years and have had a booth for four. When I started creating my own things I realized how much more fun I had sitting at my table and having my friends come visit me, rather than roaming the halls. Even if it meant missing some great panels, I enjoy being a part of the Con creatively.



How would you describe your own nerd interests? Are you more into comic books or sci-fi or something else?

I love comic books, I'm a fan of superhero stories and books with beautiful art. I will also pretty much buy anything Darwyn Cooke puts out. I also love animation and toys and am a huge Star Wars fan. It makes me happy that all these things are well represented at Comic-Con. 



What's the story behind justJENN Designs? What attracted you to creating stationary?

My 'day job' was being an architect and I started designing stationery after work as an outlet for my own creative endeavors. I started using my own interests as inspiration: baking, nerdy things, and it took off and started doing really well. Now I sell online and am in brick and mortar stores across the country.

justJENN

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What inspired you to do a comic book/cookbook?

I incorporate so many geeky food things into my recipe blog, www.justjennrecipes.com, from superheroes like Batman and Phoenix - Jean Grey cupcakes to Star Wars buffets that it seemed like writing down recipes in a comic book form was a good fit.

My blog readers had been asking me for years when I was going to write a cookbook, and a comic book seemed simple and small enough that I could self-publish.
I also had the benefit of telling stories/drawing strips about my 90-year old Grandmother as part of the blog, so readers were already familiar with her as a character: O.G. - Original Grandma. By retelling our crazy conversations along with her personal recipes - I think people could really relate to old skool, easy recipes in a humorous form.
The comic/cookbook was so popular, O.G. and I did a book signing together at Royal T in Culver City and I'm already in the third printing of the comic book.