Meet Hannah Johnson | Performing Singer-Songwriter, Writer, and Quilter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My grandmother once told me a story about one of her cousins who kept many family journals and memorabilia then said, “She was a keeper, like you.” That comment stirred up a question in my soul: if I am keeping things, am I keeping them well? Is what I’m keeping worth sharing to those who will come up behind me? From that moment, I launched the brainstorming that eventually led to the founding of Prayerful Pieces, LLC. I wanted to create in a way that preserves the best of today for those who will remember to enjoy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In my corner of creative things, I make works by word and hand. I’m most proud of the memory quilts I’ve made for custom orders since opening and the music I released since moving home to Nashville. I started my small business when I was staying home with my kids in 2021. We were homeschooling and so many people were asking for memory quilts following cleaning out their closets during pandemic shutdowns. These quilts are made from the clothes or T-shirt’s saved up over the years. Alongside the quilts came continued writing on my blog and then a couple of self-published devotional style books. Once the business was running (meaning my hands spent many of my non-parenting hours at the sewing machine or writing), I was able to set a rhythm and pace for my days. Then, when our family moved home to Nashville, Prayerful Pieces continued but my quilting time shrunk as I returned to full-time work in healthcare. I found that creative energy flowing into songwriting in a way that really took me by surprise. A lesson I have learned in my few years running a small business that does add some value to our lives is to pay attention when inspiration strikes and go where the peace is. I had peace to slow down my quilt orders with all the change happening and I also felt really inspired musically. Just a year later, my first EP was in the studio and becoming a real thing for others to hear! Now, this business is a multifaceted creative expression that I hope impacts people with a sense of belonging. I hope the pieces they purchase from my online shop, the custom quilt order they receive, or the song they listen to as they drive home from work all remind them that they aren’t alone in this life. I want to create familiar things to comfort others, in one way or another.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a hard one! I’ll have to go with just my most current opinions. Many donuts have come to town but nothing tops Fox’s Donut Den in Green Hills. I’m always daydreaming of their Apple fritters and kolaches so I insist on visiting friends grabbing a breakfast with me there. I’ve recently enjoyed sitting down to dinner at Cafe Intermezzo downtown. I love the quietness and yet how central to venues it it. It definitely helps that my food has been delicious every time (the French dip hits the spot)! I would want to grab coffee with my dear ones at Turnbull Provisions in Kingston Springs. A perfect, quiet comfort with so many fresh goods to grab with your coffee. All the way on the other side of town, I would order takeout from Rehoboth Ethiopian Restaurant to have at home with my guests. They have never let this habesha girl down with anything on their menu.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been blessed with a strong community of support, both in my natural family and friends who are family. If I am to pick the one most influential and supportive group, I would say it is my sisterhood of women God has given me over the last 15 years. Their names are listed in my prayer journal and these women have been friends, confidants, and counselors. They have journeyed through grief and joy with me, always pointing me back to truth. They have called out strengths I didn’t see in myself and inspired me to achieve things I would never have pursued on my own. All of these women, my forever sisters, mean more than my words can say. In particular, I would shout out my mom who has been a tireless example of perseverance and dedication in my life. She built a life in the US after coming to the states from Ethiopia and has never stopped showing me what it means to do your best for the right reasons. I would not be where I am today without her love and support.

Website: www.prayerfulpiecesbyhannah.com

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/hannahbjohnsonmusic

Youtube: https://youtu.be/7-41L38HHrs?si=bCufbwiKbrPuMoCa

Image Credits
Ally Patterson Photos (photos including guitars and quilt materials) & Hannah B. Johnson (porch photo)