After gaining an Honours Degree in Ceramics at Loughborough College of Art and Design Jennie worked with Marianne de Trey at Shinners Bridge Pottery, Dartington. During this time she became interested in saltglaze and worked with Peter Starkey developing her own work and learning how to fire a salt kiln. In 1982 she moved to Coryton and set up Longham Pottery with her husband, Andrew Osborne.

For some years after leaving college Jennie worked alternately in raku and saltglaze. Although all the work was zoomorphic or figurative it differed in that the raku was hand-built and sculptural, whilst the saltglaze was thrown and modelled semi-domestic ware. Since 1986 she has worked exclusively in raku developing her own unique style.