Today’s featured shop is based all the way from Plymouth, Minessota, and it is called Bird from a Wire. As I was browsing through her blog and putting this post together, I can truly see how hardworking and focused Jen is to her art, and how she is a good inspiration to budding artists out there. She even wrote a book on her craft, titled “Creative Bloom: Projects and Inspiration with Fabric and Wire“. So without further ado, let’s get to know more about Jen’s wonderful world of wires and collages:
What’s the inspiration behind your shop’s name?
My last business, a floral/events business was titled Art and Nature and while I loved it, it didn’t seem right for etsy or for my products. I wanted something a little more playful. I do birds, I do wire, we tried bird on a wire thinking people would remember it easily. Fortunately, that username was already taken on etsy so we brainstormed something else. Now I like it better because it’s a little more individualistic, and Mel Gibson won’t come immediately to people’s mind when they hear it.
How old is your shop?
I’ll be celebrating my second Etsy-versary in early August.
What inspired you to start your own home business?
I started to play around with wire after I had to let my floral business go. I was a new mom and couldn’t keep a thought in my head and unfortunately, when you deal with brides, details are VERY important. The floral business was out of my home so I had some experience with setting up a company and when I started to have WAY too much wire in the house and not enough extra cash to buy all the supplies I needed I decided to get real with it.
It sounds easy now but I was a complete wreck of nerves for weeks before my etsy shop first opened. What I do is fairly unique and at that point I’d gotten very little positive feedback on it. So offering it up to the world felt very very scary. Etsy has been wonderful for that. I just topped 1000 shop hearts this week!
Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in your craft?
Inspiration always seems to strike when I’m doing something else so I’ve learned to carry a sketchbook with me constantly. Later, when I have the time (i.e. my son’s in bed) I choose the idea that’s been on my mind the most and just go for it. As I’ve worked I’ve gotten better with the wire but I still end up doing 2-3 versions of a new design before I have one I like.
When I sculpt with the wire I feel as if I’m sketching with the wire. It goes fairly quickly and I use up a lot of creative energy doing it. The second phase of my sculptures is when I stitch fabric to the wire sculpture. That feels more meditative, like knitting, and is something I can do in front of the t.v. or in the car (if my husband’s driving).
What was the toughest challenge you faced so far?
Believing in myself. Each new step up brings new fears. But it also brings that breathless “do I dare?” feeling of being audacious. The night I brought up the book proposal I’d typed up and handed it to my husband comes to mind. If he’d demurred even a little bit I might never have sent it. He was wonderful, listened to my wild plan and then said to go for it. I did, and 6 months later I had a contract with North Light as my reward.
How did you overcome that challenge?
When I feel scared or afraid of the next step I usually ask myself “what’s the worst that could happen?” Usually the worst isn’t all that bad, and the reward for doing it is usually wonderful. That’s enough for me to walk out to the ledge, then I wait for God to tell me when it’s time to leap.
I haven’t always been successful, the business was slow in the beginning, and after my first couple of acceptances, I received a couple of rejections from magazines. I keep on though because I know that it will be worth it to be able to stand there knowing I gave it (whatever that is) my best.
Please Name:
the things you do when you’re not busy in your shop:
I have a 5 yr old. We do a lot of make believe and playing. But errands do seem to take up a large part of each day.
stuff inside your bag you can’t leave home without:
LOL- my car is my bag. I have my oriental shears (in case I need to cut an impromptu floral bouquet), a larabar, my camera, and I always have a sketchbook or notebook with me. I’ve also started carrying a black sharpie and packing tape with me wherever I go- it’s my portable shipping station. You know, for those unexpected shipping emergencies that pop up. 😉
your favorite shops:
I love Single Stone Studios on etsy. She does vinyl decals that are truly art- I’m a big fan. I’ve also purchased quite a few trinkets from 2 if by Sea and Torque, both on etsy. Of brick and mortars I have a serious shopping addiction to the big JoAnn etc. near my home and for fabulous quilting fabrics I go to Common Threads in Garfield, MN. They’re located near my parent’s lake home so I go infrequently, which seems to make it all the better when I can grab some time there.
your top 3 favorite picks from your shop:
I love the Scribble heart, the stitched flowers, and my jewelry tree.
What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you?
You can’t do it all all the time. I really need to prioritize my day or else the house doesn’t get clean and laundry doesn’t get done. It’s also important to get out of your house. I get a lot of social interaction from other etsy owners I’ve met through the years, but I also have coffee with some art friends once a week.
It’s also really important to keep trying new things and learning new skills. I started my first ever painting class last week. I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into but I know I need to feel like I’m growing as an artist- classes do that for me. As far as business, set goals, take small steps, but dream BIG!
Any message to your customers and the people who support you?
I am SO GRATEFUL (underlined three times) for your support. I honestly, might never have survived my first month on etsy if I hadn’t received the encouragement I did, from complete strangers! It is kindness. I also love hearing how someone has connected to my work, or has seen something in it that speaks to them, or encourages them. It makes me feel like what I do matters. So THANK YOU- THANK YOU- THANK YOU- ALL!!!!
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Thank you so much Jen for being our Featured Shop!
*This interview was originally published on TheShopbug.