Pour Decisions

‘Inspirational Creations by Jae’ was the name of the craft business I started when I was 10 years old. I usually don’t tell the story because the people that I do tell think I’m joking about a little kid being a business owner. My mom even went and got a DBA started in that name for me. I attempted my go at handmade cards, beaded jewelry, bookmarks, and even purses. I still have a handwritten list of sales from when I attended my first vending event. That day, I made less than $20, and even that felt like pity from the older women who thought it was just a cute idea. I wanted to live up to my name and be inspirational; although my products didn’t feel as beautiful as I had envisioned they would be. I think my greatest obstacle lay in my limited knowledge of entrepreneurship and access to the resources I needed to make that happen. So, I ended up sticking to gifting my family members nicely handmade items on the holidays and taking art classes in school.

A DBA expires after 10 years, and in that time, I grew up and had to focus on the things that mattered in life. Or so I thought, or so I was told to think. Although I genuinely had a passion for many pursuits, I fell into the trap of finding something sensible to do instead of being able to focus on my craft.

I’m so grateful that I was able to return to my art. Little did I know, the embers in me were still glowing and just needed something, anything to become the flames they once were. It started with a painting I’d made for a loved one's birthday. It actually turned out the way I had imagined it would. I was never really into painting like that, but only because when I was in art class I compared myself to those I felt were better around me. They always say “comparison is a thief is a joy”, and there I was feeling like I was 10 again. This time around though, I continued painting because of the creative outlet it provided. This was the kindling.

When I was 11, I had an idea to make jewelry using real fruit and I would preserve it using mod podge. My kiwi necklace lasted for a few months but it was irregularly shaped and became a mushy mess of brown eventually. The idea suddenly recurred as an adult. This time I would be using some material called resin that I’d never heard of to bring my idea to life. Now that I had the means to purchase quality materials I didn’t waste any time getting a few molds, glitters, pigments and the fixings to add to resin. The first thing that I did was hand pick dandelions, add a little glitter and use resin molds to turn them into necklaces. I sold them to friends and family; not meaning to actually begin selling things again. It was a really fun time period of trial and error; purchasing the right PPE (personal protective equipment). Not only was it a creative process, but a learning one as well.

Fast forwarding to today; I’ve made and sold over 80 orders so far in my last year of opening my new Etsy store. I’ve just relaunched and renamed my shop BlueJaeArt. It’s such a fulfilling craft. I enjoy sharing my process videos via social media because each piece is inspired and handmade. I’ve made notebooks using real dried flowers, LED lamps that are remote controlled, trays filled with real cereal and what looks like milk, jewelry, orgonites using crystals and stones, glow in the dark ashtrays, and even learned to create a galaxy effect using different inks. One of my most popular pieces are my real sunflower lamps.

In a perfect world, I would be able to share more in depth process videos of each of my projects to a select audience. From there, I would be able to create lessons based on my most frequently asked questions such as, “What kind of resin should I use”, or “How do you actually mix the resin?” I can’t count the number of times I’ve received requests to make longer videos, provide teaching sessions, or to show off a specific technique. I’d love to share random things I’ve learned during my journey as well as tips for getting started as an online craft business. I feel as though many of my experiences could supply knowledge to those who’d like to learn or be entertained. I’ve gotten some pretty interesting ideas when creating (like adding cereal to resin) and those could prove to be fascinating as well. Lastly, I’ve always dreamed of being a traveling artist; not only to travel to clients where I could create art live for them, but to document myself creating art in breathtaking locations for others to watch.

I have so much gratitude to be able to express my creativity in my resin work and art. I really enjoy when I’m given an idea and can execute it using my imagination. It’s honestly been a long time coming, but I hope to continue inspiring people to be their authentic selves and to get more creative in their everyday lives. Art can be so freeing and healing, and I’m so excited to keep learning what else I can create.