Good Morning, everyone! I am so excited to bring you our first "official" article that will be running on a regular basis (in this case weekly)...Art Shop Interview. Each Monday at 8am a new interview will go up about an art shop/company/photographer we love, along with any discounts or giveaways they might be offering to go along with it, and you will often see our design team playing with some sponsored products as well in the art we share throughout the month. So let's make a date...Monday mornings, you, the ever fabulous Cindy and/or me (every other week), a cup of coffee and a little bit about a very inspiring place...
For my first art shop interview I interviewed Jessica Rose, from Vol25.
I just recently discovered Jessica and her supercool art this year when for my birthday in January, my good friend Amy sent me a very special gift...a canvas print of a maternity shot of my husband and I with our hands touching my very pregnant belly. Above our hands were colorful hearts that were so subtle and whimsical that they set the whole mood for the entire photo. I was so excited I immediately put it up in the nusery above Gracie's bed, and when I was finished I sent an email asking her where she got the hearts and where I could get some myself, so imagine my excitement when she told me to check out the rest of my package...which held my own Lovey Dovey set of Jessica's overlays! And that's the story of how Cheryl became obsessed with EyeCandy Overlays...:) I have used them over and over in the months since on both photos and hybrid art projects. They are just so quirky and unique and fun...the best kind of creative to me, which is why I was so excited to hear Jess's answers to the interview questions Cindy and I compiled for her as well as the photos she sent along of her art and creative space:
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Hi! My name is Jessica Rose and I am the artist behind VOL.25. I married my best friend 6 years ago. We have 2 little girls ages 5 and 2, and they constantly remind us that time goes by all to fast. I Love Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream, and currently have a HUGE crush on the color yellow, I am a night owl and definitely NOT an early bird. I love the sun and the heat of summer... I am a pisces and someday I would love to own a vintage airstream trailer.
2 Describe your business:
VOL.25 is an art shop stocked with positive, inspirational art. I sell prints and recently started a new venture selling my "Eye Candy" photoshop overlays. Photographers and scrapbookers use them to add a creative finishing touch to they're work.
(this photo features Jessica's Feeling Cloudy overlay set...shown below)
3. What made you decide to open an art business?
I've always enjoyed drawing, and when I opened my etsy shop I really never intended for it to turn into a business. I had hoped to make a little extra money doing something I enjoyed.... but definitely didn't expect things to go as well as they have. :) I feel incredibly fortunate!
4. When did you start doing art?
I guess I'm not really sure... I have memories of being in Kindergarten and doing arts and crafts. My parents bought me my first art set when I was in third grade... I can remember drawing herds and herds of horses... I kind of had an infatuation with horses. :)
5. Where does your inspiration come from?
Hmmm... really the randomest of places. Design magazines, Clothing stores, Design blogs. I am really inspired by quotes though... one simple quote can inspire an entire print!
6. What are your long term career goals?
Honestly, I should probably have some long term goals... but I simply do not have any whatsoever. I would like to keep my shop at a manageable level, so that I always have time for my family. These last couple weeks I have been doing quite a bit of thinking along the lines of time management... sales have been so good and steady that I am struggling to find a good balance between VOL.25 and my family and life. Today my husband and I worked out a plan that should accomplish just that. :)
7. What kind of music do you enjoy listening to while you create?
Right now lights is my favorite artist. Owl city is another favorite!
8. What and/or who are your influences?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by family that have always supported my talent. My husband has been my sounding board for many many ideas, he is the silent partner behind VOL.25.
9. Please share with us your favorite childhood memory...or one that includes art!
Wow, definitely hard to narrow it down to one... but this particular memory has always stuck out in my mind; I am probably about 6 and I think I must have been working on a project for easter. We had a little craft area set up in our basement, I remember gluing cotton balls to a piece of a paper in an attempt to make a bunny, when we ran out of glue. I was so disappointed that I couldnt finish my bunny. My mom so cleverly whipped up a batch of glue using flour and water. I can still remember the smell of the glue and the darkness of the basement but what sticks out the most is how amazed I was that my mom had just made glue!! :)
10. Do you have a motto you live by?
Yep!! Well, I guess it is a quote and not so much a motto but I do try to live by it... the quote is by Roy Goodman "Remember Happiness is a way of travel not a destination."
11. Where do you see yourself & your business in the next 5 years?
Well, like I mentioned earlier I am not really sure that I want my business to get much bigger then it already is. I kind of believe in quality over quantity. As the number of sales I make increases, I find it harder to have the time to really connect and remember each of my customers. :) BUT, 5 years from now I would like to have a routine and schedule set in stone that I can follow daily. I would LOVE love to finally have my own studio space, just a separate dedicated room in our house. Oh- and I would like to be a few pounds lighter too... ;)
12. Any tips and tricks to other artists/business owners?
Oh yeah I definitely have some tips! :)
One: Believe in yourself.
Two: Remember that it costs money to make money. My BEST advice is to spend time and money researching your target audience/customer. After you have established just WHO your type of customer is, spend money advertising on blogs that are speaking to those people. If you don't have a ton of money to invest into your business right away then consider hosting giveaways on those blogs. You are only out the cost of your item, and they are always great exposure! :)
Three: Keep plugging along. When you have a slow period use that time to brainstorm new product ideas or create new pieces.
Four: I know this one has been said time and time again.... but the customer is always right. :) Even if they're wrong and you know it. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule... but remembering this has allowed me to turn some sticky situations into honey! I really do want all my customers 110% satisfied with they're shopping experience... whatever the reason. Besides, in today's time you never know WHO you are talking to and what influence they can have positive or negative on your business, so treat everyone with care. :)
13. Describe your creative process.
Ideas, doodles, and sketches usually grace the pages of my notebook before they make it to the computer. I generally try to take nap/quiet time to "play" on the computer. I use a wacom wireless pen and photoshop to take those ideas into a finished product.
(overlays in this photo are from Jessica's Lovey Dovey set, shown below.)
14. Advice you would like to share for someone looking into starting their own art business?
Well, I guess the advice from question 12 would be repeated here. I would like to add that you need to be confident and not doubt your talent, others will pick up on this.
15. Can you cartwheel? If so, we'd love to see a photo! :)
Gee... I havent for AGES. I use to do several perfect cartwheels in a row... I may have to get back with you on that one! ;) I will officially start my cartwheel training first thing tomorrow, and I WILL get you guys that picture. :)
I loved reading through Jessica's answers...she is totally deserving of all the business coming her way! If you'd like to see more of her creations, you can find her at the following places:
my blog: http://www.vol25.typepad.com
eye candy overlays blog: http://vol25.typepad.com/eyecandyoverlays/
shop: www.vol25.com
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26335640@N00/
zazzle shop: http://www.zazzle.com/volume25
I am so thankful that Jessica agreed to be our first interview for our art shop article. It's so inspiring to read about someone who started out small and grew over time because of great art, hard work and good service. We'll keep in touch with her and hopefully she'll share when she has new releases with us so we can spread the news and keep you updated on the latest and greatest...courtesy of Vol25.
(all photos copyright Vol25)
Peace and Inspiration,
Cheryl
P.S. We'd also like to mention that Jessica is having a buy 2 get 1 free sale on ALL overlay sets AND prints starting saturday the 5th and ending the following saturday the 12th so it's a great time to purchase something new and inspiring from her.
And best of all, she is sponsoring a give-away here on the Cartwheels blog...2 lucky readers will receive a free set of Eyecandy Overlays so you can see for yourself how amazing they are! You just have to add a comment to this post in order to be added to the drawing.