Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year!!
Let’s kick off year four of 12 Days of Creators with a great creator.
Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year. For 12 days I will introduce you to 12 amazing creators that are doing BIG things and creating. Showcasing others and building a supportive community is so close to my heart. I love supporting others and that was the inspiration behind this series.
Happy day eleven! Today we are going to meet another creative creator and get inspired!
Hello friends! I’m Jess and I make a variety of things, so naturally JessMakesThingz was born:) I am first and foremost a crafter. I love using recycled materials and creating something one of a kind for my customers. I’m sort of all over the place with what I can do. From a jewelry piece to a home accessory, I’m your gal.
Stop by JessMakesThingz.com or my Etsy shop to see the current stock. I’m always making and adding things so check back often and/or follow on Instagram! I really love doing custom projects, so check out my Website Gallery to see some of the custom paintings, home signs, and jewelry to sorta get an idea. Reach out and we can discuss your idea. I want to make you a thing! 🙂
How did you start this creativity and develop it into something more?
I started out making earrings for myself out of pretty much anything that wouldn’t hurt my earlobes too much. 🤣 I wanted to represent my interests and couldn’t really find earrings that did that in stores (in the era before Etsy), so I took matters into my own hands. Everyone would always compliment and ask where I got my jewelry, and over the years I finally started sharing my crafting talents. As time has passed, I can see how my skills have improved in the quality of the items I create, plus expanding my knowledge in using different materials. Crafting definitely has a snowball effect, once you start you just want to try out every medium to find your niche. 💜
What motivates you to create?
I create to bring people joy. I love to see faces light up when I show someone their finished product or at an event when they find something that speaks to them at our booth. Something so simple as a set of earrings or a little painted figurine can make someone feel understood and included, it’s like “Someone gets me!” 🤣
What are some creative challenges you face?
Not being immediately “good” at something new is a hard one for me. For example, I started experimenting with polymer clay because it looked so easy and fun online and it opened up so many creative options. I wasn’t the best at it. Either my baking times were off or I wasn’t able to get things smooth & clean without finger prints or flaws. But the more I worked with it, the more trial & error that went on, I got the hang of it and it’s so much fun! Just stick with things, practice really does make perfect! 🙂
Do you have a network of other creator’s, and how do they support you?
I’m still learning and growing in this aspect. Being a hermit crab introvert, I definitely work best alone and am “socially awkward.” However, networking is so very important. There is so much support, inspiration, and information in our artist communities. Whether it’s learning about upcoming events, classes, or groups to join, having a network of other creators is priceless.
What important advice would you give a first-time creator?
It may be cliche but, Be Yourself! The things that make us unique are what will draw others to us. Whether you’re a content creator, a crafter, an illustrator, a designer, we are all Artists. Find what makes you happy, what brings you joy, and run with it. Chances are, your audience will find you. 💚
I loved that Jess said to be your self. We are all wanting to be our selfs while being creative. Jess is right art is all things. That is a reason I started this series. Art is a huge place in my heart and showing the community that artists are anyone that creates. Seeing her saying that made my heart full. That’s why we are here for 12 days together.
A huge thank you to Jess for sharing her thingz! I got to support Jess during a pop up she was doing and snag some super cute skull earrings. I’m in love with them. Make sure you are showing all the love to Jess and following her on all her social media.
Tomorrow we are wrapping up the countdown that feels so sad to say. But before we hug and get sad we have another talented creator to meet. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
I love this community and being able to create creative content for you. Click the Like button, subscribe or leave a comment down below it helps me a lot as a small creator. Have an amazing day!!
Powders and Palettes 